OB Construction IFC Group 3
All Saints 9-17 Naomh Comhghall 0-9
Going into this final game in Group 3 of the IFC the permutations were simple. A win or even a draw would be enough to send All Saints through to the quarter-finals. Defeat would mean that Naomh Comhghall Antrim would join St. James Aldergrove in the play-offs.
There was a further matter that was obviously on the Ballymena men’s minds. Win by more than 16 points and they would top Group 3, a result that would give them a home venue in the quarter-final.
It looked a big ask but right from throw in it was obvious that there was only going to be one winner as All Saints opened at breakneck speed and goals from Connell Lemon (2-0), Brendan McDonnell and corner-back, Cal O’Brien had them 4-3 to 0-0 up after 11 minutes and the game was virtually over, even at this early stage.
The Antrim town side were giving it everything and finally got themselves on the score card when youngster, Ryan Clarke pointed from a free and Diarmuid Hanna followed with another from play.
It brought an immediate response from the home side with Patrick Ferris sending a gem of a lob to the net after spotting Caolan McKeown off his line and the 17 point margin of victory required had already been reached with only 17 minutes gone.
The Antrim side were doing all in their power to get themselves going with Dylan Murdock, Patrick O’Connor, Miles Devine and Tom Patchett driving them forward and two points from the impressive Patchett brought their total to 0-4 by the 22nd minute.
The All Saints pressure and the intensity of their play was relentless however with Ronan McKillop kicking three late points and Conor Lemon and Sean O’Callaghan completing the first half scoring to leave it 5-9 to 0-5 at the interval, the ‘Town’s’ late point coming from Dylan Murdock.
It didn’t get any better for the visitors after the break as Matty Downey fired home goal number six after being placed by Benny McDonnell and Emmet Killough brought the total to seven as Naomh Comhghall began to tire under the constant pressure.
Substitute Michael McCarry, who has missed most of the season through injury, announced his return with a point with virtually his first touch before the excellent Tom Patchett brought a bit of respite to his colleagues as he pointed a ‘45’ and followed with a great effort from play for the visitors.
The Ballymena side quite simply refused to take their foot of the pedal however as Brendan McDonnell and substitute, Darragh Bradley brought their goal tally to nine as Liam Bradley emptied his bench in the closing stages.
Michael McCarry, Ciaran Campbell, Darragh Bradley, Michael Read and Charlie Metrustry all saw game time but the home side still have an extensive injury list with Conor Stewart, Paddy McAleer, Peter McReynolds and Ciaran McGarry all missing from the action.
The manager will have been pleased by the contribution of the returning McCarry who would finish the game with a personal tally of 0-6 as Naomh Comhghall finished with three points from Ryan Clarke to bring their total for the day to 0-9.
A job well done for the home side but much stiffer challenges lie ahead and the Ballymena side will now entertain Kickham’s Ardoyne in the quarter final in a couple of weeks-time.
Their opponents today, Naomh Comhghall were without a handful of regulars and will return to Junior Championship next season after two tuff seasons in the Intermediate grade where they can once again be a threat as they were when winning the Junior Championship back in 2021.
Referee: Gregory Walsh (Aghagallon)
