Gort na Mona v Glenavy
ACFL Division 2
Gort na Mona 3-10 St. Joseph’s 0-12
Despite this defeat to Gort na Mona in the final game before the split, St. Joseph’s Glenavy have secured a place in the top section of the table where they will be joined by St. Enda’s, Ahoghill, Aldergrove and St. Teresa’s.
The Gorts will rue earlier season defeats as they showed on Wednesday night just what they are capable of as goals from Jack Thompson after 25 minutes of the first half and further goals from Sean Ireland and Manus McMullan in the second powered them to a 7 point win in the end.
It was even enough during the opening half and indeed a 2 pointer from Leon Lavery gave Glenavy a 2 point lead by the 10th minute and the Chapel Hill side must have fancied their chances at that stage but things were soon to change.
Points from Tarlach Enright (free) and Daire Keenan had it all square by the 19th minute though Glenavy briefly restored their lead through a point from Jack Shannon but two more points from Daire Keenan and Conor Scannell for the Mona Bye-pass side by the 22nd minute gave them a lead they would hold to the end.
A scrambled goal from Jack Thompson after the visitors defence got itself in a tangle with five minutes remaining to the break put the home side in a strong position and they would go on to lead 1-7 to 0-7 at the break with late points from Jack Shannon and Leon Lavery for the visitors keeping their hopes alive.
Glenavy looked like making it a real contest when James Monaghan and Leon Lavery fired over points in the opening stages of the second half but the visitors only flattered to deceive as Gort na Mona took complete control at midfield.
A converted ‘45’ by Tarlach Enright and a goal by Sean Ireland reasserted their control by the 11th minute and points from Matthew McConnell and Manus McMullan extended their lead as the visitors struggled to contain a now well moving opposition.
McMullan added to his earlier point as he rose to palm home his side’s third goal and while Glenavy never gave up the damage had been done.
Gort na Mona were thankful to keeper Anton Farrelly as Glenavy went looking for goals with the home keeper pulling off a couple of fine saves and St. Joseph’s had to settle for points from James Monaghan, Leon Lavery and Jack Shannon but it proved too little-too late.
St. Josephs will now have to regroup in an effort to gain a promotion place and while St. Enda’s look well on their way to the title, on 18 points, Ahoghill 12, Aldergrove 12 and St. Teresa’s 10 and Glenavy on 10 will all have their sights set on a promotion place.
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