Under-17 football league Division Two (semi-final)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-17 St Joseph’s Glenavy 2-16
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass will contest the final of the under-17 division 2 football league after they held off the late challenge of Glenavy in a hugely enjoyable semi-final at Whitehill on Sunday.
The Marian Hill side looked set for an untroubled passage for most of the game and they did enjoy a nine point advantage at the second water break 2-14 to 1-11.
But the Fionn Shannon inspired St Joseph’s came back strongly and a flurry of late points and a 55th minute Eoin Mc Philips goal reduced the gap to a single point but time was against them with the long blast signalling progress for Moneyglass.
An excellent day with the late summer sunshine and a pristine sod welcoming Moneyglass and Glenavy to Whitehill on Sunday to decide the finalists of the under -17 league competition division two and those in attendance were treated to an excellent game of football.
Moneyglass, having gone through their campaign unbeaten were installed as firm favourites and indeed they started positively and a couple of early points from Kevin Mc Cann and Sean Boyd preceded a stunning Sean Boyd goal. Tiernan McCormick opened the way for the wing half forward to strike into the top corner giving net minder Matthew Nelson no chance and the Moneyglass lads had an early 1-02 to 0-01 lead with Fiontan O’ Boyle’s 4th minute point opening the Glenavy account.
With the skill laden Fionn Shannon replying in kind to back to back Sean Boyd points Glenavy seemed to be gaining in confidence but a 60 metre solo from Tiernan Mc Cann opened the way for Conleth Mc Cann to fire to the net to leave Moneyglass in charge at the first water break 2-05 to 0-04.
A Jamie Mc Laughlin point increased the advantage of the Marian Hill lads a minute into the second quarter but back came Glenavy and Matthew Kane raised white in reply before Fionn Shannon fired to the net.
Glenavy had grabbed hold of the bit with Fionn Shannon adding back to back points to reduce the deficit to a single score with Moneyglass leading 2-06 to 1-06 and it looked game on.
In the event it was tSt Ergnat’s who were to regain control in the latter stages of the opening period with Tiernan McCormick prominent at mid-field and Conleth McCann added three further points to his tally and Paul Duffin grabbeda couple in answer to a single from Fionn Shannon to leave them 2-11 to 1-07 ahead at the break.
Indeed that advantage could have been more but for net minder Matthew Nelson’s who pulled off a splendid save from Jamie Mc Laughlin’s effort a few minutes before the break after another featured solo approach from the excellent Tiernan McCormick.
Moneyglass started the second half with a seven point advantage but Fionn Shannon raised a couple of early white flags for St. Joseph’s but Conleth McCann replied with a brace at the other end with Sean Boyd splitting the posts as well.
Glenavy didn’t lose heart however with centre back Shea O’Neill looking to advance at every opportunity and Matthew Kane gaining a foothold in the central zone.
Moneyglass were forced into the defensive as the second water break approached and their net minder Callum Graham had to be at his best to deny Conor Loney in the 43rd minute. Fionn Shannon kicked the last score in the quarter with a 45th minute point but St Ergnat’s were in a strong position as they led 2-14 to 1-11 at.
Fionn Shannon started the last quarter as he had concluded the third with a 47th minute point but it did seem business as the elegant Tiernan McCormick’s set up Sean Boyd for a point in reply and Conleth McCann added another two minutes later.
Glenavy looked home and hosed but Glenavy were far from finished and after Fionn Shannon clipped another free between the posts mid fielder Fiontan O’ Boyle added a superb long range point.
The Chapel Hill side were now in the ascendancy and when mid fielder Matthew Kane’s delivery opened the way for corner forward Eoin Mc Philips to fire to the net only a couple of points separated the sides with the game clock at 54 minutes.
Moneyglass were under pressure but a strong run from Matthew Mullan was halted illegally and the accurate Conleth McCann, delivered the resultant free between the posts to move them three ahead again.
As the clock ticked down Fiontan O’ Boyle and Matthew Kane responded with points for Glenavy and only the minimum separated the sides but time was not on their side and Moneyglass held on for a place in the final following a most enjoyable encounter.
Moneyglass will now meet St. Gall’s in ther final. The Milltown side had an emphatic 4-11 to 1-7 win over Cuchullain’s Dunloy in the other semi-final
Moneyglass: Callum Graham, Oisin O’ Donnell, Brain Magee, Mark Duffin, Matthew Mullan, Paul Duffin (0-02), Seannan O’ Boyle, Kevin McCann (0-01), Tiernan McCormick, Nate Dixon (0-01), Conleth McCann (1-06), Sean Boyd (1-06), Rory Taggart, Jamie McLaughlin (0-02), Zak Hamill
Subs
C Murray for R Taggart
Matthew Cairns for J Mc Laughlin
Sean O’ Boyle for N Dixon
Glenavy: Matthew Nelson, Ethan Hodkiss, Oran Arthurs, Angus Donnelly, Emmett Mc Luaidh, Shea O’ Neill, Oisin Mc Ardle, Fiontan O’ Boyle (0-03), Matthew Kane (0-02), Chris O’ Heire, Niall Burke, Conor Loney, Fionn Shannon (1-11), Ronan Hill, Emmett Mc Philips (1-00)
Referee Jarlath O’ Donnell (Glenravel)