ACHL Division 2
Carey Faughs 2-16 Cloney Gaels 1-22
Cloney Gaels held off a fierce late onslaught from Carey Faughs to secure a hard-fought three-point victory in a high-scoring Antrim Hurling League Division 2 clash. A spectacular injury-time save from Cloney goalkeeper Aidan Graham proved decisive, denying Carey a dramatic late equalizer in the dying seconds of the game.
The game started at a blistering pace with Fionnbar O’Neill opening the scoring for Cloney, quickly answered by a Carey point from Connor McBride. Colla McDonnell then restored Cloney’s lead, but Carey struck the first major blow when Ryan McQuaide fired a superb goal to the Cloney net.
McDonnell and James O’Connell hit back with quick points for Cloney. Donal Graham and McDonnell extended the visitors’ advantage before Eoin Hill and Caolan McCaughan responded for Carey to keep the side’s neck-and-neck.
The momentum continued to shift rapidly. Cloney found the back of the net through Colla McDonnell to boost their tally, while Ronan Graham and Patrick Graham pointed for the visitors. Carey hit a purple patch before the break, with Connor McBride putting on a masterclass, slotting four crucial points alongside a score from James Black. However, late first-half points from Owen Neeson, McDonnell, and O’Connell ensured Cloney held a narrow two-point lead at the interval.
Half-Time Score: Carey Faughs 1-11 | Cloney Gaels 1-13
The second half began with both sides continuing to exchange scores. Conor Crossey pointed early for Cloney, but Carey responded instantly through McCaughan and Conal McGlynn. McCaughan struck again to keep Carey within striking distance, but Cloney’s forward line began to assert dominance. O’Connell, McDonnell (2), and Neeson fired over consecutive points to stretch Cloney’s lead.
McBride kept Carey alive with two more pressure points. Cloney looked to have sealed the win with further scores from McDonnell, Dan O’Neill, and O’Connell opening up a gap.
Carey refused to go quietly. James “Rocket” Black ignited a late revival by blasting a brilliant goal to the net, setting up a grandstand finish. Neeson responded with a point for Cloney, but the final five minutes belonged entirely to Carey.
The home side piled on immense pressure in search of a game-saving goal. The Cloney rear-guard stood resolute, forcing rushed shots under intense pressure. In the game’s final attack, Carey carved open one last clear-cut goal opportunity, only for goalkeeper Aidan Graham to pull off a sensational match-winning save, tipping the ball out for a ’65’ to secure the points for Cloney.
Carey Faughs: 1 Conlith McKinley, 2 Peadar McVeigh, 3 Patrick Butler, 4 Eoin McCarry, 5 Patrick Gillan, 6 Sean McBride, 7 Eoin Hill, 8 Oisin Healey, 9 Conall McGlynn, 10 James Black, 11 John McBride, 12 Fiachra McVeigh, 13 Connor McBride, 14 Caolan McCaughan, 15 Ryan McQuaide, 17 Donal McKinley, 18 Brendan McQuaide, 19 Eoin McKinley, 20 Conall McCarry, 21 James McNeill, 22 Colum Cane, 23 Jimmy John Burns
Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Patrick Dougan, 4 Bernard Graham, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Ronan Graham, 7 Eoin Graham, 8 Eamonn Brady, 9 Daniel O’Neill, 10 Donal Graham, 11 James O’Connell, 12 Patrick Graham, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Owen Neeson, 15 Paul Crossey, 18 Noah Friel, 19 Ryan martin, 20 Jack McFall, 21 Conall Walls
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
