Annaclone end up on top in derby win

Annaclone 0-14

PLAYERS and spectators alike stood in silence in remembrance of Kathleen Millar, recently deceased mother of Tullylish gael Mick Millar.

Play got underway with the matchball presented by Tony Rafferty of Mulligan’s Fruit and Veg, Bridge Street, Banbridge.

Gareth Johnston and John McKivergan took up the midfield mantle for Tullylish and equalled the first point for Annaclone with an easy fisted point.

John McKivergan directed a skillful give and go passing sequence with Seamus O’Hare which found Chris McGovern on the edge of the square and another point resulted.

Annaclone hit right back with scores from Pyers, Colm Fegan and Sean Burns.

Mark McEvoy was solid in goals for Tullylish and his back line of O’Dowd, Priestly and Magee fought tirelessly to deny the Annaclone attack.

New starts for Annaclone, Anderson and Simpson took a point each before Eamon Morgan found his shooting distance and made no mistake with the equaliser.

The pace of this game was electric with every position on the field contested and each pass becoming more and more crucial to the outcome of the game.

Tommy Pyers notched a point up for Annaclone just before the half time whistle but the game there for the taking – possession was going to be a critical factor in the second half.

Changes to Tullylish for the second half saw Kevin McCartan enter the half forward line and an injured John McKivergan being replaced by Pete Convery.

Eamon Morgan was determined to stamp a Tullylish seal on the game with the first point of the second half from a crucial short ball from Davy Corbett.

Kevin Anderson took Annaclone back into the lead with two consecutive points, but Tullylish answered with a terrific midfield high catch which was speedily delivered through a running half forward line to Eamon Morgan who found Chris McGovern on target with a point.

Tullylish worked the ball back up the field and Chris McGovern finished with the equalising point.

Complete deadlock followed with both teams closing down the attacks, neither allowing space for the kickers. Pete Quinn found himself in front of a congested Annaclone goal area so he took the sensible option and fisted the ball over the bar to give Tullylish the lead.

Just when the home team looked like extending the lead a spilled pass resulted in Annaclone possession and they edged home winners.

Tullylish: Mark McEvoy, Ronan O’Dowd, Barry Priestly, Chris Magee, Mick McCartan, James McDermott Fiontain O’Dowd, Gareth Johnston, John McKivergan, Seamus O’Hare, Pete Quinn, Ryan McAnaerney, Chris McGovern, Davy Corbett, Eamon Morgan, Pete Convery, Kevin McCartan