Naomh Úna (St. Agnes’) 1-09 St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1-17

St. Mary’s Ahoghill delivered a professional performance at Woodlands, pulling away in the second half to secure a comprehensive eight-point win over Naomh Úna.

The opening period was a high-octane affair with both sides finding the net. Colla McDonnell gave Ahoghill a flying start with a goal in the 4th minute, while Mark Boyle kept the “Aggies” in contention with a goal of his own at the 24-minute mark. Points from McDonnell (0-2), James O’Connell (0-2), and the Crossey brothers, Noel and Conor (0-1 each), helped the visitors to a three-point lead at the break. Naomh Úna’s first-half resistance was led by Daithi McGaharan (0-2) and Conall Turley (0-1).

Half-time: Naomh Úna 1-03 St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1-06

Ahoghill’s clinical edge told in the second half as they methodically added to their tally. James O’Connell led the charge with four points, while Patrick Graham (0-2) and Colla McDonnell (0-2) also contributed multiple scores. Dan O’Neill, Donal Graham, and Conor Crossey added a point apiece to ensure the visitors remained in total control.

Naomh Úna continued to battle, with Cormac McBride hitting two fine points and Conall Turley, Paddy Toner, and David McGaharan all finding the range. However, they couldn’t claw back the deficit as Ahoghill’s superior point-scoring ability secured a vital two points for the Cloney side.

This win keeps St. Mary’s Ahoghill very much in the promotion race, one point behind league leaders St. Enda’s, and following relegation from division 1 last year the Cloney men could be on course for a quick return to the higher grade.

It’s been a different story for the ‘Aggies’ who were division 3 and Junior Championship winners last year but have yet to register a win in the higher grade. They lost half a dozen players following last year’s success to emigration but there were tentative signs on Wednesday night that first win of the season might not be too far away.

Naomh Úna Scorers: Mark Boyle (1-00), David McGaharan (0-03), Cormac McBride (0-02), Conall Turley (0-02), Paddy Toner (0-01), James Halleron (0-01).

St. Mary’s Ahoghill Scorers: James O’Connell (0-06), Colla McDonnell (1-04), Patrick Graham (0-02), Noel Crossey (0-01), Conor Crossey (0-02), Dan O’Neill (0-01), Donal Graham (0-01).

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Featured Image: Colla McDonnell whoes hat-trick helped St. Mary’s Ahoghill to an important win over St. James’ Aldergrove in Crumlin

St. James’ Aldergrove 2-15 (21) — 4-15 (27) St. Mary’s Ahoghill

St. Mary’s Ahoghill kept their promotion hopes firmly on track with a high-octane away victory over fellow contenders St. James’ Aldergrove. In a remarkable ACFL Division 2 clash that produced six goals, the visitors’ blistering first-half performance and hat-trick heroics from Colla McDonnell proved to be the difference.

First-Half Blitz
Ahoghill signalled their intent from the off, racing into a commanding 2-11 to1-03 lead by the half-time whistle. Colla McDonnell was the tormentor-in-chief, netting both of Ahoghill’s first-half majors. Their point-taking was equally sharp, with James O’Connell (0-4) and Dan O’Neill (0-3) leading the way, supported by white flags from Noel Crossey, Patrick Graham, and CollaMcDonnell. Aldergrove stayed in touch during the opening period thanks to a Conor Browning goal and points from Ryan McCarthy (0-2) and CormacMcGarry.

The Grandstand Finish
The game transformed into a wide-open shootout after the break. Aldergrove emerged with renewed vigour, and when Ryan McCarthy found the net in the 9th minute of the half, a massive comeback looked on the cards. The home side hit a purple patch with points from Conor Browning, Fergal Burke, Brian McQuillan, and Ryan Owens, threatening to overhaul the heavy half-time deficit.

However, Ahoghill’s clinical edge returned just in time to quell the rebellion. James O’Connell calmed nerves by smashing home a penalty in the 23rd minute, followed by a clinical finish from Colla McDonnell in the 28th minute to complete a spectacular hat-trick. Late points from Patrick Dougan, Patrick Graham, and James O’Connell ensured the Clooney men stayed out of reach. The result keeps Ahoghill within touching distance of league leaders NaomhÉanna.

ACFL Division 2

St. Teresa’s 1-08 (11) — 0-10 (10) Davitt’s

St. Teresa’s entertained Davitt’s in the ACFL Division 2 on Wednesdaynight, eventually securing a hard-fought one-point victory under the evening sunshine on the Glen Road.

The game’s decisive blow landed as early as the 9th minute. A long delivery into the Davitt’s square was mishandled by keeper Aaron Slane, and Zachary Morgan reacted quickest to palm the ball to the net. Despite the goal, St. Teresa’s found themselves battling a stiff breeze in the opening half. They focused on a patient possession game with points from Anto Taylor and DarrenMcCann, but Davitt’s led 0-06 to 1-02 at the interval thanks to scores from Caomhan Slane (0-2), Deevy Persson, the excellent Sean O’Neill, and an Aaron Slane free.

St. Teresa’s struggled to find their rhythm after the restart, failing to push on even with the wind at their backs. Davitt’s handled the conditions better, extending their lead through another Slane free and two superb points from Conor John Sullivan. When Eoin Connolly finally got St. Teresa’s off the mark in the 15th minute of the half, they still trailed 0-09 to 1-03 and the visitors looked more likely winners.

However, the home side found a second wind. A brilliant long-range free from John Mallon in the 22nd minute brought the Glen Road men to life, while the introduction of Philip Maguire brought much-needed composure to the midfield battle. St. Teresa’s hit a purple patch to clinch the result, with further points from Darren McCann and two more from Anto Taylor. A late reply from Marcus Toner for Davitt’s wasn’t enough to bridge the gap as the hosts held on.

In a game that was uncompromising but fair throughout, Referee Darren McKeown did a great job in keeping play moving and managing the intensity of the local derby.

For the winners, Paul Johnston, Darren McCann, Niall McCann, and AntoTaylor were excellent throughout. Davitt’s were best served by the tireless Sean O’Neill, along with Aaron Slane and Conor John Sullivan.

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

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ACFL Division 2

St. James 2-13 Gort na Mona 2-11

Gort na Mona visited Aldergrove as big underdogs but their young forward line started the game with ferocious pace with Matthew McConnell scoring a goal in the 1st minute. The visitors were playing with a significant breeze behind them but were out of the blocks with serious intent. They continued to cause the Aldergrove back line issues with their inside forwards movement and racked up another point before Aldergrove managed to get the scoreboard moving when they hit back with 2 points.

The Gort’s keeper made an excellent save to prevent a Seamus McGarry goal before the visitors started to turn the screw with another goal and 3 points before Aldergrove got their final score of the 2nd half. Gort na Mona continued to dominate and went in at half time with a well-deserved lead of 2-9 to 0-3, thanks to a second McConnell major and it appeared game over.

With the wind at their backs Aldergrove came out a different side and had scored a goal and 2 points with  Cormac McGarry scoring a great goal to bring the game back to 7 points before Gort na Mona replied with a great point from their no. 14. However the visitors were now struggling to contain a reinvigorated forward line with Ryan McCarthy winning plenty of ball up front and feeding the runners. 

Aldergrove brought the game level with another goal from Conor Morris some great 2 pointers from Cormac McGarry and a point from Fergal Burke. With 5 minutes left to go Seamus McGarry hit a superb 2 point effort to go two up and this was followed by another point to move his side 3 points ahead.

With 4 minutes left to go, Aldergrove were reduced to 14 men to give the supporters plenty to worry about for the last part of the game but they held tight to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

ACFL Division 2

Ahoghill 0-17 Lisburn 2-6

St. Mary’s Ahoghill continued their good run in division 2 when they overcame the challenge of St. Patrick’s Lisburn in Cloney on Wednesday night.

James O’Connell served notice that his return to match fitness is well underway when he kicked 2 early 2 pointers and Donal Graham followed with another as the home side took full advantage of the breeze to move 0-6 ahead after 4 minutes.

It was all St. Mary’s during the opening exchanges as Diarmaid Graham and Patrick Dougan, with his side’s fourth Orange flag of the half added to the St. Mary’s total and when James O’Connell hit another double they were 0-11 ahead.

St. Patrick’s had been under the cosh up until this point but they did finish the half strongly and kicked the final three points with Colm Burns and two from Oisin Gorman putting a better look on the score-line at half time.

James O’Connell extended the Ahoghill lead from a pointed free in the opening minute of the second half but St. Patrick’s replied from a Che Smith pointed free and when Tom Buckley followed with a goal in the 6^th minute their comeback looked to be underway.

Not lying down on the job! James O’Connell who finished with 0-8 as Ahoghill beat St. Patrick’s Lisburn in Cloney on Wednesday night.

Two minutes later Oisin Gorman got in for a second goal and the Ahoghill lead had been reduced to two points and the game had swung the way of the visitors and required a response from the home side.

And respond they did as Ronan Graham pointed a free and Patrick Graham added a fine score from play before Eamon Doyle replied for the visitors to leave three between the sides with 14 minutes gone.

The visitors would add only one further point however as St. Mary’s finished strongly to dominate the final quarter.

James O’Connell put the icing on a fine individual performance as he brought his total to 0-8 for the evening and the impressive Ronan Graham added two more to see the home side comfortably home and move just one point behind Naomh Eanna at the top of the table after 4 rounds of games.

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

Subs: 20 Ben Friel, 21 Noah Friel, 22 Seamus McKeever, 23 Ryan Martin

St. Patrick’s Lisburn: 1 Peter O’Neill, 2 Jack Brodrick, 3 Sean Burns, 4 Conor Doran, 5 Jack McMullan, 6 Ben McMullan, 7 Colm Burns, 8 Tom Buckley, 9 Adam Patterson, 10 Daire Austin, 11 Oisin Gorman, 13 Josh McMullan, 14 Jude Rafferty, 15 Che Smith, 18 Eamonn Doyle

Referee: Cathal McDermott