ANTRIM SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - FRI 5th SEPTEMBER 2014 - PAIRC ROSSA - NAOMH TREASA V NAOMH EOIN
It's been 35 years since St Teresa's last beat St Johns in the Antrim
Senior Football Championship and that was to win the title for their
first and only time, way back in September 1979. Notably names form that
team; Maguire and McGoldrick are still present
in this far more youthful outfit. A good crowd had gathered to watch
this intriguing match and a minutes silence for the late Eddie
Fitzsimmons RIP was impeccably observed by all.
The opening minutes were slow as both teams sensed each other out. The
under-dogs didn't seem over awed by the occasion but the Johnnies had
snuffed out early darting attacks from Conor O'Rawe, Conor Mallon and
Eoghan Hamill. Joe Rainey and Piaras McCaffery,
were winning good ball, but somehow the ball wasn't getting through to
the forward line. Deadlock was eventually broken when, Anton Taylor,
Darren McCann and Brendy Agnew combined well to set Aaron Thompson up
for the first score. Steven Carey and Paul Johnston
at the heart of the defence were quick to pounce on any St Johns
attack. St Teresa's youngsters were gnawing away at the Johnnies
defence with McCann and O'Rawe proving difficult to catch. The games
was ten mins old when a sweeping St Teresa's move involving
O'Rawe, Rainey, Carey and Maguire put Taylor in, who shrugged off the St
John's defence and his shot went agonisingly past the keepers right
hand post. With their first real attack, the Johnnies levelled the
match through the trusty foot of Brian Neeson.
In the next attack a high searching ball played into the St Teresa's
penalty area saw Neeson score again with punching a loose ball over the
bar. However, Neeson found himself heading for an early shower being
sent off soon after. Playing with the extra man
at the back, the Glen Road men were patient at building up their attack,
but struggling to convert scores. Another break against the run for
play, saw Paddy McBride point to put the Johnnies two in front with 15
minutes gone. A good kick out from Conall Hamill
found Philly Maguire and he combined with Agnew and Colm McGoldrick, who
floated the ball into the box. Rainey was "on hand" to punch the ball
over the bar. Two more quick attacks from St Teresa's failed to
register any score and when St Johns broke down the
field, McBride scored a cracking point from 45 yards out on the right
wing. 0-4 to 0-2 St John's led. A clumsy free given away on their own
21 metre line gifted another point to McBride and a three point lead to
the Johnnies. The score line was flattering
the favourites, as wave after wave of St Teresa's attack faltered.
Hamill in goal saved well from a rare shot at the St Teresa's goal and
the speed of Mallon, Hamill, Johnston and O'Rawe was causing the St
Johns forwards head aches. St Teresa's hit three more
wides before another St John's break won them a free and McBride again
slotted the ball over. The half ended with Paul Johnston finding Darren
McCann in space and the young lad kept a cool head to score a much
needed point for the Super Tees.
HALF TIME: NAOMH TREASA 0-3 NAOMH EOIN 0-6
St Teresa's started the second half in hungry mood. Good early runs
from Mallon and McGoldrick were opening up the Johnnies defence and
Robbie Gallagher and Anton Taylor starting to get the breaks. Another
wave from the Glen road men with Mallon, Rainey, Maguire
and Thompson all involved found McCann in space again and his effort hit
of the upright to go over for a point and give the St Teresa's men a
ft. However, St Johns responded immediately with another fine effort
from McBride. However, the turning point in the
game happened shortly after Philly Maguire sent a deep troubling ball
into the St Johns box and Brendy Agnew was on hand to see it into the
Johnnies net. All level. 1-4 to 0-7. St Johns responded within a minute
with the next attack when Lockey McCurdy pointed
to put St John's back into the lead. Game on. St Teresa's responded
well. Another attack started by Carey involved Mallon, Rainey and
McGoldrick, who picked out Taylor who was fouled. Thompson pointed the
resultant free. Level again. The next attack employed
the speed of O'Rawe, Johnston and Mallon and the strength of Maguire and
Agnew, to set Thompson up for another fine point. The Glen Road mens
fitness was starting to dominate. Another period of pressure ensured. A
good move from O'Rawe, Hamill, McCaffery and
Gallagher found Thompson who was fouled whilst goal bound. Agnew
pointed the free. 1-7 to 0-8. Agnew then added to his tally with an
excellent score, taking a catch well and blasting over from 10 yards,
following a high ball played in from Thompson. 3 points
the lead for the division one side and St Teresa's were only just
starting to play. A scintillating run from Conor Mallon over 60 yards
and a great one-two with Gallagher allowed Mallon to fist over a
fantastic score. The next score was equally as good with
a storming Johnston run, and pass found sub, Paul McGoldrick, who's shot
from from 35 yards was pin perfect. 1-10 to 0-8 to the Super-tees. As
the last minutes drew in the Johnnies went in search of goals, but
where stopped by a brave and determined defence.
McCaffery and Rainey were a force in midfield. Padraig Nugent scored a
point St Johns, but it looked too little too late. O'Rawe, Rainey and
McGoldrick brothers combined to put Thompson through and with his forth
point of the day, Thompson had crowned off
a great victory. The St Teresa's fans were delirious and St Johns, with
best players Anto Press and Paddy McBride, must look to their Division
One dogfight for survival. The St John's manager, Paddy Nugent, said
afterwards "St Teresa's fully deserved victory.
On the night they were the better team and we wish them all the best for
the league and Championship". Super tees now face Cargin or Lamh Dearg
in the Semi-final. Their first semi-final since 1986.
FINAL SCORE: NAOMH TREASA 1-11 NAOMH EOIN 0-9
St Teresa's scorers
B Agnew 1-2
A Thompson 0-4
D McCann 0-2
J Rainey 0-1
C Mallon 0-1
P McGoldrick 0-1
St Johns Scorers
P McBride 0-5
B Neeson 0-2
P Nugent 0-1
L McCurdy 0-1