ACHL Division 1
Naomh Eanna 3-18 Dunloy 2-13
St. Enda’s continue to punch above their weight in division 1 of the ACHL and on Sunday at Hightown Cuchullian’s Dunloy became their latest conquests. The Hightown side brought their winning streak to four in seven starts as they battle to establish themselves in the top grade.
A Ciaran McAllister hat-trick would prove the defining scores in the end as St. Enda’s ran out 8 point winners over their visitors to maintain their recent good league form.
Dunloy travelled to Hightown without their county contingent but still fielded a strong side and the Cuchullian’s must have fancied their chances with the sides tied at 1-8 apiece at half-time.
However it was Naomh Eanna who found the extra gear after the break as they outscored their visitors by double scores to run out convincing winners in the end and this win will surely add to their confidence as the season goes on.
The sides were evenly balanced during the opening half with Cormac Jennings, Luke O’Connor and Joe Maskey hitting early points for the Hightown men and Aodhan McGarry, Eoin McFerran and Nicky McKeague replying for the visitors before McFerran fired home the game’s opening goal to put the visitors ahead.
It was pretty even after this as Cormac Jennings continued to carry the St. Enda’s challenge with two further points and Luke O’Connor 0-2, Luke O’Connor added to the St. Enda’s total.
Meanwhile Nicky McKeague, Aodhan McGarry, Eoin McFerran and Gabriel McTaggart had added to the visitors total and the Cuchullian’s looked to be heading to the dressing room with a three point lead.
St. Enda’s struck with a late goal from Ciaran McAllister however to bring the sides level and leave it all to play for in the second half.
Eoin McFerran got in for his second goal, early in the second half but Naomh Eanna stuck by their task as Ollie Breen, Eddie O’Connor and three from Joe Maskey kept them very much in touch.
Ciaran McAllister got in for a second goal as Nicky McKeague, Aodhan McGarry and Paul Shiels added points for the Cuchullian’s but when McAllister completed his hat-trick for the home side it was as good as over.
Eddie O’Connor, Cormac Jennings added points to ensure there would be no way back for Dunloy with Dunloy’s only response coming from Shiels and McFerran points for the visitors.
This win leaves St. Enda’s on 8 points from 7 starts and they sit just one place behind Dunloy who have the same number of points but a superior score difference.
