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.
Rossa produced a fantastic second half display to record their second football league win of the season against a gallant hard working St Paul’s team.
With a strong wind at their backs St Paul’s were full value for their half time lead, going in at the break 2-3 to 0-3 in front.
St Paul’s made the early running and the Rossa defence had difficulty keeping tags on their fast moving forward line where Caoimhin Duffy and Lorcan Phillips were impressive. But it was their wing half back Niall McKenna who finished off an excellent move for a goal after taking a great pass from Conal Duffy.
Then after 15minutes Caoimhin produced the highlight of the game when he scored a long range goal leaving Mick Byrne stranded after a kick-out. St Paul’s extended their lead to eight points after a Lorcan Phillips point and things were looking bleak for the home side. Rossa steadied the ship late in the half when Colm Fleming and Diarmuid Rogan slotted over points.
Rossa started the second half in great form. They got to grips with the midfield area and with Stephen Beatty and the excellent Patrick Moyes driving them forward they responded with a string of points from Eoghan McMenamin, Ruari McDonagh, Tommy Morgan, Colm Fleming, Stepthen Beatty and Dominic McEnhill. Following a two pointer from 55meters from Mick Byrne Rossa went into the lead which they never relinquished. Rossa, with the introduction of every sub, grew stronger and ultimately it was their power off the bench that ensured victory for the home side.
St Paul’s worked hard throughout the sixty minutes and Mark Munce, James Farrell, Niall McKenna and Caoimhin Duffy can be proud of their efforts.
Rossa: M Byrne 0-3 (1xTPf, 0-1f), M McKernan, P Moyes, J McGurk, P Byrne, S Beatty 0-4, N Crossan, O McVicker, D Morgan, C Walsh, E McMenamin 0-1, D Rogan 0-1, C Fleming 0-3 (0-1f), E Fleming, R McDonagh 0-2
Subs: D McEnhill 0-1f, C McDonnell 0-1, T Morgan 0-2, Rory Grant, F McDonald
St Paul’s: L Higgins, A Kavanagh, E McGreevy, M Duffy, C McCann, M Munce, N McKenna 1-0; J Farrell 0-1, C Hughes, C Burke, C Duffy 1-5 (0-5f), L Phillips 0-1, S Burns, P Crawford, C Duffy
Subs: C Killyleagh, O Stevenson, C Finnegan, L Murphy
In a highly anticipated Antrim Division 2 clash between two unbeaten sides, St Enda’s ultimately proved too strong for Glenavy, pulling away in the second half to secure a 1-19 to 1-11 victory. The match was preceded by a respectfully observed minute’s silence for the former St Enda’s stalwart Eamon Prenter who died recetly.
The St Enda’s and Glenavy teams stand for a minute’s silence before the game in memory of former St Enda’s stalwart Eamon Prenter who died recently
While the first half was a tightly contested, point-for-point battle, the second half saw the momentum shift decisively. The return of Odhran Eastwood to the St Enda’s ranks after a couple of years’ absence has been a massive boost to the Glengormley men this season, and the former county star delivered a masterclass in forward play. Conversely, a severe head injury to Glenavy’s talisman Paddy Gallagher early in the second half served as the game’s undeniable turning point, significantly blunting the Glenavy challenge.
St Enda’s started brightly, with captain Stephen O’Connor opening the scoring just 90 seconds in. The returning Odhran Eastwood immediately made his presence felt, knocking over four consecutive points (three from play, one free) inside the first ten minutes to give his side a commanding early rhythm.
Glenavy, however, refused to be cowed. Fiontan O’Boyle got them off the mark on 12 minutes, followed swiftly by a Darragh de Brún free and a fine score under pressure from Michael Morgan. On the 15-minute mark, a brilliantly worked team move was finished to the net by O’Boyle, giving Glenavy a vital boost.
The game’s frantic pace continued. St Enda’s responded just three minutes later with a superb individual goal of their own from Fionn Nagle. Glenavy’s Finn Jack Shannon then electrified the crowd with a phenomenal long-range two-pointer. Both goalkeepers were called into action, with St Enda’s Owen Kennedy pulling off a brilliant point-blank save on 27 minutes to keep his team in touch.
Following late points from Sean Murray and Eastwood for St Enda’s, and Morgan and de Brún for Glenavy, the teams headed into the break with virtually nothing between them.
Half-Time Score: Glenavy 1-08 | St Enda’s 1-07
St Enda’s burst out of the gates in the second half, with O’Connor equalizing within the opening minute.
The complexion of the game changed drastically on 6 minutes. Glenavy’s star man and captain, Paddy Gallagher, sustained a bad head injury and was forced off the pitch, replaced by Chris Grant. The loss of Gallagher disrupted Glenavy’s shape and momentum, and St Enda’s ruthlessly capitalized.
Eastwood continued his scoring clinic with back-to-back frees, while the St Enda’s defense tightened their grip. St Enda’s began to spread the wealth, with well-worked team points finished by James McAuley and Sean McBride.
Glenavy fought hard to stay in the game, with Morgan and de Brún adding to their tallies, and their goalkeeper Matthew Lawlor producing a stunning point-blank save on 21 minutes to deny a certain goal. However, St Enda’s were simply finding scores easier to come by as Fionn Nagle and McBride added points from play, before a massive two-pointer from play on 27 minutes effectively ended the contest.
Stephen O’Connor capped off a stellar performance with two late points, before Glenavy’s Finn Jack Shannon converted a final free to close out the game
St Enda’s shade this one and lay down a serious marker for the rest of the year. With Odhran Eastwood back and firing, and a squad capable of racking up 1-19, they will be very difficult to stop in the race for the league title.
For Glenavy, there are positives to take from a fantastic first-half performance, but they will rue some missed shooting opportunities that could have kept the scoreboard closer. Ultimately, the unfortunate loss of Paddy Gallagher to injury was a blow they couldn’t recover from against a team of St Enda’s quality.
St Enda’s: Odhran Eastwood (0-7), Stephen O’Connor (0-4), Fionn Nagle (1-1), Sean McBride (0-2).
Glenavy: Michael Morgan (0-4), Fiontan O’Boyle (1-1), Darragh de Brún (0-3), Finn Jack Shannon (0-1, plus one 2-pointer).
Glenavy: 1. Matthew Lawlor, 2. Ruairi Forester, 3. Darragh Doherty, 4. Jonathan Phillips, 5. Odhran Arthurs, 6. Conor Hamill, 7. Padhraic McKevitt, 8. Patrick Gallagher, 9. Ciaran Loney, 10. James Monaghan, 11. Darragh Armstrong, 12. Finn Jack Shannon, 13. Michael Morgan, 14. Darragh de Brún, 15. Fiontan O’Boyle.
St Enda’s: 1. Owen Kennedy, 2. Cillian Browne, 3. Diarmuid McNulty, 4. Eoghan O’Hare, 5. Conan Lyttle, 6. James McAuley, 7. Sean McBride, 8. Sean Murray, 9. Padraig O’Hare, 10. Zac Kyle, 11. Stephen O’Connor, 12. Fionn Nagle, 13. Odhran Eastwood, 14. Darragh Rooney, 15. Ronan Kalla.
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THREE goals inside the first ten minutes laid the foundations to Aghagallon’s 3-11-1-14 win over Lámh Dhearg on Wednesday evening.
The hosts games plan was effective from the outset as they were awarded a penalty within the first 60-seconds as a high ball was flighted into Ruairi McCann and he was hauled down as he was about to pull the trigger, with referee Kevin Parke signalling for a penalty that was dispatched by Adam Loughran.
In reply, Declan Lynch kicked a two-pointer from play, but the Hannashtown side were caught cold again when they conceded a free in midfield and a quick ball was launched into McCann, he gathered and a simple lay-off was palmed home by Jonny Hannon.
Conor Murray halved the deficit with a turn and point, though Aghagallon’s response was to score a third goal inside of ten minutes.
Once again the hosts utilised the high ball into Ruairi McCann, he again offloaded to Hannon who had more work to do on this occasion, rounding John Finucane and then composing himself to steer a shot to the net to make it 3-0-0-3.
The Lámhs cut the deficit through a converted Adam Murray free and an angled Marc Jordan score that dropped over, but they squandered various scoring opportunities throughout the half.
It took Aghagallon until the 27th minute to add their first point of the evening through Adam Loughran and just before the break Eoin Brankin clipped over to ensure his side held a 3-2-0-5 lead at the interval.
Aghagallon extended their lead after the restart with Jonny Hannon and Ruairi McCann both opting to fist over the bar.
Declan Smyth swung a fine shot over and Adam Murray kicked his first from play to maintain the six-point deficit.
The sides cancelled each other out for the majority of the half, the hosts again pulled two further clear when Ruairi McCann shot over and Adam Loughran produced another fine kick that dropped over.
In response Adam Murray dropped an impressive angled score over and substitute Mark Finnegan played a one-two with Declan Smyth and swung over a two-pointed score to make it 3-6-0-10.
Further scores were traded between Enda McCann and the lively Adam Murray- though three unanswered scores in a five-minute spell appeared to have seen Aghagallon home.
Enda McCann doubled his account, a dipping Adam Loughran shot was touched over the bar by John Finucane and then Jonny Hannon shot over his second of the evening.
A third two-pointed score courtesy of Declan Smyth and a Ben Rice point had again reduced arrears to five, but time was against the Hannashtown outfit.
It looked as though Aghagallon would see the scoring out with a further point, though deep into added time Declan Lynch dropped a high ball into the area, an attempted fist pass was blocked down and Marc Jordan swept home a goal that was little more than consolation.
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Featured Image: Andrew Hasson who top scored for St. Mary’s in their win over Eire Og
ACFL Division 3
Rasharkin 0-17 Eire Og 1-7
Unbeaten Eire Og travelled to Rasharkin on Wednesday night to take on a Rasharkin team who have had an indifferent start to the season but who came ‘good’ on the night to defeat their visitors fairly convincingly in the end.
The early exchanges showed us just why the Derriaghy side had played themselves into this lofty position and a flowing move in the 6th minute saw Conall Smith fire an unstoppable shot to Ryan Doherty’s net to move them two ahead.
Andrew Hasson had opened the scoring for the Dreen side with a pointed free and the Rasharkin number 14 would have an increasing influence as the game progressed with his accuracy from the placed ball.
It was Eire Og who continued to enjoy the better of the wind assisted opening quarter as Conor Dixon punched over and Lorcan McIlroy converted a free to move them four ahead by the 12th minute.
Andrew Hasson’s second conversion of the evening closed the gap to three but the visitors were winning a lot of breaking ball from the kick-outs but were guilty of a series of bad wides as they tried to add to their early lead.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness as Andrew Hasson struck an excellent point at the other end from play and Thomas Hasson followed with another to leave just one between the sides approaching half time.
The visitors replied as Conor Dixon fisted over with Andrew Hasson kicking the final point of the half from a free and a one point lead for the Derriaghy side looked precarious as the sides headed for the dressing rooms, given the strength of the breeze.
And so it proved to be as Andrew Hasson struck from distance to raise an Orange flag on the restart and Eamonn McNeill followed with a point from play to move St. Mary’s two ahead.
Lorcan McIlroy replied with a point for Eire Og, who were still enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it hard to turn that possession into scores with Fergus Quigg superb at full-back for the hosts.
A 2 pointer from Eamon McNeill moved the home side further ahead and the visitor’s troubles grew when Eoin Dixon was shown Black and Rasharkin began to take control.
A Tiernan O’Boyle point moved the home side four ahead after 17 minutes but Eire Og did respond and a point from Conor McKenna, and two from Conor Dixon by the 23d minute reduced the gap to the minimum and we looked set for a grandstand finish.
It failed to materialise with Thomas Hasson replying at the other end as Eoin Dixon returned from the sin bin and Andrew Hasson, Substitute, Brian Og O’Neill and a great 2 pointer from Eamonn McNeill put it out of reach of the opposition.
Team captain, Cormac McMullan concluded the scoring with a late point for the Dreen side who were worthy winners in the end and this win should give them confidence for the campaign ahead.
Andrew Hasson gave an exhibition of point taking and would finish with 0-7 for the evening but this was an excellent team performance and team mangers, Cathal McMullan and Paddy Kelly will be happy with what they saw on the evening.
Eire Og showed in spells just why they had started the season so well and some of their approach play and movement was top drawer but too often their shooting let them down.
I would expect them to return from this setback and they look like a side who could be challenging for honours come season’s end.
St. Mary’s Rasharkin: 1 Ryan Doherty, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Pearce Kelly, 5 Connor Higgins, 6 Pearse McTeague, 7 Colm Kennedy, 8 Tiernan O’Boyle, 9 Ruairi O’Boyle, 22 Thomas Hasson, 11, Cormac McMullan, 13 Eamonn McNeill, 14 Andrew Hasson, 15 Killian O’Boyle, 16 Oran McMullan
Eire Og: 1 Jamie King, 2 Barry McDaid, 3 Brian O’Malley, 4 Kayvan Vesali, 5 Luca Mulholland, 6 Stephen Erskine, 7 Mark O’Hanlon, 8 Patrick Maxwell, 9 Eoin Dixon, 10 Gavin Donnelly, 11 Conor McKenna, 12 Ciaran Rice, 13 Conall Smith, 20 Conor Dixon, 15 Lorcan McIlroy
Referee: Gerard Dougan (Creggan)
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