ACFL Division 1
O’Donovan Rossa 3-9 St John’s 1-10

Rossa took another step towards division 1 survival when they overcame the challenge of deadly rivals, St. John’s in a full-blooded encounter at Shaw’s Road on Wednesday evening

Goals win games and the home side scored three of them to overcome the challenge of St John’s and claim a vital two points in their bid to avoid the drop from Division One.

There was only a point between the sides at half time with Colm Fleming’s opening goal proving vital hosts led at the half with one of those majors through Colm Fleming proving the difference as the opening 30 minutes came to a close.

Rossa hit another two in the second half to give them breathing space and although the visitors found the net late on, it came too late to affect the result.

Both sides created plenty of opportunities over the hour but both wqere guilty of missed chances but Rossa will be the happier on the night as this win keeps them out of the drop zone and indeed moves them onto 13 points.

Rossa got off to a great start start as a Thomas Morgan shot came down off the underside of the crossbar and Colm Fleming was on hand to punch the rebound to the net in the opening minute.

Both sides were creating chances but were wasteful in their finishing with Conchur Adams wide from a free in the 5^th minute Rossa responded as Thomas Morgan and Niall Crossan kicked points, while Eoghan McMenamin fired over from the tightest of angles to move them into an early lead.

Adams kicked a free in reply, but St John’s would lose Andy McGowan for 10 minutes as he was black-carded for trailing down Gerard Walsh.

The hosts were unable to do anything with their temporarily numerical advantage, however, as the Johnnies pulled another back through Conal McGlade but they couldn’t add to that score as they kicked a number of wides or were short of the target.

Dominic McEnhill ended a barren 16 minutes for the hosts with a pointed free in stoppage time and while Conor Johnston responded instantly, it was Rossa who led 1-4 to 0-4 at the half.

The sides traded points at the start of the second half through Crossan and Conor Hand, but it was now the hosts turn to miss opportunities but they struck a decisive blow in the 41^st minute when Dominic mcEnhill placed Thomas Morgan who fired to the net for his side’s second goal.

McEnhill then converted a free to extend the gap to seven, but St John’s then hit a period of supremacy and began to find their range with Hand hitting a couple of excellent points and McGlade on target to cut the gap to three with six minutes remaining.

Mick Byrne landed a point from one of his trademark 45’s and then as the game ticked into stoppage time, Jack Morris fed Gerard Walsh whose drop-kick took a deflection and ended in the net.

Johnston replied with a point that was cancelled out by McEnhill and although St John’s substitute Conal Gough finished to the net late on, McEnhill kicked a late free to ensure Rossa the win they badly needed.

Rossa: M Byrne (0-1, 45); N Crossan (0-2), C McGuinness, J Morris; M McEnhill, R Gowdy, R Grant; G Walsh (1-0), E McMenamin (0-1); D Grego, C McGettigan, D McEnhill (0-4, 3 frees, 1 mark); C Fleming (1-0), T Morgan (1-1), M Mallon.
Sub: M Close for M McEnhill (46)

St John’s: P Nugent; C Garland, J Bohill, C Dyson; Ciaran Johnston, A McGowan, S Wilson; R McNulty, P McBride; S Tierney, Conor Johnston (0-3), C Hand (0-3); O MacManus, C Adams (0-2, both frees), C McGlade (0-2)
Subs: C Gough (1-0) for C Adams (42), B Neeson for S Wilson (46), L Heenan for O MacManus (56)

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tír na nÓg)

O’Neill’s Sportswear ACFL Division One 

Lámh Dhearg 2-09-1-08 Creggan 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

Lámh Dhearg made it back-to-back league wins with a 2-09-1-08 win over Creggan at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening. 

The visitors started strongly and held a 0-03-0-00 lead after three minutes. Paddy Coey converted an early free and Kealan McCann swung a high effort between the posts to double their lead. 

The next kick-out caused havoc in the home defence and Dominic McAteer took advantage and opted for a point when a goal opportunity was potentially in the offing. 

It took 13 minutes for the Lámhs to find their scoring range through a Fionn Mervyn point, but that was the catalyst for the home side. 

Just after the midway point in the half they hit the front when Mervyn slipped a pass to Matthew McElgunn and the midfielder took off towards goal and floated a shot into the top corner to give his side a 1-01-0-03 advantage. 

Their lead was extended when Ben Rice burst forward and showed composure to steer a shot between the posts. 

Creggan had a 20-minutes scoreless period that ended when Paddy Coey kicked successive frees in a matter of minutes to tie things up at 1-02-0-05. 

Lámh Dhearg would restore their two-point advantage at the break courtesy of converted Conor Murray and Carl Maxwell frees. 

The sides traded the first four scores of the second period, Conor Murray added two further frees to his personal tally and increased the hosts lead in the process. 

In-between times Sean Duffin would convert a free of his own and Paddy Coey kicked his first from play. 

On 48 minutes the games decisive score arrived, Shaun McManus claimed Gerard Smyth’s kick-out and quickly switched it off to Declan Smyth. 

Smyth carried the ball forward before picking out Adam Murray whose turn and shot came back off the post, Murray saw his follow-up shot blocked on the line before he found the net at the third time of asking to move the Lámhs 2-06-0-07 ahead. 

The goal scorer added a point a few minutes later and further scores from Conor Murray (free) and Declan Smyth ensured the points were almost safe. 

Paddy Coey kicked his fourth free of the evening and would get the opportunity to half the deficit when the visitors were awarded a penalty two minutes into added time. 

Coey sent Lámhs keeper Gerard Smyth the wrong way, it was little more than consolation however as the hosts hung on to claim the spoils and move above Creggan in the league table. 

Lámh Dhearg: G Smyth, F Mervyn (0-01), B Rice (0-01), P Larkin, D Martin, M McGarry, M Hynds, M McElgunn (1-00), S McManus, D Smyth (0-01), A Murray (1-01), C Maxwell (0-01f), T McCrudden, C Murray (0-04f), P Mervyn. Subs: M Jordan for C Maxwell (47), N McGarry for F Mervyn (53), C Boyd for S McManus (58). 

Creggan: L Bonnes, O Hampsey, E Carey-Small, S Maguire, C McCann, A Maguire, J McAteer, C McCann, K McCann (0-01), S Duffin (0-01f), C Small, T McLarnon, P Coey (1-05, 1-00p, 0-04f), D McAteer (0-01), O McLarnon. Subs: L McCann for E Carey-Small (17), L Quinn for O McLarnon (HT), A McKeown for C Small (47), J McAteer for D McAteer (53). 

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Gall’s)

ACFL Division 1

Casement’s Portglenone 0-15 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-11

The anticipated celebrations in securing a first ever senior league title have been put on hold for a time as Casement’s failed to cope with the challenge offered by the visiting Cargin in a close fought encounter before a big attendance at Kelly Park on Wednesday evening.

A win or at least a share of the spoils wound have sealed the deal for the home side and indeed for most of the observers that deal did look sealed for a while as they held advantage 0-15 to 2-08 as full time approached.

In the event the Toome men were not about to settle for a honourable defeat and late points from Conhuir Johnston (2), and replacement Paul McCann saw the reigning county champions cross the winning line at 2-11 to 0-15 and the home side’s celebrations cancelled, at least for now.

The script was written as Casement’s hosted Cargin and a win for the home side would ensure a first ever division 1 league title would rest in the Portglenone based club rooms if John Mc Keever’s men were to add another couple of points to their impressive haul from a successful season to date.

The Toome men had climbed into second place in the ratings, four points in arrears of the home side and although they were fully expected to provide a stiff challenge, a home win was anticipated by most observes.

Casement’s took the lead in the opening minute as Paddy Kelly pointed with Oisin Doherty following suit soon after to move the home side two ahead.

Cargin got off the mark via a Justin Crozier 11^th minute point, a smart score from the wing back who was on the cusp of another fine performance.

No quarter was being asked or given by any in the early stages but a fine point from a free by Michael Hagan saw Portglenone open up a two point lead again with Conhuir Johnston closing the gap at the other end a few minutes later after being set up by Justin Crozier.

The opening quarter saw little between the sides as Paddy Kelly and Cargin’s Tom Shivers exchanged points but focus was about to turn to the other end as back to back free kicks from Michael Hagan and Paddy Kelly moved the home side 0-06 to 0-03 clear.

A useful lead earned in the context of a close contest but that was not to last as Gerard McCorley sent Jamie Gribbin away to break the Casement’s defensive line before placing Eunan Quinn who deliver to the back of the net.

Casement’s looked stunned  and before they could recover a lofted delivery saw Quinn dragged down at the expense of a penalty.

Tom Shivers delivered the 31^st minute award to the back of the net to see the visitors nip ahead and the same player followed with a point a couple of minutes later after collecting a John Carron delivery.

Casements regained their composure to add an injury time point through Michael Hagan after a fine Niall McKeever delivery but as the half time whistle sounded it was Cargin who led 2-04 to 0-07.

Justin Crozier added a point a couple of minutes into the second half to extend the Cargin lead and Paddy Kelly for the home side and Eunan Quinn exchange further points before Portglenone hit a period of supremacy.

They struck with points from Paddy Kelly and Oisin Doherty to close the gap to the minimum as the home support roared their approval.

Cargin retained that minimum advantage as the end of the third quarter but a great point from Paddy Kelly as he defied an acute angle to send another free between the posts had the home side back on level terms.

This one looked like going down to the wire as Cargin substitute Tomas McCann fired between the posts in the 47^th minute to regain advantage but it was to prove short lived.

Back came the home side with back to back points from Paddy Kelly and Michael Hagan to see the hosts move ahead once more as the intensity and excitement increased.

Cargin went searching for an equaliser and Tom Shivers was denied by a post but the ball was recycled by Gerard Mc Cann for David Johnston to fire over and it was all square again at Kelly Park.

As the last few minutes approached the home crowd were on their feet as Michael Hagen converted a 56^th minute free to edge his side ahead once more and the league title looked within touching distance.

The visitors were not about to call it a day however as a John Carron fetch and delivery opened the way for Conhuir Johnston to fire over in the 59^th minute and see the Toome men back on terms.

Was there to be a winner was the question as the game enter injury time and in the event it was the Toome men who provided the answer as late replacement Paul McCann split the posts and when Conhuir Johnston added another from 45 metres in the 34^th minute that was that.

Disappointment for Portglenone but their destiny is still in their own hands. Win away to Ahoghill and at home to Creggan in their final two games and a first league title is still theirs.

Casements: Ryan O’ Neill, Ronan Delargy, Dan Mc Nicholl, Jonny Convery, Caolan Tierney, Niall Delargy, Conor Mc Gee, Stephen Kelly, Niall Mc Keever, Ruairi Hagen, Dermot Mc Aleese, Ciaran Mc Kenna, Michael Hagen (0-04), Oisin Doherty (0-05), Paddy Kelly (0-06)

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Conan Johnston, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Corley, Justin Crozier (0-02), Kevin O’ Boyle, Ronan Gribbin, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron , James Laverty, David Johnston (0-01), Conhuir Johnston (0-03), Tom Shivers (1-02), Eunan Quinn (1-01)

Subs

Tomas Mc Cann (0-01 for J Gribbin (inj)

Sean og O’ Neill for J Laverty (inj)

Paul Mc Cann (0-01) for Ger Mc Cann (inj)

Referee: C J Roberts (St Johns)

ACFL Division 3

St. Mary’s Rasharkin 0-10  O’Donnell’s 1-12

Photographs: Mark Hasson

It should have been a night of celebration at Dreen on Wednesday night. A win for Rasharkin would have moved them three points clear in the league with a game in hand but O’Donnell’s spoiled the party.

The MacRory Park side arrived at the South West venue having suffered only one defeat throughout the league (to last night’s opponents) and knowing that only a win would suffice if they were to maintain a realistic chance of winning the league and that is just what they achieved.

The unbeaten league leaders were first on the scoreboard when Oran McMullan pointed them ahead after 21 seconds but O’Donnell’s came back with a point from Patrick Meenan to draw level.

The home side suffered an early blow when Emmet McFerran was shown a Black card in the third minute but moved ahead once more as Oran McMullan fired over his second point of the contest.

Back came the O’D’s as Scott Thompson fired over but Eammon McNeill edged the Dreen side ahead again before the visitors hit the front for the first time with points from Sean Pat Donnelly and Marc McKenna with 20 minutes gone.

Once again Rasharkin rallied and Oisin Casey kicked a couple of good points from play but as game swung from end to end it was the Whiterock Road side who came back again.

Centre Half, Connor Walsh got forward for a good score and Sean Pat Donnelly added another to nudge their noses ahead once more but the final score of the half fell to Eammon McNeill whose late point saw the sides head to the dressing room level at 0-06 each.

With all to play for, the sides returned to the action and Donagh Quigg pointed in the 5^th minute to restore the Rasharkin lead following a great run from corner-back, Donagh Aka Quigg.

Things appeared to be turning the way of league leaders St. Mary’s when Eammon McNeill, Ryan Lynch (f) and Oran McMullan hit three on the bounce to move them four ahead after 16 minutes and it looked a long way back for O’Donnell’s.

The MacRory Park side were not about to throw in the towel and they showed just why they are serious challenge for the league title as they came back to dominate the final qwuarter, holding their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the game.

They opened their second half account with a point in the 17^th minute and when the excellent Patrick Meenan followed with a goal, two minutes later they had drawn level and Rasharkin looked shell shocked.

The O’D’s now had the wind in their sails as they sensed victory And Sean Pat Donnelly edged them ahead with a point in the 23d minute and they might have followed with a second goal but Conor Hasson pulled off a great block to deny Scott Thompson, who collected to send over.

Hasson’s heroics failed to lift his colleagues however and O’Donnell’s were now in full flight as they added three more points going down the home straight with Gearoid McKernan, Patrick Meenan and Marc McKenna adding late points to leave the visitors convincing six point winners in the end.

This excellent win sees O’Donnell’s move to the top of the league with 29 points from 16 starts, one above Rasharkin who now sit n 28 points from 15 starts and the race for the title is likely to go down to the final day.

O’Donnell’s have Pearses at home and St. Malachy’s away in their remaining games while Rasharkin travel to St. Malachy and finish with a home game against Eire Og with their fate still very much in their own hands.

Rasharkin: 1 – Andrew Hasson 2 – Pearse Kelly 3 – Emmet McFerran 4 – Donagh Quigg 5 – Fearghal Kennedy 6 – Conor Hasson 7 – Fergus Quigg 8 – Cathal Mooney 9 – Ruairi OBoyle 10 – Oran McMullan 11 – Thomas McMullan 12 – Oisin Casey 13 – Tiernan O’Boyle 14 – Eammon McNeill 15 – Ryan Lynch

O’ Donnell’s: 1 Conor Murphy, 2 Joseph Rafferty, 3 Stephen Seawright, 4 David Mackle, 5 Kevin Kennedy, 6 Connor Walsh, 7 Gearoid McKernan, 8 Fearghal McNerny, 9 Joe Wilson, 10 Keelan Loughran, 11 Sean Pat Donnelly, 12 Scott Thompson, 13 Patrick Meenan, 14 Cailean Walsh, 15 Marc McKenna

Referee: Gregory Walsh (Aghagallon)