OB CONSTRUCTION 1FC GROUP 3
St. James Aldergrove 0-13 All Saints 1-10
When Emmet Killough kicked a quite outrageous point, 19 minutes into the second half to move All Saints 1-9 to 0-7 clear in this Group 3 IFC clash in Crumlin it was hard to see anything other than a win for the visitors.
Liam Bradley’s side were five ahead and looked in complete control as they moved the ball around at pace and with conviction. Connell Lemon added another from a close range free, a minute later to extend that lead to and they looked on their way to victory.
It would be their final score of the game however and not for the first time this season the Ballymena side retreated into their shell and handed the initiative to their opponents Aldergrove who didn’t need a second invitation.
Inspired by the magic of Seamus McGarry St James slowly reeled in their opponents and the former Antrim county panellist would kick five of his sides six unanswered points to earn his side a draw.
It was St. James Aldergrove who enjoyed the better of the opening half exchanges, playing down the Crumlin slope on a bright afternoon, interrupted by a number of heavy showers.
Ryan McCarthy pointed them ahead following a Mark in the second minute with Ronan McKillop levelling matters with five minutes gone.
McGarry showed his early influence on the contest as he pointed the home side back in front from a free in the 8th minute and he added another from play before Ferghal Burke moved the Crumlin side 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after 13 minutes play.
Space was at a premium as both sides pulled players behind the ball with possession the name of the game but Benny McDonnell finally raised the visitor’s second white flag of the contest following a strong run.
Mid-fielder, Ryan Owens restored the home side’s three point advantage with a good point in the 17th minute and as defences continued to dominate, a great point from full-back, James McDonnell for the visitors would conclude the first half scoring.
Playing down the slope in the second half, All Saints found themselves further behind as Seamus McGarry fired over in the second minute to move Aiden Dougan’s side three ahead.
The visitors had struggled to put meaningful attacks together up to this point but suddenly they came to life as Ronan McKillop, who had been dangerous throughout, split the posts in the 5th minute.
A minute later it got even better for the Slemish Park side as Sean McVeigh and Shea O’Brien combined to place Benny McDonnell for a goal from close range and All Saints were ahead for the first time and beginning to show belief.
Ronan McKillop followed with his third point of the game and Emmet Killough followed with another to move his side three clear with only eight minutes of the second half gone.
McKillop, who was in inspirational form, added two as the Ballymena side pushed men forward and Killough’s superb effort and Lemon’s point from a close range free looked to be enough to earn the visitors victory.
There was still 11 minutes plus stoppage time left and as All Saints lost their way the Crumlin side staged a remarkable comeback with Seamus McGarry orchestrating matters.
James Trowlan began the assault when he pointed a free in the 20th minute after the ball had been moved forward for dissent and Cormac McGarry added another before Seamus McGarry stamped his class and influence on the game with three on the bounce.
Suddenly there was only one between the sides and McGarry kept his cool to punish another indiscretion by the visitors defence when he fired over from 30 meters to keep his side top of Group 3.
All Saints can still join them in the quarter-finals. Beat or even draw with St. Comgall’s in their final game and their through. Beat them by more than 16 points and they will top the group. Lose and it will be the Antrim town men who will join St. James in the play-offs
