SAINTS CAVAN A BALL!

Three years ago as Antrim Champions the Ballymena lads were forced to play their Fermanagh counterparts four days after taking the Antrim title and despite a big second half effort were unable to overturn a considerable half time deficit.

This time the Slemish Park side were afforded a full week’s respite after beating Casement’s Portglenone in the Antrim title and despite a mix-up, which saw them have to take the field in borrowed jerseys they certainly did the business this time.

It wasn’t all plain sailing however and it was the Cavan Champions who made the early running, dominating the early exchanges and they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after nine minutes with their scores coming from Aoghan Farrell, Philip Smith and two from mid-fielder, Keith Fannin.

The Ballymena side looked decidedly out of sorts during this period and indeed, had Drumgoon’s shooting matched their approach play they might well have been further ahead. Slowly however All Saints picked themselves up of the canvas and when Michael McCarry opened their account from a 10th minute point they began to take the game to their opponents.

McCarry cut the deficit to two with a point in the 14th minute and the same player then found Paddy McAleer with an astute pass and the 17 year old corner forward shot first time for goal. His shot was parried by Drumgoon keeper, Niall McIntyre but Andy Kelly followed up to side foot the ball to the net.

This score seemed to settle All Saints and Terry Logan, up in attack tagged on a fine point to leave the Ballymena men 1-3 to 0-4 ahead at the break and beginning to play with great belief as they moved the ball around with purpose.

Now with the wind behind them All Saints made an excellent start to the second half with Peter McReynolds extending their lead with a point in the opening minute. Michael Hannon replied with a point for Drumgoon but things had now firmly swung in favour of the Antrim Champions with Sean McVeigh controlling the game at mid-field.

McVeigh, Paddy Logan and McVeigh again fired over a flurry of points between the fourth and the eighth minutes with Paddy McAleer adding another in the 13th minute to open up a six point gap and when Sean McVeigh soloed through the heart of the Drumgoon defence to blast the ball to the net in 14th minute it was as good as over.

Michael McCarry, Sean McVeigh with a massive effort and McCarry again brought the Ballymena men’s total to an impressive 2-11 as they continued to control proceedings with Drumgoon’s only response coming from their hard working mid-fielder, Keith Fannin who registered a couple of consolation scores for the Cavan men.

All Saints will now meet the Fermanagh champions in the first round proper in two weeks time at Casement Park and the break will come as some relief to a side who have had a busy few weeks and will hopefully allow for some injuries to clear up.

Once again a great support travelled to cheer on their heroes and their vocal support has been a great encouragement to Kevin McCarry, Timmy Connolly and their team.

All Saints: Brian Martin: Darra Walsh, Seamus McAffee, Emmet Killough: Damian Kelly, Peter McNicholl, Terry Logan: Sean McVeigh, Paddy Logan: Liam Cassley, Andy Kelly, Michael McCarry: Patrick McAleer, Sean McCambridge, Peter McReynolds. Subs: Rory McVeigh for Sean McCambridge, Ryan Lyness for Terry Logan, Sean McCambridge for Sean McVeigh.