O’Neills Antrim ACHL Division Two
Sarsfield’s 2-18
Carryduff 1-24
Visitors Carryduff claimed the points on day one of the ACHL Division 2 when they overcame a strong challenge from Sarsfields at the Bear Pit on Sunday.
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The visitors played their way into the contest after a slow start and led by two at the break following a quick exchange of goals, but powered home in the second period with a late Sarsfield’s goal a mere consolation.
Sarsfield’s Fionn Jemfrey landed the first score of the season for Sarsfield’s despite Carryduff protests the shot was wide and Jemfrey doubled the advantage with Caolan McKernan and Oisin Coleman also on target.
At this stage the home side were looking good with Carryduff were off finding the target elusive but Donal Rooney opened his account from a free in the 8th minute.
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However, the Paddies were calling the shots with strong pressure forcing a turnover that Daniel Smyth pointed and then Donal McKernan converted a sideline.
Eventually the South Belfast side settled into their rhythm and began to get into their stride as after an exchange of points, Donal and Eoin Rooney and Lavery would fire over points to help their side into the lead for the first time.
Donal McKernan replied from a free, but Carryduff were on a roll and they opened a three-point gap late in the half.
Sarsfield’s responded through McKernan pointing and then Enda McCartan found Jemfrey to lash to the net and at this stage the smart money was on the home side.
However, Carryduff responded in kind with Sean O’Callaghan’s initial effort saved by Daniel McKernan, but Ciaran O’Callaghan finished the rebound to help his team into a 1-12 to 1-10 advantage at the interval.
They added to that lead at the start of the second half with Conor McAlister leading the way and he would finish the game with six points. He landed the first two on the restart before the hosts hit back when Donal McKernan found Daniel Smyth with a superb crossfield sideline to score.
After Rooney pushed the gap out to three with a 65, points from Anthony McGarrigle and Brendan Jackson left one in it, but this was as close as Sarsfield’s would get.
Carryduff finished on the front foot to hit five of the next six points through McAlister and Rooney to extend the gap to six in added time before Fionn Jemfrey responded with his second goal.
This gave Sarsfield’s a lifeline, but they couldn’t engineer another opportunity as Carryduff claimed the opening day points and could be a side to watch this year.
Sarsfield’s: Daniel McKernan; D Coleman, J Cunningham, M McCavanagh; J Maguire, C McKernan (0-1), R McKenna; A McGarrigle (0-1), E McCartan (0-1); D Smyth (0-2), Donal McKernan (0-7, 3f, 2x65s, 1 sl), O Coleman (0-2); J Ward, A McKiernan, F Jemfrey (2-3).
Subs: B Jackson (0-1) for M McCavanagh (26), N McAlea for J Maguire (40).
Carryduff: C McLornan; N McArdle, C Cassidy, C Goodwin; M Conway, D Goodwin, O Wyer; O Teague, D Rooney (0-11, 8f, 2x65s); J Lavery (0-3), C McAlister (0-6), C O’Callaghan (1-0); S O’Callaghan, J Woods (0-1), E Rooney (0-3).
Subs: D Sharkey for N McArdle (50), C Ennis for S O’Callaghan (50), C O’Reilly for C O’Callaghan (58), M McCaughey for E Rooney (59).
Referee: John Dornan (East Belfast)