ACHL Division 3
Lámh Dhearg 0-05-2-24 Cloughmills
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Lámh Dhearg
Cloughmills remain joint-top of the ACHL Division 3 after they eased to victory over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Easter Sunday.
It took the visitors six minutes to register their first score in the form of a converted Eoin Dobbin free. Dobbin registered from play shortly after following a nice pass from Stephen Smyth.
The Lámhs hit back through a converted Adam Murray free after Conall McGuigan was fouled, but it was the briefest of rest bite as Cloughmills restored their two-point lead and then stretched it in the aftermath.
Dobbin took his tally to five by the midway point in the first half, converting two further frees and then adding his second from play.
A foul on Smyth led to Cloughmills talisman making it four from the placed ball and giving his side a 0-06-0-01 lead.
Donal Martin temporarily cut the deficit with a fine point after Micky McGuigan showed his eagerness to get to the loose flick first.
Cloughmills lead extended into double figures with six-unanswered points. All six were spread around with Kevin O’Boyle reaching a loose clearance and firing over after Conor McConville did well to deny a certain goal.
Michael Devlin then swung over from Reece Watt’s pass and Watt then produced a fine score from range.
Devlin doubled his tally before points from Liam Kearns, Stephen Smyth and a second Kevin O’Boyle point in-between a 65’ from Adam Murray, ensured that the visitors held a 0-13-0-03 lead at the break.
Lámh Dhearg did start the second period brightly and opened up with back-to-back points. Donal Martin doubled his account for the afternoon after linking up well with Adam Murray.
Sean-Paul Gibson then fizzed a shot over the bar at the near post.
That was to finish their scoring for the afternoon though as Cloughmills cantered to victory thereafter.
Eoin Dobbin got his side up and running for the half with a converted free, his fifth of the contest and seventh point overall.
With a quarter of an hour remaining Lámh Dhearg were reduced to 14-men when Conall McGuigan was shown a second yellow-card.
After a ten-minute scoreless period, Michael Devlin hit successive points for his side, the first an excellent effort range and the second a simple pop over the bar.
Devlin would provide another fine point from range in-between a double from Reece Watt and a converted free from Dobbin ensured their side hit the 20-point mark.
Odhran McCurdy got in on the act with a point before the visitors hit the net twice within sixty seconds. Both coming through substitute Corey Blair.
Blair was in the right place for the first after a shot came back off the large post and Liam Kearns popped a pass back inside for the substitute to flick home.
A second followed after Conor McConville denied Eoin Dobbin a goal with a fine save, only for Blair to appear and stab the loose ball home and give his side a 2-21-0-05 lead.
Reece Watt and added a point from play before Dobbin claimed his sides last two points from the placed ball.
Dobbin had a second opportunity of a goal when his side were awarded a penalty- though his stinging effort hit the bar and went over and before the afternoon was out, he notched his seventh free of the contest to ensure a routine Easter Sunday win.
Lámh Dhearg: C McConville, C Nolan, J Brady, T McKenna, SP Gibson (0-01), D Murray, M McGuigan, E Stanley, C Boyd, D Martin (0-02), A Murray (0-02, 0-01f, 0-01 65’), N McGarry, T Murphy, C McGuigan, D Cunningham. Subs: N McGuigan for T Murphy (40), A Ferris for D Cunningham (55).
Cloughmills: C McKiernan, M Dobbin, S McKendry, S MacGabhann, J Duffin, C Laverty, R Dobbin, K O’Boyle (0-02), O McCurdy (0-01), E Dobbin (0-10, 0-07f, 0-01p), R Watt (0-04), M Devlin (0-05), S Smyth (0-01), B McQuillan, L Kearns (0-01). Subs: C Blair (2-00) for B McQuillan (40), C McCurry for M Dobbin (52),T McNeill for S Smyth (54), P Smith for J Duffin (56).
Referee: Piaras McCafferty (St Galls)
