ACFL Division 2A 

St Teresa’s 1-20-2-19 Glenavy 

Kevin Herron reports from St Teresa’s 

Fiontan Boyle’s last gasp goal snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Glenavy in their thrilling 2-19-1-20 win over St Teresa’s on the Glen Road on Sunday afternoon. 

Glenavy didn’t fall behind in the game until the dying embers when Paul Johnston’s point looked to have snatched a comeback win for the hosts. 

However, Boyle carried the ball forward and despite being fouled en route towards the target he continued on and saw the goal open up, slotting home to seal victory. 

It was Glenavy who were quickest off the mark and in front inside of a minute through a James Monaghan point, with Niall McCann restoring parity a few minutes later. 

The games opening goal came in the 6th minute with Monaghan to the fore again, touching the ball home past Mark Small. 

Niall McCann doubled his account from a 45’ but his side were very much on the back foot in the aftermath, 

Referee Ritchie Leahy penalised Eoin Connolly for overcarrying and that allowed Glenavy goalkeeper Luke Devereux the opportunity to come forward and kick a two-pointed free. 

The visitors made the most of their wind advantage in the first period and Leon Lavery added his side’s second two-pointed score, this time from play. 

Lavery blasted over a further score after being slipped in by Monaghan, with Niall McCann kicking a two-pointed free in response to keep St Teresa’s in touch (1-6-0-4). 

With five minutes to the break Glenavy had moved ahead by double figures. They added two further two-pointers, the first following a patient move before Pearse O’Neill dropped the shot over from outside the arc, Leon Lavery added his second from a tigh angle and Finn Shannon then surged towards goal but saw his shot parried over for a point. 

St Teresa’s had a lifeline before the break, Philip Maguire’s free was kept in play by Ronan Hamill and Sean Maguire palmed the loose ball past Devereux and into the net to make it 1-11-1-4. 

A further two-pointed free was converted by Niall McCann before the break, but Glenavy responded when Finn Shannon’s high shot from outside the arc dropped between the posts to ensure his side were 1-13-1-6 ahead at the midway point. 

It was Glenavy who would extend their lead after the restart courtesy of a third two-pointed score from Leon Lavery, on this occasion from a free. 

A straight-forward free from Niall McCann got his side up and running and the hosts ate into the nine-point deficit that Lavery’s free had established. 

Darren McCann kicked his sides first two-pointed score from play and two minutes later Niall McCann scored his third of the afternoon and first from play to make it 1-15-1-11. 

A further point followed from John Mallon, but St Teresa’s momentum was ended by successive close range frees by Leon Lavery and James Monaghan. 

John Mallon increased his personal tally, converting his side’s third two-pointed free of the contest. 

A few minutes later Ronan Hamill popped over and by the 51st minute the bare minimum separated the sides as Mallon took a lay-off from Ryan Mallon and split the posts. 

The margins widened slightly as James Monaghan surged forward and pointed and he added his second free of the half two minutes later to make it 1-19-1-16. 

The hosts came battling back with experienced veteran Philip Maguire scoring his first, John Mallon converted a free to make it a point game again and it stayed the way until the 60th minute when Mallon stroked over a further placed ball to tie the sides level for the first time since the 6th minute. 

In a battle of wits St Teresa’s looked to have seized victory a minute into injury time when Paul Johnston calmly fisted the ball over to give his side the lead for the first time. 

Luke Devereux’s kick out was won by a team-mate and immediately the visitors charged forward in search of a leveller at the very least. 

Fiontan Boyle took up possession and used his pace to drive into a shooting position for a point, he was fouled but Ritchie Leahy allowed the advantage to develop and Boyle found himself bearing down on goal and he showed great composure to steer a low shot beyond Mark Small and into the corner to dramatically make it 2-19-1-20. 

There wasn’t enough time for St Teresa’s to try and hit back for a second time as Boyle’s late strike proved the difference. 

ST TERESA’S: M Small, A Dugan, P Johnston (0-1), R Mallon, E Connolly, C O’Rawe, C McGoldrick, D McCann (0-2, 1×0-2pt), P O’Rawe, J Mallon (0-5, 1×0-2ptf, 0-1f), S Maguire (1-0), P Maguire (0-1), R Hamill (0-1), N McCann (0-10, 2×0-2ptf, 1×0-2pt, 0-1f, 0-1 45’). 

GLENAVY: L Devereux (0-2, 1×0-2ptf), O de Brun, R Forester, M Fox, F Boyle (1-0), C Hamill, P McKevitt, P Fox, O Arthurs, J Monaghan (1-4, 0-2f), R Phillips, P O’Neill (0-2, 1×0-2pt), L Lavery (0-8, 2×0-2pt, 1×0-2ptf, 0-1f), B Loughran, F Shannon (0-3, 1×0-2pt). SUBS: B McCambridge for O Arthurs (51). 

REFEREE: Ritchie Leahy (ST ERGNAT’S, MONEYGLASS)

More photos from the game can be accessed below

https://myalbum.com/album/AjCjb34jcJdodf/?invite=83c79114-6834-48c6-bb93-acf34b4928e6

ACFL Division 2

St. Teresa’s 2-17 Ahoghill 1-11

With both sides short some regulars this game was an enjoyable encounter. Goals in the first half from Ronan Hamill and Anton Taylor gave the home side a half time lead of 2.06 v 0.08. An early Ahoghill goal left a single score in it. The home side then hit a purple spell scoring 7 points to move well clear. Ahoghill to their credit battled to the end but Conor Mallon inspired Ts saw it out to win by nine points

ACFL Division 2

Glenavy 1-15 Aldergrove 1-10

The highly anticipated ACFL Division 2 derby exploded into life within the first 30 seconds when Aldergrove’s Lewis Smythsliced through the defence straight from the throw-in to fire over a spectacular opening point.

Glenavy responded with a devastating ten-minute scoring blitz. Midfielder Ciaran Loneykicked off the response with a fine point from play in the 6th minute, followed a minute later by a clinical effort from wing-forward Pearse O’Neillto edge Glenavy into the lead. St. Joseph’s goalkeeper Luke Devereuxthen put on a master class in long-range place-kicking, converting successive frees in the 9th and 11th minutes and when Pearse O’Neill raised his second white flag from play in the 12th minute, Glenavy had surged into a 0-05 to 0-01 lead.

Aldergrove halted the momentum in the 18th minute when ChristopherTaggart converted a much needed free. Glenavy’s net minder Luke Devereux cancelled it out in the 20th minute, demonstrating fantastic accuracy to strike over another long-range free.

Aldergrove’s corner-forwardRonan Hanna then began to exert a major influence on the game, converting a crucial point from play in the 24th minute to close the gap to 0-06 to 0-03.

The defining moment of the half arrived in the 28th minute. Following a rapid team move through the centre of the pitch, Glenavy’s Darragh Brown found himself in space and kept his composure to smash a brilliant shot into the back of the net for the game’s opening goal.

Faced with a sudden seven-point deficit, Aldergrove showed tremendous resilience in the remaining moments of the half. The evergreen Rónán Hanna led the fight-back, hitting two magnificent back-to-back points in the 29th minute and deep into stoppage time (31st minute). His scoring display dragged Aldergrove right back into contention, leaving the scoreline reading 1-07 to 0-05 in favor of St. Joseph’s Glenavy as both teams headed down the tunnel for a well-earned break.

The second half began in explosive fashion. Aldergrove’s Rónán Hannaimmediately buried a spectacular goal to ignite his side. Glenavy attempted to steady the ship with points from Darragh Brown and another massive ’45’ from keeper LukeDevereux, but Aldergrove found another gear.

The Crumlin men launched a devastating five-point unanswered surge. Seamus McGarry triggered the run, followed by a Ryan Owensfree. Momentum shifted entirely as Chris McVeigh, Lewis Smith, and wing-back Oisín Graham fired over consecutive points to edge Aldergrove into the lead for the first time since the opening minute.

Faced with a defensive crisis, the Glenavy management introduced veteran MickeyMcCourt to stabilize the middle sector. The tactical move slowed down the pace and drew crucial fouls. Darragh Brown locked the game with an equalizer in the 23th minute, before corner-forward Leon Lavery stepped up to convert two high-pressure frees in the closing stages.

With Aldergrove throwing everything forward deep into injury time, Glenavy’s defense held firm. A final breakout forced one last foul, allowing Darragh Brownto step up in the 36th minute and drill over a final free to put the gloss on a monumental 1-15 to 1-10 derby victory for Naomh Seosamh.

Gort na Mona v Glenavy

ACFL Division 2

Gort na Mona 3-10 St. Joseph’s 0-12

Despite this defeat to Gort na Mona in the final game before the split, St. Joseph’s Glenavy have secured a place in the top section of the table where they will be joined by St. Enda’s, Ahoghill, Aldergrove and St. Teresa’s.

The Gorts will rue earlier season defeats as they showed on Wednesday night just what they are capable of as goals from Jack Thompson after 25 minutes of the first half and further goals from Sean Ireland and Manus McMullan in the second powered them to a 7 point win in the end.

It was even enough during the opening half and indeed a 2 pointer from Leon Lavery gave Glenavy a 2 point lead by the 10^th minute and the Chapel  Hill side must have fancied their chances at that stage but things were soon to change.

Points from Tarlach Enright (free) and Daire Keenan had it all square by the 19^th minute though Glenavy briefly restored their lead through a point from Jack Shannon but two more points from Daire Keenan and Conor Scannell for the Mona Bye-pass  side  by the 22^nd minute gave them a lead  they would hold to the end.

A scrambled goal from Jack Thompson after the visitors defence got itself  in a tangle with five minutes remaining to the break put the home side in a strong position and they would go on to lead 1-7 to 0-7 at the break  with late points from Jack Shannon and Leon Lavery for the visitors keeping their hopes alive.

Glenavy looked like making it a real contest when James Monaghan and   Leon Lavery fired over points in the opening stages of the second half but the visitors only flattered to deceive as Gort na Mona took complete control at midfield.

A converted ‘45’ by Tarlach Enright and a goal by Sean Ireland reasserted their control by the 11^th minute and points from Matthew McConnell and Manus McMullan extended their lead as the visitors struggled to contain a now well moving opposition.

McMullan added to his earlier point as he rose to palm home his side’s third goal and while Glenavy never gave up the damage had been done.

Gort na Mona were thankful to keeper Anton Farrelly as Glenavy went looking for goals with the home keeper pulling off a couple of fine saves and St. Joseph’s had to settle for points from James Monaghan, Leon Lavery and Jack Shannon  but it proved too little-too late. 

St. Josephs will now have to regroup in an effort to gain a promotion place and while St. Enda’s look well on their way to the title, on 18 points, Ahoghill 12, Aldergrove 12 and St. Teresa’s 10 and Glenavy on 10 will all have their sights set on a  promotion place.      

TO VIEW MORE OF BERT TROWLEN’S ALBUM CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

 https://myalbum.com/album/YM8EuKpiUBEUDJ      

ACFL Division 2

St. Enda’s 5-19 St. Teresa’s 1-8

A relentless second-half performance from St. Enda’s saw them restrict St. Teresa’s to a solitary point while racking up 3-10 to seal an emphatic 5-19 to 1-8 victory. The win ensures St. Enda’s maintain their top spot in ACFL Division 2 heading into the league split, while St. Teresa’s also progress into the top five despite the heavy scoreline.

St. Enda’s opened the match sharply, racing into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead by the sixth minute with points from Seán Neilan, Mickey Morgan, and Stephen O’Connor. Niall McCann responded with a brace of points for St. Teresa’s, but the league leaders hit back instantly through Padraig O’Hare, Morgan, and Odhrán Eastwood to lead 0-6 to 0-2.

The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute when Eastwood found the net for St. Enda’s. St. Teresa’s fought back through points from Anto Taylor and McCann, but St. Enda’s hit another purple patch. Points from Sean McBride, Padraig O’Hare, and Michael McKenna were followed by a brilliant solo goal from Mickey Morgan. A close-range goal from Niall McCann on 25 minutes threw St. Teresa’s a lifeline, and Anton Taylor added two further points to leave the halftime score at 2-9 to 1-7.

St. Teresa’s opened the second half with a point from Leo Morgan, but it proved to be their only score of the entire period. St. Enda’s completely took over, starting with two points from Eastwood. St. Teresa’s goalkeeper Philip Maguire made a fine save to briefly deny the hosts, but the pressure finally told on 14 minutes when Sean McBride surged through to score St. Enda’s third goal.

Eastwood added two more points—the second beautifully set up by McBride—before Padraig O’Hare struck a brace to extend the lead to 3-16 to 1-8 by the 22nd minute. St. Enda’s refused to take their foot off the gas in the closing stages. O’Hare notched another two points, substitute Fionn Nagle raised a white flag, and late goals from Seán Neilan and Zac Kyle capped off a dominant second-half display. A final point from the clinical Eastwood put the seal on a 23-point victory.

Naomh Éanna: (1) Sean Nagle, (2) Cillian Browne, (3) Diarmuid McNulty, (4) Eoghan O’Hare, (5) Ronan O’Neill, (6) James McAuley, (7) Sean McBride, (8) Padraig O’Hare, (9) Seán McCullagh, (10) Michael McKenna, (11) Stephen O’Connor, (12) Mickey Morgan, (13) Odhrán Eastwood, (14) Darragh Rooney, (15) Seán Neilan, (16) Fionn Nagle, (17) Zac Kyle, (18) Owen Kennedy,20 Ruairi McBride .

Naomh Teresa’s (1) Philip Maguire, (2) Philip Glennon, (3) Paul Johnston, (4) Ryan Mallon, (5) Conor Mallon, (6) Eoin Connolly, (7) Liam Connolly, (8) Darren McCann, (9) Seán Maguire, (10) Pierce O’Rawe, (11) Conor O’Rawe, (12) Anton Taylor, 14 Niall McCann, 15 Zac Morgan, 17 Leo Morgan, 18 Aodhan Dougan, 19 Diarmuid McTaggart

Referee: Paul McNally (Creggan)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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