ACFL Division 1B
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 1-10 St Enda’s 0-13
A late injury time point by their sharp-shooter, Odhran Eastwood saw St Enda’s come from behind to earn a share of the points with Moneyglass in a close encounter at Marian Hill on Wednesday evening.
Eastwood, who finished with eight points to his credit proved unerring in his free taking role throughout and that late effort ensured a point for the Glengormley men.
In the event that point was not enough to save their division 1 status and following a year in which the Glengormley men endured a host of problems they will play their football in the second grade in 2024. It did however dent the Moneyglass chances of playing in the top grade next year and while they odds are still in their favour, if some of next Sunday’s games go a certain way they could still be relegated.
Moneyglass started this game on the front foot as they raced away to a five point lead and they looked to be headed for a much needed victory.
St Enda’s looked tentative in the extreme in the opening phase as the St Ergnat’s men nipped smartly away from the start traps.
A foul on Tiernan Mc Cormick saw Colm Duffin sending the resultant award between the posts to get St. Ergnats on their way and McCormick added back to back points to the home sides tally in the 4th and 6th minutes.
McCormick was having a big influence on proceedings and he provided openings for Colm Duffin and Ronan Campbell to add further points and the home side were 0-05 to 0-00 ahead and in charge at the 10th minute.
Moneyglass were in command at mid-field in the opening quarter with James Mc Meill and his partner Seanachan Duffin just having the edge and Tiernan Mc Cormick weaving is magic but they were wasteful at times and gradually the visitors began to gain a foothold.
A superbly struck Fionn Nagle point got them on board and Tomas Gilmour and Odhran Eastwood added a couple of converted frees in response to points from Colm Duffin and Gavin Murray with Moneyglass leading 0-08 to 0-04 at the end of the first period.
St Enda’s opened the second half on the attack with Fintan Nagle opening the way for Eastwood to raise a 32nd minute white and he followed with another, a couple of minutes later.
A Conor Boyd point engineered by the strong running Tiernan Mc Cormack got the Moneyglass scoring show on the road for the second half but their visitors were coming more and more into the game.
Their roving net minder Walsh made a superb save to deny Gavin Murray and they replied with a point at the other end a few minutes later as Odhran Eastwood directed another free between the posts to see the visitors just a point in arrears 0-08 to 0-09.
A superbly long range point in the 18th minute saw the Glengormley men on par but St. Ergnat’s were about to be stirred into action again as Seanachain Duffin pointed following another Tiernan McCormick approach.
The home side were back in control and went further ahead when a well laid counter attack involving James McMeill and Peter McCormick saw Patrick McCormick deliver to the back of the net to move them into a four point lead.
That score should have been enough to secure victory but St. Enda’s came back strongly in the closing stages to earn a share of the spoils.
James McAuley got them on their way with a superb long range point in the 53rd minute and Odhran Eastwood punished indiscipline in the home defence as he converted three late frees to see his side share the spoils at conclusion 1-10 to 0-13.
That draw will not be enough to save the Glengormley side, even if they win their final game away to St. Gall’s but the result there might well decide who will join them in division 2 next year.
Moneyglass have completed their programme and their fate in 2024 has yet to be decided. If Tir na nOg take anything from their final game away to St. John’s 0n Sunday then the Randalstown men are safe.
If they lose and St. Enda’s are beaten then Moneyglass would finish above their South West rivals on the ‘Head to Head’ but if St. Enda’s were to win at St. Gall’s then score difference would come into play.
Confused? Well so am I but things will become much more clear come 3.20 on Sunday evening.
Moneyglass: G Murray, Callum Mc Stocker, Feargal Duffin, James Mc Cormick Paul Duffin, Peter Mc Cormick (1-00), Conor Boyd (0-01), James Mc Meill, Seanachain Duffin (0-01), Sean Boyd, Callum Duffin (0-04), Tiernan Mc Cormick (0-02), Conor Boyd, Gavin Murray (0-01), Ronan Campbell (0-01)
St Enda’s: D Walsh (0-01), C Maxwell, D Mc Nulty, K Jennings, C Lyttle, James Mc Auley (0-01), E O’ Hare, Philly Curran, Joe Maskey, R Malla, Fionn Nagle (0-01), T Gilmour (0-01), M Morgan (0-01), S O’ Connor, Odhran Eastwood (0-08)
Subs: R Mc Cluskey, R O’ Neill
Referee; P Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)
