Antrim Football League – Division 1

St John’s 2-11 Con Magees, Glenravel 1-14

A breathtaking display of late heroics from full-forward Shea Ó ‘Broin salvaged a dramatic point for Con Magees, Glenravel, in a thrilling Antrim ACFL Division One clash against St John’s at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening.

Looking destined for the “gallant loser” category after watching a solid first-half lead evaporate, the North Antrim men dug deep in the dying moments. Trailing by five points with just ten minutes left on the clock, O’Broin stepped up to rescue his side with a two-pointer from a free and a sensational injury-time goal to ensure a share of the spoils.

The visitors made their intentions clear early on, showcasing excellent forward play to unsettle the St John’s defence. Harry Fyfe opened the scoring with a well-taken close-range effort. St John’s responded emphatically through former Antrim captain Paddy McBride, who utilized the trial scoring rules to nail a powerful two-point free from outside the arc.

The game descended into a frantic battle for possession before Joe Martin found space to restore Glenravel’s lead. Shea O’Broin then offered a glimpse of the magic he would produce later, utilizing quick footwork to outsmart the Johnnies’ backline and pop the ball over the bar. McBride kept the hosts in touch with another booming two-point free, but Glenravel’s attacking class shone through in the closing stages of the half.

O’Broin struck again from play, while Harry Fyfe proved lethal from dead balls, converting twice in three minutes. After Fyfe was denied a goal by an acrobatic save, Glenravel executed a beautifully worked 45 straight off the training ground, with Eamonn Ward driving into space off a David Higgins pass to score.

A late James Wilson point for St John’s narrowed the gap, but the North Antrim side headed into the interval with a deserved three-point advantage after racking up eight first-half scores.

Second Half: The Johnnies Hit Back

The second period began with a quick exchange of points between Conchur Adams (free) and a soaring effort from O’Broin. However, the momentum violently swung in favor of the home side in the 40th minute. Andy McGowan threaded a pass to Odhran McAuley, who smartly sliced a low, outside-of-the-boot finish past Conleth O’Loan in the Glenravel net.

Though O’Broin quickly answered with a point to steady the ship, St John’s were now playing with a renewed fire, buoyed further by the surprise return of hurling star Domnhall Nugent to the big ball. Conchur Adams took control, hitting three successive points—two from close-range frees and another from play.

On 50 minutes, the Johnnies struck their second major. Adams turned provider, floating a beautiful ball to the back post where the onrushing Conal McGlade thumped it into the net, entirely flipping the script. St John’s kept their foot firmly on the accelerator, and a two-point effort from Ronan Donnelly opened up a commanding five-point lead with just ten minutes remaining.

Facing a five-point deficit, the Glenravel men appeared as though they would be filed under the “gallant loser” category after contributing so much to a brilliant contest.

Shea O’Broin, however, had other ideas. Refusing to let the game slip away, the full-forward took matters into his own hands. He sparked the revival by holding his nerve to convert a two-pointer, bringing the visitors back within striking distance as the clock ticked down.

Then, deep into injury time, O’Broin delivered the ultimate final word. Spotting a gap in the retreating St John’s defence, he embarked on a devastating driving run to the 13-yard line and unleashed a ferocious strike that flew high into the net.

The Con Magees followers were on their feet and moments later, Brendan Toland’s final whistle sounded, capping off an enthralling hour of football where a draw was ultimately the fairest result.

St John’s: Pearce Donnelly; Paddy McDiarmid,Oisin Jackson, Michael Darragh; Conor McEvoy, Christopher O’Neill, Diarmuid, Brecknell; Adrian Oliver, Ronan Donnelly 0-2 (1xTP); Odhran McAuley 1-0, Paddy McBride 0-4 (2xTP), James Wilson 0-1; Conal McGlade 1-0, Andy McGowan, Conchur Adams 0-4 (3F)

Subs: Domhnall Nugent

Con Magee’s Glenravel: Conleith O’Loan; Shea McAuley, Conor Carey, Niall Dickson; Luke McQuillan, Sean Higgins 0-1, Eamonn Ward 0-1; David Higgins, Calum Higgins; Harry Fyfe 0-3 (0-1F), Aidan O’Donnell, Joe Martin 0-1; Colla Ward 0-1, Shea O’Broin 1-6 (1xTPf), Daire Higgins

Referee – Brendan Totten (Lamh Dhearg)

TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/mzZyWSL7TeXSMh/?invite=71a04f82-a8ad-488c-b35c-ab90b3b6c8a0