South West Antrim U14FL Plate final
Moneyglass 4-7 Glenavy 2-7
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass collected the South West U14 Football Plate following their two goal win over St. Joseph’s Glenavy at the opening of St. Ergnat’s new pitch on Sunday morning.
A wonderful sporting gesture by the Chapel Hill club saw them concede a neutral venue to travel to the new home of their opponents and they certainly played their part in making the final and the day a wonderful occasion.
Indeed the early exchanges suggested that St. Joseph’s might be rewarded for their sportsmanship when Cormac Green shot them into an early lead as he pointed before firing to the net to put his side 1-1 to 0-0 ahead.
St. Ergnat’s came back with points from mid-fielder, Senan McCormick before his mid-field partner, Shea Scullin drew them level with the game’s opening goal.
Glenavy responded and the impressive Cormac Green fired over his second point of the contest and Jude Burke followed with another and as the visitors continued to dominate Donnacha Devine and Ronan Arthurs moved them four ahead.
Moneyglass had been under the cosh for a while but they regrouped to finish the half strongly and Senan McCormick kicked the final two points of the half to put them right back into contention as they trailed by two at the short whistle.
Spurred on by their success at the end of the opening half, Moneyglass started the second period on the front foot and the excellent Senan McCormick put them ahead for the first time with an early goal.
McCormick added a point from a free as St. Ergnat’s began to take control and when full-forward, Cahir McErlaine finished to the net for their third goal of the contest, the momentum had swung decisively in favour of the home side.
They continued to press home their advantage as the outstanding player on view, Senan McCormick got in for their fourth goal and as they continued to press Jude Melarkey and McCormick added pointed frees.
Glenavy were still giving it everything but the fluency that had been such a feature of their game in the opening half had deserted them but they were finally rewarded for their efforts when Michael Brazier fired home their second goal.
It was merely consolation at this stage as Senan McCormick replied with a point but fittingly the final two points would fall the way of the boys in orange with Ronan Arthurs and Ryan Greenwood on target.
After the game Moneyglass captain, Senan McCormick was presented the John O’Boyle shield as the plate winners for 2024.
A word of thanks to referee John Moran and to Glenavy who sportingly allowed Moneyglass to host the final at their new pitch opening today. It was a very sporting gesture on a momentous day for St Ergnat’s Moneyglass club.
A great game of football, with the Shield final – Tir na nOg v Aldergrove & Cup final – Dunloy v Aghagallon to come next Sunday evening.
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