Fixtures & Results 2013 - ACFL Div 2

St.Mary’s Rasharkin welcomed Cardinal O’Donnell’s to Dreen in round eight of the All County Football League Division Two on Wednesday past. These sides are very much strangers in the All County League, however, the two clubs did met three years previous in Division 4, but it was Rasharkin’s Junior footballers who lost out to a determined O’Donnell’s outfit on both league encounters. The Whiterock Road men have enjoyed much success since then making their way through two divisions in three years to be competing in the second tier. Having only recorded one win thus far in the league against St.Teresa’s the City side were seeking a valuable two points nearing the half way stage. Rasharkin on the other hand have experienced a mediocre league campaign having won three, lost three and drew once, they are all too aware of the importance of securing points on Wednesday evening home games.   

On a perfect evening for football, it was the visitors who got off the mark first and lead by two after seven minutes thanks to well taken points from James Braniff and Denis Austin. Rasharkin opened their account after four minutes through Jarleth Mooney from range before Kevin Kennedy restored the two point cushion after seven for O’D’s. However, the city sides great start was dealt a dashing blow midway through the opening half when Brendan McMullan fired over following quick reaction from McAleese and Lynch from a clever forty five and when Brendan Etherson’s left foot goal strike crashed home two minutes later, alarm bells sounded in the O’Donnells defence. This saw the home side take the reigns and go two up, a lead which Rasharkin didn’t relinquish until Jarleth O’Donnell blow for full time.

The Dreen men turned on the pressure and impressed, enjoying much possession during the second quarter, a further six points for Rasharkin nudged them further in front courtesy of Ryan Lynch (3), Shane Hasson (2) and Johnny McAleese. The McCrory Park men responded after twenty two with an effort from Kieran McKessick before St.Mary’s Benny Hasson finished a thundering solo through the middle by despatching a rasper to back of Conor Walsh’s net to clinch his side’s second three pointer. A further left foot point attempt from Etherson and a brilliantly taken penalty by McAleese to raise the green flag knocked the stuffing out of the visitors on the stroke of halftime.

Facing a fourteen point deficit going into the second half O’Donnell’s had a real uphill battle ahead; however, credit must go to the West Belfast side as they introduced fresh legs and fought hard to full time. Mickey McLaughlin and PJ Meenan tacked on two second half points to reduce arrears but the Dreen men had too much in their arsenal with another five scores, three from the boot of Brendan McMullan, and points apiece from Shane Hasson and Ryan Lynch which saw the homeside collect all points on offer to lift themselves into third on the table nestled behind runaway leaders St.Mary’s Ahoghill and All Saints.

Mickey McLaughlin, Conor O’Donnell, Jim Donnelly, Conor Fagan, Mark Clarke, James Braniff, PJ Meenan and second half substitutes Colm McAuley and Kevin Maxwell worked tirelessly for the O’Donnell’s and deserve mention but the home side were simply too much for the visitors. They controlled proceedings for most of the hour and played a solid supporting game particularly in the first half. Ryan Doherty had little to do on the Rasharkin line but pulled off a great save from Joe McDonnell eight minutes from time. Mark Hasson, Aiddy Scullion, Dominic McFerran and Thomas Doherty commanded well at the back, Benny Hasson, Cathal Mooney, Ryan Lynch, Brendan Etherson, Johnny McAleese, Brendan McMullan and Shane Hasson lead the way up front. A special mention must go to Rasharkin’s innovative wing half forward Shane Hasson who use of the leather is notable, his howler four minutes from time is strongly tipped by Paddy Power for miss of the season.

St.Mary’s Rasharkin: Ryan Doherty, Mark Hasson, Adrian Scullion, Dominic McFerran, Philip Quinn, Thomas Doherty, Paddy Hasson, Cathal Mooney and Benny Hasson, Shane Hasson, Jarleth Mooney, Brendan McMullan, Johnny McAleese (1-2) Brendan Etherson and Ryan Lynch (0-1).

Subs: Joey Quinn

O’Donnell’s: Conor Walsh, PJ Austin, Mickey McLaughlin, Mark McAuley, Conor O’Donnell, Jim Donnelly, Kevin Kennedy, Conor Fagan and Mark Clarke, Mark Braniff, Fearghal McNerney, Denis Austin, PJ Meenan, Joe McDonnell and Kiernan McKessick

Subs: Padraig McCrory, Colm McAuley, Kevin Maxwell and Conor Walsh

Referee: Jarleth O’Donnell (Con Magees Glenravel)