ACHL Division1
Cathaoir an Ri 1-10 Ballygalget 1-18
Twenty minutes into this fiercely contested ACHL Division 1 clash in Ballyvoy, Cathaoir an Ri must have felt they were on course to get their first win of the season when they led visitors Ballygalget by 1-10 to 0-10.
They would not score again however as events swung dramatically in favour of the ‘Ards’ men who would score 1-8 to 0-0 in the closing stages.
The deluge that fell for half an hour before throw in finished just in time for referee Fionntan McCotter to get the game underway on a pitch made heavy from the falling rain and it was the Ballyvoy side who were first on the scoreboard when Connor McBride pointed a 25 meter free.
The visitors replied through Eoin Pucci and Daniel Toner to take the lead but Cathaoir an Ri responded with two of their own with Shea Hunter and Conlith McKinley the marksmen to take the lead for the second time by the 10th minute.
Ballygalget were trying to move the ball around but their short game was being thwarted by a combination of the poor conditions and an aggressive press by the home side but Daniel Toner escaped his marker to level matters for the third time.
The Carey men were starting to enjoy a bit of success however and a couple of points from McKinley and another from a Connor McBride free had them two in front by the 20th minute, the Ballygalget point a great long range effort from Ciaran Watson.
A Connor McBride pointed free for the home side and a reply from Eoin Pucci for the visitors had last year’s division 2 champions one ahead at the break and they had just about done enough to deserve their lead.
Pucci hit two more on the restart to move the Down men ahead and then brought a smart save from Daniel McBride as Ballygalget opened on the front foot but Cathaoir an Ri replied through Connor McBride and Caolan McCaughan to retake the lead once more.
Things were certainly livening up and some of the challenges were not for the faint hearted as Jordan Doran fired over a massive point from over 70 meters and Eoin Coulter was guilty of a bad miss before the visitors were awarded a penalty.
Up stepped Marc Fisher but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and over for a point and it looked to be swinging the way of the men from the Ards peninsula.
Back came Cathaoir an Ri and the visitors defence failed to deal with a dangerous dropping ball into the danger area and in the frantic scramble that ensued Conlith McKinley got the vital touch to send to the net and restore his side’s lead.
It should have got even better for the Ballyvoy men but Connor McBride pulled his shot agonisingly wide of the upright as he found himself on a one to one with advancing keeper Eoin Clarke.
It was to prove a turning point as the home side had Sean McBride dismissed for a second Yellow card offence and as a bit of space began to open up Ballygalget took advantage and began to move the ball around with confidence.
Jordan Doran, Daniel Toner and Michael Og Dorrian fired over points and when Toner cut in from the left after finding himself in space and rifled his shot past Daniel McBride it was as good as over.
Marc Fisher added another long range point and Eoin Pucci and substitute John McManus concluded the scoring with another excellent score to see his side home with a somewhat flattering eight points to spare.
Cathaoir an Ri: 1 Daniel McBride, 2 Daniel Hill, 3 Sean McBride, 4 Colm McBride, 5 Michael McVeigh, 6 James McCouaig, 7 Zach McCaughhan, 8 Eoin Hill, 9 James Black, 10 Caolan McCaughan, 11 Shea Hunter, 12 Conlith McKinley, 13 Connor McBride, 14 Daniel Martin, 15 Sean McLaughlin, Subs: 19 Fiachra McVeigh.
Ballygalget: 1 Eoin Clarke, 2 Michael Toner, 3 Peter McManus, 4 James Higgins, 5 Caolan Coulter, 6 Marc Fisher, 7 Joseph Smyth, 8 Eoin Coulter, 9 Jordan Doran, 10 Eoin Pucci, 11 Ciaran Watson, 12 Michael Og Dorrian, 13 Tim Prenter, 14 Owen McDermott, 15 Daniel Toner. Subs: John McManus, Daniel Doran, Ryan Watson
Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)
