ACFL Division 1
St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-08 Cuchullian’s Dunloy 8-13
Cuchullian’s Dunloy made the journey to Ahoghill on Wednesday evening and left with points secured following a hugely impressive performance over the St Mary’s men at Cloney.
The Cuchullian’s arrived in positive mood and as the home side stood aside their visitors opened sharply and before five minutes had elapsed they had three major scores on the board.
The home side seemed unable to stem the tide as the green and gold wave rolled all over them and by the end of the opening quarter their visitors had claimed 4-03 without reply from their hosts.
Keelan Molloy got the Dunloy scoring show on the road with goals in the 3rd and 4th minutes supplemented by another from Kevin Mc Quillan in the 5th and as the home side continued under pressure another major from Karl Fitzpatrick was followed by points from Deaglan Smith, James Scally, Dara Quinn, and Keelan Molloy to see them in complete control at the end of the opening period.
Despite the honest efforts of Diarmaid Graham, Tom McGlone and Fionnbar O’ Neill to get the Cloney show on the road their visitors were not about to ease their foot off the accelerator.
Ahoghill improved for a time following a poor start to proceedings with Patrick Graham making his presence felt but Dunloy had moved into a 4-08 to 0-00 advantage as the short whistle approached.
The hard grafting Tom Mc Glone finally opened the home side’s account with a fine 28th minute point supplemented by another from Diarmuid Graham but that was the sum of their first half scoring with Dunloy taking respite from their first half labours holding a 4-08 to 0-02 lead and the points looked in the bag barring a miracle in the second half.
If the home contingent were looking for a quick start as the second period got under way they were to endure disappointed as it was their visitors who were quickest out of the start traps and a 34th minute goal from the hard working Karl Fitzpatrick after the home side had opened with points apiece from James O’Connell and the pace laden Danny O’ Neill.
The home side had certainly gained in confidence as the second half progressed with the Cuchullian’s possibly easing on the accelerator and Danny O’ Neill added back to back points.
Deaglan Smith replied with a point for Dunloy and another goal by the dangerous Karl Fitzpatrick further extended the Dunloy advantage as the end looked in sight.
Both sides introduced replacements as the game passed the three-quarter marker but the visitors stood tall, despite the honest endeavours of the Clooney men to finish positively.
That was a tall order and further goals from Ryan Mc Fairlane and Karl Fitzpatrick saw the advantage extended to 7-08 to 0-07 as the floodgates opened.
Patrick Graham, who had his shoulder to the wheel for the home side added a good point in the 54th minute but it brought a quick reply from the visitors as a lofted delivery by Deaglan Smith was despatched to the net by Ryan McFarlane and the visitors had earned a 8-13 to 0-7 advantage .
The home side did have the last say on scoring matters however as Patrick Graham raised that flag in consolation with the dominant Dunloy crossing the finish line full value for their 8-13 to 0-08 win.
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