ACFL Division 1
Tir na nOg 2-9 St. Gall’s 2-7
Tir na nOg produced another sterling performance to overcome the challenge of a strong St. Gall’s at Whitehill on Wednesday night.
The Milltown side arrived in Randalstown hoping to get back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season to Portglenone last week but came up against a Tir na nOg side who had other ideas.
The sides were level on a number of occasions but it was St. Gall’s who led 1-4 to 0-4 at the interval before moving four ahead on the restart and seemingly on their way to victory.
A Daragh Fagan goal, 8 minutes into the second half turned the game in favour of the Whitehill side and another from Ciaran O’Neill with three minutes remaining put them in pole position.
The visitors came back with a goal of their own late in the contest but Tir na nOg were not going to let this major scalp slip from their grip as they held on for a two point win.
It was Ciaran O’Neill who got the home side on their way with an early point with Josh Higgins and Daragh Fagan adding to their tally by the 11th minute.
A goal from Tiernan Keenan edged the visitors 1-2 to 0-3 ahead after 21 minutes and with Daniel Quinn and Niall O’Neill prominent, the Milltown Row side moved four ahead early in the second half.
Fagan from a pointed free and then a goal brought it all square with 8 minutes of the new half gone before Josh Higgins game them the lead from a point in the 11th minute.
Eamon Og McAllister added another before Ciaran O’Neill found the net for the Randalstown side’s second goal and Christy Sheerin and O’Neill added late points before Daniel Quinn replied from the penalty spot with time almost up.
This win moves Tir na nOg onto 9 points from 7 starts and they sit seventh in the table alongside All Saints.
Despite these two recent defeats St. Gall’s sit a point above Tir na nOg with 10 points from seven outings but will be keen to get back to winning ways when Lamh Dhearg visit on the 15th May.
St. Gall’s Scorers: Daniel Quinn 1-2 (penalty) Niall O’Neill 0-2 Tiernan Keenan 1-1 Mick Hopkins 0-2 frees