Aldergrove spoil the Tir na nÓg party

Antrim Minor Football League – Division 1

Tír na nÓg 2.11 (17) Aldergrove 3.13 (22)

Aldergrove ended Tír na nÓg’s unbeaten run in Division 1 of the All County Minor Football League when they travelled to Whitehill on Tuesday evening and recorded a win which prevented the home side from securing the League title. Despite leading at half time Tír na nÓg couldn’t hold on to secure the win they needed as Aldergrove came out in the second half very organised and prevented the blues key men running at them, while at the other end they kept the score board ticking with Kian Jones in fine form and substitute Daniel Shields making an instant impact.

Eamon Óg McAllister opened the scoring from a free for the home side after they kicked three wide balls, Conor Morris equalised 5 minutes later after an extremely slow and patient build up. Tír na nÓg were then put on the back foot when Shane Hinfey was forced to get back and cover Adam Reid and make a goal line save from Aaron O’Connors effort after he was left alone and unmarked in the full forward line. O’Connor followed up and pointed before Oisin Graham turned over the kick out to put his side 2 points up. Kian Jones got his first score of the game before Conor Crossey pulled one back for the blues after fine work out of defence from Rory Mullan. Sean Grant and Eamon Óg McAllister got the next two scores to draw the game once again after 15 minutes of play.

Colla McDonald put the Whitehill side one ahead from a free kick before Oliver McAtamney played a cross field ball to the previous scorer who found Ciaran O’Neill who in turn placed Ethan Higgins through for a well taken point. Ethan Higgins was having a huge influence on the game and in the next phase of play he set up Colla McDonald for the first goal of the game. Tír na nÓg pushed on with further points from McAllister and Sean Grant and looked comfortable, before Kian Jones made his mark on the game when he easily turned the full back and slotted the ball to the back of the net to bring the Grove back into contention. Sean Grant got the last point of the half to leave the home side with a five point advantage.

The rain settled for the beginning of the second half and Eoin Hamill set up Jones for another point before Aldergrove were forced to clear two balls off the line when Emmet Irvine eventually kicked the ball out for a 45. Aldergrove substitute Daniel Shields made an immediate impact when he entered the field and scored a point, this was followed up with a point from Conor Morris after an excellent through ball from Fionn McDonagh. Jones brought the difference to the minimum with another free kick before Shields kicked a rebounded save from Adam Reid over the bar to level the game half way through the second half.

In the last quarter Aldergrove dominated and set themselves up very well whilst still attacking and creating scores. Conor Fogarty worked the ball out of defence and set Kian Jones up for his second goal to take the lead by three. O’Connor and Morris spilt the posts before McAllister pulled one back for the home side. Man of the match Kian Jones got his fourth point of the game and Shields put the game to bed with Aldergrove’s third goal.

The game was to finish on a knife edge when Ciaran O’Neill found the top corner of the net after a quick free from Murray. Conor Morris and Colla McDonnell traded scores before the final whistle which saw Aldergrove run out 5 point winners after a 10 point turn around.

Tír na nÓg
1. A. Reid 2. S. Hinfey 3. C. Devlin 4. R. Mullan 5. R. Crilly 6. O. McAtamney 7. E. Higgins 8. J. Higgins 9. C. O’Neill 10. C. Crossey 11. E. Murray 12. E. Óg McAllister 13. C. McDonald 14. P. Dougan 15. S. Grant 17. R.R. McDonnell 18. C. Hastings 19. B. Fitzgerald 20. D. O’Neill

Scorers: E. Óg McAllister (0.4- 1 free), C. Crossey (0.1), S. Grant (0.3), C. McDonald (1.2- 2 frees), E. Higgins (0.1), C. O’Neill (1.0)