ACFL Divion 2B
St.James’ Aldergrove 0.11 v 0.10 St.Joseph’s Glenavy
When these keen local rivals met in the opening phase of the league back at the end of March it was Glenavy who won by three points Last night, despite a personal contribution of 0-8 from Glenavy’s Fergal Henry it was Aldergrove who emerged victorious to claim the bragging rights – at least until the next time.
Both sides deserve great credit for the effort that was put in to win this local derby. The home side came out on top because they ruled the first half and led by five at the interval. The highlight of the game was Glenavy’s Fergal Henry raising the white flag on eight occasions.
Conor Morris playing at full-forward for St. James raised the first white flag and this was quickly followed by an Aaron Connor point. Fergal Henry had his first score when he split the posts to reduce the lead but the home side ruled the next fifteen minutes with four points from Oisin Graham, Conor McManus, Ronan Hanna and Corey Fogarty to put their side five in front.
Fergal Henry chipped in with a pointed free for his second of the game for the visitors but Conor Morris and Ronan Hannah responded with two excellent points for the home side.
Once again the visitors closed the gap to five when Fergal Henry added a pointed free as the referee blew the halftime whistle with the scores at 0.08 v 0. 03 in the home sides favour.
The second half started with the visitors showing they meant business with Fergal Henry adding three points with two from open play and a pointed free. Malachi Doherty got in on the scoring act with a well taken point before Ronan Hanna pulled a point back for the Crumlin men.
Once again Fergal Henry closed the gap with a point from an acute angle and Malachi Doherty pointed a 45 as St. Joseph’s began to get on top. The momentum was now very much with the visitors as Fergal Henry pointed a free to put his side one up with time running out.
At this stage Glenavy looked on their way to the double over their near neighbours but to their credit the home side finished the stronger with points from Michael Blaney and the ever alert Ronan Hanna hitting the winner. .
St.James: Shane O’Neill; Aidan Mulholland; Michael McCarthy; Eoin Gough; Chris Browning; Brian McQuillan; Declan Gough; Oisin Graham; Conor Browning; Coret Fogarty; Michael Blaney; Aaron O’Connor; Ronan Hanna; Conor Morris; Chris McVeigh.
St.Joseph’s: Lorcan Murphy; Darragh Doherty; Conor Hamill (Shay O’Neill); Oliver Brankin; Michael Fox; Mathew Hamill ( Mathew Lawlor); Patrick Fox; Michael Johnston ( Martin Nelson); Fiontáin O’Boyle; Malachi Doherty; Patrick Gallagher; Pearse O’Neill; Niall McCann; Fergus Cunningham ( Michael McCourt); Niall McCann.
Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)
