O’Neill’s ACFL Division 1
Casement’s 2-10 All Saints 0-9
2023 League winners, Casement’s Portglenone continue to set the pace in this year’s league race and they maintained their unbeaten run to date with a seven point victory over an inexperienced All Saints at Kelly Park on Sunday.
First half goals from Aidan McAleese after four minutes and another from new signing, Enda Lynn with 25 minutes gone proved to be the difference in the end as Liam Bradley’s young side gave as good as they got for long periods in the game.
McAleese got his side off to a great start as he raced through the heart of the visitors defence to beat Ryan Stewart from close range after both sides had kicked a number of wides in the swirling breeze.
Emmet Killough got the visitors off the mark when he converted a difficult free from out on the left in the 6th minute but Casement’s might have had a second goal but Michael Hagan pulled his shot wide of the posts from close range.
Hagan made amends in part when he pointed in the 17th minute but the Ballymena side were growing into the game and Benny McDonnell kicked a couple of excellent points to leave just one in it after 23 minutes.
Two minutes later Enda Lynn fired home a second goal for John McKeever’s side after Michael Hagan had retrieved a ball that looked to be heading wide and the former Greenlough man placed his shot with precision into the corner of the All Saints net.
Darach Bradley replied with a point at the other end but the final score of the half would fall to Casement’s Lynn who split the posts to leave the home side leading 2-2 to 0-4 as Ray Matthews sounded the half time whistle.
Ronan Kelly replaced Aidan McAleese while All Saints introduced Matthew Downey for Conall Killough at the start of the second half and it was All Saints who drew first blood as Michael mcCarry pointed a free into the breeze after 30 seconds.
Ciaran McAleese replied for Portglenone and the home side looked in for a third goal but Ryan Stewart pulled off a smart save to deny Enda Lynn.
Despite playing into the breeze the visitors were battling hard to get themselves into contention and McCarry pointed another free with Lynn replying from play at the other end to keep the gap at four.
A Michael Hagan pointed free and another long range effort from Paddy Kelly moved The home side five in front by the 13th minute and further points from Oisin Doherty and Michael Hagan further ahead before substitute, Sean McVeigh pulled one back for the Slemish Park side.
The visitors were still fighting hard and enjoying plenty of possession but the goal they needed wouldn’t come as a well organised Portglenone defence stood firm.
The Ballymena side would raise one further white flag through the busy Brendan McDonnell from a close range free but the final score would fall to Connor Magee following a turnover in the All Saints defence.
A deserved win for the Casement’s in the end and they look likely to be in the running for the league title again this year.
The addition of Enda Lynn to their ranks has given them a focal point in attack and he was the director in chief in a lively attack where Michael Gagan and Oisin Doherty were prominent.
After winning their opening game away to St. John’s, new boys All Saints have come up short in their outings against Creggan and Portglenone but they have played some excellent football and can only grow playing at this higher level.
Portglenone: Kevin Mullan, Kevin O’Kane, Shane Delargy, Ronan Delargy, Caolan Tierney, Ruairi Hagan, Connor McGee, Niall Delargy, Aidan McAleese, Ciaran McAleese, Paddy Kelly, Ronan Kelly, Michael Hagan, Enda Lynn, Oisin Doherty.
Subs: Stephen Kelly,
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Conall Killough, Michael Read, James Gillan, Patrick Ferris, Shaun O’Callaghan, Rian Tom, Emmet Killough, Eoin Walsh, Charlie Metrustry, Michael McCarry, Connell Lemon, Darach Bradley, Ronan mcKillop, Brendan McDonnell.
Subs: Rory McVeigh for Ronan McKillop, Sean McVeigh for Emmet Killough, Cal O’Brien for Michael McCarry
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
