ACHL Division 2

Clooney Gaels 4-21 Robert Emmets 3-15

Despite being out of the running for the division 2 title these sides served up an hour of excellent free flowing and high scoring hurling in Clooney on Sunday afternoon.

It was the Ahoghill side who were in control for most of the hour however and they put themselves in a strong position when they led 3-15 to 2-7 at the halfway stage with goals from Owen Neeson, Eoin Graham and Colla McDonnell.

The Emmet’s responded with goals from Pierce Bannon and Andrew Breslin late in the opening half but with the ‘Gaels’ in fine point scoring form it was looking ominous for the Cushendun side.

Colla McDonnell’s second goal and Ahoghill’s fourth, four minutes into the second half opened up a 14 point gap but to their credit, the visitors kept going to the end and actually outscored their opponents during the second half.

Once again it was Clooney Gaels talisman, James O’Connell who led the way with 0-7 in the opening half with Owen Neeson, Eoin Graham, Ronan Graham, Patrick Graham and Dan O’Neill all making contributions to the home side’s 15 first half points total.

Connlaoth McNeill 0-3, Pierce Bannon, Dominic McQuillan and Conor Bannon were the point scorers for the North Antrim side but it was Clooney Gaels who were in pole position at the turn around.

When Colla McDonnell completed his double, four minutes after the restart it was difficult to see anything other than a resounding hammering for the Cushendun side but to their credit they kept battling until the end.

James O’Connell brought his contribution to 0-12 for the evening with Fionnbar O’Neill getting his second of the evening but the Emmets finished strongly through ‘Loaf’ McNeill, Dominic McQuillan, Pierce Bannon, Sean McKay and Conor Bannon with McKay’s goal with five minutes remaining putting a better look on the final score-line.

Both sides are out of contention for the league title but Emmet’s could still have a say in the outcome when they meet league favourites Carey in Cushendun on Wednesday night.

The Ballyvoy side will take the title if they win that one but should they lose or even draw and Shane O’Neill’s win away to St. Paul’s then they would be league winners.

Clooney Gaels: Aiden Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Diarmaid Graham, 4 Conor McGarry, 5 Fionnbar O ‘Neill, 6 James Magee, 7 Harry O’Donnell, 8 Dan O’Neill, 9 Conor Crossey, 10 Patrick Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 James O’Connell, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Eoin Graham, 15 Owen Neeson.

Subs: Martin Graham for Patrick Graham. Ryan McPeak for Owen Neeson. Noah Friel for Eoin Graham. Bernard Graham for Diarmaid Graham. Conal Walls for Colla McDonnell

Robert Emmet’s: 1 Gareth Magee, 2 Jack McKay, 3 Aidan Corbett, 4 Pearse McKeegan, 6 Sean McKay, 7 Thomas Scally, 8 Dominic McQuillan, 9 Andrew Breslin, 10 Conor Bannon, 11 Calum Kilgore, 12 Shay McGinley, 13 Alex McMullan, 28 Connlaoth McNeill, 15 Pierce Bannon, 17 Colm McKeegan, 18 Conor McHugh, 19 Conor O’Hara