Co Antrim ACFL Division 1
St Mary’s, Aghagallon 1-11 O’Donovan Rossa 1-15
Report and photos by Brian Hamill
O’Donovan Rossa emerged with the points from Aghagallon as their ability to convert from distance proved decisive in an entertaining Division 1 contest.
St Mary’s were driven by Jack Lenehan, whose goal and point anchored a strong home display. Enda McCartan was Aghagallon’s most reliable forward, finishing with four points from play, Stephen Devlin added a points from midfield. John Hannon contributed two points up front and substitute EJ Loughran, who made his senior debut, chipped in with a late score, as the hosts pressed in the closing stages of the first half.
Rossa, however, always carried a threat and made full use of the new scoring rules. Goalkeeper Michael Byrne was central to their success, converting a penalty, adding two points and further two-pointers from placed balls. Their other scores came from forwards; Colm Fleming, Corey Walsh, Eoin Fleming and from defenders, Niall Crossan and Rory Grant, who both chipped in with a point from the half-back line.
Despite a committed performance from Aghagallon, some defensive mistakes, provided scoring opportunities that sealed the game for Rossa. The visitor’s greater scoring range and accuracy in key moments saw them pull clear late on, to claim a valuable away win.
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