ACFL Division 2
All Saints 2-12 St. Joseph’s 2-9
Games between these sides are always open and entertaining and Sunday’s meeting in Ballymena was no different as All Saints and St. Joseph’s Glenavy served up a thoroughly entertaining hour’s football. There was little between the sides during a rather cagey opening half with a Ronan McKillop goal for All Saints separating the sides at half time and the score standing at 1-5 to 0-5.
New All Saints manager, Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley has certainly given youth its chance since taking over at the start of the season, some of the changes forced by the unavailability of his more experienced players and he will have been pleased by the development of some of these players while consistency has been a problem.
His youthful charges certainly stepped up to the mark in this encounter as play opened up and swung from end to end during the second half and a skilful Glenavy playing its part on keeping an appreciative audience entertained.
Brendan McDonnell and Conell Lemon led the All Saints attack and their pace and finishing power was vital as the home side maintained their three point lead to the end with McDonnell bringing his personal tally to 0-4 and Lemon getting All Saints second goal.
The visitors gave it everything with Fiontan O’Boyle and Ryan Phillips getting their two second half goals and Paddy Gallagher and Oisin Hamill strong in defence while Fergal Henry and Niall McCann were a handful in attack.
Shea O’Brien contributed 0-3 from midfield for the home side and youngsters Cal O’Brien, Shaun O’Callaghan and the recently returned Cormac Lemon caught the eye for a fast and skilful home side.
All Saints: 1. Niall Shannon 0-1 2. James Gillian 3. Cormac Lemon 4. James McDonnell 5. Ciaran McGarry 6. Rhys OMullan 7. Joe Rafferty 8. Emmet Killough 9. Shea OBrien 0-3 10. Cal OBrien 0-1 11. Oisin Connolly 12. Shaun OCallaghan 0-2 13. Brendan McDonnell 0-4 14. Connell Lemon 1-1 15. Ronan McKillop 1-0 Half time was 1-5 All Saints 0-5 glenavy
St. Joseph’s: G Collins, M Fox, L Henry, D Doherty, P Gallagher, O Hamill, M Lawlor, F O ‘Boyle, C Loney, R Phillips, N McCann, S O’Neill, F Cunningham, M Doherty, F Henry
