Glenullin set for Sarsfield clash after lacklustre win

Glenullin 2-17 ... Moneyglass 0-6

Glenullin failed to ignite but a fortunate Dónal O’Kane goal and the kicking of Néill McNicholl helped them to victory on Saturday evening in Owenbeg.

The reward for the Michael O’Kane’s charges is Sunday’s trip to the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds and a quarter-final with Sarsfields of Armagh.

It will be a busy weekend with the club hosting a function on Saturday night to mark their 100-year anniversary.

A rampant start was the foundations for victory in their Derry final win over Foreglen but Glenullin were wasteful early on.

Conrad Mullan fisted wide from an angled attempt and they had three further misses with Moneyglass struggling into the wind at the other end. It took 11 minutes to produce the first score and Glenullin were on the right side of a stroke of fortune.

With John O’Kane sitting tight in the Glenullin defence, Diarmuid McNicholl was a driving force from the back.

When he was fouled by Aidan McErlain’s high tackle in the 11th minute, O’Kane’s free dropped short. Jamie McLaughlin and Ferghal Duffin went for the ball, only to allow it to drop into the net.

Glenullin manager Michael O’Kane hoping for improved performance on Sunday

Despite 17-point win O'Kane says Glenullin "needs to get better" as they face Armagh champions Sarfields

IN PICTURES: Glenullin coast to victory over Moneyglass

Glenullin head to BOX-IT Athletic Grounds this Sunday and a quarter-final with Sarsfields of Armagh

It was the game’s first score and Glenullin were never behind but manager Michael O’Kane, speaking after the game. was far from happy with his side’s performance.

Conrad Mullan tagged on a free for Glenullin but in a drab encounter, both sides missed chances.

It took Moneyglass 17 minutes to get on the scoresheet from a Colum Duffin free, after they had passed up some earlier chances.

On two occasions, they tried to force shots from tight angles. Aidan McErlain dropped a free short and Moneyglass indiscipline saw a ball hopped after they had been awarded a free in.

For Glenullin’s part, they were getting joy of Niall O’Kane’s short restarts that helped secure enough possession to take control of the game.

John O’Kane and Diarmuid McNicholl communicated well on when they’d sit back to attack. In Cathal Hasson and Chrissy Dempsey – a late inclusion for Willie John Bradey – they had two excellent link players.

Two two-pointers, within a minute, from Néill McNicholl shot Glenullin into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead after 21 minutes of action.

McNicholl took his tally to 0-5 and put the ‘Glen nine clear before Moneyglass hit two late scores.

Tyler Cassidy squeezed over a nice finished and Sean Boyd was also on target but the Antrim champions were seven in arrears at the break, 1-7 to 0-3.

When Conor Rafferty won possession from the throw-in, Glenullin launched an attack with Dónal O’Kane converting a free after Néill McNicholl did well to shield the ball from danger.

It was the start Moneyglass needed but Glenullin were soon on the front foot.

Two Cathal Hasson points pushed Glenullin further into the comfort zone and they were also helped when Zach McCaughan was shown a black card.

His take tackle on Cathal Hasson warranted a card after referee Murphy consulted with a nearby linesman.

This came after a Moneyglass penalty appeal. It was the only time Glenullin left the back door open.

When the ball was played across to the unmarked Sean Duffin, John O’Kane recovered to get back. Referee Murphy was on the spot and signalled that Duffin had went down under O’Kane’s challenge.

On another day it could’ve been given. With nine points between the sides, a penalty could’ve changed the momentum of the game but referee Murphy waved play on.

Glenullin defended well all day with goalkeeper O’Kane called on at one point to punch a dropping ball clear.

Their organisation was perfection and with the extra man, it gave them a chance to work their kick-outs to a man and to always had the house minded.

A loose pass was the source of a second Glenullin goal as Moneyglass saw their game cave in. Dónal O’Kane’s pass was inch perfect and Ryan McNicholl applied the finish for a 2-12 to 0-3 lead.

Eoin Bradley came off the bench to add a point and he nearly made a third goal. His quick thinking on a free played Ryan McNicholl in but goalkeeper McLaughlin blocked his effort.

Conleth McCann added late consolation scores for Moneyglass and Michael McLaughlin had a late goal chance hacked clear by John O’Kane.

Moneyglass can point to a lucky Glenullin goal in the first half and how it began the turn but the Derry champions never looked in any danger.

Two years ago, they pushed Ballyhaise to the pin of their collar in a semi-final they could’ve won.

Sunday offers a shot a redemption in a championship that also contains Clonoe and their manager Kevin Madden was an interested spectator on Saturday in Owenbeg.

Scorers

Glenullin: Donal O'Kane 1-4 (3f), Néill McNicholl 0-6 (2tp), Ryan McNicholl 1-1, Eoin Bradley (1f), Cathal Hasson 0-2 each, Conrad Mullan (f) and Cillian Bradley 0-1 each

Moneyglass: Conleth McCann 0-2, Colum Duffin (f), Tyler Cassidy, Sean Boyd and Ronan Campbell 0-1 each

Teams

Glenullin: Niall O'Kane; Eunan Boylan, Daniel O’Kane, Eunan O’Kane; Conor Rafferty, John O’Kane, Diarmuid McNicholl; Traglach Bradley, Néill McNicholl; Cathal Hasson, Chrissy Dempsey, Cillian Bradley; Conrad Mullan, Dónal O’Kane, Ryan McNicholl. Subs: Eoin Bradley (0-2, 1f) for C Mullan (40), Eoin McIlvar for C Hasson (46), Rónán Close for T Bradley (50), Eamon Hasson for E O'Kane (52), Dónal Close for D McNicholl (56)

Moneyglass: Jamie McLaughlin; Matthew Mullan, Zach McCaughan, James McCormick; Tiernan McCormack, Paul Duffin, Conleth McCann; Kevin McCann, Seanchan Duffin; Sean Boyd, Aidan McErlain, Ferghal Duffin; Connor O Kane, Colum Duffin, Tyler Cassidy. Subs: Conor Boyd for O'Kane (43), Michael McLaughlin for F Duffin (50), Ryan Boyd for Cassidy (50), Eamon Kelly for J McCormick (56), Ronan Campbell for S Boyd (56)

Black card: Z McCaughan (37)

Yellow cards: A McErlain (10), E Kelly (63)

Referee: Shane Murphy (Armagh)