Sraithchomórtas Craoibhe Sinsear Iomána Thír Eoghain | Babhta 2 | 

Tyrone Senior Hurling League Championship | Round 2 | 

NCC v Lios Béal Átha 

6 Lúnasa 2024

@ Páirc Chlochóg 

If you wanted a game with plenty of scores, hard hitting, skill and sportsmanship then you would’ve been pleased enough with the fare on offer in Páirc Chlochóg last night as the Black and Red of Naomh Colum Cille entertained the Naomh Pádraig hurlers of Lisbellaw and Fermanagh. 

The final score of 3-27 (36) to 4-15 (27) in favour of the green and white clad away team may point to a one sided contest but that would cast an unfair shadow on a game that was entertaining and competitive from the throw in right up until an réiteoir Barry Winters sounded the long whistle after 60+ minutes of great hurling. 

Páirc Chlochóg, as always, was in top shape for the contest and the overhead threat of rain thankfully didn’t materialise for the duration. The Cilles played up towards the Cloghog/pavilion end of the field with a slight breeze on their backs and a low lying sun into their eyes in the first half.

We started the game well and had the first couple of scores on the board after two minutes before the Lisbellaw men responded with one of their own. From then until the short whistle it was a case of score for score with the pick of them a goal from NCC centre half forward Paul Greville after he collected a high ball, turned his man and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. 

The match was in the balance at half time with Lisbellaw going in leading on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-07 with all to play for in the second half. 

NCC took their time getting up to the speed of the game at the beginning of the second half as the Fermanagh men made hay in the opening ten minutes. They stretched their lead out into double figures in this third quarter of dominance before the Cilles awoke from their slumber to tear into the game in the last twenty minutes. 

The introduction of Ruairi Hagan into the half forward line coupled with the promptings and determined play of Paul Greville and full forward AJ McCann gave the Cilles an attacking edge as the two teams traded scores until the end. 

AJ continued his good form of late to land two top class goals into the Drumurrer end and a sublime overhead flicked effort from Paul Greville kept the home support’s attention right up until the end despite the Lisbellaw men contributing three goals and plenty of points of their own to seal the two league points. 

As mentioned earlier, despite the nine point gap, this was a game that we can take plenty of encouragement from. The Cavanacarragh men, backboned by the crux of the Fermanagh county team, showed all of their skill and experience to run out 3-27 to 4-15 winners with their first touch, high fielding and direct play giving them the edge over the battling NCC lads. 

The Black and Red had good performances throughout the field with cúl báire Rory Poncánach Ó Néill pulling off a series of fine saves throughout and delivering pin point long range deliveries from the restarts. The full back line of Caolán McLaughlin, Irwin Donnellan and Liam McIllvenna fought hard against a very fast and skilful Lisbellaw full forward line with Seán Kelly, Ryan Dubh O’Neill and young Conor Doherty competing well in the face of tough aerial opposition. 

Caolán José Dos Santos Ó Corra gave his all at 8 before retiring with an ankle injury as did Darragh Coney who emptied the tank in familiar fashion for the cause of the Black and Red geansaí. 

Up front we had two outstanding performances from Paul Greville at 11 and AJ McCann on the edge of the square with Rónán Maguire and Odhrán McMurray giving good accounts of themselves around the middle third. Gary Mulgrew grew into the game after his shift to midfield in the second half and Oisín Mór showed well for whatever ball came into his corner. 

Seámy and his management team of Niall Gleann and Ryan Yank will be pleased with the bounce from the bench as the introductions of Ruairí Hagan, Peter Corr, Shea Coney and Aaron McCann gave the team fresh impetus in the final third of the game. 

Next up for NCC is a visit to the home of the Benburb Cup champions next Monday the 12th of August when we travel to Páirc Éire Óg to take on the local Carmen i babhta 3 of the Tír Eoghain league/championship. 

Foireann NCC: Rory Poncánach Ó Néill, Liam McIllvenna, Irwin Donnellan, Caolán McLaughlin, Seán Kelly, Ryan Dubh O’Neill, Conor Doherty, Caolán José Dos Santos Ó Corra, Darragh Coney, Rónán Maguire (0-1), Paul Greville (2-5), Odhrán McMurray, Gary Mulgrew (0-1), AJ McCann (2-6, 0-3 from frees), Oisín Mór Ó Néill (0-1) 

Fir Ionaid: Paddy McCusker, Aaron McCann, Ruairí O'Hagan (0-1), Peter Corr, Shea Coney