Co Antrim ACFL Division 1
St Mary’s, Aghagallon 1-15 St Gall’s 2-17
Report and photos by Brian Hamill
St.Gall’s finished strongly to record a good win away to a strong Aghagallon and keep within touching distance of leaders Creggan as the league enters into it final 3 rounds of games.
St Mary’s, Aghagallon were left with too much to do after a difficult opening half as St Gall’s held on for a hard-earned Division 1 victory at Aghagallon.
The home side were efficient in front of the goals with points from Gareth Magee, John Hannon and Luke Mulholland, but were unable to compete with the visitors in the midfield area in the first half, conceding scores at regular intervals as St Gall’s took control. A well taken goal by Micky Pollock gave the visitors a commanding platform, while points from Dubhatach Mac Liam, Daniel Quinn (C), Niall Fallon, Cormac Austin and Padraig O’Muirigh Jr added to their advantage before the break.
Aghagallon responded with renewed purpose after half-time and produced an impressive fightback. Enda McCartan led the revival with a well-taken goal and three points from play, while John Hannon was deadly accurate, finishing with eight points, four from play and four from frees. A crucial two-point score from Pauric Maginnis helped swing momentum, and when Aidan Brady added a point from a free, the deficit was cut to just a single point midway through the second half.
St Gall’s, wing half back, Damian Ball scored a goal against the run of play early in the second half, but they didn’t regain true control until midway through the second half. They responded with 4 more points, from man of the match Daniel Quinn, Cormac Austin and Niall Fallon to stretch the margin and checked the Aghagallon surge.
Despite the defeat, Aghagallon will take encouragement from their second-half display, but their inability to match St Gall’s intensity in the opening period ultimately proved decisive.
TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW