Fixtures & Results 2013 - ACFL Div 2

St.Mary’s leapfrog All Saints in Division Two

St.Mary’s Rasharkin entertained All Saints Ballymena on Wednesday past in All County Football League Division Two Round Four. Another local encounter for the senior footballers saw a sizable crowd flood through the gates of Dreen to witness an epic battle between these two established sides. All Saints enjoyed a nine point victory against St.Mary’s the last time these teams met in the Feis Cup final 2012.

The visitors settled early nerves after three minutes from the boot of Mickey McCarry but Rasharkin responded through a well taken effort from Paul Doherty a minute later. Johnny McAleese for St.Mary’s and Paul McCann for Ballymena traded pointed after eight before the home side took complete control of proceedings for the remainder of the half with points from Ryan Lynch (3), a further two from McAleese and points apiece for Shane Hasson and Paul Doherty. This was a superb display of "route one” football from Rasharkin with outstanding performances throughout leaving half time score St.Mary’s 0-10 All Saints 0-4.

All Saints started the second period brightest with points from both wing half backs Damien Kelly and Emmett Killock to reduce arrears, however, the game soon caught fire with two goals in the space of a minute. Ballymena’s Paul McCann fired beyond Rasharkin keeper Donal McLernon to narrow proceedings to two points after ten minutes. This goal was almost immediately cancelled out when McAleese grabbed his fourth league goal of the season in as many appearances; Paul Doherty, Decky McKay and Benny Hasson were instrumental in this move. Big Benny drilled over a left footed effort to open up a six point gap as victory looked secured.

Full credit to All Saints in the closing stages who never gave up and battled hard in the final quarter, they converted five frees in the closing stages to reduce the deficit before Ryan Lynch capped off a man of the match performance taking his return to five all from play to leave final scoreline St.Mary’s 1-13 All Saints 1-11 

St.Mary’s Rasharkin: Donal McLernon, Mark Hasson, Sean Hasson, Dominic McFerran, Philip Quinn, Cahir O’Kane, Connor Gribben, Cathal Mooney and Paul Doherty (0-2), Shane Hasson (0-1), Brendan Etherson, Declan McKay (0-1), Thomas Doherty, Johnny McAleese (1-3) and Ryan Lynch (0-5).

Subs: Peader McMullan, Jarleth Mooney, Benny Hasson (0-1), Ryan Doherty and Adrian Scullion

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Con Magees Glenravel)