Rossa 2-13 Aghagallon 0-9
Sunday October 15
Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)
By Brendan McTaggart
Rossa claimed the minor football crown for the second time in four years on Sunday afternoon with a strong performance against Aghagallon. 10 points separated the sides at the full time whistle but the foundations for the Shaws Road sides victory were laid with a strong first half and a man of the match performance from Matthew Mallon.
The Rossa forward bagged goals in either half along with two points in an irresistible performance, causing the Aghagallon defence huge problems throughout the hour with his pace, movement and trickery. His partnership with Dominic McEnhill in the Rossa attach was key for the victors, between them they managed 2-8 of their sides final total and while Aghagallon always looked second best on the day, they will look at their missed goal opportunity with the sides level in the 17th minute.
Midfielder Jamie Lamont tied the sides at four points each with his driven effort but there’s no doubting the talented midfielder had more than a point on his mind when he burst his way through the Rossa defence. 60 seconds later and Rossa opened up a three point advantage thanks to Mallon’s first goal of the final and they never looked back from there.
A pivotal moment in the final and maybe with a little more composure, Lamont would have taken the goal scoring chance. That being said, it seemed like a good score at the time but Rossa pushed on and held a nine point lead at the half time before controlling the second half to seal the title.
Rossa came into the Final as favourites for the minor crown having won through the age groups with this current crop of players but it was Aghagallon who made the brighter start of the two. Andrew Johnston with the opening point of the match in the second minute and while Michael Close equalised soon after, two points (one free) from Finton Campbell gave the St Mary’s men a two point lead after 10 minutes.
It was to prove to be a false dawn for the Aghagallon men as Rossa started to go through the gears. Despite playing into the wind in the first half, Rossa dominated. A brace of points from Mallon in as many minutes restored parity to the sides before Michael Close’s first point of the match gave Rossa the lead for the first time in the final.
Lamont equalised for Aghagallon when his rocket drive fizzed over Michael Byrne’s crossbar when he had a chance for goal and Rossa scored the first goal of the game moments later. McEnhill with the unselfish assist and Mallon with the finish in the 17th minute.
A brace of points from McEnhill opened the Rossa advantage to five points before Campbell’s third point of the match kept the Aghagallon challenge alive but Rossa were relentless. Two McEnhill frees either side of a point from midfielder Eoghan McMenamin meant the Shaws Road side lead 1-9 to 0-5 at the short whistle.
It was a devastating final quarter by the Rossa lads, outscoring Aghagallon 1-5 to 0-1 into a strong wind. With a series of wides in the closing stages of the half it could have been even better but with a seven point cushion and the elements in their favour, they were always going to be in control of the second half. A brace of points from Campbell in the opening five minutes of the second half breathed fresh impetus into the Aghagallon challenge but when McEnhill landed his fifth point of the final in the 36th minute, it signalled the beginning of the end for Aghagallon.
Tiarnan Murphy and McEnhill extended the Rossa advantage as the Shaws Road men sat back and soaked up the Aghagallon pressure. Content to hit the Aghalee men on the counter attack, Rossa were controlling the second half taking no undue risks. Both sides were guilty of squandering chances but when Mallon bagged Rossa’s second goal of the match in the 58th minute, time was already running out for Aghagallon.
Mallon’s run towards Luke Mulholland was strong and powerful with an equally impressive finish. A cherry on top of the icing as far as Mallon was concerned and a strike that ensured Rossa would see out the remaining time.
Daire Matthews pointed to give Rossa a 12 point advantage going into injury time and while Aghagallon pushed in search for goals, they just had two frees from Campbell to show for their efforts as the Rossa defence stood resolute.
A comprehensive 10 point victory for the Jeremiah’s as they look forward to an Ulster championship campaign in late November.
Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)
TEAMS
Rossa: Michael Byrne; Manus Smith; Matthew McIvor; Cónall Shannon; Jack Morris; Michael McGreevey; Tiarnan Murphy; Eoghan McMenamin; Cormac McGettigan; Michael Close; Matthew Mallon; Mairtin McCashin; Daire Matthews; Dominic McEnhill; Conall McDonnell
Aghagallon: Luke Mulholland; Stevie Branagan; Roland Mulholland; Daire McShane; Senan Donnelly; Aiden Mulholland; Andrew Johnston; Jack Lenehan; Jamie Lamont; Marc McAfee; Adam Loughran; Jerry Downing; Ronan Lavery; Daniel Hannon; Finton Campbell
SCORERS
Rossa: Matthew Mallon 2-2; Dominic McEnhill 0-6 (3 frees); Michael Close 0-2; Tiarnan Murphy 0-1; Eoghan McMenamin 0-1; Daire Matthews 0-1
Aghagallon: Finton Campbell 0-6 (5 frees); Jamie Lamont 0-2; Andrew Johnston 0-1
