ACHL Division 2
Shane Uí Neills 0-19
Sarsfields 0-09
Report & Pics: Pete Hyndman
A sizeable crowd attended Fhearsaithe Pairc for this league fixture as a slight wind blew from the pavilion end towards the Feystown Rd.
Shortly before the throw-in, the pitch fell silent as both clubs and supporters stood for a minute silence in memory of Liam Reid who passed recently.
Liam was a dedicated hurler, former member and great supporter of the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
With both teams fielding without a few seniors it was up to the others to stake their claim into the starting 15 respectively.
Dylan McLaughlin was a main threat for the hosts hitting 9 score’s, in defence Kieran O Boyle, Darren Hamill and Joshua Quinn stood strong and cleared the Sarsfield threat. For the visitors Anthony McGarrigle was their top scorer with 5 points and they had their young keeper Jay Ward to thank for pulling off three excellent saves.
Glenarm stormed out of the starting blocks in rip roaring form and pointed twice in quick succession. Young Gerard Burns and Declan McDermott got a point each, with Dylan McLaughlin slotting over a free. Conal Ward was next to score after he evaded a tackle and scored a point for a 4 point cushion. Mc Laughlin got his second point when he split the uprights from play from 45 yards before Anthony Mc Garrigle got a Sarsfield point from a free on 6 minute’s.
Then came another purple patch for the hosts with Darren Hamill converting a “65” and an 80 yard free. Hamill then turned provider and fed the sliotar to Dylan McLaughlin who got his third white flag effort. Back from a long term injury Daniel Black “Magic” rifled over a free and one from play, giving the home side a 9 point lead.
The “Paddies” then had a brief spell as they hit five score’s on the bounce as Anthony Mc Garrigle hit another free, and then hit Sarsfield’s first point from play on 21 minute’s.
McGarrigle got his third in a row with another converted free and Noah Mc Givern got the next with sharpshooter McGarrigle slotting over another placed ball effort on 27 minutes.
Both sides cancelled each other out before the short whistle for half time.
Shane O Neills 0-10 Sarsfields 0-06
The Bear Pit team started this third quarter with a point off the stick of James McKernan and Jay Maguire scored a nice effort over his shoulder for the Belfast team.
Glenarm hadn’t scored since the 20th minute and were thankful as Dylan Mc Laughlin responded with a free from 35 yards.
In the 40th minute Enda Mc Cartin scored a point for the visitors which turned out to be their last score in the game.
Aidan Scullion and Ben O Boyle kept the scoreboard ticking with points each for the home side and entering the final quarter Declan Mc Dermott won a high ball before hitting the ball right over the black spot.
McLaughlin converted a free and followed with two more free conversions as Shane O’Neill’s began to put a bit of distance between the sides as the hosts eased their way to victory.
The visitors were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty but McGarrigle’s effort sailed wide of Michael Abram’s goals.
Late into injury time McLaughlin converted another free and Dan Black concluded the scoring with a nice solo effort, with Glenarm running out winners by 10 points.
Shane Uí Neills: Michael Abram, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Ciaran Mc Loughlin, Joshua Quinn, Michael Fury, Darren Hamill (1″65″,1 f.) Kieran O Boyle, John Scullion, Ben O Boyle (01) Aidan Scullion(01) Dylan Mc Laughlin (08,6f) Conal Ward (01), Gerard Burns (01), Daniel Black (03, 1f) Declan Mc Dermott (02)
Liam Mulvenna for Gerard Burns 55 mins, Aidan O Neill for Josh Quinn and Paddy Mc Auley for Declan McDermott 56 mins.
Sarsfields: Jay Ward, Oisin Coleman, Daragh Coleman, David Johnston, Michael Johnston, Nicholas O Mullane, Daniel Smyth, Anthony Mc Garrigle (05,4f) Enda Mc Cartin (01) Noah Mc Givern (01) James Mc Kernan(01), Jay Maguire (01) Oisin Coleman, Jack Daniels, Niall Cardwell
Aidan Mc Kernan for Jack Daniels 43 mins, Daniel McKernan for Jay Maguire 54mins.
Referee: Shane McDonnell