Fixtures & Results 2013 - ACHL Div 3

St.Mary’s Rasharkin welcomed West Belfast side St.Teresa’s in Round 5 of the All County Hurling League Division Three on Wednesday past. Both these sides have enjoyed many battles since 2007 when the Glen Road men defeated Rasharkin in the Junior Hurling Championship Final.  However, in their last two league meetings St.Mary’s came out winners on both occasions prior to St Teresa’s relegation to Division Four hurling at the end of 2011. The city side having gained promotion to the third flight once more would be hoping to emulate their footballers who defeated Rasharkin in the larger of the leather balls three weeks ago.

As the teams took to the field both sides had notable absentees, with the visitors seeming to be worse off in this category due to suspensions, exam commitments, injuries and immigration.  Con Magees’ clubman Ryan O’Reilly was officiating on this occasion and was swift in getting procedures underway.

The homeside settled first with a point from Donagh Quigg, the nimble corner forward gained possession following an accurate pass from skipper Shane Hasson. The visitors responded in kind from the resultant puck out, Darren McCann split the posts from fifty yards after a clever flick from Conor O’Rawe.  After three minutes Rasharkin’s Enda McFerran, who was outstanding for sixty minutes, nudged his side in front. He caught a puck out from his brother and Rasharkin keeper Conor and returned the sliotar over the bar from centre field.  Aidan Darragh was next to get his name on the score sheet, the first of many incredible long range points which followed as the game progressed. The skilful talisman launched an impressive free from wide on the left hand wing after Thomas McMullan was fouled heading goalbound. 

The determined Glen Road men weren’t going to yield and had the game all square for the second time after ten minutes through points from Conor O’Rawe and the impressive Philip Maguire who was the dominant forward for the visitors.  Enda McFerran for Rasharkin and Philip Maguire for St Teresa’s treaded points midway through the half before the homeside took control and scored two goals and four unanswered points without reply. The first goal came after twelve minutes from Adrian Scullion; the reliable full forward won clean possession, rounded his man and fired to the back of the Teresa’s net beyond the helpless Naoise O’Faoalan.  Further points came from Aidan Darragh, Daniel Hasson and Conor McKeever before the later raised the green flag for the second time following an unstoppable twenty one yard free.  A shell shocked St Teresa’s outfit replied with three frees from Philip Maguire before the homeside went on another scoring blitz.  Points from Aidan Darragh (4) and Enda McFerran (2) saw the Dreen men go in at half time with a substantial thirteen point lead. Half time score St Mary’ Rasharkin 2-14 St Teresa’s Belfast 0-7. 

The homeside were very sleek and impressed taking tremendous scores and clever use of the sliotar. Rasharkin’s manager, Dick O’Kane’s intentions for this season left nothing to the imagination as the second half followed the same groove as the first. St Mary’s cut through the visitors rearguard to score a further 2-8, with goals from Daniel Hasson and second half substitute Kealan Darragh.  The remarkable scoring duo of Aidan Darragh and Enda McFerran fired over seven between them with Brendan McMullan grabbing the last score of the game. 

The visiting side deserve much credit for their endeavour and played hard until the final whistle. They returned eight points during the second period, seven courtesy of Maguire who was instrumental in everything positive for St Teresa’s, and the last point coming from midfielder Sean Devine. The visitors tale of woe continued three minutes from time when Stevie O’Hara was issued his marching orders following an altercation off the ball.  Full time score St Mary’s Rasharkin 4-22 St Teresa’s Belfast 0-15.

This victory sees the Dreen men leap frog St Teresa’s in the league table with six games played. The West Belfast men will be hoping for a different outcome when both sides lock horns at their Glen Road arena later in this season.

St.Mary’s Rasharkin: Conor McFerran, Daniel McKay, Joey Quinn, Paul McMullan, Conor McKeever (1-1), Shane Hasson (Capt), Brendan McMullan (0-1) Kieran Donaghy and Thomas McMullan, Enda McFerran (0-8), Conor Donaghy, Aidan Darragh (0-10), Donagh Quigg (0-1), Adrian Scullion (1-0) and Daniel Hasson (1-1).

Subs: Kealan Darragh (1-0), Emmett McFerran, Shane Doherty and Aidan McKeever

St. Teresa’s Belfast: Naoise O’Faolan, Gerard O’Rawe, James Cunningham, Aodhan O’Neill, James McGorlin, Steven Carey, Stevie O’Hara, Sean Devine (0-1) and Colm McGoldrick, Conor O’Rawe (0-1), Philip Maguire (0-12), Darren McCann (0-1), Conal Hamill, Danny McDonnell and Conor McCann.

Subs: Seamus Burns

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Con Magees, Glenravel)

Man of the match:

This section held several candidates, mostly on the homeside, however, James McGorlin, Steven Carey, Colm McGoldrick and Darren McCann all had notable games for St.Teresa’s and of course the outstanding Philip Maguire had a remarkable sixty minutes.