ACFL Division 1
Aghagallon 1-20 Aldergrove 1-15
Match report & Pics by Brian Hamill
Aghagallon recorded their first win in several games on Wednesday evening with a well-earned five-point victory over Aldergrove. A strong second-half showing included an amazing performance by Jonny Hannon, a crucial goal from Ruairi McShane and the return of county players Adam Loughran, Eunan Walsh, and Ruairi McCann to swing the result in the home side’s favour.
The first half was evenly balanced, with both teams sharing periods of dominance. Pauric Maginnis and Ciaran Maginnis were on target early for Aghagallon, while Aldergrove’s corner forward, Seamus McGarry, looked sharp scoring from both play and frees. McGarry ended up with a tally of 1-07. By the 28th minute, Aldergrove had moved three points clear, but Jonny Hannon landed a two point free to leave it level at the break: 0-08 apiece.
Aghagallon took control early in the second half, with Hannon, McCann, and Loughran all pointing. Then came the game’s turning point: in the 42nd minute, McShane finished off an attack through the middle and a well-taken goal, giving his side a six-point cushion.
Aldergrove hit back with a goal themselves, from their star performer Seamus McGarry, around the hour mark, but any chance of a comeback was halted when an Aldergrove player received a straight
red card for a high tackle on Ciaran Maginnis as the Aghagallon man drove forward.
Aghagallon capitalised on the extra space in the closing stages. Hannon, who finished with 0-11, added two more scores, while Michael McStravick and Loughran added insurance points to seal the result.
TO VIEW BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW