OB Construction IFC Round One (group 3)
St Comgall’s Antrim 0-11 St Mary’s Aldergrove 3-17
A Ryan McCarthy double in the opening game in group one of the Intermediate Football Championship clash between Naomh Comhghall and St. James Aldergrove in Antrim on Friday night paved the way to a convincing victory.
Both goals came in the second period from the impressive full forward to ensure Aldergrove finished as winners over their hosts who had battled hard up to this point.
St Comgall’s played their league football a division below their visitors and started as rank outsiders but they did remain in touch for the opening period and were only five points in arrears at the short whistle.
Aldergrove introduced James Trowlan early in proceedings and went on to dominate. Trowlan was to prove pivotal in the central zone and it was his fetch and combination with the strong running Gerard Mallon which opened to way for Seamus Mc Garry to find the net in the 26th minute.
Prior to that major score the home side had stayed close to their visitors and late points from Paddy Quinn ensured they were still in with a chance as Aldergrove led 1-09 to 0-07 at the break.
St Comgall’s remained in touch during the opening phase of the second half with Myles Devine adding a point in the opening minutes.
Aldergrove continued to dominate at mid-field with Ryan Owens and James Trowlan on top but they were finding trouble turning that dominance into scores with passes going astray while they were denied by the home side’s net minder Caolan Mc Keown on a number of occasions.
The St Comgall’s keeper made a good interception to deny Seamus Mc Garry but he was powerless to prevent Ryan McCarthy finding the net shortly after.
Oisin Graham, James Trowlan and Seamus McGarry combined to open the way for the full forward and the Crumlin side were 2-10 to 0-08 ahead.
The home side were still battling hard with centre back Dylan Murdock busting a gut to contain the visitors attack but Aldergrove were on the way to victory as corner back Malachy Burns came forward to add a point and full forward McCarthy helped himself to another.
Despite the home side sending reinforcements into the fray in the last quarter St. James’ had a firm grip on proceedings with the talented Seamus McGarry adding points before Oisin Graham sent full forward Ryan McCarthy in to claim his second goal and that was that.
Naomh Comhghall added a couple of points in the latter stages but the die had long since been cast and it is Aldergrove who have put themselves in pole position with the other team in the group, All Saints set to visit Crumlin on the 12th August.
St James Aldergrove: Shane O’ Neill, Aiden Irvine, Chris Mc Veigh, Malachy Burns (0-01), Conor Browning, Eoin Gough, Gerard Mallon, Ryan Owens, Andrew Flood (0-01), Declan Gough (0-02), Fearghal Burke, Cormac Mc Garry (0-02), Seamus Mc Garry (1-07), Ryan Mc Carthy (2-02), Oisin Graham
Subs
James Trowlan
Eoin Hamill
Brian Mc Quillan
Fearghal Hanna
St Comgall’s: Caolan Mc Keown, Sean Hinfey, Cahir Donnelly, Jarlath Mc Kettin, Michael Mc Cabe, Dylan Murdock, Kain Walker, Louis Higgins, Dermot Hanna, Rory Griffin (0-03), Patrick O’ Connor, Myles Devine (0-03), Ryan Clarke (0-02), Patrick Quinn (0-03), Niall Taggart
Subs
John Brady
Donal Clarke
Eoin Lynlot
Stewart Wilson
Caolan Loughran
Aaron McGaw
Referee: Martin Quinn
