ACHL Division 2
St. Paul’s 0-14 Emmet’s 0-12
St. Paul’s got their league campaign up and running with a good win over a strong Robert Emmet’s, Cushendun on the Shaw’s Road on Sunday.
It was nip and tuck for most of this excellent contest and it was Calum Kilgore who pointed the visitors ahead early in the contest but it would be the only time they led until late in the half.
John V Morgan in the Emmet’s goals pulled of a good save but it was a sign of what was to come as the home side hit the front with points from Sean Munce, Conall Finnegan and Caolan Duffin to take a 0-3 to0-1 lead.
Cushendun began to settle however and Dominic McQuillan, Conrad McDonnell and Andrew Breslin replied with points in answer to one from Declan Chapman and it was all square at 0-4 apiece with little to separate the sides at this stage.
A superb long range effort from inside his own half from Daire Stevenson restored the St. Paul’s lead and another from Caolan Crossan had the hosts two in front but two in reply from veteran Dominic McQuillan had it tied once more.
Once again it was the excellent Caolan Duffin who restored the ‘Hoops’ lead before a cfcouple in reply from Tomas Scally briefly restored the Emmet’s advantage but Caolan Crossan fired over at the other end to leave it 0-8 to 0-8 at the break.
It was St. Paul’s who were first off the mark in the second half as Caolan Duffin pointed to move them ahead once more before Chris Murray pulled of a great save at the other end as the visitors attempted to respond.
Back came the North Antrim side again and Eoin Magee brought the sides level once more with a good point but Thomas Duff split the posts at the other end to put the hosts in front once more.
It was obvious this one was going to go right down to the wire as Dominic McQuillan pointed a ‘65’ for the Glens men but again the home side found a reply and it was Caolan Duffin who pointed from play and then added another from a free to move his side two clear.
Dominic McQuillan was going all in his power to keep the Emmet’s in contention as he converted another free but a superb point from deep in his own half from Daire Stevenson would prove to be the score that would finally break the Cushendun resistance.
John V was at hand as he once again came to his side’s rescue with Paul Magee making the points secure and Conor McHugh responding with a consolation point for Robert Emmet’s.
St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray, 2 Mark Munce, 3 Fionntan Gamble, 4 Tiarnan Auld, 5 Thomas Duff, 6 Daire Stevenson, 7 Liam Walsh, 8 Sean Lawell, 9 Caoimhin Killyleah, 10 Caolan Duffin, 11 Declan Chapman, 12 Conall Finnegan, 13 Pol MacAoidh. 14 Caolan Crossan, 15 Sean Munce
Cushendun: 1 John V Morgan, 2 Mark McSparran, 3 Donal O’Hara, 4 Pearse McKeegan, 5 Matthew McCartin, 6 Aidan Corbett, 7 Jack McKay, 8 Aidan McSparran, 9 Andrew Breslin, 10 JohnJoe O’Connell, 11 Archie McSparran, 12 Michael McHugh, 17 Eoin Magee, 21 Calum Kilgore, 14 Shay McGinley, 18 James Morgan, 20 Conor Bannon, 22 Conor McHugh, 23 Conrad McDonnell, 24 Dominic McQuillan, 25 Tomas Scally, 26 Pierce Bannon, 27 Gareth Magee, 28 Colm McKeegan
Referee: Shane McDonnell
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