SFC Preliminary round :
Naomh Treasa v Naomh Mhuire Rasharkin – Lamh Dearg – Sun 17th August 2014 –
2.00pm Referee – Fionntan McCotter
One of the most eagerly awaited games in recent St Teresa’s history, as their
young Gaels lined out in the Antrim Senior Football Championship for the first
time in 18 years.
Opting to play with the strong wind at their backs, St Teresa’s went behind to
an Eamon McNeill point for the Rasharkin side. St Teresa’s soon opened
their own scoring with a good Aaron Thompson point, following a strong run from
Eoin Gault with assistance from Philly Maguire and Piaras McCaffery. The Glen Road men
availed of the wind, with Stevie Carey and Conor O’Rawe providing long
searching balls into the heart of the Rasharkin defence. Two point
scoring chances went a begging before Anton Taylor scored a point when the
fullback deflected his goalward shot over the crossbar, following good passing
movement from O ‘Rawe, Johnston, Maguire and McCann. Maguire and Taylor
combine to put Thompson in space and his trusty left foot put St Teresa’s two
in the lead. Championship atmosphere appeared to be lacking, and the
match lacked intensity, but it burst into life when a darting run from Paul
Johnston found Brendy Agnew in space in front of the keeper and Agnew rounded
the keeper and he blasted the ball to the net! 1.3 to 0.1 the home side
led. St Marys battled back but playing against the breeze was
tough. Half forward Declan McKay, pulled a point back for the Rasharkin
men before Taylorlobbed a highball into the heart of the Rasharkin defence leaving Agnew and
Thompson to compete with the fullback; Agnew Broke the ball down and Thompson
thumped it to the back of the net. Super T's were seven points up with 20
minutes and running the game with Donnelly and Johnston coolly controlling the
back lines. St Teresa’s soon made it eight in front when Colm McGoldrick,
McCaffery and Gault combined to find Taylor who was fouled as he turned to bear
down on goal. Thompson converted the free. 2-4 to 0-2. St
Teresa’s were springing attacks with McGoldrick and McCann looking dangerous in
possession. In fact St Teresa’s should have been further in front when
Robbie Gallagher
put Agnew through on goal but the Rasharkin keeper pulled off a
good stop. McKay pulled another point back for Naomh Mhuire before St
Teresa’s ended of the half with another goal. Carey, Johnston, Donnelly
and McGoldrick combined to find Taylorwhose attempt on goal was blocked but Darren McCann was there sweep up the
pieces and rifle the ball to the back of the net.
HALF TIME: Naomh Treasa 3-4 Naomh Mhuire 0-3
Ten points looked an unsalable lead at the outset of the half for the Glen Road men, but
this is championship football. Paul McGoldrick had replaced Agnew in the
St Teresa’s attack.
With the wind at their backs St Mary’s where first to attack and a good point
from McNeill, got them going again. Another point soon
followed from O'Neill. Rasharkin were on a roll and sensed the confusion
in the Naomh Treasa backline. A long ball in from Midfielder Brendan
Elerson, found the full forward on his own and he passed to McKay whose
shot was deflected, but tricked past Murtagh in the St Teresa's goal into the
net. Another point for Rasharkin quickly followed, a good score from half
forward Brendan McMullan. 3-4 to 1-7. The Glen Road men were hemmed in to their own
half and struggling to get any movement going. Rasharkin missed a couple
of crucial score before the Super T's sprang back into action. Good play
from O'Rawe, Hamill and Gault eventually got some momentum for last years
Intermediate champions. A great set play from Johnston, Thompson and McCann
found Gallagher in space and he banged it into the net. Order was
restored.
Taylor then
scored arguably the best point of the day, after good build up saw Thompson and
Maguire combine to find the county player wide on the right and Taylor scored a
peach of a point from 30 yards against the swirling wind. Rasharkin's
hope were further dashed when they were reduced to 14 men after a black
card. Thompson then ended the contest with another fine point. St
Teresa's were now back in cruise control with the McGoldrick's and McCaffery
controlling loose ball around midfield and Donnelly Carey and Johnston snuffing out any rare Rasharkin
attack. The last 8 minutes remained scoreless despite another goal
opportunity for St Teresa's, with Connolly and Rainey coming on to add impetus
to the attack. A tough task now faces Naomn Treasa when they take on St John's in the quarter
final.
FINAL SCORE: Naomh Treasa 4-6 Naomh Mhuire 1-7
St Teresa's scorers:
Aaron Thompson 1-4
Brendan Agnew 1-0
Darren McCann 1-0
Robbie Gallagher 1-0
Anton Taylor 0-2
St Mary’s Rasharkin Scorers:
Declan McKay 1-2
Eamon McNeill 0-4
Brendan McMullan 0-1