Minor A Football Championship quarter-final
St James Aldergrove 3-08 Tir na nOg 1-08
St. James Aldergrove completed a league and championship double to earn a place in the semi-final of the Minor A football championship when they defeated Tir na nOg in Crumlin tonight.
St. James’ led by the efforts of their hard working mid-fielder Oisin Graham and the artistry of Kian Jones were full value for this quarter final victory.
Little separated the sides in an opening period on a sodden surface which was to cut up as the game progressed but a late injury time goal by impressive full forward Kian Jones ensured a 2-3 to 1-03 half time advantage for the Crumlin lads.
The Randalstown boys were left to regret wayward shooting in front of the posts in the opening half including a couple of goal opportunities that were to cost them in the long run.
Aldergrove were first to open account when Michael Blayney made smart approach on the right wing before receiving from Kian Jones to despatch firmly to the back of the net.
A smart approach after a tentative opening as the Randalstown boys wasted a couple of early opportunities to get on the board and Aldergrove looked in for a second goal in the 13th minute with the Tir na nOg keeper, Adam Reid making a fine save to deny the dangerous Kian Jones, tipping his shot over the bar.
Aldergrove were forced into change early in proceedings when an off the ball injury to Emmett Ervine forced his departure to be replaced by Finn McDonagh who was to prove an able replacement.
The visitors opened their account as Brandon McLarnon and Colla McDonald combined to open the way for the ill-fated Eamon Og McAllister who finished to the net but was injured in the process.
Colla McDonald added a point to the Randalstown total to ensure parity and after Ciaran O’ Neill and Colla McDonald raised further whites Tir na nOg had gained the lead at 1-03 to 1-02.
In the event the home side had the last say and a 29th minute point by Oisin Graham ensured parity on the scoreboard.
As the game moved into injury time Kian Jones grabbed a 33rd minute goal to ensure a 2-03 to 1-03 interval advantage.
Aldergrove started the second half aided by the breeze and increased their advantage in the opening minute as Conor Morris raised white.
Colla McDonald was quick to make reply at the other end but the Randalstown side were made to suffer for an unforced error in the 38th minute to open the door for Kian Jones to add a second goal.
The full-forward was aided and abetted on the way by the industry of early replacement Finn Mc Donagh who supplied the telling pass to set the former on his way.
Colla Mc Donald replied with a point, but with Oisin Graham dominating the central sector and replacement McDonagh covering a lot of ground the home side took charge, and points from their goal scorer Kian Jones (2), Michael Blayney, and Eoin Hamill saw them move into what looked an unassailable lead as they led 3-08 to 1-05 after 48th minutes.
Time was certainly not on Tir na nOg’s side but they continued to fight with the Higgins brothers, Ethan and Josh as well as Ciaran O’ Neill getting their proverbial shoulders to the wheel.
The home side stood strong in defence in the face of a spirited come back however but Colla Mc Donald and Emmett Murray raised back to back whites for the visitors but the Randalstown boys really needed a goal.
Despite the best efforts of Ciaran O’ Neill, Josh Higgins, and late replacement Cormac Devlin the home defence repelled everything that came their way. Ethan Higgins did come forward to add a point to the Tir na nOg cause but in the event this was very much a consolation score.
The final whistle followed shortly after as Aldergrove crossed the winning line and into a semi-final meeting with St Brigid’s full value for a 3-08 to 1-08 victory.
Aldergrove: Oisin McGarry, Corey Fogarty, David Aiken, Logan Fleming, Lee Mc Cusker, Eoin Gough, Declan Gough, Emmett Ervine, Oisin Graham (0-01), Michael Blayney(1-01), Conor Morris (0-01), Eoin Hamill (0-02), Daniel Shiels, Kian Jones (2-03), Aaron O’ Connor
Subs:
Finn Mc Donagh E Irvine (inj)
Glenn Dunham for D Shiels
Malachy Burns for E Hamill
Tir na Nog: Adam Reid, Shane Hinphey, Oliver Mc Atamney, Conor Mc Camphill, Ethan Higgins (0-02), Brandon Mc Larnon, Ryan Crilly, Josh Higgins, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-01), Conor Crossey, Eamon og Mc Allister (1-00), Sean Grant, Paddy Dougan, Colla Mc Donald (0-04)
Subs
Ricardo Concalde for O Mc Atamney
Cormac Devlin for S Grant
Conor Hastings for E Mc Allister (inj)
Referee S Laverty (St Ergnat’s)
