LOCC Solicitors Antrim Intermediate Football Championship
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-10
Gort na Móna 0-15
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass are through to the semi-final of the Antrim Intermediate Football Championship after holding off a late sustained challenge by Gort na Mona at Whitehill on Saturday evening.
With the sides level deep into injury time, substitute Conor Boyd became the Moneyglass hero as he converted a late free after being dragged down himself as he bore down on goal.
The Marian Hill side were on top during the opening half and a well taken goal by Dermot McErlain in the second minute put them in the driving seat. McErlaine received the ball out on the left and his pace left two defenders for dead before firing past Tomas McCaffrey in the Gort na Mona goals.
Patrick McCaffrey replied with a point for the Turf Lodge men, but Moneyglass enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first quarter.
With Gavin Murray playing as sweeper, they forced a lot of turnovers. However, the South West side missed quite a number of chances as they dominated the early exchanges, allowing the City men to stay in touch.
Patrick McCormick, Ryan Boyd and Paul Tohill finally found the target with good points while Dermott McVeigh replied for the Turf Lodge side.
Moneyglass midfielders Seachann Duffin and Ryan Boyd hit fine back-to-back points while McVeigh (free) and centre-back David McErlean kept Gorts in touch.
A further free from McVeigh on the stroke of half-time ensured that just a goal separated the sides as Moneyglass led 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval.
St. Ergnat’s were struck a blow just before half time when the impressive Patrick McCormick limped out of the contest to be replaced by Jarvis Weir and it was clear as the sides headed to the dressing room that this one was far from over.
Well done St. Ergnat’s from Boyd’s Mace
Gort na Mona returned for the second half with Dermott McVeigh now playing at midfield and it was McVeigh who opened the second half scoring with an early point to cut the deficit to two points. His side received a serious setback however when Jarvis Weir’s attempted point dropped under the crossbar and was collected by Tomas McCaffrey.
McCaffrey cleared his lines but after consulting with his umpires referee Vincent Boyle awarded a goal, the umpire deciding that the Gort’s keeper had stepped over the line with the ball and despite strong protestations the score stood.
A point from Conaill Prenter increased the South West side’s lead to six with only six minutes of the new half gone and Gort na Mona looked in serious trouble and further points from Dessie McClean and Padraig McHugh for the Gorts and replies from Duffin and McErlaine for Moneyglass saw the St. Ergnat’s men maintain their six point advantage
Moneyglass looked comfortable as they entered the final quarter but Gort na Mona upped their game considerably as they started to exert pressure on the St. Ergnat’s defence. A free and a converted ‘45’ from McVeigh made it 2-8 to 0-10 before Gort na Móna were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes after McHugh was fouled
The corner-forward took the responsibility himself and went for power, but blasted the ball over the crossbar much to the relief of the South West side and they looked to have weathered the storm when Ryan Boyd popped up with a much-needed point for his side at the other end.
However, the West Belfast men were far from finished as they replied with back-to-back points from a McHugh (free) and McDonagh from play to leave just two between the sides with time creeping towards 60 minutes.
Brendan Corr fired over another and the gap was down to one before Ryan Doyle was shown a black card as St. Ergnat’s defended desperately and then a fine long range point from Dermott McVeigh tied the contest and we looked to be heading for a replay.
The same player had the opportunity to seal it for the Turf Lodge side but his attempt dropped short and Moneyglass countered. Substitute Seamus Devlin set up Conor Boyd and as he bore down on goal he was hauled down. Boyd gathered himself of the ground to convert the resulting free and give his side back a lead they were not to lose, much to the delight and relief of the St. Ergnat’s support.
MONEYGLASS: M Carey; K McPeake, T Duffin, M Neeson; S Kelly, P Mackle, P McCormick 0-1; R Boyd 0-3, S Duffin 0-2; D McErlain 1-1, P Tohill 0-1, R Doyle; C Prenter 0-1, L Brady, G Murray.
Subs: J Weir 1-0 for McCormick (28mins), B Conway for Murray (41mins), C Boyd 0-1 (0-1f) for Prenter (47mins), S Devlin for McPeake (57mins), M McLaughlin for Doyle (black card replacement, 58mins).
GORT NA MONA: T McCaffrey; C Connolly, D Hughes, M Savage; B Burns, D McErlean 0-1, P Mulvenna; C Carson, B Corr 0-1; S Campbell, D McClean 0-1, A McDonagh 0-1; P McCaffrey 0-1, D McVeigh 0-7 (0-3fs, 0-1 45), P McHugh 0-3 (0-3fs).
Subs: C McErlean for Campbell (41mins), G Doyle for Hughes (54mins), S Doyle for Carson (54mins), J Reilly for Mulvenna (58mins).
REFEREE: V Boyle (Dunloy)
