Senior Lose by the Narrowest of Margins in Parish Derby

Aldergrove Complete the Double on Neighbours Glenavy

Antrim Division 2 Football league

St. James’ 1.10 v 1.09 St. Joseph’s

Local parish rivals Aldergrove and Glenavy met in the second round at Crumlin on a cold miserable evening. With torrential rain just before the throwin meant the players had to contend with a wet slippery pitch. One bright note was to see the return of Gregory Walsh back in the middle after a long illness.

The visitors playing up the hill were first on the score sheet with a Michael McCourt pointed free. Brian McQuillan and Seamus McGarry added points to put the reds in front. We then had the first goal of the game when Thomas Gallagher was alert and finished to the net. Fergal Burke closed the gap to one when he split the posts. The ever reliable Michael McCourt added to his tally with a pointed free. Owen Gallagher, one of six brothers playing, burst through from midfield to land an excellent point. Back came the Crumlin men with a move that started in defence finished with Fergal Burke finding the back of the net. The final score of the half was a point from an acute angle by Fergal Burke.

Halftime score St.James’ 1.04 v 1.03 St.Joseph’s

From the throwin Owen Gallagher broke free and landed the equalizing score. Seamus McGarry showing all his experience slipped his marker and put his side back in front. Connor Morris got on the team sheet with an excellent point. The young Chapel Hill side was tiring on the heavy pitch when the management made three changes which settled the side down. Thomas Gallagher closed the gap to the minimum when he split the posts with a beauty. Brian McQuillan extended the home sides lead with a point from some distance. Owen Gallagher showed all his class when he jinked through for a point. Seamus McGarry while under severe pressure was fouled and landed a point from the resultant free to leave the score 1.8 v 1.6

With darkness closing in the game would not have been finished had it not been for the floodlights being turned .on.  James Gallagher and Fergal Burke exchanged points with time running out.  James Gallagher was now operating on the edge of the square and added a pointed free and one from play to leave the scores level. . The visitors could have won the game in the next five minutes only for three very poor wides. From a kickout the ball made its way to Brian McQuillan who took his chance and drove the ball over the bar for what turned out to be the winning score.

Over the hour the home side deserved their win as they made much better use of their scoring chances. The visitors were bitterly disappointed in losing the fifth league game to a single point. Both sides will be glad to see the league ending in what would be classed as a poor season. Roll on 2020.

Glenavy; Donard Shannon; Ryan Malley; Conor Hamill; Ruairi Forester; Ryan Phillips; Charles Gallagher; Patrick Gallagher; James Gallagher; Owen Gallagher; Michael McCourt (Anthony Gallagher); Niall McCann; Peter Traynor (Fergal Green); Thomas Gallagher; Ciaran Loney Fergus Cunningham. (Fergal Henry).

Referee Gregory Walsh St.Mary’s Aghagallon