ACFL Division 1B
Tir na nOg 1-8 Rossa 1-9
Despite a spirited finish at Whitehill on Wednesday night Tir na nOg may need something from their final game of the season on Sunday against St. John’s at Corrigan Park to secure their division 1 status for another season.
Going into tonight’s round of games several teams were in a precarious position but Rossa’s win at Whitehill and St. Gall’s draw with St. Brigid’s at Milltown have secured division 1 security for these three teams.
Tir na nOg went into Wednesday night’s game against Rossa at Whitehill knowing that a win or possibly even a draw would see them playing division 1 football next season but after an enthralling hours football they came up just short.
With time almost up and trailing by a point they were pressing hard looking for an equaliser and were awarded two ‘45’s in quick succession but Darra Fagan’s kicks sailed wide of the target on both occasions.
It was visitors Rossa who made all the early running and raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after seven minutes with Dominic McEnhill kicking over an early free and following with a second from play.
Colm Fleming fired over a fine effort from the left wing and Matthew Mallon added another to move the visitors four ahead before Darra Fagan opened the home side’s account following a Mark in the 8th minute.
Eamon Og McAllister added another before Fagan kicked his second of the game to leave just one between the sides by the 12th minute.
A great build up involving several players moving the ball at speed through the hands culminated with Dominic McEnhill fisting over from close range to extend the Rossa lead to two with Aaron McNeilly for the Randalstown side and Mick Byrne from a free that was moved forward, exchanging late points to leave it 0-6 to 0-4 for the visitors at half time.
Rossa had enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges with Dominic McEnhill instrumental in nearly everything they did but Oliver McAtamney raced through from mid-field as the second half action got under way to close the gap to the minimum again with only 30 second on the clock.
McEnhill replied from a close range free after the ball had been moved forward for dissent again and he followed with another to move the Shaw’s Road side three in front by the 7th minute.
Tir na nOg introduced Paul McCloskey for Brandon McLarnon, who had just been booked for a foul on the impressive McEnhill and then Rossa had Eoghan McMenemin Black carded for a pulling down offence.
Darra Fagan pulled one back from a 10th minute free before Caoimhin Duffin saw yellow for a sliding tackle as things began to move up a notch.
Despite being down to 14 men Rossa continued to boss possession and struck a decisive blow when Ruairi Grant finished to the net from close range after a measured build up at the end of the third quarter.
Barry McCormick replied immediately with a point for the home side and they were off target from a couple of scoreable efforts before Aaron McNeilly split the posts again to leave just a goal between the sides.
The visitors emptied their bench at this stage but substitute Thomas Morgan extended their lead to four with virtually his first touch in the 26th minute and Morgan’s score looked good enough to seal the win for Hugh McGettigan’s side.
There would an exciting climax to the game however as Eamon Og McAllister drop kicked a daisy cutter to the net from close range following a goalmouth scramble to herald a grandstand finish.
The home side threw everything at the opposition and came agonisingly close but were unfortunate not to get the point that would have earned them the draw they needed and must now wait to Sunday and their visit to St. John’s.
Moneyglass drew with St. Enda’s at Marian Hill and St. Ergnat’s are hanging on by their fingertips and are on the same points as the Randalstown side but need St. John’s to defeat Tir na nOg on Sunday and St. Gall’s to defeat St. Enda’s in order to pip their South West neighbours on head to head.
A win for St. Enda’s in that game would rule out the need for a head to head as they would join Moneyglass and Tir na nOg on 13 points and score difference would then come into play.
Tir na nOg: Sean Paul McAtamney, Ryan Crilly, Ciaran McGrellis, Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Barry McCormick, Caoimhin Duffin, Sean Duffin, Oliver McAtamney, Aaron McNeilly, Eamon Og McAllister, Kevin Sheerin, Aodhan Toland, Darragh Fagan, Christy Sheerin.
Subs: Emmet Murray, Paul McCluskey, Ciaran Dobbin,
Rossa: Michael Byrne, Niall Crossan, Padraig Moyes, Jack McGurk, Jack Morris, Cormac McGettigan, Richard Gowdy, Ruairi Grant Eoghan McMenamin, Darren Grego, Stephen Beatty, Diarmaid Rogan, Colm Fleming, Dominic mcEnhill, Matthew Mallon.
Subs: Thomas Morgan, Mick McEnhill, Pearse Short, Conor Boyle, Darra Cunningham
Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg)
