ACFL Division 1
Rossa 1-17 All Saints 1-11
With two rounds of the Antrim ACFL Division 1 remaining O’Donovan Rossa gave themselves a fighting chance of survival with an excellent win over All Saints at Rossa Park on Wednesday night.
The high flying Ballymena side travelled to Belfast placed second in the league and expected to add two more points to sustain their challenge for a place in the league semi-finals but were taking down to earth with a bang.
Both sides had their county players back on board for the first time this season and it was Rossa’s returning Dominic McEnhill who would make a significant impact on his side’s victory.
McEnhill formed a twin threat up front with the excellent Thomas Morgan and the All Saints defence quite simply couldn’t cope with that threat.
Morgan for Rossa and Benny McDonnell for the visitors exchanged early point and Dominic McEnhill restored the Rossa lead before one of All Saints returning county men, Conor Stewart got on the end of a good move to fire past Michael Byrne for the game’s opening goal with 9 minutes gone.
That score should have settled Baker Bradley’s side but instead it was bottom placed Rossa who returned to the offensive with Gerard Walsh 2pts and Dominic McEnhill levelling matters by the 11th minute.
Rossa looked dangerous every time they came forward as they moved the ball with a confidence that belied their lowly league position and a smart interchange saw Thomas Morgan place Corey Walsh who palmed to an empty net at the end of the opening quarter.
Walsh’s goal gave the hosts a lead they would not lose despite Conor Stewart replying with 2 quick fire points at the other end and the same player replied to a Thomas Morgan point to leave it finally balanced.
Morgan and McEnhill struck a couple of excellent 2 pointers to move the home side five clear as their confidence began to grow and they were handed an opportunity to move further ahead when referee Colin Thompson spread his arms to indicate a penalty.
Up stepped Dominic McEnhill to take the penalty award buy Saints’ keeper, Ryan Stewart dived full stretch to his right to save the penalty.
Mick Byrne converted the resulting ‘65’ but All Saints finished the half well with Benny McDonnell and Connell Lemon pointing to leave four between the sides at the break but the visitors would have the breeze behind them in the second half.
It was Rossa who continued to look the more dangerous side as matters got under way again and Thomas Morgan and Rory Grant moved them six ahead by the 2nd minute before Sean McVeigh and Benny McDonnell closed the gap to four once more by the 6th minute.
There was a distinct lack of cohesion about the All Saints play as Kavan Keenan attempt to find the unmarked Sean McVeigh cannoned wide of the big full-forward with Morgan pointing at the other end after 11 minutes.
All Saints rang the changes with Michael McCarry and Darach Bradley entering the action but it was Rossa and that man Morgan who continued to dictate matters as he moved his side 7 clear with 13 minutes remaining.
Rossa made clever use of their possession as they began to slow matters down and the visitors were finding it increasingly difficult to get their hands on the ball.
They did manage a couple of late points from a Michael McCarry free and one from Connell Lemon from play but the final score of the game fell the way of an excellent Rossa as Corey Walsh bisected the uprights.
With two rounds of games left there are two battles going on within the division. Rossa gave themselves a fighting chance of survival as they move onto 6 points with Ahoghill and Tir na nOg and St. John’s on 7.
They face a difficult away trip to Dunloy on Saturday before finishing their programme with a home game against St. Brigid’s on Wednesday the 2nd July.
At the other end of the table another battle is going on for a top four spot that would guarantee a place in the league semi-finals.
All Saints looked in a strong position when they travelled to Belfast to meet Rossa, sitting second in the table behind Cargin and on course for a place in those semi-final but they will need at least one win from their two remaining games if that is now to be achieved.
The first of those comes at home to neighbours Glenravel in Ballymena on Saturday and they then face a difficult away trip to Aghagallon to conclude their league programme.
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