ACFL Division 1

Ahoghill 0-15 Aghagallon 2-10

A late point from Aghagallon corner-forward Gareth Magee swung this evenly balanced conterst in favour of St. Mary’s Aghagallon and deprived St. Mary’s Ahoghill the draw that their overall performance on the night probably deserved.

Goals from Eunan Walsh in the 20^th and final minute of the first half proved the building blocks as St. Mary’s Aghagallon avenged an earlier defeat to St. Mary’s Ahoghill to emerge as winners at Clooney on Wednesday night.

It was the Ahoghill St. Mary’s, who have been excellent this season, who got off to the brighter start with two early points from James O’Connell and O’Connell re4plied again after Eunan Walsh had kicked the visitors opening point to leave it 0-3 to 0-1 after 16 minutes play.

Stephen Devlin kicked the visitor’s third point in the 19^th minute and Walsh followed with his side’s opening goal in the 20^th minute to give Aghagallon the lead for the first time.

Normal service seemed to have been restored as James O’Connell converted his fourth free of the half and Tom McGlone and Diarmaid Graham added points from play to bring it all square after 27 minutes but Aghagallon responded with a second goal with the first half coming to an end.

Ahoghill had possession around midfield but gifted the ball to Aghagallon and as they pressed forward they were awarded a penalty and the excellent Eunan Walsh stepped forward to fire to the net.

A bad blow for an Ahoghill side who had been playing some good football but they responded confidently at the start of the second half with Conor Crossey, Jimmy McGlone and a superb effort from 45 yards by Fionnbar O’Neill had them back on terms by the 8^th minute.

Jonathan Hannon finally got the visitors going again as he split the posts in the 10^th minute with James O’Connell and Ruairi McCann with his first of the evening exchanging further minors.

O’Connell’s point came after a great dispassion by Tom mcGlone in midfield and at this stage Ahoghill looked like they were heading for another win and Gerard Graham got his name on the score sheet before Jonanthan Hannon edged the visitors ahead once more.

It was clear that this one was going right down to the wire as Gerard Graham with a pointed free restored parity again before James O’Connell edged the Clooney side ahead again with a point in the 25^th minute.

Marc McAfee for Aghagallon and Gerard Graham with a superb point with the outside of his boot kept the home side one in front with three minutes remaining but the visitors replied with two quick fire points, the second from Gareth Magee to edge in front once more but James O’Connell looked to have earned his side a share of the spoils with his eighth point of the game with time almost up.

There would be one more twist in this thrilling encounter however as Gareth Magee struck the winning point for St. Mary’s Aghagallon in injury time to give them victory.

An excellent game of football and a bit cruel on the home side who looked to have gained a share of the points but both sides have secured their place in division 1 for another season with Aghagallon sitting in 4^th place.

Portglenone visit Clooney on the 5^th of July and while the result means little to the home side in regards to honours the Ahoghill side will already be licking their lips at getting one over on their nearest neighbours.