Sraith Iomána Ard Mhacha 04/06/24

Babhta 4

Carraig Mhachaire Rois V NCC

Our senior hurlers made it three wins from four in the Armagh League this evening after a good win on the road against the Emmet’s of Carrickmacross in Páirc Emmet. 

The Cilles opened the scoring in the first minute, with a neat point from play from centre half forward Chris Kearns and remained in front from then until the referee called full time. 

Captain na foirne Liam McIllvenna won the toss and opted to play down the hill with the wind in the first half. This proved a good choice as a number of long range points and two good goals from corner forward Lughaidh Mór allowed the Black and Red to take a 2-8 to 0-7 lead into half time. He added a neat point to compliment further white flags from Chris Kearns (0-3), Rónán Maguire (0-2), AJ McCann (0-1) and Gary Mulgrew (0-1).

The low lying sun was a hindrance to the NCC inside forward line in the opening half with a number of good balls going to waste due to poor visibilty but despite this the seven point cushion at the short whistle ensured that we held our hands firmly on the wheel as we headed into the second half. 

The Carrickmacross lads got to grips with the wind early on after the restart as they recorded the first couple of points to reduce the deficit to five with thirty three minutes on the clock. Oisín Mór broke the Emmet’s scoring run with a fine point from distance before two good points within a minute of each other from midfielder Vinny McCann and number eleven Chris Kearns restored our seven point advantage with the scoreboard reading 2-10 to 0-9 in our favour. 

The Monaghan men grabbed the game by the scruff from the forty second to the forty eighth minute and fired over four points from play to shorten the Cilles’ lead to three but that was as good as it got as full forward AJ McCann fired over an excellent point from near the sideline to wrestle control of the contest back again. He added a fine point from a 65 and a thirty metre free before a fortuitous goal from substitute Conor Doherty in the fifty fifth minute and a long range point from defensive replacement Peter Corr put the result beyond doubt. 

Gary Mulgrew recorded his second point of the night in response to two further scores from the Carrickmacross lads to leave the full time score reading 3-16 to 0-16 in favour of the Black and Red. 

Once again we had a sound performance from Rory Poncánach between the posts as the experienced Gleann man dealt comfortably with any danger throughout the evening. 

Irwin Donnellan was steady at full back with captain Liam McIllvenna and young Odhrán McMurray providing good cover in the corners. 

Ryan Dubh O’Neill was his usual dependable self at centre half back with Seán Kelly prompting plenty of NCC attacks  with his forceful play and long clearances throughout from number five. Caolán McLaughlin worked tirelessly on the left flank before being replaced late on by the experienced Peter Corr. 

Vinny McCann, once again, gave all he had in the middle of the field as did Caolán Ó Corra who took control of the middle third in the last quarter after the Emmet’s had threatened to wipe out the NCC lead. 

Up front we had steady performances from each of our forwards with every man scoring from open play. Lughaidh Mór top scored with 2-1 and other scores from Chris Kearns, AJ McCann, Rónán Maguire, Oisín Mór and Gary Mulgrew made sure of another victory. 

This was a good run out for NCC and we did well to secure the two points whilst hurling well within ourselves. Perhaps the long distance from East Tír Eoghain to South Monaghan influenced the somewhat lethargic performance from the Black and Red but despite this our management team of Seámy Carron, Niall Gleann and Ryan Poncánach will be pleased after putting back to back league victories together. 

Next up for the boys is a fixture with the St Malachy’s of Portadown. 

Foireann NCC: Rory Poncánach Ó Néill, Liam McIllvenna, Irwin Donnellan, Odhrán McMurray, Seán Kelly, Ryan Dubh O’Neill, Caolán McLaughlin, Caolán Ó Corra, Vinny McCann (0-1), Oisín Mór Ó Néill (0-1), Chris Kearns (0-4), Rónán Maguire (0-2), Gary Mulgrew (0-2), AJ McCann (0-4, 0-1 65, 0-1 free) Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill (2-1)

Fir Ionaid: Peter Corr (0-1), Conor Doherty (1-0), Shea Coney, Eric Kirwan, Aaron McCann, Tony O’Hagan

Míle buíochas to Rory and Ryan from State of the Arts Tattoo for their kind sponsorship of the match sliotars on the night.