ACFL Div. 2
All Saints 1-9 Tir na nOg 3-11
Pics: Neal O’Boyle
On a sunny afternoon at Quinn Park, All Saints started this game the much brighter team and dominated the first half restricting Tir Na Og to 2 pointed frees.
Saints had 1-4 on the scoreboard before Tir Na Og registered their first point from a free in the 28th minute followed by a 2nd free on the stroke of half time.
Tir Na Og struggled to impose themselves on the game and All Saints were full value for their 7 point half time lead on a score line of 1-6 to 2 points.
Tir Na Og showed their intent at the start of the 2nd half with an early goal scoring chance which was blasted wide. This was a sign of things to come and they gradually started to get a foothold on the game as they pressed higher up the pitch and didn’t allow All Saints time on the ball in their own half.
A defensive mix up led to an early goal by Tir Na Og as they attempted to claw back the half time deficit.
All Saints were temporarily reduced to 14 men early in the 2nd half as they lost a man to a black card.
Tir Na Og continued to pressurise the home defence and by the water break in the 2nd half had taken a 1 point lead on a score line of 1.7 to 1.6.
Both teams then lost a player each to a further black card.
In the closing quarter, Tir Na Og pulled away with 2 further goals as All Saints struggled to retain possession and create scoring chances.
The Ballymena side only scored 3 points (all frees) in the 2nd half and it took 24 minutes before they registered their first score.
A strong 2nd half performance left Tir Na Og full value for their 8
Point win on a score line of 3-11 to 1.9 win.
All Saints will be disappointed with their 2nd half showing and now face a tough trip to Glenravel in mid week. Tir Na Og will have gained belief from their strong 2nd half comeback and have a home fixture against St Pauls.
All Saints: Stephen McAvoy, Joe Rafferty (sub Peter McReynolds 45), Reece O Mullin, Cormac Lemon, Cavan Keenan, Kieran McGarry, Conal Lemon, Emmet Killough, Sean McVeigh(0.1), Benny Mc Donnell (0.2), Michael McCarry (0.5F), Shea O Brien, Matthew Corr, Rory McVeigh (0.1),Ronan McKillop (1.0)
Tir na nOg: 1. SP McAtamney 2. S. Redmond 3. C. McGrellis 4. P. Cullen 5. C. O’Neill 6. B. McCormick 7. C. Duffin 8. R. O’Neill 9. D. McCormick 10. D. Fagan 11. S. Duffin 12. A. McNeilly 13. C. Dobbin 14. A. Tolan 15. C. McKeown Subs: C. Sheerin for R. O’Neill Scorers: C. Dobbin (1.1), B. McCormick (0.1), C. O’Neill (1.1), D. Fagan (0.7- 3 frees), A. Tolan (1.0), A. McNeilly (0.1- 1 free)
