Aghgallon All Star team took on the club seniors on Saturday morning in a series of Special games with the All Stars coming out on top after great day of craic. Bert Trowlen was went along to capture the action.
For more pics from the All Stars games click on the link below
https://myalbum.com/album/gDqD6kBYxoMPvr
Aghagallon All-Stars retain the title in annual clash with Senior team
The Aghagallon All-Stars displayed a high level of skill and determination to put a halt to the Aghagallon Senior Men’s pursuit of victory as they played their first competitive game of the year at Páirc Na nGael.
The All Stars looked professional and well-prepared for the game from the outset with All Stars manager Liam McCavigan and his assistant Woody directing play from the sideline throughout. After an inspirational team talk, the game began and it was clear who was in charge. Power forward Eoin McStravick and Antrim All Star Zara McCavigan quickly sent three scores over the bar while the formidable Thomas Heaney caused havoc on the wing for the Senior back line, making some clinical tackles against Aaron Doherty to keep the play in the All Stars forward line. A deserved goal from the hardworking centre forward Mia Nelson gave confidence to the All Stars and more efforts followed from the influential Ella Walsh. The Seniors looked shell shocked but quickly settled down to make some chances for themselves.
Senior star Pat Brannigan showed his characteristic determination and ran the length of the field only to see his efforts wasted. Aidan Mulholland was the first Senior to get his name on the scoresheet with a crafty point however he was kept under control after this from the fearless Tyler Barrett and Ella Walsh who kept hot on his heels and gave him no chances. Father-son duo Davy and Ronan McAlernon went head to head for the first time but it was the cunning All Star corner back Ronan who had the upperhand rendering Davy’s impact unnoticed for the majority of the game.
The Seniors quickly changed tactics and decided to hit harder, bringing veteran Senior player and lead All Stars coach Sean Lavery to the ground. This shook the All Stars for a while and allowed Pat Brannigan, Steven Brannigan and Chris ‘Dingle’ Henry to make a fantastic link up and power home some well-needed points. After a lucky Jamie Lamont goal, the Seniors were back in the game and score was level.
The purple patch for the Senior team was short lived however. Midfielders Mark McAleese and Ellie Corey were no doubt instrumental in an All Stars come back as they confidently shrugged off challenges from the experienced Antrim Star Ruairi McCann and Hogan Cup winner Mark McAfee. A loose pass from McAfee resulted in a superb long range effort from Ellie Corey sending All Stars into the lead once again. McCann found it difficult to handle the nippy Mark McAleese who found the target on three occassions to ensure the gap widened between the teams.
Superstar All Stars goalkeeper, Rhys Russell, was drafted into the Senior team at late notice and he surely made a difference to the game with some courageous saves and high kickouts reaching target man Kieran Hamill who made some fine passes in towards the forwards. Brannigan was cleverly intercepted by Tyler Barrett however, who made his way straight to goal only to hit the crossbar.
Zara McCavigan was moved into the back line to pair up with Paul Mulholland to combat the challenge from the dangerous Whitehall Road forward line. Ex-senior player Mulholland had returned from Australia especially for the game however he gave away a few rusty passes which were intercepted by Lamont and Hamill who drove the ball down in towards the target once again. The determined full-back Charlie Doyle wasn’t about to give in easily however. His skilful shoulder charge at the right time cancelled out Dingle’s momentum and put paid to the forward line’s advances from then on in, surely the key moment of the game. Only two points separated the teams in the dying minutes.
Tyler Barrett was quick off the mark to score another point to make the difference three. Steven Brannigan made an attempt from the 40 yard line to score a goal to level but this was skillfully intercepted by Paul Mulholland who passed it out to All Stars hero Charlie Doyle. A swift pass from Charlie Doyle to the All Stars net minder Claire Mulholland led to an immense full pitch length kick that would be the last score of the game. The All Stars had won by four points.
No doubt the Senior team will be disappointed with defeat and will spend their recovery sessions analysing what exactly went wrong. One thing is clear, the All Stars team have made massive progress with their skills and attitude from last years match-up, and they can be confident in their abilities as they prepare for the big GAA for All Blitz hosted by Creggan in September. We wish them the best of luck.
All Stars Team:
Ella Walsh, Eoin McStravick, Zara McCavigan, Mark McAleese, Charlie Doyle, Tyler Barrett, Mia Nelson, Thomas Heaney, Ronan McAlernon, Ellie Corey, Paul Mulholland, Claire Mulholland, Liam McCavigan, Woody
Senior Team:
Pat Brannigan, Steven Brannigan, Jamie Lamont, Ruairí McCann, Chris Henry, Kieran Hamill, Aaron Doherty, Aidan Mulholland, Davy McAlernon, Mark McAfee, Rhys Russell