Antrim Football League – Division 1
St Endas 0-13 Glenravel 4-06
Six scores in the opening half, all of them points, followed by four scores in the second half, all of them goals was enough to steer Glenravel over the line ahead of St Endas in a match played in blustery conditions where the wind, rain and temperature were more like November than July. Indeed had it not been for daylight when referee Fiontan McCotter blew the final whistle shortly after 9pm you would have been forgiven for thinking this was a winter friendly rather than a mid summer league affair. Both teams’ destiny in terms of league position were pre determined prior to throw in so so both management teams had the opportunity of experimenting with team selection.
A strong wind blew down the pitch away from the changing room end which Glenravel played with in the opening half. However that wind played havoc with accurate passing and it took both teams ten minutes to register a score which came in the form of a point from St Endas big midfielder Niall McKeown. That would prove to be the only time St Endas led as Glenravel’s David Higgins and Eamon Fyfe pointed to nudge the visitors ahead. Fionntan O’Connor levelled on thirteen minutes in what would prove to be St Endas last score of the half as Glenravel wrestled control of the game and put over the next four points from the boots of Conleth O’Loan, Eamon Fyfe, Niall Hynds and Shea O’Broin to put Glenravel ahead 0-06 to 0-02 at half time. Having had the advantage of a strong wind the visiting support would have been dubious if that lead would be enough.
That doubt was really tested when St Endas recorded the first three points of the second half; Niall McKeown and a brace from Donal Walsh brought the home side back within one point of the opposition. But in a two minute period Shea O’Broin and Peader McDonald had netted to restore a seven point lead for Glenravel 2-06 to 0-05. Back came St Endas undeterred and they scored four points in as many minutes to leave three between the teams as we entered the final quarter. Niall Hynds goaled for Glenravel to double their lead but again St Endas came back with points from Stephen O’Connor and Odhran McKenna as they refused to lie down. The sucker punch however was delivered by Shea O’Broin who scored his second goal of the game with only five minutes normal time left. to restore Glenravel’s seven point advantage. But as they had throughout the game, St Endas refused to throw in the towel and they would record the final two points of the game coming from Leo O’Loingsigh and Stephen O’Connor leaving a five point gap when Fointan McCotter decided it was home time much to the relief of the frozen folk who braved the early July elements to support their teams.
For more pics by JJ Lawell from this game click on the link below