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.      

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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)

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ACFL Division 2

Ahoghill 4-24 St. Teresa’s 3-11

Both sides went into this division 2 league encounter at Cloney on 10 points but in the end it turned into a route for Naomh Muire as they totally out played a St. Teresa’s side missing a number of regulars.

Ahoghill led 2-19 to 2-5 at the halfway stage and even at this juncture St. Teresa’s looked a well beaten side but to their credit they kept battling to the final whistle.

Indeed it was the visitors who got off to the better start with goals from Conor Delaney and Liam Connolly in the opening quarter but Naomh Muire kept in touch with Patrick Graham, James O’Connell 0-3 and Dan O’Neill hitting points.

Immediately after Connolly’s goal for the Glen Road side, Ahoghill responded with a goal of their own through Colla McDonnell to hit the front and they would not again be headed as they began to play with pace and confidence.

Patrick Dougan, Ronan Graham, James O’Connell 0-4, Dan O’Neill brought their point count for the evening to 19 as the Cloney side scored at will and when Eoin Graham fired home their second goal on 30 minutes they were looking good.

Darren McCann did add to his opening point for St. Teresa’s and further points from Niall McCann and Conor Mallon left them trailing by 14 at the short whistle.

Zac Morgan got St. Teresa’s off the mark with a point in the opening minute of the second half and Niall McCann added two more as the visitors made a bright start but the Cloney side hit back with a vengeance and Dan O’Neill fired home their third goal of the evening in the 8^th minute.

St. Teresa’s were still enjoying a fair bit of success at this stage with John Mallon adding two further points but just when they appeared to be getting up a head of steam, James O’Connell got in for Ahoghill’s fourth goal of the contest.

Colla McDonnell, Dan O’Neill and James O’Connell added to the host’s ever increasing points tally before Darren McCann finished to the net for St. Teresa’s third goal of the evening with 8 minutes of normal time remaining.

James O’Connell and Ronan Graham concluded the Naomh Muire scoring with Conor Mallon replying with a consolation point for St. Teresa’s.

This win keeps St. Mary’s in second place in the table and moves them onto 12 points, two ahead of Glenavy who have two games in hand and St Teresa’s who have one in hand but it is St. Enda’s who continue to set the pace following a resounding victory over Naomh Comhghall on Saturday night.

Ahoghill: 1 Rian Martin, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Tom McGlone, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Ronan Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Dan O’Neill, 10 Noah Friel, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 James O’Connell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Colla McDonnell

19 Ben Friel

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Philip Glennon, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Diarmuid McTaggart, 5 Conor Mallon, 6 Eoin Connolly, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 9 Darren McCann, 10 Conor Delaney, 11 Niall McCann, 12 Tony McGaharan, 14 Philip Maguire, 15 Zac Morgan, 16 Leo Morgan, 17 Gary McCann, 19 Tiarnan Heaney, 23 John Mallon

All County Football League – Division Two

Aldergrove 2-21 | Glenavy 1-13

Prior to throw-in for this eagerly anticipated south-west derby, a respectful minute’s silence was observed in memory of Glenavy’s Eamonn Devereux who died earlier this week.

When the ball was thrown in, it was Aldergrove who found their rhythm early, dictating the tempo and utilizing sharp, efficient breakouts to ultimately secure a commanding victory. Aldergrove hit the ground running, registering their first score within thirty seconds through a point from play by Ryan McCarthy. Seamus McGarry followed up shortly after with a converted free. Glenavy’s James Monaghan offered a swift reply with a point from play at the two-and-a-half-minute mark, but Aldergrove quickly took control of the opening quarter.

Between the 10th and 19th minutes, the St. James’ men dominated the scoreboard. Rónán Ó hAnnaidh and Seamus McGarry fired over points from play, before Aldergrove’s number 17 reliably converted two consecutive frees to stretch the lead. Glenavy battled hard to stay in touch. Leon Lavery was a constant threat, pointing from play and adding a free. James Monaghan executed a crucial two-pointer from a dead ball, while Fiontan O’Boyle added his name to the scoresheet just before the 30-minute mark. Lavery added another under intense pressure, keeping the St. Joseph’s men within striking distance. Discipline frayed slightly as Glenavy’s Ruairi Forester was shown a yellow card in the 31st minute. Aldergrove capitalized on the shifting momentum immediately. After their number 17 tapped over another free, Lughaidh Mac Gabhann broke free to rifle home a brilliant breakaway goal. Glenavy’s Finn Jack Shannon answered with an excellent long-range effort, leaving the halftime score at Aldergrove 1-09, Glenavy 0-08.

Glenavy emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, focusing on intricate team build-ups. Leon Lavery was heavily involved again, hitting three superb points in the opening five minutes—one well-worked team score and another opportunistic point following a save. Aldergrove, however, refused to panic. Seamus McGarry steadied the ship with a massive long-range point. After a substitution that saw their number 17 make way for number 25, Aldergrove orchestrated a beautiful team move finished sharply by Cormac McGarry. At the 14-minute mark, the game burst wide open. Glenavy strung together a magnificent team move that culminated in Michael Morgan finding the back of the net, injecting real belief into the Glenavy sideline.

Yet, the final quarter belonged to Aldergrove. Their dominance around the midfield sector began to tell, and their forwards were ruthless. Seamus McGarry added an individual point, followed by an unbelievable pressure score from Cormac McGarry. Rian Ó hEoghain and Rónán Ó hAnnaidh kept the scoreboard ticking over as Aldergrove found another gear. Despite James Monaghan fighting valiantly for Glenavy with a free and a point from play, Aldergrove’s conditioning and shooting accuracy won out. Seamus McGarry hit another great point under pressure, Rónán Ó hAnnaidh landed a two-pointer from play, and Lughaidh Mac Gabhann capped off the afternoon with the final score of the game.

Ultimately, Aldergrove were on a different level today. They controlled the middle third of the pitch with authority, turning turnovers into sharp, efficient breakouts that Glenavy struggled to contain. Seamus McGarry rightfully earns the Man of the Match honors for his exceptional shooting, vision, and overall control of the game’s flow. For Glenavy, it was a frustrating afternoon. Missed scoring opportunities, particularly in the opening thirty minutes, left them with too steep a mountain to climb. The effort was there, especially early in the second half, but the final message for the St. Joseph’s men as they look ahead to the next round is clear: better pull, boys, better pull.

TEAM LINEUPS

ALDERGROVE: 1. Shane O’ Neill 2. Lonan Magee 3. Corey Fogarty 4. Caden Lagan 5. Chris McVeigh 6. Emmett Irvine 7. Oisin Graham 8. Ryan Owens 9. Conleth Hendron 10. Cormaic McGarry 11. Ryan McCarthy 12. Seamus McGarry 13. Ronan Hanna 14. Fearghal Burke 15. Lewis Smyth

GLENAVY (Naomh Seosamh): 1. Fergal Green, 2. Ruairi Forester, 3. Darragh Doherty, 4. Jonathan Phillips, 5. Pearse O’Neill, 6. Padhraic Mckevitt, 7. Odhran Arthurs, 8. Patrick Gallagher, 9. Fiontan O’Boyle, 10. James Monaghan, 11. Ciaran Loney, 12. Finn Jack Shannon, 13. Leon Lavery, 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Darragh de Brun.

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