OB CONSTRUCTION IFC

Aldergrove 4-13 St Teresa’s 3-12

Match report and photos by Brian Hamill at St James’

Aldergrove survived a remarkable second-half revival from St Teresa’s to seal a hard-earned Intermediate Championship victory in a contest that produced seven goals and plenty of drama. 

The home side looked firmly in control by the interval after a devastating opening half. Lewis Smyth proved unplayable during that spell, rattling home a hat-trick of goals, while Anton Taylor also found the net as Aldergrove surged into a commanding 4-5 to 0-5 lead. 

St Teresa’s struggled to contain the direct running of the Aldergrove attack, although JohnMallon kept the scoreboard ticking over with a series of frees to ensure they remained within touching distance. 

The game was transformed after the restart. St Teresa’s emerged with renewed energy and quickly reduced the deficit when John Mallon converted a penalty before adding further scores. A goal from Lewis Smyth followed, and when Philip Maguire blasted to the net and then landed a two-point score, the gap was suddenly reduced to a single point. 

Aldergrove were under real pressure as St Teresa’s continued to attack. Scores from Phil Maguire, 0-2 John Mallon and Colm McGoldrick brought the visitors right back into contention and set up a tense finish. 

To their credit, Aldergrove steadied themselves at the crucial moment. Important scores from Seamus McGarry and Anton Taylor settled nerves before the hosts closed out the contest despite St Teresa’s pushing desperately for an equaliser. 

Aldergrove’s ruthless first-half finishing ultimately proved decisive, but St Teresa’s can take great encouragement from a second-half performance that nearly produced one of the comebacks of the championship.

Aldergrove Starting XV

1. Sean O’Neill
2. Malachy Burns
3. Cayden Lagan
4. Logan Fleming
5. Chris McVeigh
6. Emmett Irvine
7. Conor Morris
8. Corey Fogarty
9. Ryan McCarthy (0-2)
10. Oisin Graham
11. Seamus McGarry (0-4)
12. Glenn Dunham (0-2)
13. Ronan Hanna (0-2)
14. Lewis Smyth (3-1)
15. Cormac McGarry (1-2)

Subs used:
17. Fearghal Burke
19. Ryan McCarthy
20. Conor Morris 

St Teresa’s Starting XV

1. Mark Small
2. Liam Connolly
3. Paul Johnston
4. Ryan Mallon
5. Piaras McCaffery (0-1)
6. Eoin Connolly
7. Colm McGoldrick (0-1)
8. Sean Maguire
9. Pierce O’Rawe
10. Zachary Morgan
11. Phil Maguire (0-1)
12. Niall McCann (1-2, including one two-pointer)
13. John Mallon (1-7, including a penalty goal and one two-pointer)
14. Darren McCann (1-0)
15. Anton Taylor (0-1)

Sub used:
19. Conor Delaney 

Referee: Paul McNally

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