Sraith Iomána Ard Mhacha 21/05/24 - Babhta 2
Our senior hurlers welcomed Naomh Moninne of Killeavy to Páirc Chlochóg yesterday evening (21/05/24) for round 2 of the Armagh senior hurling league.
The field was in great shape for our first home competitive fixture of the year and thankfully the promised rain didn't arrive for the duration of the game.
Killeavy started well and were 0-5 to 0-1 by the end of the first quarter with the South Armagh men making better use of the chances that they were presented with. The Black and Red were top of the possession stakes but were struggling to convert that stat into points on the scoreboard with 14 first half wides doing much to undermine the hard work of the team.
NCC got to grips with the game in the second quarter and were 0-7 to 0-5 up by the 25th minute with points from Chris Kearns, Vinny McCann, AJ McCann, Ruairí O'Hagan and Rónán Maguire doing much to steady the ship before Killeavy hit back with two points of their own to leave the sides all square at 7 a piece at the short whistle.
The second half continued in a similar vein as the first with either team struggling to take control of the game. NCC had established a two point lead as the clock ticked into the fourth quarter and were 0-13 to 0-11 up by the 20th minute with scores from Chris Kearns, Gary Mulgrew, AJ McCann, who was causing the Naomh Moninne defence a few problems with his direct running style and Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill doing enough to keep the Armagh men at arms length.
The Black and Red seemed to be doing enough and looked the likeliest side to earn the two points before a speculative high ball towards goal caused confusion, wasn't dealt with and ended up in the back of the net to put Killeavy back in front at 1-11 to 0-13.
From there until the end of the game NCC failed to score as the Killeavy lads tagged on a further two points to seal victory on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-13.
Overall this was a cagey game for NCC with the wides tally reaching 20 by the finish. Killeavy took their chances and were much more economical in front of the posts as they only posted 7 wides throughout the game. It's a match Seámie Carron and his management team would feel they left behind but despite the result not much could be faulted with the effort and endeavour of the Cilles.
Next up for the Black and Red is a home fixture with Castleblayney of Monaghan.
Foireann NCC: Rory Poncánach Ó Néill, Liam McIllvenna, Paul Maguire, Irwin Donnellan, Seán Kelly, Ryan Dubh O'Neill, Caolán McLaughlin, Rónán Maguire (0-1), Vinny McCann (0-1), Ruairí O'Hagan (0-1), Chris Kearns (0-3), Gary Mulgrew (0-1), Oisín Mór Ó Néill, AJ McCann (0-5), Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill (0-1)
Fir Ionaid: Eric Kirwan, Conor Doherty, Odhrán McMurray agus Aaron McCann
Míle buíochas to Terry O'Neill of O'Neill's Bar in the town for sponsoring last night's match ball.
Our senior hurlers welcomed Naomh Moninne of Killeavy to Páirc Chlochóg yesterday evening (21/05/24) for round 2 of the Armagh senior hurling league.
The field was in great shape for our first home competitive fixture of the year and thankfully the promised rain didn't arrive for the duration of the game.
Killeavy started well and were 0-5 to 0-1 by the end of the first quarter with the South Armagh men making better use of the chances that they were presented with. The Black and Red were top of the possession stakes but were struggling to convert that stat into points on the scoreboard with 14 first half wides doing much to undermine the hard work of the team.
NCC got to grips with the game in the second quarter and were 0-7 to 0-5 up by the 25th minute with points from Chris Kearns, Vinny McCann, AJ McCann, Ruairí O'Hagan and Rónán Maguire doing much to steady the ship before Killeavy hit back with two points of their own to leave the sides all square at 7 a piece at the short whistle.
The second half continued in a similar vein as the first with either team struggling to take control of the game. NCC had established a two point lead as the clock ticked into the fourth quarter and were 0-13 to 0-11 up by the 20th minute with scores from Chris Kearns, Gary Mulgrew, AJ McCann, who was causing the Naomh Moninne defence a few problems with his direct running style and Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill doing enough to keep the Armagh men at arms length.
The Black and Red seemed to be doing enough and looked the likeliest side to earn the two points before a speculative high ball towards goal caused confusion, wasn't dealt with and ended up in the back of the net to put Killeavy back in front at 1-11 to 0-13.
From there until the end of the game NCC failed to score as the Killeavy lads tagged on a further two points to seal victory on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-13.
Overall this was a cagey game for NCC with the wides tally reaching 20 by the finish. Killeavy took their chances and were much more economical in front of the posts as they only posted 7 wides throughout the game. It's a match Seámie Carron and his management team would feel they left behind but despite the result not much could be faulted with the effort and endeavour of the Cilles.
Next up for the Black and Red is a home fixture with Castleblayney of Monaghan.
Foireann NCC: Rory Poncánach Ó Néill, Liam McIllvenna, Paul Maguire, Irwin Donnellan, Seán Kelly, Ryan Dubh O'Neill, Caolán McLaughlin, Rónán Maguire (0-1), Vinny McCann (0-1), Ruairí O'Hagan (0-1), Chris Kearns (0-3), Gary Mulgrew (0-1), Oisín Mór Ó Néill, AJ McCann (0-5), Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill (0-1)
Fir Ionaid: Eric Kirwan, Conor Doherty, Odhrán McMurray agus Aaron McCann
Míle buíochas to Terry O'Neill of O'Neill's Bar in the town for sponsoring last night's match ball.
