Laochra Loch Lao 2-19 St Malachy’s 0-11
P Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship Group One at Woodlands
Laochra Loch Lao produced a superb second-half display at Woodlands to secure an emphatic 14-point victory over St Malachy’s to make it two wins out of two in Group One of the P Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship.
The sides were level at 0-7 apiece following a keenly contested opening half, but Laochra took complete control after the restart. Goals from Fionntán Ó Tuathaláin and Conchubhar Mac Gafraidh spearheaded a devastating burst which carried them to an impressive 2-19 to 0-11 victory.
Tomás Ó Tuathaláin opened the scoring for Laochra after just 30 seconds, but St Malachy’s responded well and thought they had grabbed the opening goal when Gavin McManus palmed the ball into the net. However, the score was ruled out and Laochra quickly regained the initiative.
Oisín Mac Crabhagáin converted a close-range free before Jack McGivern replied with an excellent long-range point for St Malachy’s. Laochra then worked the ball through the middle, with Cathal Ó Ceallaigh finishing off the move by sending it over the bar.
The exchanges remained evenly balanced as St Malachy’s continued to find scores through McGivern, who converted a free before landing another fine effort from around 30 metres.
Oisín Mac Crabhagáin produced one of the scores of the half when he sold two defenders a dummy before cutting into space and splitting the posts. Fionntán Ó Tuathaláin followed with another Laochra point, while McGivern answered with an excellent score at the other end.
Gearóid Mac Seáin and Tomás Ó Tuathaláin were also on target for Laochra, but St Malachy’s matched them during the opening period and the teams went in at the interval tied at seven points each.
The complexion of the contest changed dramatically within a minute of the restart. A high delivery into the St Malachy’s goalmouth was met by Fionntán Ó Tuathaláin, who rose above his marker and punched the ball into the far corner of the net.
St Malachy’s responded with a pointed free, but Laochra struck again almost immediately. Ó Tuathaláin added a point before Conchubhar Mac Gafraidh finished another sweeping attack with Laochra’s second goal.
Those two majors in the space of five minutes broke the resistance of the St Malachy’s defence and Laochra proceeded to dominate the remainder of the game.
Tomás Ó Tuathaláin and Oisín Mac Crabhagáin added further points, with Mac Crabhagáin converting from a 45 and following up with another free. Mac Gafraidh then raised a white flag to underline his growing influence on the contest.
St Malachy’s battled on and added scores from placed balls, but they could not stem the Laochra tide. Mac Crabhagáin added another point before Tomás Ó Tuathaláin found the target once more.
Fionntán Ó Tuathaláin converted two late frees and Connla Ó Coinn completed the scoring in the 57th minute as Laochra finished strongly to seal a thoroughly convincing championship victory.
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