Ballymachugh 0-15
Munterconnacht 1-10

Ballymachugh got their ACFL Division 2 campaign off to a winning start on Sunday last with victory over Munterconnacht in Sheelin Park.
Ultimately it was arguably the 'hughs greater consistency of effort plus their superior work rate which edged them into the winners' enclosure.
Despite playing the majority of the second half with 14 men, the home side held out for a fully deserved victory largely due to their superior work rate and strong character.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, Ballymachugh enjoyed the better of the exchanges early on and an opening point by Mark Kiernan (2) set the tone.
After Darragh Carroll equalised for the Munchies, a great move involving James Kiernan and Kieran Goldrick ended up with Liam Buchanan (Goldrick) firing over the black spot with nine minutes on the clock.
Things continued to go swimmingly for the hosts with further points from Mark Kiernan, Killian Smith and Kiernan (again) leaving Munterconnacht trailing by 0-1 to 0-5 after 13 minutes.
Then came the score of the game with Christoper Rooney rifling over a point after a great incisive move up the field.
Two minutes later Munterconnacht lost Peter Cullen to a black card but his side began to find their feet with points by John McCabe and Darragh Carroll - after good work by Sean Nolan - helping their cause.
Ballymachugh always looked dangerous going forward though but two goal chances went abegging after Finbar Sheridan lost control of the ball at a critical time and  Aodhain Kiernan misfiring with the goal at his mercy.
Munterconnachts James Cullen picked up a black card with 22 minutes on the clock and the same faith awaited Ballymachughs Finbar Sheridan shortly afterwards. Then, with the last score of the first half, Padraig O'Dwyer cut Ballymachugh's half-time lead down to four points, 0-9 to 0-5.
The leaders suffered a major setback just six minutes into the second half when they lost Mark Kiernan to a second yellow card but a brace of points by Killian Smith steadied the ship before Adon McFarlane in the Ballymachugh goal was unable to deny Sean Hendrick a goal with 42 minutes on the clock.
A black card then followed for McFarlane and also for Aodhan Kiernan (51) before Stephen Sheridan (Munterconnacht) and Liam Buchanan (Goldrick) swapped points.
Points were exchanged by James Kiernan and Darragh Carroll (Munterconnacht) before John McCabe saw his goal effort for the visitors fly through a crowd of bodies only to be superbly stopped on the line by Ballymachugh 'keeper Conor Mulligan.
Ballymachugh remained under the cosh somewhat in the dregs of the game but a sole point by John McCabe on the hour mark for Munterconnacht wasn't nearly enough to prevent the 'hughs from making it a double after their Reserves impressed in securing a 3-20 to 0-9 win earlier in the day (Reserve team listed below).

Ballymachugh:
Aodhan McFarlane; Jamie Coyle, Dara Kiernan, Brendan McLarney; Gary Kelly, Anthony Baxter, Diarmuid O'Reilly; James Kiernan (0-4), Liam Buchanan-Goldrick (0-2); Ciaran Goldrick, Aoghan Kiernan (0-1), Finbar Sheridan; Christopher Rooney (0-1), Mark Kiernan (0-4), Killian Smith (0-3).
Subs used; James Smith; Conor Mulligan; Stephen Harten; Richie Fitzsimons.

Munterconnacht:
James Baugh; James Cullen, Shane O'Reilly, Brendan O'Shea; Padraig Tuite, Tadgh Morrissey, Padraig O'Dwyer (0-2); Sean Meehan, Daniel Nolan; Stephen Sheridan (0-1), Darragh Carroll (0-3), Sean Nolan (0-1); Brian Cullen (0-1), John McCabe (0-2), Sean Hendrick (1-0).
Sub used; Stephen McHugo.

Ballymachugh Reserve Team:

Conor Mulligan, Stephen Halton, Ronan Coyle, Michael Coyle, Ollie Kiernan, Brian McGarry, James Henry Fitzsimons (0-1), Richard Fitzsimons (0-5), Stephen Harten (0-1), Padraig Galligan (0-1), Dylan Hayles (0-1), Philip Tierney (1-3), Seamus Coyle (0-3). Subs used: Adon McFarlane (2-4), James Smith (0-1) and Gary Kelly.

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