OB CONSTRUCTION IFC Group 2
Naomh Comhghall 1-11 Naomh Muire 5-14
St. Mary’s Ahoghill recovered from a slow start to overcome the challenge of Naomh Comhghall in this OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship encounter, played on the Parish field behind St. Jopseph’s primary school on Saturday.
Barry Burn’s St. Comgall’s started brightly and looked like they might cause an upset when they led 1-1 to 0-0 after five minutes, their goal coming from Liam Phinn after Ryan Clarke had kicked the opening point.
Tom McGlone fisted over for the Cloney side’s opening score with Miles Devine replying with a great 2 pointer as the ‘Town’ continued to enjoy the better of the opening exchanges.
Patrick Graham added the visitor’s second point before a well struck 2 pointer from James O’Connell and a single from McGlone that went over via the crossbar had it back to the minimum before Ryan Clarke responded with a Naomh Comhghall point.
The Ahoghill side were beginning to find their feet and their strong running from deep was starting to cause problems and they struck with a vengeance as Ronan Graham struck with a goal in the 24th minute with the home side appealing for an over carrying offence, but in vain.
The home side looked shocked and a minute later another devastating attacking movement with the ball moved at speed through the hands, saw Eamonn Brady denied by keeper, Caolan McKeown but Colla McDonnell bundled the ball home from close range.
Points from McAuley and Clarke had it back to 2 as half time approached but James O’Connell replied from a late free to leave the Ahoghill men 2-7 to 1-7 ahead as Sean Elliott sounded the half time whistle.
Ryan Clarke briefly closed the gap to two with a point after 20 seconds for the home side but Dan O’Neill pointed at the other end before raising the Orange flag and when a speculative delivery from James O’Connell deceived Caolan McKeown and dropped to the net in the 7th minute, there was suddenly 8 between the sides.
Naomh Comhghall were then dealt another blow when mid-fielder, James McCabe limped out of the action to be replaced by Conor McAuley but they did rally with points from Liam Phinn and Ryan Clarke before disaster struck again.
Patrick Graham delivered the ball from around mid-field and it was superbly fielded by Colla McDonnell who swivelled and fired home for the visitor’s fourth goal with 15 minutes remaining.
It was as good as over at this stage though Naomh Comhghall kept battling but they were guilty of some poor shooting as they kicked a series of bad wides that might well have re-ignited their challenge.
A couple more Jimmy O’Connell points at the other end showed just how it should be done and Donal Graham rubbed more salt in the Naomh Comhghall wound when he was on hand to collect a rebound of an upright and fire to the net from close range.
Eoin Lynett concluded the scoring with a late consolation point for Naomh Comhghall who must now regroup for their final Group 2 game away to Naomh Padraig Lisburn with relegation from the Intermediate Championship at stake for sides.
This win puts St. Mary’s top of Group 2, two points ahead of St. Enda’s and Glenavy who meet on Sunday and the Cloney side wind up their Group campaign when they travel to Hightown on the 20th September to meet St. Enda’s.
Naomh Comhghall: 1 Caolan McKeown, 2 Shane Og Gribbin, 4 Dannan O’Hara, 28 Eoin Lynett, 7 Michael McCabe, 8 Louis Higgins, 9 James McCabe, 10 Leo McAlfeer, 11 Torin Hodkinson, 12 Aaron McGaw, 14 Miles Devine, 15 Ryan Clarke, 20 Diarmuid Hanna, 25 Shane Hinfey, 30 Liam Phinn
Subs: Conor McAuley, Colm Griffin, Aaron McHugh, Baillieigh Close,
Naomh Muire: 1 Ryan Martin, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Eoin Graham, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Tom McGlone, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Paul Crossey, 14 James O’Connell, 15 Colla McDonnell
Subs Used: James Magee for Martin Graham, Noah Friel, Donal Graham
Referee: Sean Elliott (Lamh Dhearg)
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