South Antrim Reserve Cup final
Naomh Comhghall 2-15 Naomh Una 2-9
In a game of changing fortunes Naomh Comhghall, Antrim and Naomh Una served up a thriller in this South Antrim Reserve Cup final at Pairc Una.
The game marked, what was-possibly a first when referee Chris Brown was accompanied by his two sons, Eoghan and Ciaran who were his linesmen for the night and before kick-off a minutes silence was observed for former Aggies man, Michael McLean.
Caolan O’Loan pointed the Antrim town side into an early lead but St. Agnes made an immediate response and Conor Mulgrew and Colin Mallon pointed before Mallon put his side in command with a goal in the 6th minute.
Liam Finn, who would go on to have a strong influence on proceedings, pointed a free and added another from play for Naomh Comhghall to close the gap to two but James Halleron fisted over at the other end to move the ‘Aggies’ three ahead once more.
Play swung from end to end as two well matched sides went head to head and Colm Griffin and Colm Mallon exchanged further points to leave it 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the West Belfast men at the end of the opening quarter.
Things began to swing in favour of Naomh Comhghall in the second quarter as Finn punished a breach of the ‘3 up’ rule and added another pointed free with Caolan O’Loan for the Antrim town side and Conor Mulgrew for St. Agnes exchanging late points to leave it 1-5 to 0-6 for the men in black at the interval.
It was Naomh Comhghall who made an impressive start to the second half with Patrick Quinn pointing and Caolan O’Loan firing to the net in the 5th minute and another minor from Liam Finn had them three ahead after 8 minutes.
Just when the game looked to be swinging in favour of St. Comgall’s, St. Agnes were awarded a penalty which David Quigley coolly slotted home and it was ‘even-steven’ again.
And that’s the way it remained for a time with Peter McAuley for the Antrim men and Christopher McKee exchanging further points before Stephen Sloan edged the ‘Town’ ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Matthew Emery in the Comgall’s goal then then pulled of a smart save as St. Agnes threatened at the other end and further exchanges between Conor Gillgan and Mark McLaughlin for Naomh Una and Conor McLaughlin and Finn with a 2 pointer for Antrim had it finely balanced with only three minutes remaining.
The decisive moment in the game arrived two minutes later when full-forward, Patrick Quinn got in for a goal for the Antrim town men and the same player punished another breach of the 3 up rule before Declan Crummey replied with a late consolation point for Naomh Una.
A good game of football where both sides enjoyed moments of supremacy but it was Naomh Comhghall’s superior fitness and ability to take their scores at vital times in the game that proved the difference in the end.
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