O’Neills ACFL Division One 

Lámh Dhearg 1-16-3-10 Dunloy 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Lámh Dhearg and Dunloy were forced to share the points at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening after the sides played out a 1-16-3-10 draw. 

Dunloy hit the front through a converted 45’ from Deaglan Smith and Jack Martin-McShane blasted over a second point a few minutes later. 

The hosts eventually got off the mark through an angled Ciaran Boyd score and a fisted Terry McCrudden score restored parity. 

Points were traded between Conor Murray and Charlie Cunning and the game’s opening goal arrived midway through the half. 

After forcing a turnover, a quick move through the hands saw Kevin McQullian with a golden chance that he executed to give his side a 1-3-0-3 lead. 

Adam Murray shot over an immediate reply, though Barry McCloksey curled over a further point at the other end. 

The Lámhs clawed their way back into proceedings as Daniel Murray opened his account, Terry McCrudden fired over on the turn and Adam Murray would draw the sides level for the third time. 

Momentum was firmly with the Hannahstown side; Mark Finnegan kicked a close range free, back-to-back scores from play followed from Conor Murray and although Ryan McFarlaine hit back, just before the break Murray’s two-pointed free was helped over the bar by Dunloy keeper Sean Doherty as Lámh Dhearg held a 0-11-1-05 lead at the interval. 

Within four minutes of the restart the Lámhs extended their advantage in fortuitous circumstances. 

Conor Murray’s attempt to fist the ball to the back post saw the ball bounce off the post and ricochet off the unfortunate Doherty and into the net, giving his side a 1-11-1-05 lead. 

Martin-McShane doubled his account in response and Conor Murray kicked his second free of the evening shortly after and Mark Finnegan then kicked an angled free. 

Dunloy were guilty of spurning a series of chances though a two-pointer from James Scally was quickly followed by a goal from Tom McFerran to make it 1-13-2-08. 

Kevin McQullian dropped a shot over to leave a single point between the sides, but Mark Finnegan swung over a two-pointer. 

Lámh Dhearg had the chance to seal victory on the stroke of full time when they were awarded a penalty, however substitute Kieran Fay-Kelly saw his effort saved by Doherty in the Dunloy goal. 

It was a chance that would come back to bite them when a clearance across the face of goal was intercepted and Barry McCloskey swept home an equaliser to make it 1-15-3-09. 

Mark Finnegan looked to have got his side off the hook when he kicked a free to give the hosts the narrowest of leads in added time, but they failed to see the game out with Kevin McQuillan kicking a close range equaliser from a free with the last kick of the game as the sides shared the spoils at the conclusion. 

Lámh Dhearg: G Smyth, R Murray, P Mervyn, M McGarry, B Rice, D Lynch, D Martin, P FItzsimons, E Stanley, C Boyd (0-1), C Murray (1-5, 0-2f), D Murray (0-1), M Finnegan (0-5, 1×0-2, 0-3f), T McCrudden (0-2), A Murray (0-2). Subs: R Diamond for C Boyd (46), K Fay-Kelly for E Stanley (55), S McCarthy for P Fitzsimons (60+1). 

Dunloy: S Doherty, M Traynor, C Kinsella, C McCloskey, A McGrath, J Scally (0-2, 1×0-2), P Martin, L McFerran, D Smith (0-1 45’), R McFarline (0-1), T McFerran (1-0), C Cunning (0-1), J Martin-McShane (0-2), K McQuillan (1-02, 0-1f), B McCloskey (1-01). Subs: R Cunning for M Traynor (28), B O’Kane for C Cunning (41), K Fitzpatrick for J Martin-McShane (47), P McGilligan for R McFarline (47), C Scullion for A McGrath (60+4). 
Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)