St John’s and Loughiel Camogs finish level once again

St John’s 2-05 Loughgiel 2-05 at Maltina Park, Carnlough

Match Report : Tracey Graham and Eamon McFadden

For the second time this season, St John’s and Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC could not be separated after another fiercely contested battle ended all square at Maltina Park.

Before throw-in, both teams and their supporters observed a minute’s silence in memory of John Taggart, who passed away recently. John was a huge supporter of St John’s and is greatly missed by everyone connected with the club

Loughgiel made the perfect start when Anna McKillen found the net after four minutes, but St John’s responded through a Monique O’Boyle point before Rhianna McAuley struck a brilliant goal to put the girls ahead.

Monique added another point, while Nikki Black and Niamh Graham also raised white flags for St John’s. Róise McGarry registered Loughgiel’s opening point before Erin Connolly’s goal late in the half brought the sides level at the break.

Half-time: St John’s 1-04 | 2-01 Loughgiel

The heavens opened several times during the second half, but the difficult conditions only added to the drama as both teams fought for every ball.

Loughgiel moved three points ahead through Charley McCarry, Brianna McCloskey and another McCarry point. Both sides were guilty of squandering chances, although St John’s recorded substantially more wides and will perhaps feel they could have taken more from the game.

Erin Connolly added her side’s final point in the 58th minute, giving Loughgiel a four-point advantage as the game entered its closing stages.

However, St John’s refused to accept defeat. Monique O’Boyle fired home a crucial late goal to reduce the gap to a single point before holding her nerve to strike the equaliser deep into injury time.

A tough, physical championship battle that could have gone either way, with both teams showing tremendous determination in testing conditions.

Full-time: St John’s 2-05 | 2-05 Loughgiel

St John’s scorers:

Monique O’Boyle 1-03

Rhianna McAuley 1-00

Nikki Black 0-01

Niamh Graham 0-01

Loughgiel scorers:

Erin Connolly 1-01

Anna McKillen 1-00

Charley McCarry 0-02

Róise McGarry 0-01

Brianna McCloskey 0-01

For the second time this year, these two teams finished level at full-time. Well done to both sides on a gripping contest played in very difficult conditions.

Match Report : Tracey Graham and Eamon McFadden

David Humphrys Humphrys Sports Photography