Two quick goals set up Saints

Homefit Antrim Football League – Division 2

All Saints 3-10 Dunloy 1-10

Two goals inside three minutes midway through the second half were the scores which gave All Saints victory over Dunloy in Wednesday evening’s Division 2 game at Slemish Park. The first was expertly finished by centre half back Paddy McAleer, who after picking up a ball about 30 meters for the Dunloy goal, soloed through and cooly side-footed the ball past the Dunloy goalkeeper. Three minute later Benny McDonnell added another for the Saints, drilling low to the net after good approach work from the right.

Dunloy came back with a goal of their own through a penalty, but those two goals had given the home side a bit of a cushion and they held on for a deserved win.

With centre forward Deaglan Smith in great form Dunloy had looked dangerous in the early stages and had the Cuchullain’s 0-2 to 0-0 clear after seven minutes. It was 12 minutes before All Saints troubled the scoreboard operator, full back James McDonnell foraging forward before firing over. Smith got his third just two minutes after that but the Ballymena boys were starting to find their range and a point from Benny McDonnell cut the gap back to a single point before full forward Shea O’Brien got his team’s opening goal. Chrissy McNaughton hit a fine score for Dunloy on 21 minutes but All Saints finished strongly with three on the trot to lead by 1-6 to 0-4 at half time.

Dunloy started the second half strongly and after good pressure on the All Saints goal Shane Doey pulled a points back, before Chrissy McMahon added another to cut the gap back to a goal. The visitors were applying plenty of pressure, but that was eased on 41 minutes when midfielder Conor Stewart knocked over a point. From the kick out All Saints won possession again and McAleer broke away to score his team’s second goal and just three minutes later the goal tally was up to three when McDonnell hit the target for the Ballymena men.

Dunloy were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty and Caolan Gillan fired it home, but All Saints still held the upper hand and late points from Benny McDonnell, from a free, and one by Ciaran McGarry from play saw them safely over the line to all but secure their top 6 spot.