Stabannon edge high-scoring affair with O’Raghallaighs
CTI Business Solutions IFC Group 1 Round 2
At Páirc Úí Mhuirí, Dunleer
Stabannon Parnells 5-7 O’Raghallaighs 2-15
Stabannon Parnells made a winning start to their CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Championship campaign on Saturday afternoon, edging out O’Raghallaighs in an entertaining affair at Páirc Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer.
Goals proved decisive in a game that produced plenty of attacking football, with Stabannon Parnells finding the net on five occassions. Harry Butterly converted two first-half penalties after Patrick Reynolds had neatly found the net within the first minute. Conor Clinton also landed a major for the Stabannon men in the first half. Despite four first-half goals, O’Raghallaighs constantly responded with scores of their own including two-pointers from Ruairi Moore and Barry Finegan. John Horan who was particularly dangerous inside, struck gold in the first half with talisman Kyle McElroy also raising a green flag late in the half. 4-2 to 2-10 half-time.
With the game finely poised at the interval, the pace understandably dropped off in the second half. Subsitute Dylan Shevlin hit an important goal for Stabannon as O’Raghallaighs squandered several good opportunites. Worryingly for Stabannon, Harry Butterly was forced off with injury in the second half. Although, to their credit, they found an adequate replacement on the dead balls as Patrick Reynolds landed a two-point free. With all the back and forth, it was Richard Rodgers’ 61st minute point that seperated the sides.
O’Raghallaighs are guaranteed their passage through to the next stage which means they will be satisfied coming out of Dunleer. Stabannon Parnells will battle it out with Glen Emmets next week to secure their qualification. Glen Emmets require a four point win to advance and knock Stabannon Parnells out.
Full Time – Stabannon Parnells 5-7 O’Raghallaighs 2-15
Stabannon Parnells team: Ryan Halpenny; Daniel Clinton, Johnny McGee, Ciaran Titley; Bobby Butterly, Alan Reynolds, Richard Rodgers (0-1); Sean Reynolds, Colm Giggins (0-1); Patrick Reynolds (1-2, 1tpf), Aaron Dunne, Harry Butterly (2-0, 2-0pen); Conor Clinton (1-1), Jake Corrigan, Charlie McBride (0-1).
Subs: Mark Byrne for Johnny McGee (20 mins), Paddy Farrelly for Aaron Dunne (half-time), Ryan Shevlin (1-0) for Charlie McBride (41 mins), Tadhg Gorman (0-1) for Harry Butterly (52 mins).
O’Raghallaighs team: Connor Browne; Conor Higgins, Stephen Murphy, Joe Meehan; Olan Walshe, Eoin Moore, Pearse Brannigan; Conor McGinty, Daniel Reilly (0-1); Barry Finegan (0-2, 1tp), Kyle McElroy (1-1), Ruairi Moore (0-5, 1ptf, 1tp); John Horan (1-4), Ben Rogan (0-2), Senan McGinty.
Subs: Danny Morgan for Joe Meehan (12 mins), Harry Devitt for Senan McGinty (52 mins).
Referee: Stephen Devlin (St Josephs)
Photo: Ciaran Culligan
