Kennedy Centre Antrim Ladies Intermediate Football Championship (final)
St James Aldergrove 3-11 St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-10
St James Aldergrove continued in their ascent up the ranks when they secured their third championship in as many years when they gained the verdict over a gallant Moneyglass side on the all weather facility in Crumlin on Wednesday evening.
Moneyglass having recovered from the concession of an early goal looked to have taken the initiative when a 40th minute goal from the skill laden Maria O’ Neill saw them gain advantage and on the way to the podium when Aine Scullin added a brace of points to see them three points ahead as the decider moved into the last quarter.
Aldergrove were about to strike back however and a brace of back to back goals supplied by Aoife Taggart from a left sided free in the 47th minute, and another, a deft flick delivered by the hugely talented Emily Fallon as she got her hand to a Caitlin Taggart cross proved crucial.
The Moneyglass girls did their utmost to regain in the latter stages as Aine Scullin added a couple more points and Sarah McCann claimed another but the St James’s girls were not to be recalled and at the long blast they were four points clear and the silverware was secured.
A superb venue at the Crumlin leisure centre played host to Moneyglass and Aldergrove on the all weather facility and excellent conditions on Wednesday evening under the floodlights with the destination of the Intermediate championship down for decision.
Having lost out by the minimum in the senior decider at the week-end the Marian Hill girls looked for consolation but they fell behind in the early stages as Caitlin Taggart got Aldergrove off to a smashing start with a 3rd minute goal.
Ciara O’ Neill’s intervention at the back to thwart a planned Moneyglass offensive and a good clearance and a well laid counter offensive involving Emily Fallon and Emma Mc Cart paved the way for the wing half forward to deliver to the net.
Moneyglass soon settled to the task and led by centre forward Aine Scullin and the skilful Maria O’ Neill the St Ergnat’s side were on terms by the 10th minute as the former clipped over a couple of points and Ciara Mc Coy added another.
Aldergrove soon retrieved the baton again and with the talented Emily Fallon leading by example they quickly returned fire as three white flags raised without reply saw them move 1-03 to 0-03 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
Moneyglass looked like drawing level in the 18th minute as Maria O’ Neill left several defenders trailing in her majestic wake as she sped in on target only to be denied as the Aldergrove net-minder Amy Mc Carthy made a splendid save to deny the corner forward.
This was not the last occasion that the Aldergrove keeper was called upon to stand tall as Maria O’ Boyle looked certain to score and the net custodian was destined to make several more smart interventions over the hour.
Moneyglass dominated the next phase as Gemma Laverty completed a patient build up with a smart finish which yielded a 23rd minute goal and a couple more Aine Scullin points saw them a couple clear but back came Aldergrove to rule in the latter stages.
Mid fielder Nicole Jones and Caitlin Taggart raised back to back white flags to see the Crumlin girls draw abreast, before an injury time Emily Fallon point saw them a point clear 1-06 to 1-05 at the break.
Aldergrove increased their advantage shortly into the second half as a slick approach which involved Nicole Jones, Emily Fallon and Caitlin Taggart paved the way for a fine Aoife Taggart point but Moneyglass were soon to return fire and regain the lead as Maria O’ Neill found the net,
The corner forward had been denied access over the Aldergrove goal line by the last line of defence on several occasions previously as Aldergrove keeper Amy Mc Carthy made outstanding interventions but not this time as the flying winger took second opportunity as her initial shot was blocked down to return to the back of the net.
Moneyglass had taken the lead and when Aine Scullin added a couple of points they looked on the way to the title.
Aldergrove were not about to make any such concession however and as the race to take the Intermediate title moved into the last quarter they strode forward with purpose to strike for home.
A Katie Rafferty clearance and a foul on the ill fated Nicole Jones, which saw the impressive mid-fielder forced out of the game saw Aoife Taggart’s free kick in consequence fly all the way to the net, and when Caitlin Taggart rose to fetch the resultant kick out to place Emily Fallon to redirect the leather’s flight over the goal line the die was cast.
The St James’s girls had seized the initiative and when full forward Aoife Taggart added a couple more points to secure a six point lead they were on their way.
The gallant Moneyglass tried to respond and Aine Scullin fired over two points but Aldergrove responded again through a Caitlin Taggart 58th point to kill off their challenge with St Ergnat’s replying with a consolation point from Sarah McCann.
The long blast signalled Aldergrove as the 2017 Intermediate champions as they crossed the winning line at 3-11 to 2-10 to continue on the upward trail which has seen them secure Junior B, Junior, and Intermediate championships in an impressive three year spell.
Referee Fionnula Murphy (St Gall’s)
Teams
Aldergrove: Amy Mc Carthy, Ciara O’ Neill, Katie Rafferty, Olivia Mc Connell, Mia Dunlop, Sinead Mc Art, Amy Taggart, Nicole Jones (0-02), Anna Patton, Caitlin Taggart (1-02), Emily Fallon (1-02), Emma Mc Art, Alannah Mc Master, Aoife Taggart (1-04), Roisin Crossan
Bronagh Johnston for R Crossan
Sophie Nugent for N Jones
Moneyglass: Mairead Mc Closkey, Shauna O’ Neill, Ciara Madden, Orla Carey, Sarah Louise Duffin, Gemma Laverty (1-00), Molly Higgins, Kelly Mc Coy, Katie Scullin, Sarah Mc Cann (0-01), Aine Scullin (0-08), Enya Carey, Beverly Graffin, Ciara Mc Coy (0-01), Maria O’ Neill (1-00).
Subs: Eimear Bradley for M Higgins
