Diarmuid McNally who scored 1-6 as All Saints defeated Dunloy in the Reserve Football Shield in Dunloy on Monday night.

Reserve Football Shield

Dunloy 2-9  All Saints 4-16

There’s a feeling that the Reserve Shield was one that slipped away from this Ballymena side last year, and they showed that they mean business this year with this convincing away victory over Dunloy.

Played in heavy conditions Dunloy hit an early goal to move a point clear and then missed a golden opportunity to stretch further ahead when Saints keeper Emmet McAllister brilliantly saved a penalty kick from Kevin McAllister.  This spurred Saints on as they rallied in the second quarter of the first half hitting two majors of their own through an excellent individual effort from Eoin Campbell and then a close range finish from Brendan McDonnell.  This gave the Ballymena side a lead of five points at the break, but they did not let up as they hit five points to one at the start of the second half before all but clinching the game when a brilliantly worked team goal sent them 12 points clear.  Eoin Campbell drove at the home defence before playing an excellent ball into Diarmuid McNally who held his man off and laid back to James McDonnell to fire into the bottom corner of the net.  Dunloy Player/Manager Kevin McQuillan entered proceedings after this and this kicked his side into gear as he and Declan McGarry tried to drag the youthful Dunloy side back into the game.  Despite Dunloy getting back to within 7 points at one stage and Saints reduced to 14 men the Ballymena men showed great composure to keep the ball and added four more points before Diarmuid McNally hit his sides fourth goal to kill the game in the dying minutes when he brilliantly dummied his man and smashed the ball home to send them into the next round.

A great display from All Saints played in conditions which didn’t really suit, and manager Peter McCann will be hoping this is only a sign of things to come from his youthful side.  Best on the evening for All Saints was Diarmuid McNally who hit 1-6 on the evening with a great goal late on capping a wonderful display and he was ably assisted by veteran Damien Casey, Brendan McDonnell and Eoin Campbell who all chipped in with scores at crucial times.  Luke O’Rawe and Niall Shannon were tireless in midfield for Saints and great defensive work from Damian Gillan and Rhys O’Mullan provided the platform for Saints to progress to the next round.