WS DENNISON Intermediate Football Championship
Aldergrove 1-11 Glenavy 0-13
A goal from the excellent Caitlin Taggart in the 21st minute proved the difference in the end as St. James Aldergrove defeated neighbours, St. Joseph’s Glenavy it terrible conditions in Crumlin on Sunday evening.
Taggart was in excellent form as her side claimed the bragging rights for now in an excellent game of football which was a credit to both sides despite the incessant rain that fell throughout.
It was visitors Glenavy who got off to the better start as Ana Mulholland, Megan McGarry, Grainne McLaughlin and Aoibheann Monaghan fired them into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 5th minute.
In a game of changing fortunes it was St. James Aldergrove who responded positively as Aoife Taggart replied with three points for the home side and another from Nicole Jones had it all square by the 15th minute.
The home side were dominating at this stage and Orlagh Mullin pulled off a smart save in to deny them when a goal looked on but it provided only temporary respite.
Taggart pointed the Crumlin side ahead for the first time from a free in the 20th minute and a minute later she capitalised on a bad kick-out to send a dipping shot over the head of Orlagh Mullin to put her side four ahead.
The Aldergrove number 10 was running riot at this stage and she added a point from play and followed with another from a free to put her side six ahead and they were threatening to run away with it at this stage.
The Chapel Hill side picked themselves up of the floor however with Natasha O’Neill kicking their first score for 20 minutes and Grainne McLaughlin, Megan McGarry, McLaughlin again and Natasha O’Neill kicked unanswered points to leave just one between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.
Half Time: Aldergrove 1-7 Glenavy 0-9
Ther momentum was very much with the visitors as the opening half came to an end and when Grainne McLaughlin fired over the equaliser after 30 seconds of the new half it was St. Joseph’s who were looking the more likely winners.
Aldergrove were having none of it and spurred on by their talisman, Caitlin Taggart they fired over the next two points to restore their lead but as conditions deteriorated the scoring from both sides slowed down.
Natasha O’Neill closed the gap to the minimum once more with a point for Glenavy in the 16th minute and Paula Masterson for St. James and the excellent Grainne McLaughlin for Glenavy exchanged further minors.
It still looked anybody’s game as it entered the final ten minutes but Caitlin Taggart converted a great free from out on the left to move the Crumlin side two in front.
Glenavy pressed hard in the closing stages but despite a brave effort from the visitors, an Ana Mulholland point with two minutes remaining was as close as they would get.
So for now the bragging rights belong to the Crumlin side but Glenavy can take consolation from the fact that these two sides will meet again in the Intermediate final and it offers them the opportunity to avenge tonight’s defeat.
St. James Aldergrove: 1 Anna McBride, 2 Bronach Mallon, 3 Anna Crossan, 4 Grace O’Neill, 5 Rebecca Marquess, 6 Aine Kelly, 7 Colleen McGuinness, 8 Caoimhe Bell, 9 Katierose Bell, 10 Caitlin Taggart, 11 Nicole Jones, 12 Bronagh McGuinness, 13 Emma McArt, 14 Aoife Taggart, 15 Paula Masterson
St. Joseph’s Glenavy: 1 Orlagh Mullin, 2 Maire McStravick, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Aideen McCambridge, 5 Orla McLeod, 6 Bronagh Forester, 7 Natasha O’Neill, 8 Ana Mulholland, 9 Anna Rice, 10 Aoibheann Monaghan, 11 Grainne McLaughlin, 12 Megan McGarry, 13 Ellen Morgan, 14 Cathy Scannell, 15 Michelle Gregory.
Referee: Sean Toal
