ACFL Division 2
St. Ergnat’s 1-12 Naomh Comhghall 1-8
Following their relegation from division 1 last year, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass got their division 2 campaign off to a winning start when trhey entertained newly promoted Naomh Comhghall, Antrim.
They didn’t get it all their own way however against last year’s division 3 and Junior Championship winners who did enough to show that they will not be out of their depth in the higher grade.
Indeed it was visitors Naomh Comhghall who opened the scoring through the excellent Ryan Clarke who accounted for all the visitor’s first half scores and was a threat throughout.
St. Ergnat’s replied through Aidan McErlain and Kevin McCann to take the lead but Clarke had his side back on level terms by the 10th minute.
Both sides were giving it everything and points from Kevin McCann, Conor Boyd and a 2 pointer from Dermot McErlain in response to two more from the excellent Clarke had the home side two in front at the short whistle.
Dermot McErlain struck another 2 pointer, 8 minutes into the second half to move Moneyglass four in front and Aidan McErlain added a goal and suddenly the home side had opened up a seven point lead and it wasn’t looking good for Naomh Comhghall.
However they responded with a goal from Tom Patchett and a well struck 2 pointer from Ryan Clarke and the gap was back to two with 16 minutes of the new half gone.
Clarke continued to carry a strong attacking threat for ‘the town’ and he had it back to one with 11 minutes remaining and at this stage an upset looked a strong possibility.
St. Ergnat’s regrouped however to dominate the closing stages as Dermot McErlain, Kevin McCann and Conor Boyd hit three on the bounce to move them four ahead by the 24th minute.
McErlain made victory certain as he struck a late point with Patchett replying with a consolation point for the visitors who will be pleased by many aspects of their performance if not the final result.
St. Ergnat’s: 1. Jamie McLaughlin, 2. Damian Duffin, 3. Frank Duffin, 4. James McCormick, 5. Matthew Mullen, 6. Connor Boyd, 7. Oisin Hamill, 8. Kevin McCann, 9. Dermot McErlain, 10. Callum Murray, 11. Aidan McErlain, 12. Connor O Kane, 13. Niall Boyd 14. Column Duffin, 15. Charlie McCloskey,
Subs Sean Carey for Colm Duffin,
Feargal Duffin for Nail Boyd,
Senan O Boyle for C O Kane
Naomh Comhghall: 1Anton Watson, 2, Caolan McKeown3 Cathal Donnelly, 4 Sean Hinfey, 5 Shane Og Gribbon, 6 Michael McCabe, 7 Eoin Lynch, 8 James McCabe, 9 Louis Higgins, 10, Dylan Murdock, 11 Miles Devine, 12 Aaron McGraw, 13 Ryan Clarke, 14 Ruairi Griffin, 15 Tom Patchett
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