ACFL Division 2
Glenavy 0.12 v 0.11 Sarsfield’s
Both teams played out a very entertaining game for the large crowd present at Chapel Hill. With both sides needing points to push their way up the table to safety it ensured players were putting in that little bit extra. Both sides will bemoan the number of wides they kicked over the hour and the result was in the balance right to the end. A word of praise to referee Colin Mallon for letting the players get on with it.
Fergal Henry had the first score when he raised the white flag but Sarsfield’s were beginning to put on the pressure and indeed only for Gareth Collins in the home goals the visitors could have had at least three goals.
Fergal Henry extended the Glenavy lead with a point from a free but Brian Healey replied with a pointed free at the other end to get Sarsfield’s on their way.
It was end to end at this stage and Ryan Phillips finished an excellent run with a well taken point to restore the Chapel Hill side’s two point advantage.
Back came the green and blacks as they began to take control and the visitors fired over five unanswered points from Brian Henry, Daniel Smyth, Conor Glenholmes, and two pointed free from Sean Walsh to move three in front.
The final score of the half fell to St. Joseph’s however as Fergus Cunningham cut through for a well taken point Just before the break.
Half-time score St.Joseph’s 0.04 v 0.06 Patrick Sarsfield’s.
On the resumption Brian Healey slotted over a free to again mover the men from the Bear Pit three points clear but it brought a response from the home side who came back with three points from Niall McCann and two pointed frees from Niall McCann to bring the sides level.
Brian Healey and Fergal Henry exchanged pointed frees to leave it level again before Healey edged Sarsfield’s in front once more from another placed ball.
There was nothing between the sides as play swung from end to end as Fergal Henry and Brian Healey again exchanged points with six minutes to go and it was going to be a question as to who would blink first.
Patrick Gallagher broke through for a good point to extend his side’s lead as the pace and excitement raised another notch before unerring Fergal Henry added another for the Chapel Hill side.
Sarsfields fought to the end and Conor Glenholmes had the final score of the game to close the gap to the minimum but that was as close as the visitors got.
The visitors pushed hard for the equaliser and indeed could have pinched it at the end but once again Gareth Collins came to his side’s rescue with an excellent stop with the full-time whistle sounding immediately after.
Both sides deserver great credit for the entertainment the gave their supporters and Glenavy will be grateful to their keeper Gareth Collins who pulled off a. Final Score St.Joseph’s 0.12 v 0.11 Sarsfield’s
Glenavy: G. Collins; D. Doherty; L. Henry; Michael Fox; P. Gallagher; M. Lawlor; P. Fox; F. O’Boyle; C. Loney; R. Phillips; S. O’Neill; M. Doherty; F. Cunningham; L. Henry; N. McCann
Reserves L. Murphy; M. McCourt; D. Nelson; P. Traynor; S. Doone. B. McCambridge; O. Brankin; C. Grant; L. Deveraux; D. Armstrong
Sarsfields’: M. Brady; E. Mervyn; M. McPolin; D. Gorman; P. McPeake; N. McDonald. E. Quinn; C. Murray; D. Smyth; J. McNally; S. Walsh; C. Glenholmes;; T. Scullion; B. Healey; N. McAlea .
Referee. Colin Mallon St.Mary’s Aghagallon