ACFL Division 2
Glenavy 2-17 Naomh Comhghall 1-10
St. Joseph’s Glenavy recovered from last week’s heavy defeat to Sarsfields when they overcame the challenge of newly promoted Naomh Comhghall in a good game at Chapel Hill on Wednesday night.
The visitors started brightly with Ryan Clarke responding to a Fergal Henry opening point to finish a well worked build up to the Glenavy net. Ruairi Griffin added a point to put the visitors three ahead and the Antrim town side were looking sharp during the opening exchanges.
It took St. Joseph’s some time to settle but a point from Finn Shannon and goal from Fergal Henry, following an excellent build up that began deep in defence, got them on their way.
Pearse O’Neill added a second goal for the hosts and Shane Hinfey replied with a point for the visitors as Glenavy began to gain the initiative and two points from the impressive Finn Shannon opened up a 2-4 to 1-2 lead with 12 minutes gone.
Naomh Comhghall replied through a Ryan Clarke pointed free but the men in orange were starting to dictate and Fergal Henry fisted over before Shannon struck a fine 2 pointer for the home side.
The visitors looked in a spot of trouble but finished the half on top when Tom Patchett firing over and followed with another from a fisted effort to close the gap to five at the turn over.
Half Time 2-7 to 1-5
Ryan Clarke reduced the deficit from a pointed free on the restart as Naomh Comhghall threatened a comeback but they flattered to deceive as the Chapel Hill side resumed control.
Finn Shannon, Fergal Henry 0-2 and Dominic Gallagher moved them 8 ahead again as the greater physicality and knowhow of the home side began to reap reward and further points from Henry (Free), Pearse O’Neill and Ciaran Loney put them in complete control.
The visitors were still fighting to get themselves back into contention with Tom Patchett leading the way and he kicked two fine points and added another 2 pointer in an effort to get his side going again.
It failed to materialise however with substitute Mickey McCourt fisting over at the other end and Fergal Henry and Chris Grant concluding the scoring with three unanswered points for the Chapel Hill men.
A good win for a St. Joseph’s side whose greater experience than their opponents was decisive in the end with Dominc Gallagher proving a real handful on the edge of the square.
Finn Shannon had his best game of the season for the home side while Fergal Henry and Pearse O’Neill were others to catch the eye in a solid Glenavy side.
Naomh Comhghall are finding the going tough in the higher division and their loss to Naomh Padraig last time out certainly did nothing to help their confidence.
They have plenty of ability in their side however but need a second win to get them going again and in Ryan Clarke and Tom Patchett they had outstanding performers.
Glenavy: 16 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Jonathan Phillips, 3 Odhran Arthurs, 4 Ryan Phillips, 5 Padraic McKevitt, 6 Oisin Hamill, 17 Darrach Doherty, 8 Fiontan O’Boyle, 9 Ciaran Loney, 10 Fergal Henry, 11 Patrick Gallagher, 12 Pearse O’Neill, 13 Darragh Armstrong, , 14 Dominic Gallagher, 15 Finn Shannon.
Subs: Michael Johnston for Ryan Phillips, Fergus Cunningham for D Gallagher, Mickey McCourt for Darragh Armstrong, Chris Grant for Darrach Doherty
Naomh Comhghall: 1 Peter McAuley, 2 Shane Hinfey, 3 Eoin Lynett, 4 Tiernan Floyd, 5 Shane Og Gribbon, 6 Michael McCabe, 7 Dylan Murdock, 8 Louis Higgins, 10 Ruairi Griffin, 11 Miles Devine, 12 Aaron McGaw, 13 Ryan Clarke, 14 James McCabe, 15 Tom Patchett, 17 Kian Smyth, 18 Danaan O’Hara, 19 Balleigh Close, 20 Colm Griffin, 21 Iarfhlaith McKeating
Referee: Seamus Shannon
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