ACHL Division 4
Naomh Eanna 0-8 Ardoyne 2-19
Report & Pics Brian McKee
Ciceam Ard Eoin took to the field concerned that the unbeaten start to their league campaign was at risk given the loss of a number of key players from their starting 15. However, the players on the pitch responded by stepping up their game to achieve a comprehensive win over near neighbours Naomh Eanna at a sunny Hightown.
Pádraig McGreevy opened the score for the Northenders with his first of seven points from frees, with brother, Michael following up with a point from play. The opening 10 minutes was a fairly even game, although Naomh Eanna were finding it difficult to get scores on the board with John McGoldrick pulling the score back with his first point of the day. The lack of scoring ability for Naomh Eanna was to prove fatal as the game progressed with John McGoldrick the only black and amber player to get his name on the score sheet.
Ciceam Ard Eoin took control of the game as we approached 15 minutes gone, and in truth, they never looked like they were in danger of losing. Michael McGreevy proved that he was not just a scorer from frees as he swung over a point from a tight angle on the sideline. Cormac Barnes used his speed to race through the Naomh Eanna defence but he was brought down for a penalty as he looked set to let fly. Michael McGreevy was content to send it over the bar to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Cormac Barnes got a well worked point for Ciceam Ard Eoin, but with 10 minutes left in opening half it was Michael McGreevy stamping his authority on the game as he rifled over 6 points without reply. John McGoldrick finished the half with 3 points for Naomh Eanna, but the strength of Paddy Heaney was proving too much to handle as the first half finished with the men from Ardoyne 7 points ahead.
Half time: Naomh Eanna 0-03 Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-10
The second half opened up with a point from a McGoldrick free, but any thoughts of a Naomh Eanna comeback were firmly squashed as Barnes replied with a point. Barnes was brought down for a penalty but Tomás O Córráinn produced an inspirational save to temporarily stem the black and white tide.
Ciceam Ard Eoin were now dominant and while McGoldrick did his best to keep Naomh Eanna in the hunt, the lack of a supporting crew proved too much for him to make a significant impact. Padraig McGreevy maintained the pressure with a great goal from play as he cut through the Naomh Eanna defence. Brother Michael was not to be outdone though as he came back with a goal of his own.
With 15 minutes to go, Ciceam Ard Eoin emptied their bench but the gap was too much for Naomh Eanna to bridge and it was the men in black and white who collected the two points to remain on top of Division 4.
Naomh Eanna: Tomás O Córráinn, Odhrán Matthews, Lewis Cunnie, Ronan Bradley, Brendan Cormican, Conor McAllister, Darragh Quinn, Joseph Mackin, Barra McGrath, John McGoldrick (0-11,5f), Michael McGivern, Dualtach Keenan, Jack Corcoran, Christopher Kinnear, Dónal McMullan, Eoin Jennings, Ruairi Diamond, Darrach Cooper
Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill, Cormac Curran, Paul Baker, Sean Searle, Caolan Wallace, Dean Goodall, Daniel Moore, Matthew Crommie, Pól McGuigan, Enda Slattery (0-01), Pádraig McGreevy(1-11,7f) Diarmuid Martin, Cormac Barnes(0-03), Micheál McGreevy(1-01), Paddy Heaney (0-01), Caoimhín Holland(0-01), Fiontan Lagan (0-01), Pascal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Pól Og McGuigan, Matt McKillen, Patrick McKillen, Aran Stewart, Cahal Clarke, Emmet Corey, Pearse Hull, Michael Lee-Murphy
Referee: Lorenzo McMullan
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