Ulster Senior Football League – Section A, Round 1
Tir na Nog 1-05-3-11 Lámh Dhearg
Kevin Herron reports from Randalstown
There was an all-Antrim affair in the opening game of the Ulster Senior Football League, Section A as Lámh Dhearg made the trip to Randalstown to take on Tir na Nog on Sunday afternoon.
Conor Murray edged the visitors into an early lead in Whitehill, claiming an advanced mark and then swigning the shot over, only for Brandon McLarnon to level things up within a few minutes.
Lámh Dhearg regained the lead following Paddy Mervyn playing a one-two with Shaun McManus and firing over and a converted Conor Murray free extended the lead.
The games first goal arrived after 9 minutes, Mervyn did well to turn over the Tir na Nog kick-out and find Conor Murray, he is turn found namesake Adam and he steered a low shot into the corner of the net to make it 1-03-0-01.
A second would arrive four minutes later. Paddy Mervyn was again involved, he shaped to shoot but his effot dropped short and was fisted to the net by Conor Murray.
A further point would follow after Jody Quinn claimed a mark and slotted over to make it 2-03 unanswered as the Hannahstown men were well in the driving seat.
Tir na Nog finished the half much stronger with Conor Hastings taking a layoff and conjuring his first score of the half.
Hastings doubled his account after Barry Magee charged out of defence and his pass found the corner-froward to swing over.
Adam Murray would halt the hosts momentum with a point before the break as Lámh Dhearg held a 2-05-0-03 lead at the halfway point.
Murray would extend his sides lead after the restart following a foul on Conor Murray, but Darren O’Kane kicked a sensational point from play in response.
Niall McGarry kicked his sides second of the half and Conor Murray would add to his personal tally before departing proceedings.
The sides then traded points, Ben Rice popping over after good work from Ciaran Boyd, before Conor Hastings claimed a mark and swung over for his third of the afternoon.
Lámh Dhearg would finish their afternoon scoring with 1-02 in the final quarter of an hour. Ciaran Boyd dropped a shot over and on 47 minutes Matthew McElgunn kept his composure and rolled a shot home to give his side a 3-10-0-05 lead.
Kieran Fay-Kelly would add his sides final score from a converted free before Alex O’Donnell found the net late on for the hosts to ensure it finished 3-11-1-05 at the conclusion with both sides having positives and things to work on in the comings weeks ahead.
