O Neill’s ACFL Division One
St. Mary’s Aghagallon 1:10 v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 0:11
When this campaign kicked off it was these two sides who met with Moneyglass having home advantage and at that time it was only a single point that separated them with Aghagallon taking the points. With the reverse of that fixture, it was a similar affair with only a couple separating them this time around. Albeit with a depleted side, Benny Marron and his team will be left frustrated about another one that just got away from them.
Aghagallon opened the scoring through full back Pat Branagan, Branagan started the move and worked a series of one two’s with his forward line to split the posts with only a few minutes gone. The home side kept possession well in the opening minutes and had chances to go three ahead but couldn’t convert. Pressure from Moneyglass with a well worked move from the kick out saw a foul by Aghagallon and Connlaodh Mc Cann slotted over from the left to register Moneyglass’ first of the game.
The sides exchanged points to leave a tied game at 0-5 apiece after 20 minutes with scores coming from Sean Boyd (0-2), Conor Boyd 2(f) and Jonny Hannon, Jack Lenahan and Padraig Gowdy for the home side. With the pace of Hannon out on the left Aghagallon had a good threat going forward and a scramble in the Moneyglass box on 25 minutes saw Hannon find the net to take a 1-5 to 0-5 lead.
However, Moneyglass could’ve had that one cancelled out with a goal of their own when a fisted effort by Conor Boyd struck the woodwork just before halftime. A free from Jonny Hannon would bring an end to the half and see the home side with a 1-06 to 0-5 lead.
The away side were badly in need of inspiration and somehow found just that during the break as they took control of the opening 10 minutes of the second half with four unanswered points to draw the game level at 1-06 to 0-9.
The visitors were on top, Connlaodh Mc Cann doubling his tally with a fine effort inside the 45 resulting from a breakdown in the Aghagallon defence by Seanchan Duffin and three from the boot of Conor Boyd. Niall Mc Shane added another for the home side and a free from Jonny Hannon would see them turn the momentum and regain the lead. At this stage it was anyone’s game, the away side worked tirelessly against a stubborn Aghagallon defence, a carefully threaded pass from midfield form Dermot Mc Erlain to find his brother Aidan was thwarted by the hand of Pat Branagan to go out for a 45. Dermot Mc Erlain converted to get his first of the game and again tie the game 1-08 v 0-11.
Aghagallon had wasted opportunities in the remaining minutes and should have put some daylight between the sides at this stage, but a few minor errors by the visitors resulted in two late frees converted by Gareth Magee would bring the contest to a close and be the difference between them this time.
St Ergnats: Jamie Mc Laughlin, Matthew Mullan, Diarmuid Scullin, James Mc Cormick, Fergal Duffin, Seanchan Duffin, Paul Duffin, Kevin Mc Cann, Dermot Mc Erlain (0-1 “45”), Connor O Kane, Connlaodh Mc Cann (0-2, 1f), Conor Boyd (0-6, 0-6f), Sean Boyd (0-2), Aidan Mc Erlain, Jimmy Mc Meel
Subs: Calum Mc Stocker for Matthew Mullan
St. Mary’s Aghagallon: Gahban Baine, Aidan Mullholland, Pat Branagan, Ciaran Maginnis, Michael Mc Stravick, Darryl Mc Alernon, James Lamont, Jack Lenahan, Padraig Gowdy, Ruari Mc Shane, Enda Mc Cartan, Jonathan Hannon, Hugh Hannon, Niall Mc Shane, Gareth Magee,
Referee Colly Thompson (St. Johns)