Fixtures & Results 2010 - IFC

Rasharkin progress to last four

This was the third meeting of these two sides this season with each team gaining away wins apiece in the two previous league encounters. St.Mary’s beat the Crumlin side early on in the second league game of the season by nine points, but St.James’s got there own back with an impressive win at Dreen in June. The last time these clubs met in the Intermediate Championship was thirty three years ago, Aldergrove went on to win the county title that year, JC Delvin would be hoping that history was going to repeat itself and Rasharkin manager Paddy McNeill would have different ideas. Kickhams Creggan was the venue for this fixture and must be commended on the condition and quality of the facilities.

Aldergrove Captain Ryan Maguire won the toss and elected to play against the slight breeze in the first half. Wing half forward James Henry opened Aldergrove’s account after three minutes with a well taken thirty yard strike over Donal McLernon’s crossbar. The Crumlin side went further ahead after six when Fergal Burke split the posts following a twenty yard free. St.Mary’s had early chances but couldn’t break the deadlock until centre half forward Conor Hasson latched unto a quick free form older brother Michael, to raise the white flag on the eighth minute.

Rasharkin pulled level two minutes later with a point from corner forward Michael Hasson, before Conor Hasson converted following a pass from roving corner back Cahir O’Kane after thirteen. St.Mary’s were completely on top mid way through the half but couldn’t show their dominance on the scoreboard as the wides tally mounted. Michael Hasson put his side two up after nineteen minutes following a twenty five yard free on the wing. Decky McKay slipped over another from the set piece before Michael Hasson took is personal tally to three before the half time break.

St.Mary’s turned around into the second half, facing the breeze and a blinding sunset over Lough Neagh, Tommy McCart was on hand to lend his bowling hat to Rasharkin net minder McLarnon to help his vision and block out the rays.

Their half time team talk seemed to have done the trick as full forward Cathal Mooney got them off to a flyer with a point inside the first two minutes to put the Dreen men five up. However, they were soon ousted from the comfort zone as Aldergrove corner forward Brian McQuillan unleashed a rasper from twenty yards. McQuillan’s shot flew into the top right corner of Donal McLarnon’s goal to reduce Rasharkin’s lead to two and spring Aldergrove right back into the game.

Both sides fought hard to create opportunities but the shooting boots seemed to have been forgotten.  It wasn’t until the nineteenth minute when second half substitute Brendan McMullan converted a free for Rasharkin.  Wing half forward Eamon McNeill gave Rasharkin their ninth and what proved to be their last score after twenty one minutes.  Aldergrove, who, seemed to be getting the best of all the refereeing decisions, gained a controversial point after twenty seven minutes from a shot from centre half forward Daniel Tolland.  Rasharkin now having backs to the wall found themselves in a real dog fight having dominated the game convincingly through out.  Brian McQuillan got the last score of the game in the thirteenth minute to leave a full time score 0-9 to 1-4. 

Cahir O’Kane, Peader McMullan, Duirmuid Quinn and Philip Quinn all can come away with much credit.  Paul Doherty was dominant at midfield along with Sean Hasson as up front the forwards tried hard but failed to rack up the scores.

Rasharkin came into this fixture as the bookies favourite having secured the Division two league and automatic promotion to top flight football next season. The game did not live up to the billing; however, St.Mary’s are through to the semi final. All Saints Ballymena will be Rasharkin’s opponents in this match, with a place in the Intermediate decider at stake. This game as added interest with All Saints having two Rasharkin men at the helm.

St.Mary's Rasharkin: Donal McLarnon, Thomas Doherty, Adrian Scullion, Cahir O’Kane, Peader McMullan, Duirmuid Quinn, Philip Quinn, Paul Doherty and Sean Hasson, Eamon McNeill, Conor Hasson, Brendan Etherson, Decky McKay, Cathal Mooney and Michael Hasson.

Subs: Joey Quinn for Decky McKay, Brendan McMullan for Michael Hasson.

St.James Aldergrove: Chris McQuillan, Dan Feeney, Ferdia Carson, Chris McVeigh, Paul Cushley, Kevin McBride, Conor Mawhinney, Ryan Maguire and Conor McCurry, James Henry, Daniel Toland, Fergal Black, Daniel McGarry, Anthony Feeney and Brian McQuillan

Referee: Gerard Dougan