ACFL Division 1
Naomh Seamas 2-9 All Saints 1-17
All Saints continued their good run in division 1 of the All County league when they travelled to Crumlin on Wednesday night and recorded a five point win over St. James’ Aldergrove.
Wednesday night’s opponents are no strangers to each other and have met on numerous occasions over the last 15 years in division 2 and in Intermediate championship action.
This year the former division 2 protagonists met for the second time in division 1 following their promotion from the lower grade at the end of 2023 and it was the Ballymena side who added to last year’s win in Ballymena to defeat the Crumlin men for the second time.
Michael McCarry, Ciaran Campbell and Sean McVeigh shot the visitors into an early three point lead as they opened at pace before Seamus McGarry opened the Aldergrove account with a point in the 7th minute.
Michael ‘Gooch’ McCarry moved the visitors three ahead once more but a minute later Ronan Hanna fielded a long ball from mid-field and turned Peter McNicholl before firing past Conor Brennan in the All Saints goals and the sides were level.
McGarry from a well struck ‘45’ briefly edged the Crumlin side ahead before a McCarry converted free and a fine point from play by Benny McDonnell edged the visitors ahead once more with 18 minutes gone.
Sean McVeigh increased that lead with a point and then the big full-forward rose to flick a Conor Brennan ‘45’ to the net to move the Ballymena side five ahead.
Back came the men in Red and Brian McQuillan sent over a fine point and Ronan McKillop for All Saints and the sweet striking Seamus McGarry exchanged further minors to leave four between the sides as half time approached.
Aldergrove looked in a bit of trouble but they struck with a vengeance late in the half as Ronan Hamill placed Rian McCarthy who fired to the net from close range to leave his side trailing by the minimum as Kevin Parke sounded his half time whistle.
Manger Bradley called for greater effort and intensity from his side at half time and his call seemed to have done the trick as the excellent Connell Lemon struck a 2 pointer and added another from close range to move the visitors four ahead after two minutes of the new half.
A well struck free from Ronan Hanna raised an Orange flag at the other end to close the gap to three once more but the men in black were continuing to break at speed as McCarry replied at the other end.
Declan Gough and substitute Gerard Mallon responded with a double for the home side to leave just one in it again and it looked like the momentum had swung in favour of Aldergrove but it would prove to be their final score.
Instead it was All Saints who seemed to find that extra gear going down the home straight as substitute Paidin Mitchell fisted over before Emmet Killough struck an excellent point to move All Saint four ahead.
Connell Lemon, who was excellent throughout, looked certain to add his side’s second goal but Oisin McGarry advanced to make a blocking save but Benny McDonnell pointed a free and Mitchell added his second of the evening to leave the visitors winners by five.
This win sees the Slemish Park side climb to joint second place with five wins from six starts and they will be well pleased with their start to the season.
Michael Read, Matty Downey and Cal O’Brien were solid in defence for the winners while Emmet Killough and Peter McReynolds held sway at mid-field.
Ciaran Campbell provided the link from defence to attack and was always available to receive the ball while the experienced pair of Sean McVeigh and Michael McCarry continue to defy their age as they provided important scores in attack.
Deaglan Gough, Eoin Gough, Brian McQuillan, Seamus McGarry and Ronan Hanna were best for a St. James’ side who remain well placed in the league despite Wednesday night’s defeat.
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