Fixtures & Results 2011 - O'Cahan Cup

O'Cahan Cup
3 Jun 2011


McAleese points they way to the final as Rasharkin oust neighbours

Rasharkin's senior footballers having beaten Glenravel and Aghagallon in the O'Cahan Cup set up a semi final tussle with neighbours Casements Portglenone who had dispatched All Saints Ballymena and Creggan in their earlier outings. The two clubs have missed the local rivalry in recent seasons with playing is different divisions; however, this was a chance to renew old acquaintances. The new playing field at Slemish Park provided the neutral venue for the fixture, it's was "hats off" to the All Saints grounds men who had the facilities in top condition.

Casements midfielder Marty McCarry was the first man on the score sheet after two minutes following a long range effort. The Rasharkin response was swift when Brendan McMullan obliged following a perfect through ball from Johnny McAleese. Portglenone nudged forward again from the boot of Eoin Kelly after five minutes. Eamon McNeill had St.Mary's back on terms two minutes later with an impressive shot into the breeze.

The game swung like a pendulum when Portglenone's BJ Donnelly and Rasharkin's Johnny McAleese traded points after twelve minutes. On fifteen minutes St.Mary's full back Sean Hasson turned over a Casements attack, he then took off in a surging ninety yard run collecting a one - two from Cathal Mooney and Brendan McMullan, he suddenly found himself one on one Casements keeper Brian McCann. The shot was drilled low into the left hand corner but to the wrong side of the post. Big brother Benny Hasson made no mistake in a similar position two minutes later, a great move opened the Portglenone rearguard again involving Michael Hasson, Cathal Mooney, Johnny McAleese and Declan McKay saw the towering midfielder bearing down on goal, McCann on the line was given no chance as Hasson fired home for the games first major.

Rasharkin well in the groove now tacked on three points without reply, two from the boot of McAleese and a third from Declan McKay to put the Dreen men into a six point lead. The experienced Tony Convery slotted over a thirty yard free to stop the rut but back came St.Mary's, Eamon McNeill's twenty five yard strike sailed over the crossbar to restore the lead four minutes from the interval. Casements finished the half in a flurry, wind half forward Eoin Kelly took the game by the scruff of the neck and landed a point from out on the wing after twenty nine minutes. The same player reduced the tie to two points when he fisted to the back of the Rasharkin net a high ball into the edge of the square by Marty McCarry. Match referee Thomas Close called time to leave half time score 1-7 to 1-5 in favour of St.Mary's.

Paddy McNeill's charges took to the field for the second half with the advantage of the elements. Benny Hasson claimed the throw in and played direct into the forward line where Eamon McNeill slipped the ball to McAleese who kicked an excellent point inside the first minute. Portglenone's Tony Convery again hauled them back with a converted free two minutes later. But McAleese was on fire up front, he gave St.Mary's a three point cushion when he landed a great right footed effort on four minutes of the second half. Mark Graham replied for Portglenone from the set ball before the promising young star Dermot McAleese split the posts to been the deficit to the minimum after ten minutes.

Rasharkin now took complete control of the game with quick ball into the forward line, Portglenone were pinned back for much of the closing quarter. Eamon McNeill and Johnny McAleese finished off two polished performances converting three points each to crush any Casements revival. McAleese's medication is paying off with an incredible return of eight points.

Connor Gribben, Sean Hasson and Michael Hasson were the pick of the Rasharkin defence Cathal Mooney and Benny Hasson worked hard round the middle, up front Alan McNeill, Brendan Etherson, Brendan McMullan, Eamon McNeill and Johnny McAleese had good performances. Ryan Lynch made is senior debut and what a prospect he will be.

Casements can feel proud of the efforts from Brian McCann, Paddy Carey, Tony Convey, BJ Donnelly, Martin McCarry, Eoin Kelly, Eoin Doherty and Dermot McAleese.

St.Mary's now progress to the final to take on the winners of Moneyglass or Cargin on 27th July.

Rasharkin: Ryan Doherty, Paddy Hasson, Sean Hasson, Connor Gribben, Michael Hasson, Thomas Doherty, Philip Quinn, Benny Hasson (1-0) and Cathal Mooney, Brendan Etherson, Alan McNeill, Declan McKay (0-1), Brendan McMullan (0-1) , Johnny McAleese (0-8) and Eamon McNeill (0-5).

Subs used: Ryan Lynch, Raymond O'Boyle and Donal McLernon

Portglenone: Brian McCann, Niall Delargy, Paddy Carey, Johnny Convery, Declan Doherty, Tony Convery (0-2), BJ Donnelly (0-1), Martin McCarry (0-1)and Paddy Kelly, Eoin Kelly (1-2), Eoin Doherty, Dermot McAleese (0-1), Mark Graham (0-1), Damian Duffin and Aidan Kelly

Subs used: Kevin Rafferty, Aidan McKee, Niall Kelly, Phelim McCloskey and Conor McAleese

Referee: Thomas Close (St.Ergnats Moneyglass)