Parnell’s 2-22 McBride’s 2-21
Rian O’Neill powered Parnell’s to the Chicago Championship final as he top scored for his side against McBride’s on Sunday.
The Armagh and Crossmaglen star has spent the summer in America after helping the Orchard County reach the All-Ireland quarter finals.
Parnell’s and McBride’s served up a feisty and entertaining encounter that needed to extra time to decide the outcome.
Down’s Barry O’Hagan opened the scoring before O’Neill doubled Parnell’s lead with a pointed free.
McBride’s claimed a goal through TJ Byrne and the sides were tied 1-1 to 0-4 early in the first period.
The teams traded scores before a second point for O’Neill, lining out at midfield, put his side ahead.
Parnell’s extended their lead to three with two Rian O’Neill frees, including a massive effort, reminiscent of his equaliser against Galway.
McBride’s claimed the last two points to narrow the gap at the half time break. O’Neill’s side ahead by two, 0-12 to 1-7.
The score was level in the second half with Mayo’s Paul Towey, who finished with 1-17, netting for McBride’s.
O’Neill, having moved into full forward, responded brilliantly as he won and scored a penalty at the other end.
Parnell’s grabbed a second goal before O’Neill fired over a free. McBride’s found an equaliser however and the sides drew 2-16 apiece to bring the game to extra time.
With the score still all square, O’Neill set up O’Hagan for a point that had Parnell’s ahead by one at half time.
O’Neill claimed another impressive point to open the scoring for the second half. He also knocked over a free to put his side two up and extend his tally to 1-7.
Unfortunately, O’Neill picked up a black card in the final few minutes of the game. But the Crossmaglen man done enough to help his side through to the decider.
