ACFL Division 2

Glenavy 1-18 St. Teresa’s 1-11

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

In the proverbial game of two halves, St. Joseph’s Glenavy came strong in the final quarter to outscore visitors St. Teresa’s and collect their second win of the season at Chapel Hill on Wednesday evening.

It was the men from the Glen Road who made the early running however and inspired by their free taker, John Mallon they led the contest 0-9 to 0-6 at the halfway stage with Mallon very much to the fore.

The St. Teresa’s wing half forward contributed 0-7 to his side’s first half total including a couple of well struck 2 point frees with Roan Hamill opening their account after Ciaran Loney had pointed Glenavy into an early lead.

Michael Morgan, who was prominent for the home side exchanged points with John Mallon to leave it all square after 12 minutes and Anton Taylor replied for St. Teresa’s before the Chaple Hill side briefly led through Darragh Brown and Fiontan O’Boyle after 17 minutes.

John Mallon, who top scored for St. Teresa’s moves clear of Odhran Arthurs, Glenavy

The visitors went on to dominate the second quarter with John Mallon to the fore and his free taking was exemplary  as he added 0-6 to his total though they had to thank their keeper, Mark Small who pulled off a couple of fine saves as St. Joseph’s briefly threatened.

Glenavy finished the half strongly however and points from Finn Shannon and James Monaghan closed the gap to three at the interval and the Chapel Hill side would have been fairly satisfied at this stage despite trailing by three.

The second half opened in spectacular fashion with Owen Gallagher being branded Yellow after 30 seconds and then quick thinking from the visitors saw Ronan Hamill collect a short free before firing to the net and move his side 1-9 to 0-6 ahead with 8 minutes gone.

The home side failed to panic however and went on to dominate the remaining exchanges with their superior fitness and speed slowly wearing down the opposition.

Finn Shannon and Ciaran Loney pointed before Michael Morgan swivelled and fired to the net under pressure and the same player followed with a point to leave it all square at the end of the third quarter.

Odhran Arthurs edged them in front for the first time with talisman, Mallon briefly levelling matters once more.

Fiontan O’Boyle, Glenavy is close down by Mark Small, Phillip Glennon and Diarmuid McTaggart, St. Teresa’s

And it would be brief as Owen Gallagher and a Fiontan O’Boyle treble strike and two more from the superb Monaghan had it all wrapped up by the 26^th minute.

John Mallon continued to fight for a visitor’s team who had run out of steam with his side’s final point with Darragh Brown and Fiontan O’Boyle concluding the scoring with late points for St. Joseph’s.

Two wins from two for St. Joseph’s Glenavy and even at this early juncture Division 2 looks to have all the ingredients for an intriguing league campaign with St. Enda’s and Ahoghill, Davitt’s and Naomh Comhghall and St. James Aldergrove all having aspirations of success.

Glenavy: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Tim Honeyford, 3 Darrach Doherty, 4 Ruairi Forester, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Padhraic McKevitt, 7 Odhran Arthurs, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Owen Gallagher, 10 James Monaghan, 11 Patrick Gallagher, 12 Finn Jack Shannon, 13 Michael Morgan, 14 Darragh Brown15 Fiontan O’Boyle

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Phillip Glennon, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Diarmuid McTaggart, 5 Colm McGoldrick, 6 Ryan Mallon, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 Sean Maguire, 9 Niall McCann, 10 John Mallon, 11 Conor Mallon, 12 Jack Morgan, 13 Ronan Hamill, 14 Anton Taylor, 15 Phil Maguire

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)

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Featured image: Patrick Dougan, who’s first half double sent St. Mary’s to a comfortable victory over Gort Na Mona

ACFL Division 2

St. Mary’s 5-12 Gort Na Mona 3-3

A clinical St. Mary’s Ahoghill disposed of the challenge of Gort Na Mona in this ACFL Division 2 clash at Cloney on Sunday. The Ahoghill side were relegated from division 1 last year and were expected to make a quick return to the higher grade but came unstuck on day one at Davitt’s.

A point separated them and their opponents on that occasion and Gort Na Mona were expected to provide another stiff challenge but in truth it never materialised as St. Mary’s put them to the sword.

Fielding the majority of the side that made the drop at the end of last season, Ahoghill set about business in a wind assisted opening half with goals from Patrick Dougan in the 2^nd and 12^th minutes and a 2 pointer from Ronan Graham.

Colla McDonnell (13) who scored 2 second half goals for St. Mary’s celebrates

They didn’t get it all their own way during the opening half with the Turf Lodge side hitting back with two goals of their own from Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan at the end of the first quarter, both the result of excellent approach play.

We looked to be in for a contest but in truth that was as good as it got for the visitors and it seemed to act as a wakeup call for the home side as they began to find their range.

James O’Connell, making his return to action after a lengthy absence, replied with a point and Noel Crossey (2pt) and Donal Graham followed with a double from range before O’Connell struck his second point of the contest to leave his side 2-11 to 2-00 ahead at the break.

Given the strength of the wind the visitors would have been expected to stage a second half comeback but it never materialised as St. Mary’s put together a display of clinical possession football that continued to produce an end product.

Colla McDonnell, who had been quiet in the opening half, came to life with an opening point and the same player finished to the net in the 7^th minute and followed immediately with another as the flood gates opened.

tthew mcConnell who top scored for Gort Nas Mona

The home side then put another excellent move together which culminated in Noel Crossey finishing to the net from close range with 17 minutes gone and it was as good as over.

St. Mary’s were content to hold onto the ball after that but, to their credit a youthful Gort Na Mona didn’t give up and were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot from Matthew McConnell with four minutes remaining.

The visitors finished with a point from Padraig Cournane to conclude the evening’s scoring but never really looked like mounting a serious challenge to a very gifted Ahoghill side.

The winners had fine performers in James Magee, Diarmaid Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill, Parick Dougan, Patrick Graham, Ronan Graham, Dan O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and Noel Crossey and will be delighted to have James O’Connell back in action.

Gort Na Mona were best served by Ciaran Donnelly, Padraig Cournane, Michael Savage, Ruairi O’Scollain, Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan but on the day never really got going and are capable of much better.

Noel Crossey, scorer of Ahoghill’s 5th goal

St. Mary’s Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Diarmaid Graham, 6 Fionnbar O’Neill, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Ronan Graham, 9 Patrick Graham, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 James O’Connell

Subs: Ryan martin for Colla McDonnell, Ben Friel for James O’Connell

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Sean Campbell, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Brendan Burns, 8 Conchuir Clarke, 9 Tiarnan Morton, 10 Padraic Mulvenna, 11 Ruairi O’Scollain, 12 Caoimhin Beck, 13 David McKeown, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Daire Keenan.

Subs: Dessie McClean, Manus McMullan, Anton Farrelly, Joseph Austin.

Referee: Eamonn McAuley (Erin’s Own)

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ACFL Division 2

Naomh Comhghall 6-15 Naomh Una 0-4

A St. Agnes team, missing 8 of the side who won last year’s Junior Championship and division 3 double had no answer to a slick Naomh Comhghall in round 2 of the ACFL Division 2 at a sunny Dunsilly on Good Friday.

An excellent game of attacking football that was spoiled by an unsavoury incident after 24 minutes when players became embroiled in a flare up and after the dust had settled, referee Paul McNally dismissed a Naomh Comhghall official and a player from Naomh Una.

After that it was back to the real business with the Antrim town side, already 1-4 to 0-1 ahead pushing on to take almost total control.

Their first goal came from Caolan O’Loan in the 12^th minute to move them six ahead and it was 18 minutes before Shay Madden pointed to open St. Agnes account. Three minutes earlier Conall Turley pulled his penalty effort wide of the post.

Torin Hodkinson, Ryan Clarke and Ruairi Griffin were making score taking look easy at the other end and they continued to add to their ever increasing total with Stuart Wilson also on target.

A second goal from Ruairi Griffin saw the home side 2-8 to 0-2 ahead at the short whistle against 14 man Naomh Una and it wouldn’t get any better after the break.

Quick-fire points from Hodkinson and two from Tiernan Floyd moved Naomh Comhghall 15 ahead by the 10^th minute and while the ‘Aggies’ were still battling hard it had already become an exercise in damage limitation.

James Halleron raised the visitor’s third white flag but further goals from Leo McAleer and substitute Dylan Murdock had it all wrapped up by the 22^nd minute and another substitute, Aaron McHugh kicked three point, one an excellent 2 pointer to stake a claim for a starting birth next day out.

Miles Devine converted a penalty with three minutes remaining to put the icing on a polished performance from the Antrim town side who will be well satisfied with their start to the season after an opening day draw at Gort na Mona last week.

Conall Turley converted a late free for St. Agnes to bring their total to 0-4 and Caoimhin Floyd, Mark Caldwell, David McGrahahan, Paudie Meehan and Patrick Carroll were best for a Naomh Una side still trying to find their feet in division 2

Referee, Paul McNally had an excellent game and kept play flowing and was quick to take appropriate action when required and the young Creggan Kickham’s official should have a bright future.

Naomh Comhghall: 1 Peter McAuley, 2 Danaan O’Hara, 3 Cathal Donnelly, 4 Shane Og Gribbon, 5 Eoin Lynott, 6 James McCabe, 7 Ruairi Griffin, 9 Michael McCabe, 10 Aaron McGaw, 11 Miles Devine, 12 Leo McAleer, 13 Ryan Clarke, 14 Tiernan Floyd, 15 Torin Hodkinson, 22 Bailleigh Close, 17 Aaron McHugh, 25 Stuart Wilson,

St. Agnes: 1 Colum Carroll, 2 Keevan Og Grieve, 3 Patrick Carroll, 4 Killian McCormick, 5 James Halleron, 6 Paudie Meehan, 7 Caoimhin Floyd, 8 Matthew Corr, 9 Mark Boyle, 10 David McGaharan, 11 Conall Turley, 12 Mark Caldwell, 13 Colin Mallon, 14 Shay Madden, 15 Cormac McBride

Referee: Paul McNally (Creggan)

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Antrim Football League Division 2

St. Enda’s 3-16 Davitt’s 0-11

St. Enda’s delivered a commanding performance to secure a convincing victory over Davitt’s in their Antrim Football League Division 2 clash on Friday evening. Played in blustery conditions at Hightown, the home side fully utilized a strong first-half breeze to build an unassailable lead that a spirited Davitt’s side simply could not overturn

The opening fifteen minutes saw Davitt’s work hard to hold their own against a stiff breeze, but St. Enda’s methodical attack soon began to wear them down. The home side opened their account early with a pointed free from Conor Eastwood. This was quickly followed by a well-worked team score finished by midfielder Padhraig O’Hare.

The Hightown men extended their advantage on the eight-minute mark when Michael McKenna landed a brilliant two-pointer from play. Sustained pressure yielded further points from Odhrán Eastwood in a scramble and a sharp strike from half-back Sean McBride.

The turning point of the half arrived at the fifteen-minute mark when a flowing St. Enda’s move was emphatically finished to the net by full-forward Darragh Rooney. Odhrán Eastwood followed up with a difficult point under heavy pressure to widen the gap.

Davitt’s finally found the target at the 25-minute mark. With standard avenues closed, goalkeeper Aaron Slane stepped up to launch a massive, long-range two-point free through the wind. However, St. Enda’s instantly cancelled it out when midfielder Sean Murray split the posts with a long-range two-pointer of his own.

The final ten minutes of the half belonged entirely to St. Enda’s as they ruthlessly put the game to bed. Conor Eastwood struck for two goals in the space of two minutes—the first from open play, and the second capping off another excellent team move. A fisted point from Sean McBride just before the whistle left the halftime score at a daunting 3-09 to 0-03.

Armed with the wind advantage after the turnaround, Davitt’s faced a massive uphill battle. St. Enda’s struck first again, with Darragh Rooney pointing two and a half minutes into the half.

Davitt’s began to apply heavy pressure, but they were repeatedly thwarted by St. Enda’s goalkeeper Owen Kennedy, who produced a brilliant blind save in the 37th minute to deny a certain goal.

At the other end, Davitt’s keeper Aaron Slane continued to be his team’s primary offensive weapon from dead balls, reducing the deficit with two quick frees. He added another spectacular two-point free in the 47th minute, but St. Enda’s managed the game beautifully. Former county star Odhrán Eastwood kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side, landing a point from play and two composed frees to keep Davitt’s at arm’s length.

A slick team point finished by Padhraig O’Hare highlighted St. Enda’s continuing efficiency in possession. While Davitt’s kept fighting—culminating in another key save from Owen Kennedy under heavy pressure and a final two-point free from Aaron Slane on the stroke of full-time—the damage had well and truly been done in the first half.

While the second half was a much more evenly contested affair, St. Enda’s clinical 10-minute blitz before halftime proved decisive. Their ability to maximize the wind advantage, combined with a resolute defensive display anchored by Owen Kennedy in the second half, ensured a comfortable and well-deserved two points in Division 2.

St. Enda’s Starting XV: The St. Enda’s starting lineup, from numbers one through fifteen, featured Owen Kennedy in goal, followed by Cillian Browne, Diarmuid McNulty, Eoghan O’Hare, Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Sean McBride, Sean Murray, Padhraig O’Hare, Zac Kyle, Michael McKenna, Mickey Morgan, Conor Eastwood, Darragh Rooney, and Odhrán Eastwood.

Davitt’s Starting XV: The Davitt’s starting lineup, from numbers one through fifteen, consisted of Aaron Slane in goal, followed by Sean Lindberg, Caoimhin Rainey, Jack Scally, James Lindsay, Anthony Hargan, Deaglan Mooney, Anthony Rowntree, Michael Connolly, Paul Mc Laughlin, Sean Og O’Neill, Brady Maguire, Conor John Sullivan, Oskar Deevy Persson, and Caomhan Slane.

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Antrim Football League – Division 2

St Agnes 1-06 Glenavy 2-13

Report and pics by Bert Trowlen

Newly promoted St Agnes welcomed Glenavy to Woodlands for a highly anticipated Antrim Football League Division 2 clash. Despite a spirited and promising display from the home side, it was Glenavy who demonstrated superior control throughout the game, proving to be the dominant force on the day and running out deserving 2-13 to 1-06 winners. Glenavy set out their stall early, applying pressure and dictating the pace. Young forward Finn Shannon opened the scoring for the visitors with a well-taken free early in the match. The turning point of the first half came in the seventh minute when Glenavy’s Michael Morgan found the back of the net to give his side a crucial early cushion. The Aggies battled hard to establish a foothold, but Glenavy’s defense held firm, and Shannon continued his fine form by tapping over another free shortly after to extend the visitors’ lead heading into the break.

The second half saw an uptick in intensity, but Glenavy struck a heavy blow right out of the gates. Seven minutes after the restart, Shannon fired past the St Agnes keeper to grab Glenavy’s second goal of the afternoon. By the twelfth minute, Shannon added another point from a free, firmly putting his team in the driver’s seat. However, St Agnes refused to roll over. At the fourteen-minute mark, Conall Turley stepped up to nail a crucial two-point free, sparking a revival for the home side. Just three minutes later, Brian Crossan delivered one of the scores of the game, splitting the posts with a magnificent long-range effort from play. Glenavy quickly capitalized on a defensive breach in the nineteenth minute; catching St Agnes with only two players forward, they worked the ball up the pitch, resulting in another converted free for the relentless Shannon.

The Aggies showcased exactly why they earned promotion with a beautiful, sweeping team move in the twentieth minute, finished off brilliantly by Cormac McBride. Five minutes later, St Agnes goalkeeper Colum Carroll kept his team’s hopes alive with an absolutely stunning point-blank save. Feeding off their keeper’s heroics, the Aggies worked another fantastic team score in the twenty-ninth minute, with Crossan once again applying the finishing touch. However, Glenavy had the final say, with Shannon capping off his phenomenal scoring exhibition with a final free in the dying moments. The victory was built on strong performances across the pitch for Glenavy, with Ciaran Loney orchestrating in midfield alongside the imposing Ben McCambridge, while Tim Honeyford and James Monaghan proved difficult to contain. While Glenavy thoroughly deserved the victory, St Agnes can take plenty of positives from the fixture. Last year#s Junior champions clearly have the talent and the structural promise to compete in Division 2, and with a bit more belief, the potential is certainly there for future success.

St Agnes 1- Colum Carroll, 2- Keevan Og Grieve, 3- Patrick Carroll, 4- Killian McCormick, 5- Conor Gregory, 6- Mark Caldwell, 7- Kevin Floyd, 8- Matthew Corr, 9- Barry McCrea, 10- Paudie Meehan, 11- Cormac McBride, 12- Conall Turley, 13- Shay Madden, 14- Brian Crossan, 15- David McGaharan.

Glenavy 1- Matthew Lawlor, 2- Tim Honeyford, 3- Darragh Doherty, 4- Ruairi Forester, 5- Pearse O’Neill, 6- Conor Hamill, 7- Jonathan Phillips, 8- Darragh Moore, 9- Ciaran Loney, 10- James Monaghan, 11- Patrick Gallagher, 12- Odhran Arthurs, 13- Michael Morgan, 14- Darragh Armstrong, 15- Finn Jack Shannon.

Footnote – Michael McCourt, who came on as a sub for Glenavy midway through the second half was playing in his 27th season for St Joseph’s.

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