Antrim Intermediate Football Championship Group One at Crumlin

Aldergrove 3-20 Gort na Móna 0-17

Aldergrove moved to the top of Group One with six points and guaranteed their place in the knockout stages after an impressive 12-point victory over Gort na Móna in Crumlin.

Two clinical first-half goals gave the home side a valuable advantage before their powerful midfield and prolific attack took control after the interval. Gort na Móna contributed plenty to an entertaining contest, particularly during the opening half, but Aldergrove’s greater cutting edge proved decisive.

The visitors made a flying start, with Manus McMullan landing a well-worked two-pointer after only 90 seconds. Aldergrove goalkeeper Shane O’Neill then did well to tip another dangerous effort over his crossbar.

Seamus McGarry opened Aldergrove’s account with a two-point free before Lewis Smyth struck twice in quick succession, including a well-worked fisted point.

The first major breakthrough arrived in the eighth minute. A poor Gort na Móna kick-out handed Aldergrove possession and Ronan Hanna punished the mistake by finding the net. Connlaodh Hendron followed with a point as the home side began to build momentum.

Gort na Móna responded positively. Eoghan Corrigan scored under pressure before Matthew McConnell produced one of the finest scores of the game, curling over a superb two-pointer from near the left touchline.

Ruairí O’Scoláin and McConnell added further scores, but Aldergrove struck for their second goal in the 14th minute. A sweeping move opened the visitors’ defence and Smyth applied the finish to the net.

Tarlach Enright converted a two-point free for Gort na Móna, but McGarry replied almost immediately before Hanna landed a two-pointer from play.

Desmond McClean and Enright kept Gort na Móna in contention, with Enright also converting a two-point free late in the half. Despite the visitors enjoying a strong spell while playing down the slope, Aldergrove’s two goals left them 2-9 to 0-12 ahead at the interval.

Jack Ireland reduced the deficit with a point only ten seconds after the restart, but Aldergrove quickly reasserted their authority. McGarry completed a move that began deep inside the home defence and then punished another poor kick-out before converting a two-point free.

O’Neill made a brilliant point-blank save at the other end, a moment which prevented Gort na Móna from gaining the goal they needed to transform the contest.

Aldergrove continued to pull away through a succession of well-taken scores. Cormac McGarry landed an excellent point from the left, while Gort na Móna replied through Corrigan and a Tarlach Enright free.

The home side’s strength around midfield, where Ryan Owens was outstanding, allowed them to dominate possession during the closing stages. Substitute scores added further gloss before Hanna struck two points in quick succession.

Aldergrove finally put the result beyond doubt in the 26th minute when substitute Chris McCarthy finished a well-worked team move to the net. Seamus McGarry added another point before the hosts completed a convincing 3-20 to 0-17 victory.

With three wins and six points, Aldergrove now sit proudly at the top of Group One and are assured of qualification. On this evidence, their midfield power, defensive strength and lethal forward play should make them serious contenders for the Intermediate Championship title.

Aldergrove: 1 Shane O’Neill, 2 Corey Fogarty, 3 Emmett Irvine, 4 Logan Fleming, 5 Chris McVeigh, 6 Eoin Gough, 7 Sean Patrick Fay, 8 Ryan Owens, 9 Connlaodh Hendron, 10 Gerald Mallon, 11 Seamus McGarry, 12 Oisin Graham, 13 Ronan Hanna, 14 Lewis Smyth, 15 Cormac McGarry.

Gort na Móna: 1 Anton Farelly, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Tiernan Morton, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Eoghan Corrigan, 8 Jack Ireland, 9 Christopher Carson, 10 Ruairí O’Scoláin, 11 Tarlach Enright, 12 Manus McMullan, 13 Daire Keenan, 14 Desmond McClean, 15 Matthew McConnell.

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