ACFL Division 2
Davitt’s 3-13 Ahoghill 3-12
A pointed free from Aaron Slane in the 63d minute gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in this keenly contested division 2 opener on the Lower Falls on Sunday afternoon.
Dan ‘Neill looked to have given the visitors a share of the spoils when he split the posts, two minutes earlier but the home side launched one last attack and keeper Slane kept his cool when he converted from close range.
It was the Davitt’s net-minder who got the action underway from a 2pt free in the second minute and after Ronan Graham and Brady Maguire had exchanged points, Dan O’Neill fired home the game’s opening goal to give the former division 1 side the lead.
St. Mary’s went on to edge the opening half with Ronan Graham, Diarmaid Graham, Donal Graham, Noel Crossey and Dan O’Neill all on target by the 29th minute and Sean Og O’Neill, Paul McLaughlin replying for the hosts to leave it 1-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Cloney men at the break.
Aaron Slane whoes injury time point gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill
Patrick Graham extended the Ahoghill lead to 5 on the restart but Anthony Rowntree put Davitt’s right back into contention when he fired past Aiden Graham, three minutes into the new half.
Things were livening up and Noel Crossey replied with a St. Mary’s point but points from Rowntree and Gerard Slane brought the sides level before Donal Graham briefly extended the visitors lead.
The home side were beginning to gain some momentum however with the elements now in their favour and Michael Connolly found the net for their second goal in the 40th minute with Sean Og Smyth adding a quick point.
The visitors looked in a bit of trouble but they responded in the best possible way and Noel Crossey fired past Aaron Slane for their second goal of the contest at the three quarter mark but Davitt’s once again found a response.
Cola McDonnell who found the net for St. Mary’s Ahoghill
Gerard Slane got through for their third goal and Conor John Sullivan and Caoimhin Slane added points as the hosts seemed to be getting on top but the visitors replied through a Cola McDonnell goal and a point from Ronan Graham to move one ahead by the 58th minute.
As the pace and excitement grew at Davitt’s Park Ahoghill looked like holding on for an opening day victory but the home side were far from finished and a couple of points from the industrious Gerard Slane saw them edge ahead once more.
Dan O’Neill looked to have earned the visitors a share of the spoils with that injury time point but it was Aaron Slane who would raise the loudest cheer of the evening with that late pointed free to ensure the points would remain on the Lower Falls.
An entertaining game of football with both sides deserving credit for the level of scoring skills they provided as last year’s relegated side, St. Mary’s found that life will be difficult in division 2.
Davitt’s, if they can find some consistency, can be challengers in the division this year while St. Mary’s showed enough to suggest that they too will be in the running for honours come the end of the season.
Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Nathan Maginn, 4 Jack Scally, 5 Sean Og O’Neill, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 James Lindsay, 8 Anthony Rowntree, 9 Deevy Persson, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Michael Connolly, 12 Brady Maguire, 13 Conor John Sullivan, 14 Deaglan Mooney, 15 Caomhan Slane’ Subs – 20 Gerard Slane, 17 Sean Og Smyth
St. Mary’s: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Seamus McKeever, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Patrick Dougan, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Ryan McPeake, 13 Cola McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Dan O’Neill
Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)