ACL Div3B: Wins for Clann, Tatts and Derrytresk

Urney 2-9 Clann na Gael 1-19

Clann Na Gael turned on the style in the final twenty minutes to take the spoils from their trip to Urney on Friday night as they got their Division 3A campaign off on a winning note.

Despite the poor weather conditions this was an entertaining start to the season with both sides at times playing some good football. The hosts had led at one stage in the first half having found the net twice but Clann na Gael turned things around to edge the opening period 1-9 to 2-5. Urney started the second half brightly with three unanswered points but after that they were to score just once more as the visitors assumed control due in no small part to the contributions of Robbie Conway and man of the match Shea Browne who weighed in with an impressive 0-16 between them. Centre half back Damien Ball was another player to the fore for the winners while Urney had good displays from Conor McDaid and John Paul McMenamin.

Urney began the game on the front foot and they went into an early lead courtesy of two frees from the boot of McDaid. Clan Na Gael though began to come into the game with midfielder Browne to the fore with a few points with Conway on target as well. The home side were now behind but they grabbed the first goal of the night when Jamie McAleer scrambled the ball home from close range. Clan Na Gael though wasted no time in responding with a major of their own through Ryan Devine. Browne and Marc Henry added points but Urney got back into contention when Sean McGowan converted a penalty after McDaid had been fouled.

Within five minutes of the restart the St.Columbas had turned a one point deficit into a two point lead thanks to another brace of McDaid frees coupled with a McAleer effort from play. It was just the tart to the half that they would have hoped for but they were unable to sustain it. Browne, Dan Houston Damien Ball and Conway all registered as they eased clear.

Urney keeper Keith Nelis converted a “45” and then crucially Urney were unlucky not to get a third goal in the closing stages when a shot from McAleer struck the post. A goal then would have set up a close finish but instead Clann na Gael made good their escape with Browne taking his personal haul to 0-9 with a two pointer as the visitors saw the game out.

Meanwhile, t was a landmark date in the diary too for Omagh St Enda’s as their Thirds team joined the junior league with a debut game in Tattyreagh. The Tatts triumphed 2-10 to 0-10 but Omagh led at half-time on 0-8 to 1-3.

St Enda’s custodian Niall McCrory sent over a couple of 2-pointers but Niall Murray and Ciaran McGroary scored goals apiece to supplement a five point home return from Keelan McDonagh. Aidan Martin and Peadar Mullan each added 2-pointers, with Ronan Collins getting a single. Nathan Devlin and Manus Doyle were also among the St Enda’s scorers.

Errigal Ciaran III started their season in winning form at Donaghmore III, emerging victors 2-11 to 1-8. Davy Harte landed 0-4 plus Damien ‘Dasher’ McDermott(1-1) and Ben McDermott(1-1) netted for the Dunmoyle men. Johnny Field fired in the St Patrick’s goal as Marcus Mulgrew and Joe Kelly contributed 2-pointers.

Derrytresk visited Killyman and returned home with a 3-15 to 0-9 verdict. Niall Gavin topped the scores on 1-7 for the guests and their additional goals came from Conan Slater(1-1) and Keenan Donaghy. Enda McGahan(0-4) and Shea Gates(0-3) supplied seven of the St Mary’s scores.

Brackaville edged a fine derby contest at Brocagh by a 3-14 to 4-13 margin after Ronan McHugh(2-3), Jason O’Neill(1-0) and Tiernan Ruddy(1-1) found the net. Shea Fee had 0-4 and Dale McSorley scored 0-3 for the Roes. Brocagh’s Mickey Hughes landed 1-5, including a 2-pointer, whereas team-mates Barry Donnelly bagged 2-3 and Cathal Donnelly claimed a 2-pointer as well.