Aldergrove Take the Spoils in Local Derby Win

Antrim Division 2 Reserve Football League

St. James’ Aldergrove 3.08 v 0.10 St. Joseph’s Glenavy

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Aldergrove welcomed their near neighbours for the first of the clubs derbies this season.

A minutes silence was held for the mother of St. James’ chairman Paul McCarthy and long-time committee member Harry Brazier who passed away recently. May they rest in peace.

The home side got off to the worst possible start when they had a player red carded for an off the ball incident. To their credit the Crumlin side batted down the hatches, indeed for the remainder of the game it looked like the opposition were a man short.

Conor Hanna put the home side in front with a well taken point. Declan Doone who came on as a blood sub for Darragh Armstrong brought the sides level with an excellent point. With both sides giving their all play was fragmented with frees. On six minutes Aaron O’Connor scored a beauty from an acute angle to put his side in front for the lead his side never lost. Conor Hanna added a point to his tally quickly followed by a well-executed goal from Conlieth O’Toole. Niall McCann who was in excellent form pointed a free to double the visitor’s score. Ryan McCarthy extended his sides score with a point once again Niall McCann was on the score sheet with a point from play and a pointed free. When Michael Fox added a point to close the gap to two the Hill side were in with a chance. The Aldergrove midfield’s Daniel Bell and Finn McDonagh were beginning to rule their area. The home side finished the stronger with points from Conor Browning and Fergal Burke to leave the score 1.06 v 0.05 as the halftime whistle sounded.

The second half started wit two Glenavy points from Niall McCann and Ethan McGarry, this was a terrific score from the side-line close to the thirteen meter line,  to once again to close the gap to two. With the home forwards getting a regular supply of ball they were putting the visitors defence under severe pressure. The pressure was rewarded when the Glenavy keeper hauled down a player to prevent a gaol. Referee Paul Burns had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and giving the keeper a black card. Callum Creighton made way for ever-present Donard Shannon to come into goals. Fergal Burke gave the keeper no chance with an excellent penalty to leave the score 2.06 v 0.07. Niall McCann kept plugging away and was rewarded with his fifth point. Dominic Gallagher who had just came on shower his experience when he pointed. Any hopes of a Glenavy comeback was thwarted when Fergal Burke put the game beyond their reach with a goal following a mix up in the square. Fergal added another point before Niall McCann had his sixth Point. Connor Totten had the final score with a well taken point.

Final score St. James’ 3.08 v 0.10.

St. James’ C. Taggart; C. Magee; M. McCarthy; C. Ferguson; O. Creaney; C. Totten; D. Aiken; D. Bell; F. McDonagh; C. Morris;  F. Burke; A. O’Connor; C. O;Toole; R. McCarthy; C. Hanna.

St. Joseph’s. G. Collins, S. Eastwood; T. Honeyford; N. McNally; C. Grant; M. Lawlor; M. Fox; B. McCambridge; M. Kane; C. Creigton; N. McCann; E. McGarry; R. Hickland; S. Ó Dochartaigh; D. Armstrong; D. Doone; C. Smiley; D. Shannon; M. Magee; A. Gallagher; D. Gallagher; P. McClenaghan; A. O’Hare;