St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 0-5 St. Marys Rasharkin 3-13
St Brigid’s Cloughmills welcomed St Mary’s Rasharkin to Fr Leonard Park on Wednesday evening for the first time for a Senior Football League game with the Dreen men taking the two points and following up on their win against league leaders Eire Og last time out.
The away side started fast with Fearghal Kennedy pointing after winning the break ball from the throw in and missed a couple of opportunities before two quick goals from Colm Kennedy and Andrew Hasson put them in control.
Points from Killian O’Boyle and Caolan McGarrell kept up the great start for Rasharkin before Aidan McNeill pointed a free and then a 2-point free for the home side.
The away team wasted several good opportunities against some fine defensive effort by Cloughmills before Andrew Hasson pointed from play to leave the score 2-05 to 0-03 at half time.
The second half started with a Killian O’Boyle point followed by an Oran McMullan goal to keep the pressure on for Rasharkin before Eoin Dobbin fired over the bar in reply.
Points from Conor Higgins, Andrew Hasson (Free) and Cormac McMullan put the Dreen men further in front and they really should have had more but some great shot stopping kept them at bay.
Points from substitute James Higgins, Cormac McMullan, Ruairi O’Boyle and an excellent 2-pointer from Killian O’Boyle rounded up the scoring for St Mary’s with Reece Watt replying for the Biddies to end the game 3-14 to 0-5 in favour of the visitors.
A strong performance from Rasharkin but they will know there is plenty to improve on and St Brigid’s have a lot to build on for the rest of the league.
Featured Image: Andrew Hasson who top scored for St. Mary’s in their win over Eire Og
ACFL Division 3
Rasharkin 0-17 Eire Og 1-7
Unbeaten Eire Og travelled to Rasharkin on Wednesday night to take on a Rasharkin team who have had an indifferent start to the season but who came ‘good’ on the night to defeat their visitors fairly convincingly in the end.
The early exchanges showed us just why the Derriaghy side had played themselves into this lofty position and a flowing move in the 6th minute saw Conall Smith fire an unstoppable shot to Ryan Doherty’s net to move them two ahead.
Andrew Hasson had opened the scoring for the Dreen side with a pointed free and the Rasharkin number 14 would have an increasing influence as the game progressed with his accuracy from the placed ball.
It was Eire Og who continued to enjoy the better of the wind assisted opening quarter as Conor Dixon punched over and Lorcan McIlroy converted a free to move them four ahead by the 12th minute.
Andrew Hasson’s second conversion of the evening closed the gap to three but the visitors were winning a lot of breaking ball from the kick-outs but were guilty of a series of bad wides as they tried to add to their early lead.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness as Andrew Hasson struck an excellent point at the other end from play and Thomas Hasson followed with another to leave just one between the sides approaching half time.
The visitors replied as Conor Dixon fisted over with Andrew Hasson kicking the final point of the half from a free and a one point lead for the Derriaghy side looked precarious as the sides headed for the dressing rooms, given the strength of the breeze.
And so it proved to be as Andrew Hasson struck from distance to raise an Orange flag on the restart and Eamonn McNeill followed with a point from play to move St. Mary’s two ahead.
Lorcan McIlroy replied with a point for Eire Og, who were still enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it hard to turn that possession into scores with Fergus Quigg superb at full-back for the hosts.
A 2 pointer from Eamon McNeill moved the home side further ahead and the visitor’s troubles grew when Eoin Dixon was shown Black and Rasharkin began to take control.
A Tiernan O’Boyle point moved the home side four ahead after 17 minutes but Eire Og did respond and a point from Conor McKenna, and two from Conor Dixon by the 23d minute reduced the gap to the minimum and we looked set for a grandstand finish.
It failed to materialise with Thomas Hasson replying at the other end as Eoin Dixon returned from the sin bin and Andrew Hasson, Substitute, Brian Og O’Neill and a great 2 pointer from Eamonn McNeill put it out of reach of the opposition.
Team captain, Cormac McMullan concluded the scoring with a late point for the Dreen side who were worthy winners in the end and this win should give them confidence for the campaign ahead.
Andrew Hasson gave an exhibition of point taking and would finish with 0-7 for the evening but this was an excellent team performance and team mangers, Cathal McMullan and Paddy Kelly will be happy with what they saw on the evening.
Eire Og showed in spells just why they had started the season so well and some of their approach play and movement was top drawer but too often their shooting let them down.
I would expect them to return from this setback and they look like a side who could be challenging for honours come season’s end.
St. Mary’s Rasharkin: 1 Ryan Doherty, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Pearce Kelly, 5 Connor Higgins, 6 Pearse McTeague, 7 Colm Kennedy, 8 Tiernan O’Boyle, 9 Ruairi O’Boyle, 22 Thomas Hasson, 11, Cormac McMullan, 13 Eamonn McNeill, 14 Andrew Hasson, 15 Killian O’Boyle, 16 Oran McMullan
Eire Og: 1 Jamie King, 2 Barry McDaid, 3 Brian O’Malley, 4 Kayvan Vesali, 5 Luca Mulholland, 6 Stephen Erskine, 7 Mark O’Hanlon, 8 Patrick Maxwell, 9 Eoin Dixon, 10 Gavin Donnelly, 11 Conor McKenna, 12 Ciaran Rice, 13 Conall Smith, 20 Conor Dixon, 15 Lorcan McIlroy
Referee: Gerard Dougan (Creggan)
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Eire Óg made it three wins from three in Division 3 with a controlled and at times impressive performance against The Biddies at Woodlands, although a wasteful opening half meant the margin could have been even more emphatic.
The home side made the ideal start when Eoin Dixon split the posts inside the opening minute after a sharp attacking move. That early score set the tone for much of the first half as Eire Óg dominated possession and territory but struggled to fully capitalise.
Despite a series of missed opportunities—including a gilt-edged goal chance that went a begging—the Ogs kept the scoreboard ticking over thanks largely to the accuracy of Conor McKenna, who landed three fine points from play. Gavin Donnelly also contributed with a well-taken effort after good approach work, while Lorcan McIlroy proved a constant outlet inside, winning primary possession and linking play effectively.
St Brigid’s, who had caused a real shock when beat Ardoyne last time out, found scores hard to come by this time around against a compact and disciplined Eire Óg defence, with their only real opportunity of note in the half—a free around the 20-minute mark—going astray. At the other end, the hosts continued to create chances but again failed to convert a clear-cut goal opportunity into an open net.
An enforced early change saw Kayvan Vesali introduced for the injured Adam McKenna, and while his first involvement led to a foul that Naomh Bríd converted for a two-pointer, Eire Óg finished the half strongly. Points from Dixon and Conal Smyth ensured the home side carried a commanding 0-09 to 0-02 lead into the break.
The second half began in blistering fashion with Smyth raising a white flag inside 15 seconds. Although St Brigid’s responded through their midfield, Eire Óg remained in control. McIlroy added a free, and further scores from McKenna and Smyth underlined the growing dominance of the Woodlands men.
A moment of indiscipline saw Cloughgmills awarded a 13-metre free, which they converted, but it did little to shift the momentum. Smyth, in particular, was in outstanding form, repeatedly finding space and finishing clinically, including several well-worked scores from sweeping team moves.
Defensively, Eire Óg were equally impressive. Barry McDaid and Brian O’Malley marshalled the backline superbly, mopping up loose ball and snuffing out any sustained threat. While a couple of late frees—one again brought forward for dissent—offered Naomh Bríd some respite, the result was never in doubt.
Further points from Dixon and Smyth, including a brace late on following incisive attacking play, rounded off a comfortable victory for the hosts.
With three wins from three now secured, Eire Óg’s strong start to the campaign continues, and they will look to carry that momentum into their next outing—a tricky away trip to Rasharkin.
Eire Óg: J King; B O’Malley, B McDaid, C Rice; S Erskine, C McKenna (0-05), L Mulholland; P Maxwell, E Dixon (0-03); A McKenna, M O’Hanlon, G Donnelly (0-01); L McIlroy (0-02); J Erskine, C Smyth (0-07). Subs: K Vesali for A McKenna, M Hanna, R Clarke, A Thompson.
Cardinal O’Donnell’s and Laochra Loch Lao served up a full blooded encounter in terrible underfoot conditions at MacRory Park on Wednesday evening in one of the few games that survived the weather.
The Saffron Gael had three photographers in Belfast to cover games but I arrived at Davitt’s where a late call by the referee deemed the pitch unplayable.
Curly suffered a similar fate at Milltown and again both sides were on the field when the decision to call off was taken while Bert had a similar experience at the Bear Pit with the Sarsfields v St. Brigid’s game called off.
A chance meeting with a fellow Gael at Colaiste Feirste informed me that he had seen Laochra Loch Lao making their way into MacRory Park and I arrived just in time to witness 30 hardy souls take the field as the rain that had been falling heavily earlier abated.
Things got underway under the guidance of referee, Anthony Carleton and despite water on the surface these division 3 rivals went on to serve up a game of championship intensity.
Playing away into the pavilion end it was visitors Laochra Loch Lao who took an early lead through Oisin Crawford with a point in the 8th minute but hosts O’Donnell were soon back on terms from a Padraig McKissock free with 11 minutes gone.
Fergal McNerny, wearing 34 put O’Donnell’s ahead for the first time as they began to control the exchanges with some excellent build up play and two more from McKissock (1f) had the lower Whiterock men 3 ahead after 22 minutes
The visitors were enjoying a fair deal of possession but wayward shooting and some strong defending by the O’D’s defence, where Stephen Seawright, Conor Walsh and Jonathan McKenna were giving nothing away, kept Laochra in check.
Fionnbar McKernan extended the home lead and the industrious Fergal McNerney moved them five ahead after 24 minutes and Laochra looked in a spot of bother.
They were handed a lifeline however when a long distance free from Conor McGucken appeared to take a deflection and ended in Conor Murphy’s net to leave it 0-6 to 1-1 at the break.
It was still all to play for as the sides emerged from the dressing rooms for the second half with McGucken splitting the uprights in the opening minute to leave the minimum between the sides.
Padraig McKissock replied for O’Donnell’s as he converted a free following a breech with Conor McGucken replying at the other end to again leave just one between two very competitive sides.
Fergal McNery continued to impress around mid-field and he once again moved O’Donnell’s two ahead but the hosts suffered a blow when they had a player Red carded in the 10th minute.
The excellent McGucken pointed the resulting free to again reduce the gap to one and it looked like being a long evening for the home side.
They had to be thankful to their keeper, Conor Murphy who came off his line to make an excellent blocking save from Kevin Devine and the home side countered with their halftime substitute (29) racing in for a goal.
It gave O’Donnell’s a cushion but Laochra were now enjoying a lot of possession and pushing forward in numbers and a point from Kevin Devine and a goal from the penalty spot by sharp shooter McGucken had it back to one with time almost up.
O’Donnell’s refused to panic and countered from the kick-out with a point from Richard McAvoy before running down the clock as they held possession, affording Laochra no further opportunity.
O’Donnell’s: 1 Conor Murphy, 2 Joseph Rafferty, 3 Stephen Seawright, 4 Sean Smylie, 5 Kevin Kennedy, 6 Conor Walsh, 7 Jonathan McKenna, 8 Patrick Matthews, 9 Joseph Rafferty, 10 Ciaran McKissock, 11 Scott Thompson, 12 Paul Moore, 13 Richard McAvoy, 14 Padraig McKissock, 15 Fionnbar McKernan, 34 Fergal McNerny,
Laochra Loch Lao: 1 Sean O’hEachain, 26 Deaglan McComb, 3 Conor McCaffery, 4 Michael Nolan, 5 Gearoid McShane, 6 Connla O’Coinn, 7 Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain, 8 Tomkas Tolan, 9 Cathal O’Ceallaigh, 10 Conor McGucken, 11 Kevin Devine, 12 Tiarnan Mac Siacais, 13 Oisin Crawford, 24 Michael O’Dalaigh, 15 PJ O’Prey,
Referee: Anthony Carleton (St. Brigid’s)
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM LAST NIGHT’S GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Naomh Brid, Cloughmills wrote their own bit of history on Wednesday night when they recorded their first ever football win in only their second appearance in division 3 of the ACFL.
Ardoyne Kickham’s were their opponents and made life extremely difficult for a St. Brigid’s side who were forced to play with their jerseys inside out following a clash of colours.
A big crowd had turned out to witness this occasion as Naomh Brid, a club renowned for its hurling prowess, turned to the big ball game for only their second game and their first on home soil.
And the home support certainly weren’t to be disappointed as both sides served up an entertaining game of football with Naomh Brid taking the game to the opposition early on and moving into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 13 minutes.
Eoin Dobbin, Aidan McNeill and Ryan Mark were their marksmen with Odhran McKee replying for the Kickham’s who were finding it difficult to contain a lively home attack.
Dobbin added his second of the evening before the visitors replied through Brendan Hamilton from a well struck free but Naomh Brid were still edging the exchanges and Dobbin fired to the net to move them five ahead by the 22nd minute.
The visitors finished the half strongly as they began to find their rhythm with Odhran McKee, Patrick McGreevey and Brendan Hamilton all on target in response to a pointed free from Aidan McNeill following a breach.
Trailing by a goal at the halfway stage, it was visitors Ardoyne who made the early second half running but found scores hard to come bye as the Home side put their bodies on the line to prevent them scoring, executing some excellent blocks.
Ace marksman, Brendan Hamilton finally got the North Belfast side up and running as he converted a 10th minute free and then Cloughmills lost a player to a second yellow card as the game turned into a war of attrition.
Two more conversions from the excellent Hamilton had it back to one at the end of the third quarter and it looked like Ardoyne were taking over but the ‘Biddies’ quite simply refused to throw in the towel.
They edged ahead again when Eoin Magee fired over their first point of the half with 10 minutes remaining but it looked to be of no avail when Hamilton converted a ‘45’ and another from closer to goal to leave it all square with only two minutes remaining.
Back came St. Brigid’s and Dobbin edged them ahead before Aidan McNeill struck an excellent free from a difficult angle to secure the points despite a later point from Joseph Gibson for an Ardoyne side who will feel they might have taken something from the game.
Last week Cloughmills lost their opening game to St. Malachy’s but on the evidence of what we saw tonight they are more than capable of holding their own in the division and should get better and better as the season progresses.
The celebrations after suggested that they certainly enjoyed the occasion and the future looks bright for the boys from the village.
Naomh Brid: 1 Cathaoir McFerran, 2 Rian Dobbin, 3 Sean McKendry, 4 Jack McDowall, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Gerard O’Mullan, 7 Kevin O’Boyle, 8 Ryan Mark, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Eoin Magee, 11 Aidan McNeill, 12 Dara Watterson, 13 Dara McGivern, 14 Niall McFadden, 15 Eoin Dobbin
Subs: 18 Stephen Smith,
Ardoyne: 1 Tiernan Hughes, 2 Cormac Curran, 24 Michael McGreevey, 19 Odhran Mullan, 20 Ciaran Lopes, 5 Joseph Gibson, 6 Pearse Marley, 7 Finnen Wall O’Brien, 8 Oisin Maskey, 9 Gary McKiernan, 10 Odhran McKee, 11 Daniel Moore, 12 Oisin Coulard, 13 Patric McGreevey, 14 Fiontan Lagan, 15 Brendan Hamilton
Referee: Joe McCavana (Naomh Comhghall)
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM TONIGHT’S HISTORIC GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
