ACFL Division 2
Gort na Mona 1-11 St. Ergnat’s 2-11
Dermott McErlain’s ability to kick 2 pointers proved significant in this win by St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass over Gort na Mona at Enright Park on Sunday. McErlain converted 2 from distance during the opening 30 minutes and a goal from his mid-field partner, Kevin McCann put their side in a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.
Gort na Mona got themselves right back into contention with a goal from Shane Scullion at the start of the second half and matched the visitors for most of the second period but Kevin McCann’s second goal of the contest swung it St. Ergnat’s way.
It took both sides a time to find their radar in the swirling breeze before Dermott McErlain got the visitors off the mark with a point in the 10th minute with Dessie McLean replying immediately with a point for the home side.
McErlain struck his first 2 pointer to put his side ahead again in the 12th minute and McCann’s first goal of the contest put St. Ergnat’s in a strong position at the end of the opening quarter.
The Mona bye-pass side kicked three further points through Padraic Mulvenna, Padraig Cournane and Caoimhin Beck but McErlain’s second Orange flag of the half put the visitors four in front at the break.
Gort na Mona made a strong start to the second half and threatened to take over as they recorded 1-2 in the opening four minutes with the goal coming from Shane Scullion and McLean and Sean Campbell getting the points to level the contest.
Niall Boyd restored the St. Ergnat’s lead and they added points through Boyd and Dermott McErlain to move three in front by the 12th minute but Gort na Mona replied through a Manus McMullan double to leave just one in it again.
The next two scores would prove significant as Sean Boyd split the posts and Kevin McCann got in for his side’s second goal to put the South West men five ahead with 11 minutes remaining.
Moneyglass would add only one more point for the remainder of the contest through Niall Boyd but their defence stood firm with Gort na Mona only able to hit 0-3 in reply through Shane Scullion, Manus McMullan and substitute David McKeown.
A good win for the visitors who make it two wins from two starts and on this early season form last year’s relegation from division 1 could be matched with a quick return to the top grade.
Gort na Mona lost narrowly last week at St. Teresa’s and will be disappointed not to have got something from this one but on the evidence of what we have seen, that first win will not be too long in coming.
Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Michael Savage, 4 Conal Keenan, 5 Brendan Burns, 6 Ciaran Donnelly, 7 Padraig Cournane, 8 Tiarnan Morton, 9 Shane Scullion, 10 Manus McMullan, 11 Christopher Carson, 12 Padraic Mulvenna, 13 Thomas McCaffrey, 14 Desmond McLean, 15 Caoimhin Beck.
Subs: 19 Sean Campbell, 18 David Mckeown
Moneyglass: 1 James McLaughlin, 2 Matthew Mullen, 3 James McCormick, 4 Damien Duffin, 5 Frank Duffin, 6 Seanchan Duffin, 7 Conor O’Kane, 8 Kevin McCann, 9 Dermott McErlain, 10 Callum Murray, 11 Aidan McErlain, 12 Conor Boyd, 13 Sean Boyd, 14 Tyler Cassidy, 15 Niall Boyd 22 PaulDuffin
Referee: Paul Burns
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