South West U14 Football League
All Saints 2-15 Moneyglass 1-2
Having slipped up away to St. Enda’s for the first time in this year’s U14 League, All Saints Ballymena were determined to get back on the winning trail when they entertained St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass at Slemish Park on Friday night.
The Moneyglass side had put it up to Friday’s opposition in the South West Feile final earlier in the year and the All Saints management were determined there would be no more slip ups as they continue their quest for league honours this season.
It was visitors St Ergnat’s who were first into the attack and when Aidan McErlain pointed them ahead after 30 seconds it looked like we were in for a tight game. Within a minute the home side drew level however through Ronan McKillop and Tyrone Mitchell followed with a second to give his side a lead they were never again to lose.
The home side began to move the ball quickly and with great accuracy as Ciaran Campbell fired to the Moneyglass net in the 5th minute and as they began to lay siege on the St. Ergnat’s goal Joseph O’Rawe and Harry Wylie added points to move them six ahead after eight minute play.
A young St. Ergnat’s team containing half a dozen U12’s were fighting gallantly to contain a now rampant All Saints attack but could do nothing to prevent Harry Wylie firing home goal number two after he intercepted a short kick out and Oisin O’Mullan, Harry Wylie again, (0-2) and Ciaran Campbell added points to leave the half time score 2-8 to 0-1 in favour of the league leaders.
BRIGHTER START
Moneyglass might have been forgiven for throwing in the towel at this stage but they continued to battle for every ball and indeed opened with the first score of the second half as Seanie McIntosh fired over the opening point in the 4th minute.
Back came the Ballymena side with Harry Wylie and Ronan McKillop driving them forward from mid-field and points from Ciaran Campbell, Tyrone Mitchell, Joseph O’Rawe and Campbell again saw them move 16 ahead by the 9th minute.
Ronan McKillop added another but still the visitors continued to battle bravely against the odds and received their reward when Seanie McIntosh got on the end of a great move to fire to the Ballymena net with seven minutes remaining.
That was as good as it was to get for the young St. Ergnat’s however as All Saints finished strongly and Joseph O’Rawe and Ronan McKillop 0-2 replied with unanswered points to conclude the scoring and maintain their place as league leaders.
GOOD DISPLAY
This was a good display from All Saints who were determined to shake off that defeat away to St. Enda’s and their team management must have been pleased with the result but more importantly by the way they moved the ball and supported the man in possession.
They were solid at the back where Ryan McCartney, Michael Reade and Sean O’Callahan gave nothing away and dominant at midfield through the excellent Ronan McKillop and Harry Wylie. In a very sharp attack Ciaran Campbell, Oisin O’Mullan, Tyrone Mitchell and Joseph O’Rawe proved a handful.
Moneyglass, while well beaten in the end deserve massive credit for the manner in which they kept battling against the odds and they never reverted to dirty play and, given the fact that they have at least 6 under 12’s in their side, they have been competing very well in this year’s league.
Rory Gribben, Jamie Totten, James McCormick, Seanan O’Boyle Ronan Campbell, Seanie McIntosh, and Tiernan McCormick were their best performers on the night.
All Saints: Blake Douglas: Jude Casey, Ryan McCartney, Michael McCann: Michael Reade, Sean O’Callahan, Patrick Ferris: Harry Wylie, Ronan McKillop: Jamie Montgomery, Tyrone Mitchell, Ryan Martin: Joseph O’Rawe, Ciaran Campbell, Oisin O’Mullan. Subs: Paddy O’Brien, Conor Corr, Niall Devine, Callum Anderson, Daniel McCoy, John Logan, Dara Killough
Moneyglass: Rory Gribben: Brian Magee, Jamie Totten, Seanan O’Boyle: Kevin McCann, James McCormick, Tiernan McCormick: Ronan Campbell, Conor Tohill: Seanie McIntosh, Aiden McErlain, Connlaodh McCann: Charlie McIntosh, Conor Neeson, Connlaodh McPeake. Subs Used: Sean Boyd for Aidan McErlain.
Referee: Barry Hotchkiss (Glenavy)
