Antrim Junior Football Championship Group 2
Naomh Comhghall 2-15 St Malachy’s 0-7
Paul McIntyre reports from Hannahstown.
Two first-half goals from Miles Devine set Naomh Comhghall on their way to a comfortable 14-point over St Malachy’s at Lámh Dhearg on Saturday evening.
Devine struck twice in the opening twenty minutes to leave the Antrim town side sitting pretty at the top of Group 2 in this year’s championship and odds-on favourites to advance straight to this year’s semi-finals as section winners.
Missing a few regulars due to other commitments, St Malachy’s were always second best, but to their credit, the men from the Markets battled gamely, and with a little bit more composure could well have added to their final tally on 0-7.
But it was Naomh Comhghall who held all the aces.
Wearing six, but operating at midfield, James McCabe’s powerful runs were a pivotal part of the Comhghall’s game-plan while up front, Ryan Clarke was the standout player. Clarke finished with 0-7 to his name and his link-up play with Tom Patchett caused the St Malachy’s defence countless headaches from the first minute.
Devine struck for his first goal in the 11th minute.
James McCabe drove through the heart of the St Malachy’s defence and played a one-two with Clarke before popping the ball off to Devine who gave Thomas Rice in the St Malachy’s goal no chance from close range. It handed the Antrim side a deserving 1-2 to 0-0 lead.
Anthony Dobbin broke that sequence to get St Malachy’s up and running on the scoreboard a minute later, but it did little to stop the relentless Naomh Comhghall pressure.
Patchett, an Anthony Watson 45 and Clarke’s first of the day opened up a 7-point lead before Devine struck for his second major in the 19th minute.
Joshua Webb’s effort at a point came back off the crossbar, and into the hands of Jack Moore who un-selflessly passed inside for Devine who calmy despatched the ball to the net for a 10-point lead.
Naomh Comhghall kept up the pressure as Josh Henry and Clarke kept the score board ticking over.
A Stephen Carson point for St Malachy’s was the last play of the half, and at the break, Naomh Comhghall’s lead by 11-points, 2-8 to 0-3.
St Malachy’s enjoyed good spells of possession at the start of the second half, but for all of their endeavours, they only had points from Gavin McManus and Jack McGivern to show for their efforts.
As the contest drew ever closer to a close, Clarke continued to torment the St Malachy’s backline, and Devine was denied a hattrick by a fine stop by Fintan McBride before Liam Phinn had the final say of the game by claiming a fine point with the last kick of the game.
Naomh Comhghall now sit top of the group with full points and on course for the semi-finals. But not all is lost for St Malachy’s as they look to be heading to the semi-final play-offs. Who they play will be determined by the result of their final game against Éire Óg in two-weeks time.
Teams & Scorers:
Naomh Comhghall: Anthony Watson (0-1 45), Caolan McKeown, Eoin Lynott, Danaan O’Hara, Shane Hinfey, James McCabe (0-1), Michael McCabe, Josh Henry (0-1), Aaron McGaw, Jack Moore (0-1), Ryan Clarke (0-7 2f), Joshua Webb, Colm Griffen, Miles Devine (2-0), Tom Patchett (0-3 1Mark).
Replacements: Stephen Sloan for Griffen (45), Liam Phinn (0-1) for Moore (45), Peter McAuley for Hinfey (51), Niall Taggart for McGaw (53).
St Malachy’s: Thomas Rice, Colin Connolly, Caoimhín Corr, Daniel Quinn, Anthony Dobbin (0-1), Mark Connolly, Cathal Jordan, Ciaran Vernon, James McGivern (0-2), Anton McGreevy (0-2), Gavin McManus (0-1), Shea Lynch, Stephen Carson (0-1), Paul Millar.
Replacements: Pearse Lynch for Quinn (HT), Fintan McBride for Rice (44), Quinn for Millar (50), Ronan Varsani for McManus (50).
Referee: Mr Martin Quinn.