Fixtures & Results 2010 - IFC

Dreams of the double still alive for St.Mary’s Rasharkin

Rasharkin star forward Eamon McNeill’s point ten minutes from time put his side three points up in the semi final of the Intermediate Championship, this spectacular thirty yard point was to prove to be the score that would finish All Saints hopes of reaching the final as they scored two points in the closing stages of the game to leave the minimum between the sides at the final whistle.

This was the fifth meeting of these two sides this season the Dreen men claimed four points from the two league encounters. All Saints did, however, gain some compensation when they narrowly beat Rasharkin at Dreen in the North Antrim Feis Cup following a draw after extra time at Slemish Park in June. These statistics mean very little when it comes to the passion and expectation of Championship football.  Rasharkin manager Paddy McNeill was hoping that his sides successful league form would continue, but fellow Rasharkin man and All Saints manager John McNeill would be hoping to spoil St.Mary’s party.

Kickhams Creggan was the venue for this fixture which was the curtain raiser to the Senior Championship clash between Erins Own Cargin and St.Brigid’s and the grounds as you have now come to expect at Creggan were in top condition.

St Marys Rasharkin started the first half with wind advantage playing into the pavilion end; a left footed effort from wing half forward Brendan Etherson broke the deadlock in the second minute.  This was followed two minutes later with a point from midfielder Paul Doherty. Decky McKay turned the heat on as he whipped over two points back to back on the sixth and ninth minutes from the set ball.  Etherson carved out another with the left peg after thirteen before McKay punished the All Saints indiscipline at the back after fifteen.  Rasharkin had got off to a dream start and their dominance over the field was reflected in the scoreline as they moved the ball around without challenge.  Paul Doherty gave the Dreen men an unexpected seven point lead when he pointed after sixteen minutes. 

All Saints full forward Paul McCann broke the duck for All Saints as he fisted past Donal McLernon on the Rasharkin line, McCann took full advantage of the slack marking at the back when he coolly slotted home a cross field ball from Tiernan Walsh following his surging run down the line.  All Saints captain Paddy Logan converted a point a minute later before brother, Barney, left the deficit two points twenty minutes into the fixture. 

Rasharkin restored their grip on the game when wing half back Philip Quinn unleashed a left footed rasper and score of the game so far.  Decky McKay split the posts on the stroke of half time to give his side a four point cushion going in at the half time break. 

Paddy Logan was to get the first score of the second half following a long range effort on the fifth minute.  Decky McKay again the provider took his personal tally to five points after eight minutes of the second half to increase Rasharkin’s lead.  However, second half substitute Sean McCambridge raised the green flag a minute later to reduce Rasharkin’s lead to the minimum.  The All Saints forward got himself on the end of a through ball from Peter McNicholl and dropped the ball over the head of the Rasharkin keeper.  St.Mary’s was dealt a further blow when star midfielder Paul Doherty was forced to retire following an accidental collision with Peter McCann. 

The game now hung in the balance with Ballymena right back in the fight.  St Mary’s "Mr Reliable” Brendan Etherson swung the pendulum in Rasharkin’s direction when he smashed the ball into the roof of the All Saints net past the advancing Mickey O’Kane.  All Saints centre half forward Tiernan Walsh responded immediately with a point a minute later followed by another from his brother and second half substitute Terry on the fifteenth minute of the second half.  Son of Ballymena manager Eamon McNeill then stepped up to claim the crucial score of the game on the twentieth minute to increase Rasharkin’s lead to three.  Paddy Logan got his fourth point from a free before Damien Kelly brought the scoring to an end after twenty three minutes.  Rasharkin with backs to the wall held on to this slender lead during the last seven minutes, they did, however, send their supporters heart rates racing in the closing stages with a few missed opportunities.

This game was always going to go to the wire with both sides making good progress this season, Rasharkin having clinched the Division Two league and All Saints narrowly missing out in promotion to top flight football. Both teams produced good football in an exciting Championship clash, which had the crowd gripped until the final whistle.

For the Dreen men Cahir O’Kane, Thomas Doherty, Philip Quinn and Sean Hasson had good displays in defence; Paul Doherty worked up and down the field until his early forced exit, while up front Decky McKay, Brendan Etherson and Eamon McNeill were impressive. All Saints finishing on the loosing side can feel proud of the efforts from Mickey O’Kane, Peter McReynolds, Damian Kelly, Paddy Logan, Owen O’Kane, Peter McNicholl and second half substitutes Sean McVeigh and Sean McCambridge.

St.Mary’s now progress to the Intermediate final where they take on neighbours Dunloy who beat Aghagallon convincingly in their semi final. Dreams of the double league and Championship success are one game away from a reality.

St.Mary's Rasharkin: Donal McLarnon, Thomas Doherty (Capt), Adrian Scullion, Cahir O’Kane, Sean Hasson, Duirmuid Quinn, Philip Quinn, Paul Doherty and Cathal Mooney, Eamon McNeill, Declan McKay, Brendan Etherson, Michael Hasson, Johnny McAleese and Conor Hasson.

Subs: Conor Hardy for Paul Doherty, Peader McMullan for Cathal Mooney.

All Saints Ballymena: Mickey O’Kane, Kevin McAllister, Andy Kelly, Seamus McAfee, Damian Kelly, Peter McNicholl, Emmett Killough, Paddy Logan (Capt) and Barney Logan, Peter McCann, Tiernan Walsh, Michael McCarry, Owen O’Kane, Paul McCann and Peter McReynolds.

Subs: Terry Logan for Kevin McAllister, Sean McVeigh for Michael McCarry, Sean McCambridge for Paul McCann, Joe Rafferty for Peter McCann.

Referee: Davy McGrath