Fixtures & Results 2011 - ACFL Div 1

ACFL Div 1
25 May 2011


St.Mary's Rasharkin topple league leaders at Dreen

Rasharkin's senior footballers welcomed St.Brigid's in League game number seven of the season for both clubs in this mid week fixture. These sides needed no introduction as they have locked horns ever since both teams gained promoted to Division One football in 2008. St.Brigid's have established themselves as a formidable Division one side since and have started this season with an impressive five wins from six, rightfully taking their place at the summit of the table. However, St.Mary's under the stewardship of Paddy McNeill having made a reasonable start with winning three from six would want to collect two precious league points at home.

This was always going to be a game of two halves with a definite wind blowing into the pavilion end, St.Mary's skipper Paul Doherty having won the toss elected to play with the advantage of the elements in the first period. Rasharkin corner forward Johnny McAleese clipped over the home sides first score on four minutes before Fearghal Sherry replied for the Malone Road side a minute later. The conditions were cold and wet but temperatures flared on the pitch right from the start. The game was twelve minutes old when match referee Gary Brown issued St.Brigid's Mark Sweeney and Rasharkin's Cahir O'Kane with straight red cards as both players got acquainted.

Rasharkin dominated early exchanges and had a host of opportunities but failed to register on the scoreboard as the wides tally began to mount. It wasn't until the tenth minute when the towering Benny Hasson landed a point following a surging run. St. Brigid's claimed the resultant kickout and returned over the bar through wing half back Kevin Gallagher. Johnny Mac pushed Rasharkin in front again on fifteen before he coolly slotted over another from the set ball after eighteen. St.Mary's corner forward Eamon McNeill got in on the act when he fired over on twenty four.

James Loughery turned over a Rasharkin attack five minutes before the half, the inspiring wind half forward broke through the St.Mary's rearguard to play in full forward Niall Cunningham, but St.Mary's last line of defence Donal McLernon was quick off his line to deny a certain Brigid's major. Michael Hasson coming away with possession found Paul Doherty who linked with the advancing wide half back Conor Hasson to split the posts and open up a four point lead for the home side. Jack Dowling for St.Brigid's and Eamon McNeill for Rasharkin exchanged points in added time to send the teams in at half time 0-7 to 0-3 in favour of the Dreen Men.

Loughery was to reduce Rasharkin's lead to three after seven minutes of the second half before McAleese for Rasharkin punished the St.Brigid's indiscipline for the set piece. Second half substitute Kieran McLaughlin responded for the visitors when he pegged one back four minutes later. Rasharkin gained a foothold on the game at the start of the final quarter after the kicked three points without reply, two from the boot of McAleese and third from Conor Hasson following another penetrating run. This flurry of scores provoked uncertainty on the touchline, as the visitors looked to Joe Brolly for inspiration. The Sunday Game pundit had an impact when he set up Kevin Gallagher to raise the white flag and reduce St.Mary's lead to five with two minutes remaining.

The visitors did receive consolation a minute later when Ruairi O'Neill dropped the ball into the Rasharkin 18 yard box; the ball broke to Paul Finnegan who nudged over the line for a three pointer. The home side's response was instance having gained possession from the kickout Paul Doherty, Cathal Mooney and Brendan Etherson linked with Johnny McAleese who's shot sailed between the posts much to the delight of the large home support. Referee Gary Brown called full time on a score line 0-12 to 1-6.

This was a sterling performance from Rasharkin particularly in the second period, as they displayed great determination and want to win. Although there were several man of the match candidates Johnny McAleese took the honours with an impressive personal tally of seven points.

Rasharkin: Donal McLernon, Cahir O'Kane, Sean Hasson, Michael Hasson, Conor Hasson (0-2), Duirmuid Quinn, Thomas Doherty, Paul Doherty and Cathal Mooney Brendan Etherson, Alan McNeill, Philip Quinn, Eamon McNeill (0-2), Benny Hasson (0-1) and Johnny McAleese (0-7).

Referee: Gary Brown (Con Magees Glenravel)