O’Neill ACFL Division One
Lámh Dhearg 1-09-1-09 Ahoghill
Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown
Neil O’Connell swept over an injury time leveller as Ahoghill fought back from 6-points down in their 1-09 apiece draw with Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening.
The hosts looked to have taken control of proceedings when Terry McCrudden netted, and Paddy Cunningham then dropped over a point from play to give them a 1-09-0-06 advantage with little under a quarter of an hour remaining.
Ahoghill closed to within a single point after James Magee scrambled home and the visitors had to remain patient with O’Connell levelling with a last kick of the ball.
Conditions were difficult for both sides on a blustery evening on the hill and it was Lámh Dhearg who settled quickest with Conor Murray side footing over and Terry McCrudden then doubling the advantage after taking a layoff from Murray.
Ronan Graham steered over for Ahoghill approaching the midway point in the half, but Conor Murray took a pass from Ben Rice and shot over on the turn and Mark Lowe then produced a stunning point to make it 0-04-0-01.
The visitors closed the deficit through a fine Thomas McGlone effort that dropped over the posts.
Adam Murray clipped an angled shot inside the posts in reply and Declan Smyth then curled a magnificent shot inside the posts following a strong burst forward from Terry McCrudden.
McGlone doubled his account for the half with a shot that evaded a few lurking in the area as Lámh Dhearg held a 0-06-0-03 advantage at the interval.
Ahoghill began the second period brightly and cut the deficit to a single point. James O’Connell hoisted over and after Fionnbarr O’Neill’s shot crashed off the large post, Daniel O’Neill popped over.
A converted Paddy Cunningham free got his side off the mark for the half and points were traded in the aftermath between James Magee and Adam Murray.
The opening goal of the contest arrived after 47 minutes. Paddy Cunningham laid the ball off to Terry McCrudden whose shot dropped underneath the bar and Aiden Graham failed to keep it out as the Hannahstown side shot 1-08-0-06 ahead.
Paddy Cunningham extended the lead within 60-seconds, dropping over from play as Ahoghill trailed by six with 12 minutes remaining.
They reduced the deficit with two scores inside of sixty-seconds. James O’Connell claimed an advanced mark and converted.
Another placed ball was converted by Ronan Graham within a minute to give his side a glimmer of hope.
That hope grew on the 56th minute when a high ball dropped underneath the crossbar, the danger weas partially cleared and a scramble ensued before James Magee stabbed home to make it 1-09-1-08.
Ahoghill spurned two chances of an equaliser in the aftermath, whilst the Lámhs also squandered the chance to claim the insurance score.
Deep into injury-time Eoin McKeown conceded a free in the wide position and the visitors had the chance to draw level.
Aiden Graham decided to come forward and offer a viable option to James O’Connell who swung a pass into the path of Neil- who swept over to tie the game up for the first time.
Referee Mark O’Neill decided bring proceedings to a close and blew his whistle after Gerard Smyth’s kick out as the sides shared the spoils at the conclusion.
Lámh Dhearg: G Smyth, R Murray, M McGarry, F Mervyn, D Smith (0-01), B Rice, D Martin, M Lowe (0-01), C Boyd, D Murray, T McCrudden (1-01), R Diamond, P Cunningham (0-02, 0-01f), C Murray (0-02), A Murray (0-02). Subs: P Fitzsimons for C Boyd (40), E McKeown for R Diamond (45), A McAufield for M McGarry (50), N McGarry for D Murray (57), M Finnegan for M Lowe (60+2).
Ahoghill: A Graham, S McKeever, D Graham, H O’Donnell, P Dougan, F O’Neill, B Graham, T McGlone (0-02), R Graham (0-02, 0-01f), E Brady, D O’Neill (0-01), J Magee (1-01), J O’Connell (0-02, 0-01m), N O’Connell (0-01), CP Crossey. Subs: M Graham for H O’Donnell (HT), C McDonnell for S McKeever (58).
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)