Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship
Group 2
Wolfe Tones 0-12 St. Malachy’s 1-3
Wolfe Tones wrote their names into the latest chapter of their history when they recorded a fully merited first championship victory over a fancied St. Malachy’s at Hightown on Friday night.
The Greencastle club was only reformed three years ago and this was their first year playing in the Antrim ACFL and championship so this win will surely mark a significant post in their present journey.
Right from the throw-in at Hightown it was Wolfe Tones who made the early running and Gerard McDonnell from a free and Aidan Maloney shot them into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after two minutes.
Ronan Maneely got the men for the Markets up and running with a point in the fourth minute but it was the Greencastle side who were playing the more expansive football as the moved the ball swiftly and with accuracy.
Aidan Maloney kicked his second of the evening and Marty Connor got his name on the score card before Gerard McDonnell moved his side 0-5 to 0-1 ahead by the 22nd minute.
Jack McGivern raised St. Malachy’s second white flag of the evening when he converted a 25th minute free but his side was getting no change from a tight Wolfe Tones defence in which Stephen McKee, Neil Brannigan and Debhan McGivern were outstanding.
The excellent Gerard McDonnell replied with another point for Wolfe Tones as he stroked the ball first time of the ground and the same player sent a 55 meter free directly between the posts to put his side into a fairly healthy 0-7 to 0-2 lead as Richie Leahy sounded his half time whistle.
St. Malachy’s had played second fiddle to their opponents for nearly all of the opening half but right from the throw in a long ball into the Tones danger area resulted in a penalty and Paul Carlisle stepped up to send the resulting award to the net.
Carlisle’s conversion closed the gap to two points and with the increasing wind now at their backs the Market’s side must have fancied their chances but it was Wolfe Tones who once again took control.
The sweet striking Gerard McDonnell struck and excellent point in reply and followed with another from a free to move his side four in front after 9 minutes.
St. Malachy’s were certainly enjoying more possession than in the opening half but too often were over hitting their final pass in the strong wind while their opponents continued to look dangerous on the break.
Substitute Matt McCann saw his effort deflect over by a defender for another point and Ciaran Maloney converted a free in the 19th minute to move the Greencastle side six ahead.
Things got a little heated in the closing stages with both sides losing a player to a second yellow card and Gerard McDonnell sent over his seventh point of the evening before Cathal Jordan concluded the scoring with a fine point for the losers in the fading light, deep in injury time.
Both sides have 2 points from 2 games played with Wolfe Tones entertaining Ballycastle at Valley Parade on Friday the 25th of August and St. Malachy’s at home to Rasharkin on the same night and on tonight’s performance the Greencastle side look favourites to join St. Mary’s in the quarter-final draw.
Wolfe Tones
Danny McIvor, Joseph Carmichael, Stephen McKee, Neil Brannigan, Jack Parke, Debhan McGorvern, Gerard McDonnell, Kieran Moloney, Eian McKee, Martin Connor, Conor Burrows, Declan Moloney, Declan O’Neill, AodhanMoloney, Tomas Austin.
St Malachy’s
Fintan McBride, Sean O’Neill, Caoimhin Corr, Colin Connolly, Daniel Quinn, Stephen Carson, Ben McCaughey, Anthony Dobbin, Ciara Vernon, Jack McGivern, Mark Connolly, Cathal Jordan, Paul Millar, Paul Devine, Ronan Maneely.
