ACHL; Division 2
St. Gall’s 1-18 St. Brigid’s 0-16
A goal from Gregory McGreevey with five minutes remaining swung this excellent ACHL Division 2 clash between St. Gall’s and Cloughmill’s at Milltown on Sunday in favour of the home side and they pushed on to win by five in the end.
There was little between the sides up to this point and three minutes earlier Eoin Dobbin struck an excellent free from all of 60 meters to tie the contest at 0-16 each as the Cloughmills side reeled in the opposition and they appeared to be getting on top.
McGreevey’s goal, which took a wicket spin of Chris McKernan’s stick, changed all that and theMilltown Row side added late point throughMarcas Napier to ensure there would be no way back for the ‘Biddies’
It was St. Gall’s who were first to threaten and Chris McKernan got down smartly to deny Ronan Crossen in ihe opening minute as the home side threatened from the throw-in.
Patrick Friel pointed Mickey Culbert’s side ahead from 45 meters with Eoin Dobbin squaring the contest from a free in the 5th minute.
Dubhaltach Liam restored the home side’s lead but Anthony Doran squared matters for the second time following a strong run from Odhran McCurdy as the game proceeded at a fast pace.
It was St. Brigid’s who hit the front for the first time as Ryan Watson fired over Curtin McGreevey’s crossbar and when Ruairi Laverty followed with an excvellent point the visitors were two ahead with 11 minutes gone.
That lead would not last for long however as Aodh Mullan fired over with the assistance of the crossbar and Ronan Crossen, Eoghan Farrelly, Jackson McGreevey, Marcas Napier 0-2 and McGreevey again with a well struck long range free moved St. Gall’s five ahead by the 20th minute.
The visitors were struggling at this stage but they got themselves going again through the excellent Eoin Dobbin who scored from play and added another from a free.
Eogfhan Farrelly replied for the Milltown Row side to extend their lead but Dobbin’s accuracy from the placed ball saw the South West side close the gap to three with five minutes of the opening half remaining.
It was St. Gall’s who finished the half on top with Marcas Napier adding two late points and St. Brigid’s keeper, Christopher McKernan landing a 70 meter free between the uprights to leave his side trailing by four at the break.
St. Brigid’s opened the second half on the offensive and Odhran McCurdy ponted after 40 second and followed with a second to leave it 0-12 to 0-10 with 6 minutes gone.
Eoin Dobbin added another from a long range free beforeMarcas Napier replied from a free for the Milltown side to move them two ahead.
Dobbin was giving an exhibition of free taking and he closed the gap to the minimum again with another long range special and another from James O’Boyle had it all square at the end of the third quarter.
It was great stuff as Dubhaltack MacLiam struck from distance to restore the home side’s lead but the visitors were handed the opportunity to get their noses in front when referee Ruan McKinstry spread his arms to award a penalty.
Anthony Doran’s well struck effort was just the right height for Curtis mcGreevey in the home goals and he got his tick to the sliothar and deflected over at the expense of a point.
Another great efoort from distance by Dobbin tied the contest again with 8 minutes remaining but Gregory McGreevey’s goal from close range after a lapse in the visitors defence swung it back the way of the Milltown men.
It was Marcas Napier who hit the final two points of the evening to ensure there would be no way back for the team in orange as St. Gall’s pushed on to win by five.
St. Gall’s: 1 Curtis McGreevey, 2 Daniel Churchill, 3 Ewan Rush, 4 Aaron Mackel, 5 Ethan Walsh, 6 Jack Hopkins, 7 Dubhaltach MacLiam, 8 Patrick Friel, 9 Fergus Donnelly, 10 Aodh Mullan, 11 Jackson McGreevey, 12 Gregory McGreevey, 13 Ronan Crossen, 14 Eoghan Farrelly, 15 Marcas Napier
Subs: 18 Michael McMullan for Eoghan Farrelly, 17 Aodhan McDonagh for Aodh Mullan, Tiarnan McAleenan for Michael McMullan
St. Brigid’s: 1 Christopher McKernan, 2 Jack McDowall, 3 Corey Blair, 4 Sean McKendry, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Ruairi Laverty, 7 Geoffery Og Laverty, 8 Kevin O’Boyle, 9 James O’Boyle, 10 Michael Morrison, 11 Odhran McCurdy, 12 Eoin Dobbin, 13 Ryan Watson, 14 Shemus Duffin, 15 Anthony Doran.
Subs: 20 Rian Dobbin, 21 Conor Laverty,
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