ACHL Division 2
St. Brigid’s 1-14 Shane O’Neill’s 1-16
Last year’s Division 2 runners-up, Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm, kicked off their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought two-point victory over newly promoted St. Brigid’s Cloughmills in a keenly contested encounter in Cloughmills on Sunday.
Both teams came out strong, trading early scores in a fast-paced opening. Glenarm’s Niall McGarel led the way with some fine points, showcasing his accuracy from play and placed balls. St. Brigid’s, however, were up for the challenge, with Eoin Dobbin in impressive form, keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the ‘Biddies.’
It was Gerald Burns who opened the scoring with a point for the visitors in the 2nd minute with Liam Kearns replying immediately for the host club.
Two more from McGarel and Daniel Black moved Shane O’Neill’s two in front and Dobbin and McGarel exchanged further points before Niall McNaughton and Dobbin with a great long range effort tied the contest for a second time.
Gerald Burns and John Scullion moved Glenarm two in front and Dobbin and McGarel exchanged further scores before Cloughmills finished strongly with Kevin O’Boyle, Eoin Dobbin, Seamus Duffin and O’Boyle again adding points.
Ben O’Boyle and McGarel replied for the Feystown side and at the half way mark it was nine each and all still to play for in the second half.
The intensity carried into the second period, with Daniel Black edging the visitors ahead once more and Eoin Dobbin bring it all square for the 5th time but Glenarm responded with renewed energy.
They hit a purple patch as McGarel continued to shine, knocking over three of the next four scores which sandwiched a Daniel Black goal and suddenly Shane O’Neill’s had moved six in front.
Dobbin replied with his sixth point of the afternoon and the Cloughmill’s number 11 had the opportunity to bring his side right back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty but his effort sailed wide of the upright.
Cloughmills rang the changes as they introduced three substitutes and it was of them, James O’Boyle who scrambled the sliotar over the line from close range to put his side right back into contention with 10 minutes remaining.
A couple from Dan Black at the other end had Glenarm four clear and they appeared to have rode the storm but the ‘Biddies’ were battling hard to keep in touch and it took a couple of smart saves from Michael Abram to keep the visitors in front.
As the game entered the final stages, Glenarm’s experience proved vital and despite two more points from the impressive Dobbin they held on for a two point victory as they got their first points for 2025 on board.
Glenarm will look to build on this hard-fought win in their next fixture against Tir na nOg while Cloughmills will aim to bounce back when they travel to Carryduff on the 13th April.
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