O’Cahan Cup
St. Mary’s Ahoghill 0-12 Tir na nOg 2-15
An excellent goal from Ciaran O’Neill, eight minutes into the second half swung this O’Cahan Cup first round encounter decisively in favour of Tir na nOg and when Sean Paul McAtamney struck a second from the penalty spot, a minute later it was as good as over.
A depleted St. Mary’ gave as good as they got during an interesting opening half and despite having only 15 players on duty were good value for the 0-6 to 0-6 half time scoreline.
O’Neill’s goal following a well-constructed build up changed all that and McAtamney’s successful penalty conversion suddenly put 8 points between the sides and while the Ahoghill side never gave up, there would be no way back.
Caleb Smith got Tir na nOg off the mark with a 2nd minute point and the youngster add a second from a 6th minute free before Patrick Graham replied for the home side with a point in the 10th minute. It was the visitors who looked the livelier however as Ciaran Logan and Joshua Higgins extended their lead.
James O’Connell, who was instrumental in nearly everything Ahoghill produced came back with a good point from outside the ‘40’ and as play swung end to end Oliver McAtamney responded with an equally impressive effort at the other end.
Aaron McNeilly looked to have put the Whitehill side in a strong position with a point in the 30th minute but the Clooney side finished the half strongly to draw level through Ronan Graham and James O’Connell.
Those early second half goals changed the momentum of the game completely with Aaron McNeilly’s inch perfect, 40 meter cross field pass finding Ciaran O’Neill and he took a few steps before drilling his shot low to Aiden Graham’s left.
The goal followed points from McNeilly and O’Neill and when Sean Paul McAtamney converted a penalty in the 9th minute it was as good as over.
Three more points from Oliver McAtamney and another from Aaron McNeilly had the Og’s 2-13 to 0-7 ahead after 19 minutes before St. Mary’s staged a short period of success as James O’Connell converted three free, one a two pointer with McNeilly replying at the other end before Daniel Hastings and Sean Grant entered the action for the Randalstown side.
Conor Crossey, who had been busy throughout for the Ahoghill side, brought their tally to 0-12 with a good point with Ciaran O’Neill concluding the scoring at the other end as Tir na nOg advance to the next round.
Ahoghill: Aiden Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Bobby Magee, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Patrick Dougan, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Ronan Graham, 8 Noel Crossey, 9 Patrick Graham, 10 Colla McDonnell, 11 James O’Connell, 12 Ryan mcPeake, 13 Ben Friel, 14 Conor Crossey, 15 Ryan Martin.
Tir na nOg: 1 Sean Paul McAtamney, 2 Sean McKeown, 3 Ciaran McGrellis, 4 Declan Marron, 6 Barry McCormick, 7 Ciaran Logan, 8 Joshua Higgins, 9 Oliver McAtamney, 10 Aaron McNeilly, 11 Ryan O’Neill, 12 Ciaran O’Neill, 13 Alex O’Donnell, 14 Dylan McLarnon, 15 Caleb Smith.
Subs: Daniel Hastings, Sean Grant
Referee: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)
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