Antrim Football League – Division 1
Glenravel 2-13 Aldergrove 1-09
Ahead by eight points at half time Glenravel would have thought they had this game wrapped up but a third quarter onslaught from the visitors, where they rattled over six unanswered points to reduce the gap to two points, left the home supporters very nervous of a comeback. However a penalty from Eamon Fyfe with ten minutes remaining after he had been pulled to the ground as he was bearing down on goal restored a five point lead. This sparked a home side revival which saw them raise five more white flags in those closing minutes and close out the game. Aldergrove went in search of goals and were successful when Geffro Mallon found the net from a penalty but it wasn’t enough and Glenravel recorded their second victory in five days to secure the points.
The game was four minutes old when Eoin Hynds pointed from a free and less than one minute later Sean McKay popped up to goal from close range. Hynds scored again from a free – indeed Aldergrove indiscipline in the defensive third led to several scoring chances which Eoin Hynds gladly accepted. Cormac McGarry was Aldergrove’s liveliest player on the night and he got them off the mark with a free after nine minutes. Corey Fogarty also had a great hour’s football and he doubled the visitor’s score as the first quarter drew to an end. But from there to half time Glenravel totally dominated with points from Hynds, McKay and Eamon Fyfe stretched their lead. Aldergrove’s only response came from Oisin Graham so at the short whistle Glenravel led 1-08 to 0-03.
It would be interesting to know just what Adrian Dougan said to his charges at half time but Aldergrove came out second half like a different team. Guilty of several wides in the first half they found their shooting boots and would tap over those six unanswered points provided by Cormac McGarry, Geffro Mallon, Brian McQuillan and Conall Hanna. Suddenly we had a two point game with the visitors very much in the ascendancy. That was to change with the penalty which Eamon Fyfe slotted home and that was followed by a point from Eoin Hynds to leave six between the teams. Aldergrove went in search of goals but the Glenravel defence held out very well. Geffro Mallon did slot home a penalty to give them some hope but in the closing five minutes the home side put on the after burners with four unanswered points, the last of which came from Daniel McQuillan in one of his trademark surges upfield.
Next up for Aldergrove will be be a home fixture against near neighbours Aghagallon whilst Glenravel will travel to Moneyglass. Both matches scheduled for Wed Jun 19th with a 7:15pm throw in.
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CON MAGEES V ALDERGROVE GAME CLICK THE LINK BELOW