ACHL Division 3
Glen Rovers Armoy 1-23 — 2-17 St. Mary’s Rasharkin
Glen Rovers Armoy secured their spot in the top half of the league table before the split after emerging victorious from a phenomenal, high-scoring ACHL Division 3 thriller against St. Mary’s Rasharkin. In a match defined by relentless attacking quality, tactical discipline, and a masterclass in long-range point-taking, Armoy’s late composure proved just enough to edge a resilient Rasharkin side by three points.
The battle lines were drawn from the first whistle as Armoy enjoyed a blistering start, racing into a four-point lead within the opening two minutes. Tommy Burns, Emmet O’Hara, Trevor Linton, and Liam O’Hara all raised white flags in a devastating opening salvo. Rasharkin refused to be rattled, slowly growing into the game. Points from James Higgins, Tiernan O’Boyle, and Donagh Quigg, followed by a well-taken effort from Conan McMullan, drew the side’s level at four points apiece after eight minutes.
The remainder of the opening period evolved into a high-octane, point-for-point shootout. Trevor Linton and Emmet O’Hara struck fine scores for Armoy, but they were matched instantly by Rasharkin’s John Kelly and Conan McMullan. Armoy’s Turlough McBride hit his first of the afternoon, only for Donagh Quigg to respond with a point from play and a beautifully struck free, pushing Rasharkin into a 0-09 to 0-07 lead. McBride and Emmet O’Hara continued to spearhead the Armoy resistance, trading scores with Quigg and Conor McKillop to leave Rasharkin leading 0-11 to 0-10 by the 26th minute.
Armoy then found another gear as Conor Christie and Marcas Christie clipped over consecutive points to edge their side ahead. Rasharkin answered immediately when Conan McMullan pointed, before Donagh Quigg produced a moment of magic, racing through the heart of the defence to bury a brilliant goal. McBride responded with an Armoy point, and though Quigg hit back with another score for Rasharkin, the final major say of the half belonged to Armoy. In the 32nd minute, Trevor Linton found space and rifled a crucial goal past the Rasharkin keeper, ensuring Armoy retreated to the dressing rooms with a razor-thin 1-13 to 1-12 advantage.
The second half began at the same frantic tempo. Donagh Quigg split the posts early to level it for Rasharkin, but Armoy hit back with a point from Marcas Christie and a superb long-range free from Turlough McBride. Jack Quinn responded with a fine point for Rasharkin, but a PJ McBride score kept Armoy ahead, 1-16 to 1-14. Quigg then landed a spectacular 70-meter free for Rasharkin, only for Armoy to reply through Ciaran McKenna and another McBride point, leaving it 1-18 to 1-15 after ten minutes of the restart.
Rasharkin struck a massive blow soon after when Conan McMullan found the back of the net to level the game at 1-18 to 2-15, setting up a grandstand finish. The teams traded heavy blows in the closing stages; Tommy Burns put Armoy ahead, but Quigg hit back with a free. Trevor Linton and Quigg swapped points once more before Armoy’s superior finishing began to tell.
In a frantic final few minutes, Emmet O’Hara and Trevor Linton fired over consecutive points from play to give Armoy a vital cushion. With the clock hitting the 29th minute, Turlough McBride showed nerves of steel to slot over a long-range free, putting the game out of reach and good an exceptional 1-23 to 2-17 win for the home side.
Glen Rovers Armoy: 1 Conor Waterson, 2 Colm Mort, 3 Liam Dillon, 4 Timmothy Burns, 5 Kieran McToal, 6 Conor Christie, 7 Ciaran McKenna, 8 PJ McBride, 9 Tarlach McBride, 10 Emmet O’Hara, 11 Ciaran Coyles, 12 Tommy Burns, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Liam O’Hara, 15 Marcas Christie,
St. Mary’s Rasharkin: Liam Tunney, Daniel Hasson, Conor Doherty, Aidan McKeever, Jason McGregor, Tiernan O’Boyle, Connaire Doherty, Aidan McKeever, James Higgins, Donagh Quigg, Conan McMullan, Jack Quinn, John Kelly, Thomas McMullan, Conor McKillop,
Subs: Conor McKeever
Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)
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