O’Neills Antrim Football League Division Two
St Teresa’s 1-11 Gort na Móna 0-9

When second half substitute Dessie McClean scored soon after being introduce to push Gort na Móna’s lead out to six, most of the punters at Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚIDhoctairtich would have fancied them to go on and win a game they had dominated for most of the opening thirty minutes. However St Teresa’s were far from finished, and despite a lack lustre opening half they began to find a bit of rhythm in their play and by the time the final whistle sounded they were comfortable winners.

It was probably the first time most of the spectators at the Glen Road venue had seen the new rules in a live game and like some of the players, and members of the press, there was a fair bit of confusion, especially during the first half. However match referee Dermot Scullion did a good job in keeping things flowing and this turned out to be an enjoyable game.

Playing with the breeze at their backs the Gorts got the first two scores, two sweet strikes from goalkeeper Thomas McCaffrey sending two 45s between the St Teresa’s uprights. Anthony Varndell pulled one back for the home side with an excellent finish but McCaffrey added two more from dead balls to open up a three point lead for the visitors. St Teresa’s Anton Taylor and McCaffrey exchanged points to leave two between the sides before Eoghan Hamill hit an excellent score for the home side to leave just one between the sides but the Gorts finished the half strongly and two two-pointers in quick succession from Ciaran Donnelly and Darren Boyd moved their team five points clear at the half time whistle.

Dessie McClean’s quick start to the second half increased the visitors lead to six and they looked good value for it too. However St Teresa’s began to get on top and points from Conor O’Rawe and Darren McCann got them back into the game. The scoring dried up after that for the Turf Lodge men and St Teresa’s started to pick off the scores. The gap was down to three 45 minutes in when St Teresa’s got the break they needed Conor Mallon finished off a move he had started by firing home the only goal of the game.

Spirits were really high now with the home team and they dominated the final quarter picking off the points, O’Rawe edging them ahead for the first time before Niall McCann sent over a two pointer from outside the large arc. Paul McGoldrick then added two points in quick succession, both fisted over, but the second one should have been a goal. Anthony Taylor could also have had a goal in injury time, but was denied by McCaffrety in the Gorts goal.

ST TERESA’S: P Maguire; P Glennon, P Johnston, A Dugan; C Mallon (1-0), E Connolly, C O’Rawe (0-2, 1f); D McCann (0-1), A Varndell (0-1); E Hamill (0-1), S Maguire (0-1), P O’Rawe; M Small, J Mallon, A Taylor (0-1).
Subs: P McGoldrick (0-2) for J Mallon (36), N McCann (0-2, 1x2pt) for A Varndell (36), R Mallon for M Small (48).

GORT NA MÓNA: T McCaffrey (0-4, 3x45s, 1f); D Cahill, C Connolly, C Keenan; S Campbell, C Donnelly (0-2, 1x2pt), P Cournane; M Savage, T Morton; B Burns, D Boyd (0-2, 1x2pt), P Mulvenna; M Brady, M McMullan, C Beck.
Subs: D McClean (0-1) for S Campbell (HT), M McConnell for M Brady (40), R Brown for M McMullan (51).

REFEREE: Dermot Scullion

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