SW Antrim McCormick Cup Final
Aghagallon 1-15 Aldergrove 0-12
Report and photos by Brian Hamill
Aghagallon finished strongly to overcome Aldergrove in an entertaining McCormick Cup encounter at the Dunsilly High Performance Centre, Antrim.
There was little between the sides for much of the opening half as both teams matched each other score for score. Aldergrove enjoyed success from placed balls, including a pair of two-point frees courtesy of Gerald Mallon and Seamus Trowlen to edge in front as the interval approached. Despite scores from Ronan O’Connor, Conor Magill, Adam Shanks and Sean Gowdy, Aghagallon trailed by two points at the break, 0-10 to 0-8.
Aghagallon began to turn the tide after the restart, with Sean Gowdy proving increasingly influential from both play and frees. Aghagallon then seized the initiative in the 36th minute when Tommy Mallon crashed the ball to the net, moving his side into the lead for the first time.
That goal shifted momentum decisively and Aghagallon dominated the final quarter. Gowdy continued to keep the scoreboard moving, while further scores from Magill, Gareth Reavey, O’Connor and substitute Liam Russell helped stretch the gap. Aldergrove remained competitive through the accuracy of Seamus Trowlen, but they struggled to match Aghagallon’s finishing in the closing stages.
Having been evenly matched for much of the contest, Aghagallon’s stronger finish ultimately proved decisive. The contribution of Sean Gowdy, who finished as their leading scorer with six points, together with the crucial goal from Tommy Mallon, ensured a well-deserved six-point victory.
TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW