O’Neill’s Sportwear Antrim Division 1 Football League
Glenravel 1-08 Ahoghill 1-08
Report by Aodh O’Loan – Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
Storm Kathleen was the only real winner after Glenravel and Ahoghill ground out a draw in this pulsating battle in Division 1 of the All County league. Both teams had late chances to steal victory so perhaps a draw was a fair result in the end. To be fair, both teams played some great football despite the gale force cross field wind as Kathleen bade us goodbye this weekend. League points are precious at this time of year so both teams headed home with something to show for their hour’s endeavours.
Ronan Graham opened the scoring for the visitors from a free but Glenravel hit back with a clever point from Sean McKay and then Eamon Ward snuck in for a goal with eight minutes gone and the home side’s tails were up. Conor Paul Crossey pulled one back for Ahoghill and there then followed a series of scores from frees. Colla McDonnell and Ronan Graham were on target for the visitors whilst Conor McNeill and Aiden O’Donnell replied for the home side from placed balls to leave Glenravel ahead 1-03 to 0-04. This was followed by a great score out on the right wing from Patrick Graham to close the gap to a single point but Shea O’Broin was in fine form throughout the hour and two lovely points from him stretched the Glenravel lead with Ahoghill only managing a pointed free from the ever faithful Ronan Graham to leave Glenravel ahead at the break 1-05 to 0-06.
The strong breeze would have been favouring Ahoghill in the second half and they put it to full use in the opening minute when Conor Paul Crossey broke free and split the posts. There followed a five minute hiatus of cat and mouse play until a high ball caused confusion in the Glenravel defence and in the scramble for possession referee Colm McDonald awarded the visitors a penalty which James O’Connell slotted home and Ahoghill were back in the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. One minute later Ahoghill were reduced to fourteen players and the home side sensed the possibility of victory. Sean McKay and Aiden O’Donnell brought them level with a quarter of the game remaining and it was now down to who could hold their nerve and focus on possession football. To be fair both gave a good account of this even if it wasn’t exciting for the spectators.
Ahoghill substitute Patrick Duggan justified his inclusion when he put his team ahead with eight minutes remaining but up popped Shea O’Broin again to level the game. In the closing minutes Aiden O’Donnell and Ronan Graham had chances to steal victory and in light of this I think both teams can walk away considering this a point won rather than lost.
Shout out to the groundsmen at Fr Maginn park who had the pitch in great condition following the G4MO blitz yesterday and to referee Colm McDonald and his umpires who did a sterling job on the day. Glenravel’s next outing will be to the city to take on Rossa whilst Ahoghill will entertain Aghagallon in an all South West affair. Both games throw in at 6:30pm on Wed Apr 17.
