Cuchulainns make it three wins from three

ACFL

Cuchulainns 1-17

Shercock 2-7

Paul Fitzpatrick at Edwin Carolan Park

Cuchulainns made it three wins from three, in the process inflicting a first loss on Shercock, in this one-sided clash at Mullagh on Friday evening last.

The Cross-Mullagh side, under the management of former Cavan attacker Seanie Johnston, were very impressive on the evening, displaying a high level of fitness and an admirable work-rate. They were a little wasteful in possession early on but once they found their groove, the home side were superior to Shercock in most sectors, with the outstanding Bryan Magee the fulcrum of most attacks at full-forward and Adam O’Reilly in great form on the 40.

The early exchanges were tight, with Sean Clarke and Niall Clerkin on the mark for Shercock and Rory O’Connell scoring for Cuchulainns before a good save from Aaron Smith denied Sean Kenny a goal at the expense of a point.

Kenny registered from a free before the skilful O’Reilly struck three quality points in a row from play, the first set up by a good run out of defence from Eoghan McCabe and the others well-taken.

Adrian Taite found Magee for a converted mark to make it 0-7 to 0-2 just after the first water break as the one-way traffic continued, Shercock’s Colin Clerkin making a brave last ditch tackle to deny a goal.

A lovely point from marauding centre-back Conor Flanagan left six between them at the break. Shercock could have been closer but for some wayward point attempts – Niall Clerkin, despite showing well throughout, did not have his shooting boots with him – but Cuchulainns would go on to dominate the first 15 minutes of the second half.

After a good break from Ryan Clerkin, Sean Clarke sent over off the left but this was quickly cancelled out by a classy Magee point and the contest was effectively decided moments later when Magee and O’Connell combined to set Adam O’Reily up for an excellent finish to the net.

The onslaught continued as O’Reilly raised another white flag as Shercock were turned over coming out of defence. A Sean Clarke free was cancelled out by another neat Magee score from play before the target man won and converted a free, as did Sean Kenny moments later to make it 1-13 to 0-4.

Magee scored again and Adam O’Reilly brought his tally to 1-5 with a super score from the wing as Cuchulainns began to empty their bench. Mark Gilsenan started and finished a move to make it 1-16 to 0-4 at the end of the third quarter and he repeated the trick from their next attack after a good catch from Oisin Carolan.

Brian Sankey, who caused Cuchulainns problems when moved to full-forward, profited after good work from Clarke and sub Stephen Donnery to find the net and reduce the gap and Shercock finished with their tails up with two Clarke frees and a Niall Clerkin penalty, won by Sankey after an Eoin Morrisey delivery.

By then, though, this one was long over as a contest.

Cuchulainns: Glen Prendergast, Cian Donohoe, Eoghan McCabe, Rian Smith, Cian Doughty, Conor Flanagan (0-1), Rory O’Connell (0-1), Adrian Taite, Oisin Carolan, Micheál Kenny, Adam O’Reilly (1-5), Jamie Fitzgerald, Sean Kenny (0-3, 2f), Bryan Magee (0-5, 1f, 1m), Mark Gilsenan (0-2)

Subs: Luke Doyle, David Carolan, Conor Smith, Scott Prendergast, Garry Daly, Shane McKenna

Shercock: Aaron Smith, Paul McIntyre, Daniel Clarke, Dwayne Eakins, Micheál O’Reilly, Colin Clerkin, Eoin Morrissey, Brian Sankey (1-0), Philip Clerkin, Andy Culleton, Ryan Clerkin, Lee Clarke, Niall Clerkin (1-1, 1-0 pen), Sean Clarke (0-5, 3f), Damien McIntyre

Subs: Stephen Donnery, Kevin McIntyre, Aaron Clerkin

Ref: Conor Dourneen