Reserve Football Shield semi-final
Glenavy 0-18 Naomh Padraig 1-12
Despite a sterling performance from Naomh Padraig’s, Jude Rafferty it was St. Joseph’s Glenavy who were in charge for most of the hour as they overcame the challenge of the Lisburn men in this Reserve Shield semi-final at Chapel Hill on Wednesday night.
The early exchanges were fairly even with Darragh Armstrong for Glenavy and Francis McMeel exchanging early points and Micky McCourt and Niall McCann points for the hosts moving Glenavy 2 in front after 8 minutes.
Back came Lisburn and Jude Rafferty made his first contribution when he had a rasping shot pushed over by Gareth Collins with Aaron Thomson following from a 15th minute fee to bring the side’s level.
It was Glenavy who started getting on top as the game moved into the second quarter and Fergal Green and Darragh Armsrong struck impressive 2 pointers to move them four ahead with Liam McCutcheon replying with a point in the 20th minute.
Micky McCourt from a free and James Monaghan extended the Chapel Hill side’s lead and Jude Rafferty with his second of the evening and Finn Shannon exchanged further points to leave it 0-10 to 0-5 for the home side at the break.
HT 0-10 TO 0-5
The smart money would have been on the men in orange as the sides exchanged ends and they continued to dictate matters on the restart with James Monaghan after 30 seconds extending their lead.
Veteran, Micky McCourt punished a breach of the 3 up rule and Fergal Green converted another free to move St. Joseph’s 8 ahead after 6 minutes of the new half as the visitors struggled to keep in touch.
Aaron Thompson finally opened their second half account with a point in the 9th minute but Micky McCourt replied from a free before Jude Rafferty pointed for the Lisburn from distance to raise an orange flag in the 17th minute.
Rafferty was busting as gut to get Naomh Padraig going and kicked the next 2 points and another 2 pointer to give the visitors a glimmer of hope but points from James Monaghan, Niall McCann and Monaghan again maintained distance between the sides.
Naomh Padraig fought to the end and a goal from the excellent Rafferty as the game moved into injury time closed the gap to three but it would prove to be the game’s final score.
St. Joseph’s now go forward to meet Gort na Mona in the final. The Turf Lodge side produced an excellent away performance to beat Dunloy in the other semi-final and the decider should be a great contest.
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