ACFL Division 1
Casements 5 – 13 O Donovan Rossa 1 – 07
Rossa arrived at Kelly Park, Portglenone with a squad depleted with club and county hurling panellists, but produced a solid display, even if the outcome of the result was decided a long way from the finish.
Casements forwards have found their shooting boots and in producing five green flags and in the process did enough to signpost their current wellbeing. A goal after three minutes from the accurate feet of Ronan Kelly started the ball rolling, his two goal and six point contribution over the hour playing a large part in securing both points on offer, as Portglenone begin to creep up the league table after a tedious start to the campaign.
The return to action of Enda Lynn has also had a positive effect, the experienced playmaker chipping in with a healthy scoring contribution with two goals and a point, his pace and balance on the ball causing continual problems for his opponents.
To their credit, at no point did Rossa look like throwing in the towel, with Conall McDonald, Mick McEnhill and Corey Walsh chipping in with points to keep the contest alive.
A terrific last ditch dive from Portglenone keeper Mullan was enough to tip a goal bound strike from Spud ONeill round the post, Eoin Fleming confidently dispatching the resultant 45 between the posts.
Impressive Darren Grego was sent through and looked like a goal was certain, but a courageous diving block from Ronan Delargy denied the opportunity, the Casements defender picking up a nasty cut to his eye in the process that required six stiches and a lengthy sit in the Antrim area.
The second half saw Casements going out to protect a healthy lead, whilst giving John McKeever a chance to run his bench. Nevertheless, it was the very impressive Michael McEnhill who opened the scoring upon resumption, a long range effort that resulted in referee Darren McKeown raising both arms.
The next three minutes put the tin hat on the contest in terms of the outcome. Paddy Graffin, once again Portglenone’s best winner of breaking ball, did exactly that to set in motion a mazy weave involving Stephen Kelly, cousin Patrick and a deft lay off from Aidan McAleese played in the imperious Lynn for the hosts fifth green flag of the evening.
The Rossa response was both immediate and impressive. A counter movement resulted in an infringement from which Conall McDonald confidently placed the resultant penalty to the corner of the net, and the same player couldn’t believe his luck when within one minute an opportunity opened up for another goal, which somehow did not cross the goal line, and with threat averted.
Casements pushed on with numerous players getting on the scoresheet, amongst them Caolan Tierney (his second of the game) and Kelly cousins Ronan and Patrick, and the effective and impressive Aidan McAleese, as the game ticked over to its inevitable conclusion.
Rossa were well contained in the end and will welcome back around a dozen panellists when the championship season arrives. Nevertheless, they kept going until the end and in Darren Grego, The McEnhill brothers, Conall McDonald, Corey Walsh and Eoghan McMenamin they had players who showed well throughout.
Casements are moving through the phases again and Kevin OKane, Caolan Tierney, Aidan Mc Aleese, Ronan Kelly and Enda Lynn standing tall, with Ryan Convery and Patrick Graffin putting in impressive shifts.
Referee Darren McKeown did an excellent job throughout.
Scorers;
Casements; Ronan Kelly 2 – 06, Enda Lynn 2 -01, Aidan McAleese 1 – 03, Caolan Tierney 0 – 02, Paddy Kelly 0 – 01.
Rossa; Conall McDonald 1 – 01, Michael McEnhill 0 – 03, Eoin Fleming 0 – 01, Corey Walsh 0 – 01, Niall Crossan 0 -01.