IFC Group 2
Shane Uí Neills 2-21
Naomh Brid Cloughmills 2-12
Report and Pics: Pete Hyndman
Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but for both teams this Championship match served up a very physical hard match with some great fielding, tackling, blocking, saves and excellent score taking!!
Niall Mc Garel was flawless from the dead ball slotting over 5 free’s, 1 “65”, 3 from play and was excellent in his winning and distribution of the ball. Declan McDermott working in the forward line this year had a great 55 minute’s ramming home a goal and 3 points.
Eoin Dobbin for the visitor’s had a good game with 3 free’s, 2 “65” and 2 points from play.
After an early wide by the home side, the visitors took the lead with a point from Eoin Dobbin.
A few moments later Glenarm won a free out near the sideline at the club house end. Darren Hamill stood over the ball about 90 yards from his target. He floated in a high ball which no-one claimed and the sliotar nestled in the corner of the net.
Niall McGarel added a point also as the home side led by three with Callum McKendry replying with a point for the Biddies a moment later.
Mc Garel was showing early intent in this match and after winning a ball at midfield he unselfishly passed to Dan Black who obliged with a nice point over Christopher McKernan’s bar before Darren Hamill, working in the half back line collected a loose ball and struck a point from distance.
St. Brigid’s replied and in the fifth minute in a crowded Glenarm box with both teams fighting for the ball, Seamus Dobbin got the vital touch and finished for a Cloughmills goal.
This was followed by a point from Cathal Mullan and with the score’s level, the hosts hit a purple patch with three points on the bounce. Dylan McLaughlin rifled over and Declan McDermott hit a nice effort and Dan Black drove over a free from 40 yards before Eoin Dobbin reduced the arrears to 2 points with a converted free.
Glenarm’s Niall McGarel showed his skill from the dead ball as he converted another free before team-mate Daniel Black rose to collect a high ball and cut through the defence before dissecting the uprights.
Eoin Dobbin continued to be the main threat for the Biddies and on the 23rd minute heconverted another free.
A few minutes later there was a bit of confusion as the Glenarm side thought they had been awarded a free, but with play continuing Naomh Brid worked the ball goal-ward before half forward Stephen Smyth sent a rasper beyond Michael Abram.
Glenarm kept the scoreboard ticking over with McLaughlin getting a point and Mc Garel hitting another place ball effort.
With half time fast approaching the two clubs traded score’s as Seamus Dobbin hit a point for the visitors, and Niall Mc Garel pointing for the hosts.
Eoin Dobbin again pointed from play but the last score of the half belonged to Mc Garel who slotted over a free.
Shane Uí Neills 1-12 Naomh Brid 2-07
The second half belonged to the home side as they out-scored Cloughmills by 1-09 to 0-05.
Ciaran Magill hit an early score at the start of the third period for the hosts with Dobbin replying for the orange and blacks with a converted free.
Glenarm’s intensity was on show in abundance early in the second half as the score’s started to flow. McDermott shot over an excellent point, closely followed by McGarel hitting the ball with purpose for another converted free withNaomh Brid’s Eoin Dobbin slotting over a “65” On 40 minute’s
A passage of play ensued with both defences standing strong and cancelling out any threat from their opponents.
The next point came off the stick of Dylan McLaughlin who rolled a couple of tackles and sent a high speculative effort over the Biddies bar.
In the final quarter of this championship match, Glenarm raised their game once more and went on a scoring spree.
McGarel lashed over a free, and a truly majestic point from way out on the side-line from Decky McDermott all but knocked the fight out of the away team.
A few minutes later McGarel turned from scorer to provider as he broke through a tackle and had the vision to pass to McDermott who sent an unstoppable shot beyond Chris McKernan for a Glenarm major!!
With a nine point cushion the boys in blue refused to take the foot off the gas and had McGarel to thank for another couple of point’s as he hit a “65” and another score from a free.
Dobbin came back with a “65” for the Biddies but at this stage it was mere shooting practice for the Cloughmills sharpshooter.
With time nearly up Dan Black showed his intent and gathered a loose ball and split the uprights from distance.
The last two points of the game fell to Naomh Brid but at this stage they only served to put a better look on the final score-line.
For the visitors their goal keeper Chris Mc Kernan was in excellent form and pulled off at least 4 wonder saves, Geoffery Og Laverty had a good game, and Seamus and Eoin Dobbin where the main scoring threat.
The hosts had an equally great shot stopper as Michael Abram came to his side’s rescue with several point blank saves. Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Ciaran McLoughlin and Michael Fury in defence cleared a lot of the away team’s chances.
Ben O Boyle covered every blade of grass and deserved a special mention for a excellent 55 minute’s work.
Dan Black and Dylan McLaughlin took their score’s well, and Declan McDermott and Niall Mc Garel were the scoring duo who kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Both clubs are back in action in a fortnight with a Friday 22nd August evening fixture for Glenarm away to Cushendun while Cloughmills are away to St. Galls on Saturday 23rd August.
Glenarm.
1 Michael Abram, 2 Aidan Scullion, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Ciaran Mc Loughlin, 5 Kieran O Boyle, 6 Darren Hamill 1-01, 7 Michael Fury, 8 John Scullion,9 Ciaran Magill 0-01,10 Niall
Mc Garel 0-09 (5 f,1 “65”) 11 Dylan Mc Laughlin 0-03, 12 Ben O Boyle, 13 Declan Mc Dermott 1-03, 14 Daniel Black 0-04(1 F),15 Sean O Boyle.
Blain Mc Dermott for Declan Mc Dermott 55 mins. Conal Ward for Ben O Boyle 56 mins. Joshua Quinn for Ciaran Mc Loughlin 58mins.
Liam Mulvenna, Aidan O Neill, Gerard Burns, Sean O Hare, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Paddy Mc Auley.
Naomh Brid
1 Chris Mc Kernan, 2 Johnny Duffin, 3 Sean Mc Kendry, 4 Rian Dobbin, 5 James Doherty,6 Geoffrey Og Laverty, 7 Kevin O Boyle, 8 Conor Laverty, 9 Odhran Mc Curdy, 10 Seamus Dobbin 1-01, 11 Calum Mc Kendry 0-01, 12 Stephen Smyth 1-00, 13 Ruairi Laverty, 15 Eoin Dobbin 0-07(3 f,2″65″), 17 Cathal Mullan0-01.
Referee: Fionntan Mc Cotter