O’Donnells keep up the pressure with impressive win over Pearses

Antrim Football League Division Three

O’Donnell’s 2-25 Pearse’s 1-9

Division 3 league leaders O’Donnell’s turned in an impressive display at MacCrory Park on Wednesday evening to hold their place at the top of the Division Three table as this campaign draws to a close.

O’Dees were on top form against the third placed team and in the end had nineteen points to spare against last season’s junior championships.

Pearse’s opened with an Eamon Connor pointed 45, but O’Dees hit back with points from Loughran, Donnelly and McKenna to set down an early marker.

Sean Moreland and Fitzsimons kept Pearses in touch, but O’Donnell’s began to show their class and with Sean Pat Donnelly controlling matters on the 40 they were 0-13 to 0-6 ahead at the half time whistle.

Pearse’s opened the second half strongly as they strove to get back in the game but the O’Dee’s soon got back on top and kicked five of the next six points as McKenna’s brace was complimented by Ryan Rafferty’s goal-bound drive that was brilliantly tipped over, Scott Thompson and Joe Wilson.

Pearse’s were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded penalty in the 48^th minute but goalkeeper McKenna pulled of a brilliant save to turn the Donnelly’s shot around the post.

Pearses kept battling but O’Dee’s had moved up a gear and Donnelly stretched the lead when found the net.

From this stage on the battle was clearly decided and the MacRory Park men finished with a flurry.

**Pearses goalkeer McKenna makes a brilliant save to turn away Sean Pat Donnelly’s second half penalty**

O’DONNELL’S: C Murphy; T Rafferty, S Seawright, D Mackel; K Kennedy, G McKiernan, K Loughran (0-1); J Rafferty (0-1), J Wilson (0-1); P Meenan (0-4, 1 free), SP Donnelly (1-8, 0-4 frees), S Thompson (0-1); M McKenna (1-5), Cailean Walsh, R Rafferty (0-2).

Subs: C McKissock (0-1) for R Rafferty (41), S Smylie (0-1) for Cailean Walsh (44), J O’Donnell for S Thompson (55), Conor Walsh for J Wilson (55), D Walsh for M McKenna (57).

PEARSE’S: E McKenna; C McCavana, C O’Neill, J Collins; T McFarland, A McCavana, C Gillespie; G Campbell, J Smyth; S Moreland (0-1), S Fitzsimons (0-3, 2 frees), P Murray (0-1); E Connor (0-3, 2 45s), D Magee, D O’Neill.

Subs: N Devine (1-1, 0-1 free) for J Smyth (HT), M Girvan for C Gillespie (51), N Gorman for T McFarland (51), B Hamill for D Magee (51), R Sharkey for A McCavana (52)

REFEREE: Colin Thompson (St John’s)