Fixtures & Results 2011 - ACHL Div 3

ACHL Div 3
1 Jun 2011


Late Bredagh rally deny Rasharkin vital league points

Recently promoted from Division four, North Down side Bredagh travelled to Dreen in round six of the All County Antrim Hurling League. With both sides in the lower reaches of the table at this early stage, each club knew the importance of victory in this fixture.

Seamus Og Martin presented a new set of playing jerseys to team captain Thomas McMullan before the throw in. The home side would want to christen the new look with a good performance and secure two points, however, Sean McGuinness's charges would be trying to spoil the party.

There were two minutes on the clock when Aidan Darragh struck the ball to the back of the Bredagh net to give St.Mary's a perfect start. The wing half forward was on hand to deliver following a pass from Declan McKay. Darragh punished the North Down sides indiscipline as he slotted over two frees after five and six minutes. Both sides spurned opportunities in the remaining first quarter, Rasharkin full forward Duirmuid Quinn was next to get on the score sheet, he bravely won possession at the edge of the 18 yard box, rounded his man and fired over. Darragh again obliged from the set ball to catapult the home side into a seven point lead after fifteen minutes.

Bredagh raised the tempo when centre forward Emmett Traynor's twenty yard strike flew passed Brendan Kelly on the Rasharkin line after sixteen minutes. The same player landed a free two minutes later before St.Mary's midfielder Michael Hasson's shortened grip strike tucked neatly into the top right corner beyond Bredagh keeper Jack Anderson. The visitors reply was instance they slotted over three unanswered from Eoghan Galway, Emmett Traynor and Darragh Hobbs to leave a deficit of three between the sides on twenty three minutes.

Credit to the home side, they maintained their style of play despite the setback, Aidan Darragh and Eamon Kelly reaped the rewards when they converted after twenty four and twenty five. However, Bredagh finished the half on a high when Eoghan Donnelly raised the green flag on the stoke of half time to leave 2-6 to 2-4 in favour of the Dreen men.

Bredagh came out of the traps for the second period to take the lead for the first time following scores from Mick Star, Geroid Murray and Emmett Traynor inside six minutes. But it was a lead they failed to hold onto for long when Eamon Kelly lobbed over after eight and when Aidan Darragh put Rasharkin in front it was becoming difficult which way this thrilling encounter was going to go.

Daragh Hobbs pushed Bredagh level once more before Aidan Darragh lifted Rasharkin's challenge; he struck over three without reply with ten left on the clock and the home side looked the favourites to secure the points. But back came Bredagh with a point from midfielder Donal Hughes. This score was cancelled out by who else only Aidan Darragh, the top marksman took his personal tally to a staggering 1-9 and more importantly give his side a three point cushion five minutes from time.

Emmett Traynor lead the late rally with a point on twenty six to reduce the deficit to two, further disaster struck for the home side when Traynor lashed the ball into the Rasharkin net following a brilliant save from Keeper Brendan Kelly to send the visitors in front once more. St.Mary's frantically seeked possession in the dying minutes to save the match, but the fixture was put beyond the them went Bredagh corner forward Eoghan Galway fired over the crossbar a penalty strike to leave full time score 3-11 to 2-12 in favour of the North Down side.

Rasharkin: Brendan Kelly, Damien McGaughey, Joey Quinn, Paul McMullan, Daniel Hasson, Thomas McMullan (Capt) Daniel Doherty, Brendan McMullan and Michael Hasson, James Scally, Declan McKay, Aidan Darragh, Eamon Kelly, Duirmuid Quinn and Conor McKeever.

Subs: Daniel McKay for Damian McGaughey, John Doherty for Thomas McMullan.

Bredagh: Jack Anderson (Capt), Cormac White, Liam McCollum, Mark Delvin, Paudie Gallagher, Fearghal McCamphill, Ryan Curran, Conal Mulholland and Donal Hughes, Eoghan Donnelly, Emmett Traynor, Mick Star, Geroid Murray, Daragh Hobbs and Eoghan Galway

Subs: Conor Elesmore for Ryan Curran

Referee: Kevin Gormley