Laverty Shield Final
Casements 4-16 St. James 4-6
An excellent Casements, Portglenone proved too good in the end for St. James, Aldergrove in this high scoring Laverty Shield final at Whitehill on Saturday evening. The young Bannsiders looked like running away with it from early in the game but St. James’ to their credit, kept battling to the end and struck with three late goals to put a much better reflection on the final scoreline.
Odhran Doherty was the go-to man for the Casement’s as he dictated matters from mid-field for long periods and contributed 0-11 on the night with a superb exhibition of scoring both from play and frees.
It was the young Casements who were fast off the mark when Conor Burns pointed them ahead following a fine save from Daniel McCuthcheon in the Adergove goals
Two points from Odhran Doherty and another from Burns had the Casements four ahead with nine minutes gone before Lewis Smyth finally got the Crumlin side on their way from a pointed free in the 13th minute.
Two more from the excellent Doherty moved the Bannsiders five ahead by the 20th minute and when Christy McDonnell got forward to palm an inviting cross from Tom Duffin to an empty net it wasn’t looking good for the team in red.
The Portglenone pressure was relentless as Doherty and McDonnell added further points before Liam Og Cullen raised Aldergrove second white flag of the evening from a 29th minute free.
Back came the Casements and they struck with a second goal when Conor McCann’s shot on goal was partially blocked but it looped over the despairing grasp of Daniel McCutcheon and ended in the net.
The final score of the half fell the way of the Crumlin side when Lewis Smyth sent a long range free between the uprights but it looked a long way back as the sides headed to the dressing rooms with Portglenone holding a convincing 11 point lead.
St. James returned to the action determined to make inroads into the Casements lead and after Odhran Doherty pointed a free after 30 seconds they came back with an excellent goal from Liam Og Cullen in the second minute.
Doherty was on target again for the team in yellow and their opponents were dealt a severe blow when Cullen received a second yellow after pulling down the Portglenone mid-fielder with 25 minutes remaining.
The Aldergrove management began to empty their bench at this stage but it was Casements who continued to call the shots as Odhran Doherty pointed a free and followed with another from play.
Lewis Smyth replied from a free but things went from bad to worse for the Crumlin side when James McVeigh blocked an attempted clearance before finishing to the net to make it 3-12 to 1-4 with ten minutes of the second half gone.
Full-back, Conall Morgan got forward for a fourth major and it was in danger of turning into a route but Aldergrove continue to introduce replacements as Doherty brought his total for the evening to 0-10.
To their credit 14 men, Aldergrove refused to throw in the towel and replied with points from Cormac Morris and Lewis Smyth before Smyth got through for his second goal of the evening with 8 minutes remaining.
Substitute Rian Hope found himself in acres of space as he finished to the net for a third goal for the Crumlin side and as they began to enjoy a bit of success, Cormac Morris added a fourth to put a much better look on the final scoreline.
There was still 10 between the sides as Joe McCavana sounded his final whistle as Stephen Graham presented the Laverty Shield to Ryan McKeever, captain of an excellent Casements, Portglenone side with Graham congratulating both side for their part in what was a very entertaining game of football.
Casements Portglenone: 1 Eoghan Smith, 2 Christy McDonnell,3 Conall Morgan, 4 Conor Dunlop, 5 James McVeigh, 6 Oisin McAtamney, 7 Ryan McKeever, 8 Odhran Doherty, 9 James McAleese, 10 Conor McCann, 11 Tom Convery, 12 Conor Burns, 13 Frank McAleese, 14 Tom Duffin, 15 Conor McKeever, 16 Thomas Douthart, 17 Ruairi O’Kane, 18
St. James Aldergrove: 1 Daniel McCuthcheon, Adam Magd, 3 Ronan Ferguson, 4 Sean O’Toole, 5 Rory Finney, 6 Cayden Lagan, 7 Liam Og Cullen, 9 Luke Delaney, 10 Fionntan Muldoon, 11 Lewis Smyth, 12 Eoin McAleese, 13 Chris Robb, 14 Jamie Murray, 15 Sean O’Hare, 18 Breagh Maguire, 17 Rian Hope, 19 Nathan O’Hara, 20 Rian Carl, 21 Malachy Kennedy, 22 Cormac Morris, 23 23 Odhran Maguire, 24 Ryan Menary, 25 Lonan Magee
Referee: Joe McCavana Naomh Comhghall