Aldergrove 1-04  Glenravel 2-12

By Aodh O’Loan

Con Magees continued their current vein of good form with an impressive victory over Aldergrove in Crumlin on Wed evening. When referee Martin Quinn brought proceedings to an end in the evening gloom that inevitably follows an 8pm throw in at this time of year, the only thing louder than the away supporters’ cheers were the roars from jumbo jets overhead. 

Glenravel played the first half down the hill on the Crumlin pitch and totally controlled it from start to finish. After 20 minutes the visitors led by 1-06 to 0-00, all the scores coming from play with points from Sean McKay, Conor McNeill, Josh McKeown (2) and Declan Traynor (2). An uncharacteristic mistake in the slippery conditions from the normally very dependable full back Paul McCurry gifted a goal chance to Aldergrove and their centre half forward gave Johnny Fyfe no chance in the Glenravel nets. Declan Traynor, just back from injury, was creating havoc in the Aldergrove defence and was rewarded with his third score of the half 4 minutes from the short whistle. Conor McNeil extended the Glenravel lead from a free just before half time; this was the first score to come from a placed ball and left the away team comfortable at the break with a 1-08 to 1-00 lead. But how would both teams manage the change of ends given the significance of the slope on the pitch?

Aldergrove came out with purpose and their team huddle before the start of the second half sent everyone the message that they meant business. Their impressive right-half forward notched up the half’s first score and both sets of spectators started to wonder if the comeback was on. Aldergrove did start to dominate play in the opening minutes and had Glenravel keeper, Johnny Fyfe, not stopped a point blank shot five minutes into the second half, this game could have taken a different turn. Conor McNeill calmed the away supporters’ nerves with a well taken free before Aldergrove’s centre forward – their best player on the night – got one back to leave them trailing 1-02 to 1-11 after 40 minutes. McNeill struck two more points before the Aldergrove keeper made a magnificent save when Sean McKay was through one on one, however McKay reacted quickest and punched the ball over the bar to extend the away team lead. Aldergrove pulled one back but when Conor McNeil goaled in the 53rd minute after some very neat interchange from the Glensmen the game was over as a contest. Aldergrove did go on to score the final point of the game but it was too late to make a difference. 

Overall this was an entertaining game with both sides keen to play football. Over the hour, Glenravel adapted better to the slippery conditions and the sloped pitch and ran out deserved winners.