IHC GROUP 2 — ROUND 4 RESULT
Ghaeil Chluanaidh 3-18
Shane Uí Neills 1-16
An Owen Neeson hat-trick paved the way for a Cloney Gaels win over visitors, Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm and puts them back into contention for a place in the play-offs.
Glenarm made the journey to Ahoghill on Friday night with three wins already under their belt and favourites to gain the win that would cement their place at the top of Group 2.
It didn’t quite work out that way however and it proved a tough evening for the Feystown boys, as Shane Uí Neills came up against a strong and determined Ghaeil Chluanaidh outfit, who eventually proved too powerful over the sixty minutes.
Dan O’Neill and James O’Connell pointed the home side into an early lead before Darren Hamill set up Niall Rodgers for a goal for the visitors with only four minutes gone.
Owen Neeson (15) fires home to complete his second half hat-trick as Cloney Gaels defeated Shane O’Neill’s in Group 2 of the IHC
Patrick Graham then levelled matters with a well-taken score, bringing the sides back on terms after the early exchanges.
Glenarm were beginning to settle into the contest, and Daniel Black stepped up to put the Feystown boys’ noses ahead, raising another white flag and giving the visitors a slender advantage as the game continued at a lively pace.
The Gaels then hit a purple patch, with Conor Crossey pointing from play before Colla McDonnell showed his accuracy from the placed ball, converting a brace of frees to swing the momentum back in favour of the home side.
Patrick Graham, followed with his second point of the game, as Ahoghill began to find their rhythm.
The hosts were moving the ball with greater purpose, while the visitors were being forced to work hard to stay in touch.
Glenarm’s Niall McGarel reacted quickest to a loose ball, showing good composure to win possession before sending over a well-taken point, reducing the arrears and giving the Feystown boys a timely lift as they looked to regain a foothold in the contest.
Shortly afterwards, James O’Connell added another white flag for the Gaels, before team-mate Eamonn Brady followed up with a well-taken point, as Ahoghill continued to keep the pressure on the visitors.
Glenarm’s Dylan McLaughlin then showed his quality with a fine solo effort, driving over a superb point for the team in blue and keeping the Feystown boys within touching distance as the contest continued to ebb and flow.
The classy James O’Connell and Patrick Graham were proving influential for the Gaels, with both players showing excellent composure on the ball and keeping the scoreboard ticking over as Ahoghill continued to apply pressure.
Shane O’Neill’s rallied in the closing stages of the half however with Darren Hamill converting a couple of frees and a ‘65’ while Aidan Scullion and Kieran O’Boyle added points from play to leave it all square at the interval.
HALF TIME
Ahoghill 0-11 Glenarm 1-08
Straight from the second-half throw-in, the hosts regained the initiative, with Colla McDonnell pointing from play before the classy James O’Connell produced a sublime effort to split the uprights, much to the delight of the home crowd. Ahoghill had started the second period with real purpose, putting the team in blue under immediate pressure.
Darren Hamill then reduced the deficit with a well-struck point before Dylan McLaughlin showed great alertness to win a stray ball and fire over a point, bringing the sides level once again in this keenly contested Intermediate battle.
Two goals in the 7th and 10th minutes, clinically finished by Owen Neeson put the Cloney side firmly in control with Colla McDonnell adding a point before Aidan Scullion and Ben O’Boyle replied with points for the visitors.
Further points from McDonnell in reply to a Darren Hamill converted free had the ‘Gaels ‘ 2-16 to 1-12 ahead at the midway stage of the half and then Colla placed Owen Neeson with a great ball and the Ahoghill attacker made no mistake to complete his hat-trick.
Niall McGarrel and Darren Hamill replied with points for the Feystown side with James O’Connell and Hamill exchanging late scores to leave 8 between the sides at the final whistle.
This win puts Cloney Gaels back in the race for a quarter-final place though they could face a stiff challenge from last week’s conquerors, St. Paul’s who play Glenravel on Saturday.
Despite this defeat Glenarm have done enough to secure a play-off place with three wins from their previous three outings.
Cloney Gaels: Aidan Graham, Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Harry O Donnell, Diarmuid Graham, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham, Eamonn Brady (-01) Daniel O Neill (-01) Patrick Graham (-03) Ronan Graham, James O Connell (-05) Colla Mc Donnell (04, 3f) Owen Neeson (3-00) Conor Crossey (-01)
Subs. Martin Graham, Ryan Mc Peake, Noel Friel, Donal Graham, Ben Friel, Conal Walls. PJ O Connell,
Shane Uí Neills: Michael Abram, Sean Mc Dermott, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Michael Fury, Conal Ward, Sean O Boyle, Niall Mc Garel (-02) Daniel Black (-01) Dylan Mc Laughlin (-02) Aidan Scullion (-02) Darren Hamill (-03, 7f.) Niall Rodgers (1-01)
Subs. Ryan O Boyle (used 44 mins), Sean O Hare, Aidan O Neill, Paddy Mc Auley, Ben O Boyle, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Rory Mulvenna, Liam Mulvenna, Liam O Neill, Shea O Connell, Anthony O Neill.
Reiteóir: Ray Matthews. Rossa
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