Tony’s late strike is too much for Clann

Tony’s late strike is too much for Clann

6 July 2016

TONY McMahon was in form last week to finish to the Tullylish net to secure Carryduff’s first victory in nine games.

The big lad was there again in the final minutes of their meeting with Clann na Banna on Friday night to the ball over the crossbar two minutes from time to secure another Carryduff win and two more valuable league points.

In a game characterised by errors from both teams, that could not have been put down to the greasy conditions alone, Carryduff secured their victory in the final moments.

The protagonists had skirted around each other and adopted a defensive approach that prevailed throughout the first 30 minutes of play. It took seven minutes before Ruairi Boyle registered the first point of the game for Carryduff and the sides traded a number of wides before Gary Quinn registered Clann na Banna’s first score. 

Carryduff’s response was quick and returning veteran Conor Gardiner claimed their second point from play a minute later. Daniel Guinness added Carryduff’s third score before the sides traded wides.

Rory Hill’s point settled the visitors, but an inspiring 45m free from Ronan Lawlor lifted Carryduff. Barry O’Neill had an opportunity to extend the lead, but failed to convert and despite wides from Conor Leneghan and Malachy Magee, Gary Quinn’s 29th minute score resulted in the teams meeting the break with the bare minimum between them, Carryduff leading 0-4 to 0-3.

Clann Na Banna levelled the game two minutes into the second half, Rory Hill scoring from play. Despite wides from Peter Lavery and Tony McMahon, Carryduff re-established their advantage when Daniel Guinness pointed three minutes into the second half.

Points from Liam Devlin and Conor Quinn put Clann na Banna ahead for the first time in the contest, but Barry O’Neill’s converted free levelled affairs. 

Full back Mark Loughlin slipped behind the Carryduff defence and converted the collected ball to put Clann na Banna ahead.

Daniel Guinness did sterling work with a probing run into the heart of the Clann na Banna defence and was eventually unceremoniously hauled down, leaving Ruairi Boyle with a tap-over opportunity to level the game.

Connor Quinn re-established Clann na Banna’s lead before Michael McGrath levelled affairs again. Carryduff squandered a few opportunities as Lawlor and Henry kicked wides before a converted free steadied Carryduff’s claims. 

Clann na Banna had a levelling point from Malachy Magee, but will rue their failure to convert three opportunities in the last minutes of the game.

Carryduff will appreciate the 58th minute score that midfielder McMahon delivered to secure the victory and two league points.

Carryduff: Mark Hinds, Paddy McConnell, Conor  McFlynn, Mark Morris, Conor Cassidy, Neill McGowan, Barry O’Neill, Peter Lavery, Tony McMahon, Daniel Guinness, Owen McCabe, Ruairí Boyle, Roban Lawlor, Michael McGrath, Conor Gardiner. Subs: Jonny Henry for O McCabe.

Clann na Banna: Michael McAllister. 

Michael Mallon, Mark Loughlin, Aidan Downey, Dean Lennon, Matthew Mallon, Darren Brooker, Liam Devlin, Conor Lunney, Eóin Monagan, Rory Hill, Gary Quinn, Conor Lenaghan, Johny Burns, Malachy Magee. Subs: Conor Quinn for Monaghan, Rory Gillen for Burns.

Referee: Kevin Faloon.

Carryduff 0-10

Clann na Banna 0-9

ACFL DIVISION 2