South West under-12 League (Plate Final)
Tir na Nog 1-09 St Comgall’s 0-06
Tir na Nog Randalstown secured the under-12 plate when they proved just too strong for a gallant St Comgall’s side in the opening game in the double header affair under the bright Clooney floodlights at the Ahoghill venue on Monday evening.
Originally scheduled for the previous Friday evening and postponed due to a sodden pitch, a fine week-end and brighter skies had ensured a good sod awaited this time, and saw the young participants serve up most enjoyable fare to entertain the crowd.
The opening game saw near neighbours Tir na Nog cross swords with Antrim based St Comgall’s and although the Randalstown boys were to fall in arrears in the early stages an 8th minute goal despatched by Paul Mc Closkey saw them stride into the lead which they were to maintain throughout the contest.
St Comgall’s were away in front as impressive mid-fielder Diarmuid Hanna strode through the middle after claiming the start throw in to fire firmly between the posts.
Paul Mc Closkey delivered for Caolan Hughes to reply in kind at the other end and see the Tir na Nog side make an opening mark to draw abreast but the Antrim side went ahead again through Diarmuid Hanna.
The number 8 turned his attentions to place kicking after Niall Kearney was impeded with success to ensure St Comgall’s were 0-02 to 0-01 by the 7th minute.
Little had separated the sides in the opening phase but that was about to change and the next few minutes would see the Randalstown boys open a four point gap as Paul Mc Closkey despatched to the back of the net and Joe Mc Cormick followed with a couple of points.
Tir na Nog were at 1-03 to 0-02 and looking good.
St Comgall’s, led by the ever impressive Diarmuid Hanna replied as he split the posts following another stylish ‘solo’ approach in the 12th minute, and stepped forward to convert a 30 metre free following an indiscretion on Niall Kearney a couple of minutes later.
St. Comgall’s continued to push forwards but with the impressive Caolan Hughes standing tallest in a staunch rear guard the Randalstown boys were defiant in resistance.
A well directed clearance from the former opened the way for Joe Mc Cormick to nip away and split the posts at the other end in the 18th minute and the mid-fielder came close to adding a goal a minute later only to be denied by last man standing Connor Dennison.
The St Comgall’s net-minder made a superb intervention to deny him as he pushed the leather up and over the bar at the expense of a point when a goal looked certain to ensure the Tir na Nog had a 1-05 to 0-04 interval advantage.
Tir na Nog resumed in the second half with confidence high and a couple of points provided by the excellent Joe Mc Cormick saw them open up a six point lead.
St Comgall’s replied from the ever dangerous Diarmuid Hanna and indeed the Antrim side continued in their quest to make further addition on the scoreboard.
The Tir na Nog defensive unit proved resilient in their continued strong rear guard action with Caolan Hughes leading in defiance, and when back to back counter attacks realised further points from Paul Mc Closkey and Sascha Young the die was cast.
The Whitehill boys had moved into a seven point advantage and indeed they came mighty close to adding a late goal as Joe Mc Cormick left several defenders trailing in his wake before delivering just wide of the target.
St. Comgall’s continued to look for the posts in the latter stages and they were to have the last say in the scoring stakes with a late Diarmuid Hanna point but the long blast which followed saw Tir na Nog cross the winning line and onto the podium with the under-12 Plate secured with a 1-09 to 0-06 winning margin.
Tir na Nog: Caleb Smith, Patrick McCloskey, Ronan O’ Neill, Dylan McLarnon, Caolan Hughes (0-01), Sascha Young (0-01), Paul McCloskey (1-01), Joe McCormick (0-06), Patrick McRoberts, Ben Collins, Rhys McCartney, Ollie Collins. Subs: Tiarnan Bonnes for R McCartney, Aodhan McGuckien for B Collins, Joel Robb for P McCloskey, Thomas McGlade for S Young
St Comgall’s: Connor Dennison, Shea McConville, Aidan Mawhinney, Aodhan O’ Neill, Shea McAuley, Daniel McLornan, Kaelin McGarrell, Diarmuid Hanna (0-06), Ryan Clarke, Niall Kearney, Leo McAleer, Sophie Shiels, Reilly O’ Loan
Referee: Colin Marron (Aghagallon)
