Winning Start for Senior Men

Antrim Division 2 Football League

                                                  St. Joseph’s Glenavy 3.13 1.14 Kickham’s Ardoyne

Both sides fielded several young players who gave their all to their side. At the second half water break the Hill side were 3.11 to 1.06 in front. Whatever Ross Carr said to his North Belfast charges worked as they outscored the home side 7points to 2 points to leave Glenavy glad to hear the final whistle.

For the first ten minutes the Orangemen ruled the game with five unanswered points from Fergal Green with three (1 a free), Malachi Doherty and Michael McCourt getting the other two. Oisin McVicker opened the visitors account when he split the posts, Chris McMullan opened his account with a point. Fergal Henry got in on the scoring with a point from an acute angle to open the gap to four. Chris McMullan and Kieran Lynn closed the gap to two. Malachi Doherty was showing glimpses of his form before his terrible injury which kept him out for a year when he landed a beauty between the sticks.  With a passing movement out of defence the ball reached Patrick Gallagher who took a short solo before passing to Fergal Henry who found the back of the net to leave his side leading by double scores 1.07 v 0.05. Declan McCann added a point before the ever-reliable Fergal Green added two pointed free. Once more the Hill side showed what they could do when a long kickout from Lorcan Murphy found Oisin Hamill who got the ball to Patrick Gallagher who passed into the inrushing Peter Trainor and with a nice sidestep he found the net. Referee Eamon Hamill blew the halftime whistle with the score 2.09 v 0.05 in favour of the home side.

Charles McMullan landed a beauty between the post from an acute angle. Ardoyne were given a boost when the were awarded a penalty for a jersey pull. Aaron McNeill was the coolest player on the pitch and gave the keeper no chance as the ball nestled in the net. To their credit the Hill side fought back and were rewarded with an excellent goal from the hardworking Patrick Gallagher. Peter Traynor and Fergal Henry added points to leave the score at the water break 3.11 v 1.06. The visitors came out with all guns blazing with Charles McMullan adding a point to his tally. Malachi Doherty pulled a point back before Ardoyne added six unanswered points from Aaron McNeill 2, Declan McCann 1, Charles McMullan 3. To leave the score 3.12 v 1.13. Fergal henry added to his tally of points with Oisin McVicker getting the final point just before the final whistle was blown.

Both sides deserve great credit for the standard of football that was served up. Both teams are in action when Glenavy plays near neighbours Aldergrove. And Ardoyne entertain Davitt’s.

Glenavy: Lorcan Murphy; Oliver Brankin (Finn Malley); Liam Henry; Chris Grant; Ryan Phillips; Darragh Doherty; Ruairi Forester; Oisin Hamill; Patrick Gallagher; Malachi Doherty (Ethan McGarry); Michael McCourt (Declan Doone); Fergal Green; Fergal Henry; Peter Trainor (Michael Fox) & Ciaran Loney.