Andersonstown SC IHC Group 1
Glenarm 1-18 Tir na nOg 3-18
Three first half goals swung this game decisively in the way of Tir na nOg as they overcame the challenge of a battling Shane O’Neill’s in Feystown on Saturday evening in the opening game of the Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Playing with the wind at their backs in the opening half the Randalstown side got their tactics spot on as they launched a high ball in on top of towering full forward Darragh Fagan but there was more than a touch of fortune about their opening goal.
Glenarm keeper Michael Abram misjudged a dropping delivery from Ciaran Logan and it ended in the net in the third minute to move the visitors 1-2 to 0-0 ahead with their points coming from Darragh Fagan and Sean Duffin.
Niall McGarel opened the Glenarm account with a point in the 5th minute but the visitors replied through a Sean Duffin free and a Ciaran Logan point from play and at this stage it was all Tir na nOg.
It took the home side a time to get up to speed but a Ben O’Boyle point and a goal from the dangerous McGarel in the 12th minute brought them to within two points of their opponents before Ciaran Logan replied again for the Whitehill side to move them three in front by the 10th minute.
Shane O’Neill’s were coming more and more into it however and Aidan Scullion struck a great long range point and Niall McGarel pointed a free to leave just one it with 12 minutes gone.
Tir na nOg responded once more as Joe McCormick, Brandon McLarnon and EamonOg McAllister struck three on the bounce with Ciaran Magill and Dylan McLaughlin keeping the home side in touch with points at the other end.
There was little between the sides at this stage but disaster struck for the Feystown side as Eamon Og McAllister pointed to edge them further ahead and then the defence got themselves in a tangle when they failed to deal with a high dropping ball into the danger area and Darragh Fagan got the final touch to steer to the net.
Dylan McLaughlin for Glenarm and Sean Duffin exchanged further points before another inviting delivery caught the home side out again and Sean Duffin finished first time to the net to leave his side 3-10 to 1-8 ahead at the break.
Duffin increased the visitors lead with a pointed free on the restart and Ciaran McKeown added another from play to move them 10 in front before Niall McGarel got the home side off the mark with a good point.
The Whitehill men were playing the more expansive hurling and finding their men easier than their opponents and Joe McCormick sent over a fine point with Aidan Scullion replying with an excellent point for Glenarm.
Both sides were giving it everything and some of the exchanges were not for the faint hearted as Sean Duffin from a ‘65’ and JoeMcCormick increased the visitors lead and another from Kevin McCann had them 10 in front after 10 minutes and at this stage well in control.
The home side were busting a gut to get themselves back into contention and Brendan McDermott struck a good point as Matthew Black replaced Declan McDermott and Sean O’Boyle came in for Sean O’Boyle in an effort to add fresh legs to the Glenarm challenge.
Their best forward, Niall McGarel pointed a free and added another from play by the 16th minute and Sean Duffin for Tir na nOg and McGarel again exchanged points from frees to leave six between the sides.
The home side needed a goal at this stage but it never really looked like coming with Ciaran O’Neill and Caoimhin Duffin dominant in a strong Randalstown defence and Ciaran Magill and Darren Hamill struck late points for the home side and Sean Duffin concluding the scoring for a strong Tir na nOg.
In the other game played in Group 1, Carey Faughs came from behind to draw with St. Gall’s in Ballyvoy and Tir na nOg entertain the Faughs at Whitehill on the 18th August while Cushendun get their first outing in the group away to St. Galls the following day.
Shane O’Neill’s: Michael Abram, Liam McLoughlin, Barry Hamill, Ronan Rodgers, Matthew Black, Declan McDermott, Aidan Scullion, Ciaran O’Boyle, Ben O’Boyle, Brendan McDermott, Darren Hamill, Dylan McLaughlin, Aidan O’Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Niall McGarel,
Subs: Matthew Black for Declan McDermott, Sean O’Boyle for Ben O’Boyle, Blain McDermott for Ronan Rodgers.
Tir na nOg: Kevin Sheerin, Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Dara Martin, Conor McCamphill, Caoimhin Duffin, Daniel Martin, Aaron McNeilly, Ciaran McKeown, Sean Duffin, Ciaran Logan, Eamon Og McAllister, Joe McCormick, Darragh Fagan, Kevin McCann
Subs: Neill Shannon and Emmet Martin
Referee: Sean Elliott (Lamh Dhearg)
