Match of the Week: Battling Anne’s unable to hold back Commercials

COMMERCIALS kept St Anne’s scoreless throughout the entire second half as they powered on to a 2-1 to 2-16 victory in Friday’s AHL Division 10 South encounter at Bohernabreena.

This match-up was a repeat of St Anne’s first junior men’s hurling fixture in 28 years last summer, and while the Bohernabreena side was beaten well on Friday, they did give a far better account of themselves this time around.

Indeed some 24 points had separated the two sides by the final whistle in last year’s clash, but there was certainly more fight about the Saints on this occasion, during which they really challenged for control in the opening half.

It was the visitors who made the early running as Luca O’Sullivan, Harry Strumble and Colin Lawlor all found their range for some fine points.

Yet Anne’s were not about to lose sight of their opponents so early on, and a long ball in by Mick Brennan was steered home by Ross Nevins to really propel them right back into contention.

Harry Strumble eyes up another attempt at the posts for Commercials

And it grew even more promising for the hosts when Kevin Jones scrambled home a second goal and Brennan struck over the bar.

But just as Anne’s appeared to be in the ascendency, Commercials regained a grip on proceedings when O’Sullivan slipped his marker as he broke in from the sideline and whipped the ball into the path of Strumble.

St Anne’s Jonathon Doyle makes the hand-pass despite the attention of Colin Lawlor

His fellow corner forward unleased a strike that was superbly stopped by St Anne’s goalkeeper, Andrew Jones, but the ball fell kindly for the incoming O’Sullivan who duly tucked it away from close in.

The homeside, who had worked tirelessly to contain their heavy-scoring rivals throughout the first half, were devoid of the energy needed to do so again in the second as Commercials began to move through the gears.

The Rathcoole side served up four swift points upon their return to the field of action, Strumble continuing to convert from the dead ball while Sean Dungan also got on the scoresheet as did centre back, Darach O’Nuallain.

Ross Fallon of St Anne’s tries to apply the breaks to Commercials’ Darrach O’Nuallain during their AHL Division 10 South match in Bohernabreena

Had it not been for a lack of precision in front of the posts, the visitors would have added a lot more points to their tally, and it was not until the closing ten minutes that they really put this game to bed.

Despite the best efforts of Jones in the Anne’s goal, Jamie Mahony at corner back and full back, Sean Nevin, Commercials again found the back of the net compliments of Aaron King.

Sean Dungan of Commercials tries to hold off John Lysaght

The victory keeps them top of the table, although with Stars of Erin, Portobello and St James Gaels all with games in hand, they are not likely to remain there come the end of the campaign.

As for Anne’s, they will be encouraged with the progress they have made since their formation a year ago as wins over the likes of St Kevin’s/Kilian’s, Realt Dearg and Geraldine P Moran have seen them up to sixth in the table.

Both sides will soon be turning their attention to championship matters next month with Anne’s poised to face Fingallians in their opening match to the Junior H competition, while Commercials will contest the Junior E Championship, also starting out with a match against Fingallians.

ST ANNE’S : A Jones, J Lysaght, S Nevins, J Mahoney, N O’Brien, J Doyle, R Fallon, D Nevins, D Ryan, B Jones, M Brennan, J Lysaght, C Barnes, R Nevins, K Jones, M Leonard-Doyle, J Frawley, J Dodd.

COMMERCIALS : C Conlon, J O’Leary, P Scanlon, D Goldrick, D McBrien, D O’Nuallain, S Cullinane, E O’Nuallain, C Lawlor, R O’Nuallain, S Dungan, D Mazzagoni, L O’Sullivan, A King, H Strumble