ACFL Division 1
St Endas 1 – 09 v 2 – 11 Roger Casements
Never much to separate these sides on recent league and championship performances, supporters of both clubs could have been forgiven for thinking this contest would follow suit, especially with the North Belfast club totally dominant in all parts of the pitch in an emphatic opening quarter that left them five points up and cruising at the fifteen minute mark.
Despite missing regulars Donal Walsh and Conan Lyttle, the hosts took the game to Casements from the first whistle, with Stephen O Connor running riot at full forward as the pivotal hub of a St Enda’s team full of energy and desire. His two excellently taken points and contribution to a well worked goal finished with aplomb by impressive Fintan Nagle laying the groundwork for much optimism throughout a large St Enda’s support, Sean McBride also contributing to the scoreboard during that excellent spell for the home team.
Casements were five points down and floundering. The question was who could arrest this, and it was Ruairi Hagan who put his hand up highest, heading off on a mazy solo down the right wing before delivering the ball straight and true between the posts to signal the start of some kind of comeback. Shortly after, a superb interception by wing half back Conor McGhee lifted the siege, disrupting a probable St Enda’s score, instead supplying to score taker Oisin Doherty who narrowed the gap, before Oisin then added a second minor from a free kick, Enda Lynn dragged down as he was heading goalward.
That man Big Stevie O`Connor restored St Enda’s advantage to three though as half time approached Big Aidan McAleese cancelled that out with a trademark long range effort to offer some comfort to John McKeever and his management entourage.
St Enda’s were two up, but to be honest the league champions hadn’t really turned up, but were starting to gain a foothold in the contest when Brendan Toland blew for the interval.
The mood in the Portglenone camp all evening was of sombre reflection – perhaps reflected in the opening performance – one of their foremost supporters and patrons Mickey Kelly, who hadn’t missed a match in decades, was lying in intensive care, with team stars Paddy and Michael by his side, prevalent in everybody’s thoughts and prayers.
The team talk John McKeever delivered at half time drew an immediate and resounding response. Within a breathtaking opening fifteen minute second quarter spell, the visitors put this contest beyond doubt, unleashing a barrage of scores with some passages of glorious football that yielded two excellently worked goals (McAleese brothers Aidan and Ciaran) and half a dozen points from a variety of positions and personnel, often at the end of superb link up team play, and more often than not with the exciting Enda Lynn acting at the fulcrum of a fast moving one touch forward division.
St Enda’s tried manfully and had good individual performances from Fintan Nagle, Philly Curran and in particular Stephie O Connor, but Carl McCabe and Co will rue not being able to kick on when his side were five points ahead and at one stage in this contest, cruising and playing good quality football.
Best for Casements on the night when a lacklustre first half was replaced by a splendid second, was Aidan McAleese who looks a good option in midfield, the nonstop graft and unselfish contributions of Conor McGhee, Ruairi Hagan, Kevin O Kane and, of course, Enda Lynn, as team management and supporters alike headed homeward with thoughts only of a missing stalwart, and the weekend ahead.
St Enda’s Scorers: Stephen O Connor 0 – 05, Fintan Nagle 1 – 02, Sean McBride 0-2
Casements Scorers: Aidan McAleese 1 – 02, Ciaran McAleese 1 – 01, Oisin Doherty 0 – 03, Michael Hagan 0 – 01, Ruairi Hagan 0 – 01, Conor Mc Ghee 0 – 01, Ronan Kelly 0 – 01, Enda Lynn 0 – 01
