Antrim ACFL Division 3
Final Score: Na Piarsaigh (Pearses) 0-11 Naomh Mhuire Ros Earcain (Rasharkin) 3-18
Venue: The Cricky, Belfast
League leaders Rasharkin kept their Division 3 title hopes firmly on course with a commanding, clinical performance against Pearses on Wednesday evening.
First-Half: Pearses’ Bright Start Eclipsed by Rasharkin Blitz
The home side opened with plenty of intent at The Cricky. Conor Murray split the posts to get Pearses on the board in the 2nd minute before doubling his tally with a well-taken free three minutes later. When Philip Murray split the posts in the 7th minute, Pearses enjoyed an early 0-3 to 0-0 advantage.
However, it didn’t take long for the league leaders to find their rhythm. Fearghal Kennedy opened Rasharkin’s account in the 6th minute, followed immediately by a quickfire brace from Tiernan O’Boyle to level the game. The teams briefly traded scores—including a point from an unlisted Pearses player in the 22nd minute—but Rasharkin’s clinical forward line soon took total control.
Andrew Hasson punished discipline errors with two accurate frees, while Eamonn Mac Neill and Brian Og O’Neill asserted dominance from open play. The decisive blow came just before the short whistle; Hasson found the back of the net in the 29th minute, and just a minute later, Mac Neill coolly slotted home a penalty. A late free from Conor Murray did little to soften the blow as Rasharkin headed into the break with a commanding lead.
Leaders Cruise to Clinical Finish
Any hopes of a Pearses comeback were quickly dampened as Rasharkin picked up right where they left off. Niall Kennedy and Killian O’Boyle traded points with Pearses’ Fionn Grew, who fought valiantly for the hosts with three second-half scores.
Rasharkin’s squad depth and fitness showed in the final quarter. Points flowed from all angles, with James Higgins , Mac Neill, and Hasson continuing to pile on the pressure. Pearses managed late consolation scores through Sean Moreland and Philip Murray, but the visitors had the final say.
In the 61st minute of stoppage time, Brianog O’Neill capped off a spectacular individual and team performance by blasting home Rasharkin’s third goal of the evening, putting the exclamation mark on a 3-18 to 0-11 victory.
Match Scorers
| Na Piarsaigh (Pearses) | Points | Naomh Mhuire Ros Earcain (Rasharkin) | Goals | Points |
| Conor Murray (#24) | 0-04 (3F) | Andrew Hasson (#15) | 1-00 | 0-03 (3F) |
| Fionn Grew (#10) | 0-03 (1F) | Eamonn Mac Neill (#11) | 1-00 (1 Pen) | 0-03 |
| Philip Murray (#14) | 0-02 | Brianog O’Neill (#14) | 1-00 | 0-02 |
| Sean Moreland (#12) | 0-01 | Tiernan O’Boyle (#8) | 0-00 | 0-03 (1F) |
| Unlisted Player | 0-01 | Fearghal Kennedy (#6) | 0-00 | 0-01 |
| Niall Kennedy (#13) | 0-00 | 0-02 | ||
| Killian O’Boyle (#12) | 0-00 | 0-03 | ||
| James Higgins (#9) | 0-00 | 0-01 |
What’s Next: With this emphatic victory under their belts, Rasharkin turn their focus to the ultimate final day showdown. A win against Éire Óg will officially crown them Antrim ACFL Division 3 Champions.