Fixtures & Results 2011 - ACFL Div 1

ACFL Div 1
13 Apr 2011


St.Mary's return to Division One with a bang

Rasharkin's senior footballers having collected the Antrim All County League Division two and Intermediate Championship in 2010 earned their place back into the big time. 2010 All Ireland Football Champions St.Galls would be their first opponents; the game was refixed giving St.Mary's home advantage due to the city side having their changing rooms damaged in a fire. The last time these sides met was in 2010 Championship at Casement where the Milltown side won by ten points.

Eamon McNeill started the scoring for the home side in the second minute with a well taken point, the same player struck again three minutes later. McNeill was to give St.Mary's the dream start with a third point from a free after seven minutes. Kevin Niblock opened the visitors account after eight minutes before Cathal Mooney notched up Rasharkin's fourth point. CJ McGourty split the posts with an impressive point to reduce St.Mary's led to two. Philip Quinn went on a supporting run and converted a massive forty yard shot after eighteen. McGourty and McNeill exchanged points before Johnny McAleese finished the scoring for the half to send Rasharkin in at half time with a four point cushion.

The Milltown side started the second half with whatever wind advantage there was, they started the scored through a set piece from CJ McGourty. Johnny McAleese landed a free for the home side to restore their lead. Again McNeill and McGourty exchanged points both from frees after eight minutes. St.Mary's mid fielder Paul Doherty found himself at the end of a pass from Thomas Doherty twenty yards from goal. The Rasharkin skipper rounded Gallagher on the St.Galls line to side foot the ball into an open net after ten minutes of the second half.

McGourty tried to stem the tide for the Galls from a free after fourteen, but the tie was put beyond doubt after seventeen minutes when second half substitute Brendan McMullan smashed the ball to the roof of the St.Galls net. Niall O'Neill broke away for a consolation point after twenty three. McAleese added another point for St.Mary's to open up a nine point lead after twenty four minutes. Eamon McNeill took his personal tally to a staggering six points four minutes later before another second half substitute Raymond O'Boyle raised the green flag for the third time. To leave final score St.Mary's 3-11 St.Galls 0-7.

This was a spirited all round performance by Rasharkin who played well together as a unit right across the field to please manager Paddy McNeill and the many supporters present. St.Galls had good performances from Colin Brady, Mark Kelly, Sean Kelly, Ciaran McGourty, Terry O'Neill, Kevin Niblock, Ruairi Gallagher and CJ McGourty.

Rasharkin: Ryan Doherty, Michael Hasson, Sean Hasson, Cahir O'Kane, Thomas Doherty, Duirmuid Quinn, Philip Quinn, Paul Doherty and Benny Hasson, Cathal Mooney, Declan McKay, Brendan Etherson, Johnny McAleese, Eamon McNeill and Joey Quinn.

Subs: Brendan McMullan for Joey Quinn, Raymond O'Boyle for Johnny McAleese, Donal McLernon for Ryan Doherty

Referee: Raymond Doone (St.Mary's Aghagallon)