Reserve Football Shield (semi-final)
All Saint’s Ballymena 2-12 St James Aldergrove 0-07
All Saint’s, having lost in the Intermediate championship at the week-end to Aldergrove gained a semblance of compensation when they brushed aside the challenge of the St James side in the Shield semi-final at Cloney on Monday evening.
The Ballymena men had matters well in hand at an early juncture and a superbly delivered Lee Kirk 8th minute goal added impetus and at the break they had earned a 1-07 to 0-03 advantage.
The introduction of James Henry at the break did breathe wind into the Aldergrove sails but although the replacement proved more than accurate in front of the posts from the dead ball, All Saint’s dominated in most sectors and a 34th minute goal suggested that the die was cast.
Second period replacement James Henry, who stroked over from an acute angle seconds into the second half added another three but the Ballymena men led onward by the excellent Mark Murchin, Pheilim Killough, and Diarmuid Mc Nally had matters well in hand a long time before the long blast. Indeed their dominance offered opportunity for their management to research the strength of their bench before crossing the winning line at 2-12 to 0-07.
Conor O’Rawe raised the opening flag to see All Saint’s off the mark as he split the posts a couple of minutes into the Reserve Shield semi-final in Ahoghill on Monday evening and although a Sean Fay point brought Aldergrove level, a well crafted Lee Kirk 8th Minute goal saw the Ballymena men stride ahead.
Mark Murchin who was to impress throughout with his work ethic had made intervention at the back before delivering to the centre forward to despatch firmly to the net and ensure an advantage which was not to be breached.
Sean Fay was doing his utmost to haul the Crumlin men back in touch with his industry and the wing half forward nipped away to add back to back points in the 13th and 14th minutes but they were not to offer further employment to the scoreboard attendant in the opening period.
All Saint’s were dominant in defence and were more than confident in the offensive and when Diarmuid Mc Nally (2), Lee Kirk (2) and central defender Cormac Magill raised white flags they had nipped away to lead 1-07 to 0-03 at the end of the opening period.
Aldergrove introduced James Henry at the start of the second half and the replacement was to make early impact when he delivered a right sided free between the posts with his first touch to offer hope.
Such sliver of light ignited at the end of the tunnel was soon snuffed out again as Mark Murchin again occupied the role of supplier as he sent Niall Shannon away to make the goal net bulge.
James Henry did make reply again from a 41st minute pointed free but back to back points from Vinny Esler, and Damien Casey saw the Ballymena men enjoy a 2-09 to 0-05 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
James Henry stroked a 46th minute free between the posts for the Crumlin side but even at such early juncture it was quite clear that All Saints were on course for the Shield final and such was their dominance as they introduced a couple more replacements.
Late substitute Ciaran O’ Boyle added a 50th minute point and Diarmuid Mc Nally added another and as the game moved towards a conclusion James Henry replied with a late point for Aldergrove.
The Crumlin men kept going to conclusion but the Ballymena defence closed shop and a late Diarmuid McNally point saw All Saint’s comfortably breast the winning line and into the final of the Shield full value for their 2-12 to 0-07 winning margin.
All Saint’s: Emmett Mc Allister, Aidan O’ Connell, Cormac Magill (0-01), Pheilim Killough, Eoin Walsh, Padraig Magill, Vinny Esler (0-01), Luke O’ Rawe, Niall Shannon (1-00), Mark Urchin, Lee Kirk (1-02), Conor O’ Rawe (0-01), Diarmuid Mc Nally (0-05), Ciaran Shannon, Dara Musson
Subs
Damien Casey for D Musson
Ronan Laverty for L Kirk
Ciaran O’ Boyle for C O’ Rawe
Damien Gillen for A O’ Connell
Ronan Ward for E Walsh
Aldergrove: Oisin Mc Garry, Corey Fogarty, Brendan Mc Lernon, Eoin Masterson, Daniel Bell, Fergal Hanna, Declan Gough, Ryan Maguire, Fionn Mc Donagh, Luke Sinclair, Darren O’ Neill, Sean Fay (0-03), Conor Totten, Allen Kelly, Paddy Campbell
Subs
James Henry (0-04) for P Campbell
Referee R O’ Reilly (Con Magees)