Larkin Cassidy Solicitors
Intermediate Football Championship – Group 1
Glenavy 0-9 Dunloy 2-11
Brendan McTaggart reports from Chapel Hill, Glenavy
Goals in either half from Seaan Elliott and Conal Cunning ensured Dunloy made serene progress to the semi-finals of the Intermediate Football Championship. The Cuchullains had eight points to spare over Glenavy by the full time whistle in a match they didn’t look like losing from the first whistle.
Dunloy came into the match knowing a win would ensure their place in the last four. They could have had that sealed inside the opening 10 minutes. The Cuchullains had three goal chances with Jake Nelson denying Conal Cunning before Oran Quinn hit the post and Seaan Elliott saw his effort sail to the wrong side of theupright.
Glenavy were well organised after that opening Dunloy burst with Patrick Gallagher orchestrating from deep. The Cuchullains had the majority of possession but looked like they could cut through the home sides defence with some precise passing and methodical attacking play.
The Cuchullains led two points to one with McAllister (free) and McMahon points coming either side of a tidy score from Charles Gallagher. The Glenavy man rolling two challenges before judging the elements to perfection.
Dunloy finally scored the opening goal in the 17th minute to take control. It was Elliott who provided the finish but the home side had warning’s before with the same move. Dunloy manoeuvred the ball around the packed Glenavy defence before Elliott used his pace to penetrate. No one could keep up with the 19 year old and he finished with style just before the first half water break.
The remainder of the first half took much the same form. Dunloy looking dangerous and winning the midfield scurries and providing penetrating runs from deep. Oran Quinn in particular a thorn in the Glenavy defence.
The Cuchullains stretched their lead to six points with Chrissy McMahon and McAllister (free) registering white flags but the home side finished the half strongly with Fergal Green and Fergal Henry reducing the deficit to four points by the short whistle.
Any thoughts of a Glenavy comeback were dashed just three minutes into the second half when the Cuchullains scored their second major. Oran Quinn and Kevin McQuillan combining to cut through the heart of the Glenavy defence. McQuillan laid off to Cunning who shook a heavy challenge before squeezing the ball over the line.
That lead was extended to 10 points just before the second half water break, thanks largely to the free taking of Cunning and McAllister but Aaron Crawford scored the point of the match after a flowing move found the marauding half back in space.
The Cuchullains charge was halted with an Anton McGrath black card and while Glenavy looked more threatening, Dunloy always had a sense of control on the contest. The home side were boosted with the introduction of Alex Gallagher and Malachi Doherty in the second half with both substitutes offering more in attack and registering scores but they were always faced with an uphill task such was the nature of Dunloy’s grip on the game.
Fergal Henry took his tally to four points from the game and just reward for a tireless hours work but Dunloy had the final say with McAllister and Eoghan McGrath frees sealing an eight point win for Dunloy.
The Cuchullains now face All Saints in the semi-finals with Moneyglass and St Paul’s the other pairing. Matches to be played in 10 days time.
Glenavy: Jake Nelson; Liam Henry, Ryan Malley, Pearse O’Neill; Matthew Hamill, Sean McGirr, Jonathan Phillips; Michael McCourt, Stephen Doone; Ciaran Loney, Charles Gallagher, Conor Hamill; Fergal Henry, Fergal Green, Patrick Gallagher
Scorers: Fergal Henry 0-4 (3f); Fergal Green 0-2 (1f); Charles Gallagher 0-1; Malachi Doherty 0-1; Alex Gallagher 0-1
Dunloy: Stephen McIlroy; Conor Kinsella, Karl O’Kane, Oran Quinn; Aaron Crawford, Callum Scullion, Anton McGrath; Kevin McQuillan, Ryan McGarry; Ryan McFarlane, Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning; Kevin McAllister, Padraig McGilligan, Chrissy McMahon
Scorers: Conal Cunning 1-2 (2f); Kevin McAllister 0-5 (4f); Seaan Elliott 1-00; Chrissy McMahon 0-2; Aaron Crawford 0-1; Eoghan McGrath 0-1 (1f)
Referee: Richard Leahy (St Comgalls)
