Reserve Football Shield
Semi-Final
Dunloy 2-14 Glenavy 0-7
Friday August 28
Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly
A scoring burst of 1-3 in just four minutes at the start of the second half proved to be decisive for the Cuchullains as they booked their place in the reserve shield final. 13 points separated the sides at the end of the hour and but for the brilliance of Owen McCormack between the sticks for Glenavy, the margin of victory could have been considerably more. The St Joseph’s shot stopper produced several top saves in the second half, including a penalty but the Cuchullains were too good on the night for the Chapel Hill side.
Eoghan McGrath top scored for the Cuchullains, five points over the hour while the goals came from Anthony Smith and man of the match Kevin McAllister. ‘Rev’ putting in a monumental performance for the Cuchullains as he covered every blade of grass on the Dunsilly pitch.
The Glenavy challenge was hurt with a number of wides throughout the match. They trailed the Cuchullains by just two points at half time with Thomas and Anthony Gallagher threatening while Patrick Fox and Ryan Phillips marshalled their defence.
They had no answer to the Dunloy onslaught after the half time break however. The Cuchullains scored at will and found gaps in what had been a tight Glenavy defence in the first half. Liam McCann in particular the key to unlocking the St Joseph’s defence while Ciaran McQuillan excelled after moving to midfield.
The opening goal came with the Cuchullains leading 0-10 to 0-5. McQuillan breaking the tackles in midfield before passing to Caolan Gillan. With the angle against him, Gillan passed square to McAllister who timed his run to perfection, sliding the ball over the line in the 35th minute.
The second goal came just five minutes later, McAllister this time the architect. Cutting inside, ‘Rev’ found Anthony Smith in space and with a drop of his shoulder, the Dunloy man made no mistake with his chance.
The barrage continued for the Cuchullains but McCormack kept any hopes Glenavy had alive with some outstanding saves. McCann and Smith bringing the best out of him before saving Smith’s penalty after a foul on substitute Oran Corrigan.
Glenavy could have had a goal at the other end when Sean O’Doherty found Pearse O’Neill but a sensational block from Padraig McGilligan at full stretch denied the Chapel Hill side what surely would have been a goal.
Glenavy didn’t record their first score of the second half until the 44th minute, Malachi Doherty with his third of the match but the Dunloy lead was already extended to 13 points by that stage.
Dunloy controlled the contest after the second half water break. Only two scores came after the restart, Doherty’s fourth of the match before McGrath took his tally to 0-5 but the Cuchullains were in cruise control in the time that remained as they booked a place in the final with Tír na nÓg laying in wait.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Conor McGilligan; Paddy Kinsella, Adrian Scullion, Oisin McErlain; Ciaran McIlfatrick, Padraig McGilligan, Ciaran McQuillan; Peter McQuillan, Ryan McFarlane; Anthony Doran, Eoghan McGrath, Liam McCann; Kevin McAllister, Caolan Gillan, Anthony Smith
Subs: Ciaran Doherty for A Scullion (43); Oran Corrigan for C Gillan (44); Sean Og McErlain for C McIlfatrick (51); Oisin McPoland for R McFarlane (58)
Scorers: E McGrath 0-5 (2f); A Smith 1-2; C Gillan 0-4 (1f); K McAllister 1-1; R McFarlane 0-1; L McCann 0-1
Glenavy: Owen McCormack; Matthew Horner, Francis McMullan, Rory Forrester; Ryan Phillips, Patrick Fox, Pearse O’Neill; Ben McCambridge, Anthony Gallagher, Ethan McGarry, Francis Corr, Malachi Doherty, Thomas Gallagher
Subs: Martin McPeake for M Horner (30); Conor Mulholland for T Gallagher (59)
Scorers: M Doherty 0-4 (2f); T Gallagher 0-1; A Gallagher 0-1; B McCambridge 0-1
Referee: Richie Leahy (Naomh Comgalls)
