Homefit Antrim Football League – Division 2
Dunloy 0-7 Ardoyne 3-8
When Ardoyne lost to Sarsfields back on April 3rd their season looked as bleak at it could possibly be. Five defeat in five game, sitting bottom of the table, any bookmaker would have let you name your own odds that they would make it into the top six. However two weeks later they beat Con Magees Glenravel to get their first win and five wins on the trot saw them climb up the league table step by step. With two of their nearest rivals, Aldergrove and St Paul’s, playing each other today Ardoyne’s game against Dunloy meant that if they could win at Pearse Park they would make the cut and Ross Carr’s men grabbed the chance with both hands. They were on top from early in the game, led by four at half time and ended up winning by ten points after a polished performance.
After Deaglan Smith put the home team ahead Ardoyne came back with a point from Aidan McNeill on nine minutes and five minutes later great approach work saw Fiontan Marley finish a move he had started by blasting the ball to the Dunloy net. Christy McMahon pulled one back for Dunloy, but two points from Conor McLaughlin and great strike from an injury time free by goalkeeper Tiernan Hughes gave them 1-4 to 0-3 lead at half time.
Deaglan Smith, who battled endlessly for the home side, pulled a point back from a free early in the second half but the time the Cuchullains raised their next flag on 53 minutes the game was gone from their grasp.
Aidan McNeill started Ardoyne’s run for home with a well taken point and Ciaran McNeill struck a significant blow when he got in for his team’s second goal on 44 minutes. McNeill added another point three minutes later and when brother Ciaran got his second goal soon afterwards it was clear there was no way back for Dunloy.
Eion Gillan and Nigel Elliott came back with points for Dunloy, but they were mere consolation as the North Belfast men finished with two more to seal that top six place.
