Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 2
O’Donovan Rossa 3-11 Tír na nÓg 1-5
Rossa put themselves back in the championship qualification frame with an impressive win over visitors, Tir na nOg at Shaw’s Road on Saturday evening.
Their Whitehill visitors will reflect on what might have been however as they kicked 13 wides over the hour on a day where little went right for them.
The home side were much more clinical in their finishing as they took advantage of errors by their visitors with Dominic McEnhill’s goal midway through the opening half sending Rossa to a 1-4 to 1-2 half time lead.
Darragh Fegan raced clear from the throw-in to kick Tír na nÓg into the lead, but it was far from a sign of things to come in the opening period as they seemed content to sit back and hit on the break.
Chances were created, but six wides in the opening period was not the return they would have hoped for, yet they were limiting Rossa from creating a lot as the hosts finally drew level through a Mick Byrne free in the 5th minute before Cormac McGettigan edged them ahead.
Rossa were starting to have a bit of success and struck with the game’s opening goal midway through the half as Dominic McEnhill intercepted a wayward pass before racing clear to fire past McAtamney in the Tir na nOg goals.
Thomas Morgan quickly added a point but the visitors ended a 19 minute scoreless spell as they created an opening and Barry McCormick finished low to the net.
Josh Higgins had an opportunity to add a second for the Whitehill side but shot tamely with Richard Gowdy well placed to gather the ball on his own goal line before executing his clearance.
The sides exchanged late points through Thomas Morgan and Caoimhin Duffin as Rossa led 1-4 to 1-2 after a fairly dull opening half.
Tir na nOg went looking for the opening score of the second half as they moved the ball around patiently but coughed up possession with Gerard Walsh’s long delivery finding Dominic McEnhill who outpaced Brandon McLarnon before firing to the net for his second major.
McEnhill quickly added a point as a bit of space began to open up and then Stephen Beatty intercepted a wayward kick-out from Sean Paul McAtamney before returning the ball to the net in the 40th minute.
Even at this stage it looked over but Josh Higgins finally got Tír na nÓg’s opening score of the second period with 43 played, but McEnhill replied immediately.
McGettigan, Beatty and substitute Corey Walsh added late scores for the O’Donovan’s with two points in replyfrom Aaron McNeill all the visitors could muster.
Rossa rounded off with another two from McEnhill to seal a good win and, depending on Sunday’s result at Corrigan, could find themselves in a winner takes all encounter in their final game against St. John’s.
Rossa: M Byrne; P Moyes, G Walsh, C Orchin; A Devlin, C McGettigan (0-2), N Crossan; E McMenamin, O McVicker; R Grant, T Morgan (0-2), C McDonald; D Rogan, D McEnhill (2-4, 0-1f), S Beatty (1-1).
Subs: R Gowdy for G Walsh (temporary 25-30+2), R Gowdy for E McMenamin (30+2), C Walsh (0-1) for D Rogan (43), R Murray for R Grant (51), C Fleming for S Beatty (55), M McEnhill for G Walsh (55).
Tir na nOg: SP McAtamney; B McLarnon, C McGrellis, R Crilly; P McCloskey, B McCormick (1-0), C Duffin (0-1); D Fegan (0-1, J Higgins (0-1); C Sheerin, C O’Neill, E Murray; A McNeilly (0-2, 1f), A Tolan, D Martin.
Subs: C Og McAllister for C Sheerin (17), O McAtamney for E Murray (48), S Duffin for D Martin (48), S McKeown for C Duffin (50).
Referee: Paddy Tumelty (Lámh Dhearg)