ACFL Division 1
All Saints 1-14 St. James 1-9
All Saints produced a strong final quarter to overcome the challenge of pointless visitors, St. James’ Aldergrove and make it four wins in six starts in Division 1 of the All County league at Quinn Park on Wednesday evening.
The Ballymena side went into this one without their county players, Paddy McAleer, Kavan Keenan and James McDonnell but looked on their way to a comfortable half time lead when they led 0-5 to 0-1 after 26 minutes of a rather cagey opening half.
Two late points from the visitors closed the gap to two at the break and when their star man, Seamus McGarry took the game by the scruff of the net at the start of the second half an upset looked on the cards.
A goal from the excellent McGarry in the 14th minute moved the visitors ahead for the second time but it brought a strong response from Liam Bradley’s side and a goal at the other end from Sean McVeigh swung it decisively in favour of the home side.
Sean McVeigh and Patrick Ferris for All Saints and Seamus McGarry for Aldergrove exchanged scores as the Ballymena side led 0-2 to 0-1 in a slow burner of an opening quarter.
Things seemed to be swinging in favour of the Quinn Park side when they were awarded a penalty but Ryan McCarthy saved Ciaran Campbell’s spot kick with an outstretched foot.
The home side responded with points from Michael McCarry, a fisted point from Michael Read and another from Patrick Ferris but late points from Deaglan Gough and Seamus McGarry had the visitors back in touch as the half time whistle sounded.
It would get considerably better for the Crumlin side at the start of the second half as Seamus McGarry hit three quick points to move his side one ahead before a pointed free from Michael McCarry and another from play by the same player edged the hosts back ahead.
Joe Rafferty got forward for another before McGarry relied with one at the other end and when the Aldergrove number 11 got in behind the home defence for the game’s opening goal, St. James’ looked on their way to their first win of the season.
All Saints have been excellent in their first season in Division 1 for a number of years and they found an immediate response as Sean McVeigh won a difficult duel and combined with Emmet Killough before firing to the net in the 16th minute.
Ciaran Campbell atoned for his penalty miss with two quick points which straddled one from Cal O’Brien and Charlie Metrustry celebrated his introduction with another as the St. James’ challenge wilted.
They did find a reply with points from Fearghal Hanna and the mercurial McGarry but All Saints played the possession game to perfection as the clock ticked down with Michael McCarry adding their final score from a 30th minute free.
A good win for an All Saints side for whom Peter McNicholl, Michael Read, Sean O’Callaghan, Patrick Ferris, Emmet Killough and Sean McVeigh were excellent.
Aldergrove pushed them hard until that early third quarter burst and Ryan McCarthy, Aiden Irvine, Eoin Gough, Chris McVeigh, Deaghlan Gough and the superb McGarry all caught the eye.
All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Eoin Walsh, 3 Michael Read, 4 James Gillan, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Shaun O’Callaghan, 7 Cal O’Brien, 8 Emmet Killough, 9 Sean McVeigh, 10 Joe Rafferty, 11 Michael McCarry, 12 Connell Lemon, Ciaran Campbell, Peter McNicholl, Roan McKillop.
Subs: Charlie Metrustry for Ronan McKillop
Aldergrove: 1 Ryan McCarthy, 2 Conleith O’Toole, 3 Emmet Irvine, 4 Aiden Irvine, 5 Eoin Gough, 6 Chris McVeigh, 7 Eoin Hamill, 8 Oisin Graham, 9 Fearghal Hanna, 10 Deaglan Gough, 11 Seamus McGarry, 12 Gerald Mallon, 13 Cormac McGarry, 14 Christopher McSteen, 15 Andy Flood.
Subs: James Trolan for Chris McSteen, Corey Foggarty for James Trowlen, Conal Hanna for Oisin Graham
Referee; Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)