ACFL Division 1
Moneyglass 3-12 Ahoghill 1-9
A big crowd gathered at Marian Hill for the first league meeting of these two local rivals for quite a number of years and it was visitors, St. Mary’s Ahoghill who showed their intent right from the throw in as they took the lead after 23 seconds through a Colla McDonnell point.
The home side replied with a point of their own from Connladh McCann but James O’Connell fired over at the other end to restore the visitors lead.
Noel Crossey pointed a ‘45’ with only six minutes gone as Ahoghill made the early running but the home side settled and Colum Duffin, Conaill Prenter and Sheanachan Duffin hit three unanswered points to put them ahead for the first time.
In what was turning out to be an entertaining game, the scoring continued with the teams trading points through Ronan Graham for Ahoghill and another from play from the impressive Conaill Prenter before Moneyglass edged 3 ahead through Colum Duffin and Sheanachan Duffin after 17minutes and seemingly in a strong position.
The game was about to turn on its head however as Ahoghill struck with a goal from Colla McDonnell to draw them level and although Moneyglass would get the next score through Sheanachan Duffin it was Ahoghill with their tails up who replied through a James O’Connell double to edge ahead once more.
The home side finished the half on top and late points from Kevin McCann and the impressive Prenter saw them lead by the minimum as Kevin Parke sounded his half time whistle with all still to play for in the second half.
The start of 2nd half would be a story 2 goal chances with Ahoghill firing wide before Moneyglass netted through a fisted Colum Duffin effort to extend their lead to 4.
This was quickly followed by a Sheanachan Duffin point to move the Marian Hill side five ahead and when Dermot McErlain netted a 2nd Moneyglass goal to put 8 points between sides it wasn’t looking good for the visitors.
Things would get worse for the Clooney side when they missed a penalty that would have put them right back into contention but points from James O’Connell and Ronan Graham left them trailing by seven points at the end of the third quarter.
The scores dried up for a time after this and a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to Jack McCoy disrupted matters for a time. When matters got under way again it was left to Sheanachan Duffin to put the game to bed with the 3rd Moneyglass major with Ahoghill hitting a consolation point through James O’Conell in injury time.
Another good win for St. Ergnat’s who have taken the move up to division 1 in their stride with Colum Duffin, Conaill Prenter and Sheanachan Duffin their best on view and James O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and Ronan Graham best for the losers.
Best wishes to Jack McCoy who received what looked like a bad injury and both sides wish the Moneyglass man a speedy recovery
