THE penultimate round in the Intermediate Championship took place with St Enda's producing a remarkable comeback whilst St Teresa's and Aldergrove battled out a barn burner of a game as St James' edged the big battle.
Glenavy 1-19 Naomh Éanna 1-22
St Enda’s produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat St Joseph’s Glenavy 1-22 to 1-19 in a thrilling Intermediate Football Championship encounter at Chapel Hill, Glenavy.
Playing with a strong wind behind them in the opening half, Glenavy made the conditions count and appeared to put themselves in a commanding position. Michael Morgan struck for an early goal after just 40 seconds, and James Monaghan, Pearse O’Neill and goalkeeper Luke Devereux all contributed heavily to the scoreboard. Devereux was particularly impressive from placed balls, while O’Neill added two excellent two-pointers as Glenavy built a ten-point lead.
St Enda’s struggled to make an impact against the elements but remained within reach through the scoring of Odhrán Eastwood, James McAuley and Stephen O’Connor. Glenavy went into the interval 1-15 to 0-08 ahead, leaving St Enda’s with a huge deficit to overturn.
However, the Hightown side produced a completely different performance after the restart. McAuley reduced the deficit immediately before Eastwood became increasingly influential from frees. Several Glenavy infringements allowed the St Enda’s forward to advance frees into scoring range, and he punished the home side with a series of valuable two-point scores.
The momentum swung dramatically towards the visitors, and the decisive moment arrived with eight minutes remaining when Fionn Nagle scrambled the ball over the line for a crucial St Enda’s goal. Sean Murray, Ronan Kalla and Michael McKenna then added further points as the comeback was completed.
Glenavy battled to the end, with Monaghan adding another free, but St Enda’s held firm to secure a remarkable 13-point turnaround. The result highlighted the influence of the wind, but St Enda’s ruthlessness after half-time ultimately proved decisive.
St James' Aldergrove 4-13 St Teresa’s 3-12
Aldergrove survived a remarkable second-half comeback from St Teresa’s to secure a hard-earned victory in an entertaining Intermediate Championship clash that produced seven goals and plenty of drama.
The home side looked to be cruising at half-time after a devastating opening 30 minutes. Lewis Smyth was the standout performer, finding the net three times as Aldergrove tore into the St Teresa’s defence. Cormac McGarry also added a goal, while Aldergrove’s attacking threat and direct running caused the visitors plenty of problems. By the interval, the hosts had established a commanding 4-05 to 0-05 lead.
St Teresa’s had struggled to contain Aldergrove during the opening period, but John Mallon’s accurate free-taking ensured they remained on the scoreboard and gave them something to build on after the break.
The second half was a completely different story. St Teresa’s came out with renewed purpose and Mallon converted a penalty before adding further scores. Anton Taylor then found the net, and when Philip Maguire blasted home another goal before adding a two-point score, the visitors had dramatically reduced the deficit to just a single point.
Aldergrove were suddenly under severe pressure as St Teresa’s continued to push forward. Further scores from Maguire, Mallon and Colm McGoldrick kept the momentum firmly with the visitors and set up a tense finale.
However, Aldergrove showed considerable composure when it mattered most. Seamus McGarry and Cormac McGarry registered crucial scores to settle the home side’s nerves, allowing them to withstand St Teresa’s late push for an equaliser.
Ultimately, Aldergrove’s ruthless finishing in the first half proved decisive. St Teresa’s can nevertheless take huge encouragement from a sensational second-half revival that came within touching distance of completing one of the championship’s most dramatic comebacks.
Aldergrove took the spoils over the Super T's
Naomh Comhghall 1-11 Naomh Muire 5-14
St Mary’s Ahoghill recovered from a slow start to record a convincing victory over Naomh Comhghall in the OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship at the Parish Field on Saturday.
Naomh Comhghall made the stronger opening, racing into a 1-01 to 0-00 lead inside five minutes after Ryan Clarke’s point and Liam Phinn’s well-taken goal. St Mary’s gradually settled with Tom McGlone, Miles Devine, Patrick Graham and James O’Connell among the scorers as they began to gain control.
The visitors turned the game on its head late in the opening half. Ronan Graham found the net in the 24th minute before Colla McDonnell bundled home a second goal shortly afterwards. O’Connell’s late free left St Mary’s 2-07 to 1-07 ahead at the interval.
Naomh Comhghall briefly reduced the deficit after the restart, but St Mary’s quickly regained control. Dan O’Neill added a point before scoring a third goal, while O’Connell’s speculative delivery deceived the home goalkeeper and dropped into the net shortly afterwards.
Colla McDonnell then struck his second goal of the afternoon before Donal Graham added another late green flag. Naomh Comhghall continued to battle, but missed opportunities prevented any comeback.
The result moves St Mary’s to the top of Group Two, while Naomh Comhghall now face a crucial final fixture with relegation implications.
Gort Na Móna 2-17 Naomh Úna 1-08
Gort Na Móna bounced back from their previous defeat with an impressive 2-17 to 1-08 victory over West Belfast rivals St Agnes’ in the OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship at Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh.
The hosts made a blistering start, with Matthew McConnell rising to fist Caoimhin Beck’s delivery to the net after just two minutes. Jack Ireland added a two-pointer before St Agnes’ responded through Conall Turley, who showcased his impressive range with a superb two-point free.
Gort Na Móna gradually took control through their pace and powerful transition play. Daire Keenan, Dessie McClean and Eoghan Corrigan all contributed important scores as the hosts established a 1-07 to 0-04 lead at half-time.
Gort continued in devastating fashion after the restart, scoring five unanswered points in the opening three minutes before Caoimhin Beck fired home their second goal. Keenan then added three more points as the hosts threatened to run away with the contest.
St Agnes’ refused to surrender, with Turley continuing to lead the fight and Declan Crummey pulling a goal back midway through the half. However, Gort Na Móna remained firmly in control, with McClean and Beck adding further scores before Peter Lavery registered a late consolation point.
Daire Keenan, Dessie McClean and Matthew McConnell shared 1-11 between them, while Gort’s relentless pace and attacking movement proved decisive. The victory puts them in a strong position to secure second place and a quarter-final spot.
