FIONTAN CAMPBELL WHO SCORE 0-9 AS ST MARY’S AGAHAGALLON DEFEATED ALL SAINTS IN THE MFC SEMI-FINAL IN PORTGLENONE ON SATURDAY
Minor Football Championship (semi final)
St Mary’s Aghagallon 3-14 All Saint’s Ballymena 2-07
An impressive St Mary’s Aghagallon side claimed a berth in the final of the Minor Championship and a date with O’ Donovan Rossa in the 2017 decider when, aided by a huge personal haul of nine points from corner forward Fiontan Campbell they proved too strong for All Saint’s Ballymena in the semi final at Portglenone on Saturday evening.
The Aghagallon side started in the positive and with Fiontan Campbell serving early notice of intent raising four white flags in the opening quarter an 18th minute goal despatched by wing half back Sean Donnelly ensured they led 1-08 to 0-03 at the end of the opening period.
All Saints, aided by the introduction of several replacements in the second half and a 43rd minute Jack White goal looked like making a game of it and indeed when Shea O’ Brien followed with a couple of points only a score separated the sides with Aghagallon reduced to a 1-09 to 1-06 advantage.
When they did seem in trouble the St Mary’s side, pushed onwards again by the example of the impressive Adam Loughran, rallied again and when the hard grafting centre forward sent Daniel Hannon in to unleash a power drive to the net order was restored and the lead was back to seven points.
The closing quarter proved end to end stuff, and although All Saint’s did manage to add a second major and get the better of the Aghagallon keeper Luke Mulholland, who had made a number of excellent saves, the score was nullified within a minute as the indomitable Adam Loughran raced away to fire home at the other end and see the St Mary’s side conclude with a 3-14 to 2-07 winning advantage.
With Rossa awaiting the outcome Aghagallon and All Saint’s lined out on a pristine Portglenone pitch on Saturday evening for the first championship encounter on the new arena and it was the St Mary’s boys who opened their account first as Jamie Lamont split the posts within a minute.
All Saints replied shortly afterwards but the St Mary’s side looking much the hungrier and using a more direct approach towards the posts were four points ahead as Fiontan Campbell signalled intent as he steered a quartet of free kicks over the black spot.
All Saint’s, who were finding it difficult to navigate passage through a tough tackling Aghagallon rearguard, added a second score in the 15th minute as mid-fielder Ryan Mc Garry’s long range effort sailed over the bar, but Aghagallon were soon back on the offensive to gain due reward for a subtle approach.
Aiden Mulholland, having found Fiontan Campbell in space on the right hand side gave the corner forward opportunity to spot wing half back Sean Donnelly moving in on target and he fired to the back of the All Saints net.
The St Mary’s men were at 1-05 to 0-02 ahead and although Matthew Downey replied with a point at the other end Aghagallon finished the period the stronger with Fiontan Campbell, Jack Lenaghan, and Daniel Hannon raising white flags apiece to see them take respite with a 1-08 to 0-03 lead.
The opening phase of the second period saw activity aplenty on the sideline as both the sides introduced replacements but the scoreboard attendant was redundant until the 38th minute when Adam Loughran raced away to send over the bar and inrease the winners’ lead.
Aghagallon looked absolutely in charge but All Saint’s were certainly not about to throw in the towel and spurred on by the change in personnel they were to take the game to the St Mary’s boys.
Lorenzo Dawkins, one of the All Saints substitutes signalled his arrival with a 40th minute point and the Aghagallon net minder Luke Mulholland was called on to make a smart save to deny a crisply delivered Kavan Keenan strike a minute thereafter.
The Ballymena boys looked revitalised and when Jack White seized the loose ball and the moment to send the leather to the back of the net and Shea O’ Brien followed with back to back points they were right back in contention, just one score behind.
Aghagallon having been reeled back within range of the rejuvenated All Saint’s outift looked in some trouble but the unerring Fiontan Campbell teadied the ship with a pointed free and they were back in command soon after when Daniel Hannon followed up with a goal.
Adam Loughran had gone back to fetch and deliver and when the full forward came in front to receive he was deadly with his finish to the corner of the net to see his side back in the calmer waters afforded by a 2-10 to 1-06 lead at the 50th minute.
The last phase was a frantic affair as All Saint’s looked to the lofted delivery in search of goal but they were repelled time and again by a strong Aghagallon defensive unit with net-minder Luke Mulholland proving rock solid as a last line of defence.
Jack Wilson did manage to gain the penetration required when he found the net for the second time in the All Saint’s cause in time added but his score was quickly answered when Adam Loughran seized the resultant kick out and raced forward to reply at the other end and underline a superb individual performance.
Fiontan Campbell had the last say as he added a 65th minute point to see his side move into the under-18 final and on this showing the St Mary’s men will prove worthy adversaries for the Rossa boys.
Aghagallon: Luke Mulholland, Stephen Brannigan, Roland Mulholland, Dara Mc Shane, Sean Donnelly (1-00), Aiden Mulholland, Andrew Johnston, Jamie Lamont (0-01), Jack Lenaghan (0-01), Marc Mc Afee (0-02), Adam Loughran (1-02), Gary Downing, Fiontan Campbell (0-09), Daniel Hannon (1-00), Emmett Lavery Subs: Liam Russell for E Lavery, Pauric Mc Guinness for A Mulholland, Dara Mc Stravick for D Hannon
All Saint’s
Eamon Elliot, Conor Walsh, Rhys O’ Mullan, Pauric Magill (0-01), Ryan Mc Kenna, Corey Little, Rian Mc Cann, Kavan Keenan, Ryan Mc Garry (0-01), Ronan Lavery, Shea O’ Brien (0-03), Oisin Connolly, Conor Stewart, Matthew Downey (0-01), Cormac Lemon. Subs: Lorenzo Dawkins (0-01) for R Mc Kenna, James Mc Donnell for C Lemon, Jack White (2-00) for R Lavery, Bailey Mc Neill for R Mc Cann
Referee Cathal Mc Dermott (Tir na Nog)
