O’Neill’s ACFL League Division Two A (round one)
St James Aldergrove 1-13 St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 0-04
St James Aldergrove continue their push for promotion and only major accident or major collapse in the latter stages of the league will prevent Paddy Nugent’s charges reclaiming their vacated berth back in the top grade in 2019. The St. James side opened their phase two account in the second division with another convincing win over the visiting Moneyglass in Crumlin today.
The Crumlin men having concluded the opening phase in impressive fashion continued in similar mode on their own sod on Sunday. A swift getaway from the start traps and a trio of white flags raised in sequence by James Trolan ensured an early advantage and a lead which they were not to relinquish.
Moneyglass reduced the deficit to the minimum by the end of the 10th minute but following a mistake laden opening period in which both sides missed chances aplenty the positive opening enabled the home side to take a 0-06 to 0-02 lead at half time.
The second half continued in the same format as the opening thirty minutes with the impressive home side stepping quickly away and with Stephen Gorman most often leading on the counter Aldergrove had gone 0-10 to 0-02 ahead by the 40th minute.
The Moneyglass men without several regulars tried to respond but Conal Prenter was just a whisker away from the target as his low drive eluded the far post and Jack Mc Coy was denied what looked a cast iron penalty the home side were in control and a late Ronan Hanna goal was just the icing on the cake as they crossed the winning line at 1-13 to 0-04.
The torrential rain of the previous day was replaced by fine conditions as the pace setting Aldergrove played hosts to Moneyglass and the home side were quick to employ the scoreboard attendant as corner forward James Trolan raised three white flags in sequence by the 4th minute.
Moneyglass took a time to get their scoring show on the road as the St Ergnat’s men were forced into action without more than a few absentees due to a lengthy injury list.
They opened their account in the 6th minute as Conal Prenter sent a 30 meter free between the posts and when big Seanachain Duffin sent Liam Brady away to add another a couple of minutes later they were back within a point.
Despite the accuracy displayed in front of posts by both sides in the opening minutes this was not to continue as chances came and went without success before a well laid approach involving Stephen Gorman and the hard grafting Brian Mc Quillan opened the way for Conor Browning to fire over the bar.
A fine Brian Mc Quillan point increased the home side’s advantage in the 20th minute and when James Trolan followed with another the Aldergrove men were 0-06 to 0-02 ahead following a less than inspiring opening period.
Moneyglass started the second half in the hunt for scores but Seanachain Duffin, Kevin Marron, and Colum Duffin were just off target with respective attempts in the early stages.
Aldergrove responded and James Trolan was sent away on the right to clip over the bar after Stephen Gorman and Chris O’ Kane combined to open the way for the ever accurate corner man to finish.
The Home side looked in charge and indeed lady luck did seem to smile on them when a cute Ryan Doyle flick opened the way to goal for Conal Prenter but the corner man watched on in some anguish as his soccer style finish went just the wrong side of the post.
Aldergrove soon returned to the offensive and back to back points by Chris O’ Kane and the ever available James Trolan saw them move into a 0-10 to 0-02 lead at the end of the third quarter and the die looked cast.
Liam Brady reduced the deficit with a fine point but the score was quickly negated as a Stephen Gorman approach and a fine Ronan Hanna lay off sent corner man Sean Fay in for a point.
Fay could well have sought a ‘major’ but opted for the safe option which was supplemented by another from Chris Browning shortly after to see the home side move into the calm waters offered by their 0-12 to 0-03 advantage.
Moneyglass refused to throw in the towel but Kevin ‘Kindo’ Marron was denied by the post and then the man in charge waved away appeal for a penalty after Jack Mc Coy looked to have been fouled inside the area and the end was in sight.
Conor Browning and the ever energetic Brian Mc Quillan added points apiece before Ronan Hanna laid the icing on the cake with a virtuoso 59th minute goal which followed an impressive approach to include the sale of a couple of dummies.
Patrick Mc Cormick had the last say on the board but the young wing half back’s 60th minute score despite the excellence of the effort came as scant consolation as Aldergrove breasted the winning line with a slightly flattering 1-13 to 0-04 advantage.
Aldergrove: Chris Taggart, Paul Cushley, Ferdia Carson, Steve Gorman, Chris O’ Kane (0-01), Chris Mc Veigh, Tomas O’ Callaghan, Brian Mc Quillan (0-02), Ryan Owens, Conor Browning (0-02), Andy Flood, James Trolan (0-07), Ronan Hamill (1-00), Sean Fay (0-01) Subs:Conleth Hendron for Conor Browning,Chris Browning for A Flood
Moneyglass: Mark Carey, Miron Neeson, Donal Laverty, Kevin Mc Peake, Seamus Devlin, Conor Boyd, Patrick Mc Cormick (0-01), Colum Duffin, Declan Neeson, Shanaghan Duffin, Kevin Marron, Liam Brady (0-02), Jack Mc Coy, Ryan Doyle, Conal Prenter (0-01) Subs: Niall Boyd for S Duffin, Peter McCormick for S Devlin, Ruairi Neeson for K Marron, Gareth Quinn for J McCoy
Referee: Martin Quinn
Photographs: Elaine Kelly