Glenavy win reserve championship

The game was played at Tir na ng's new pitch which was in great shape for the game. Played before a large crowd, the game was tight throughout with the sides level on six occasions. St.Joseph's playing with a good mixture of experience and youth were overall the better team and deserved their win.

Glenavy opened the scoring with Darragh Moore pointing a 20 meter free. Almost immediately the Toome men brought the sides level. Steven Daly's was getting long and accurate kickouts and from one Darragh Moore gained possession passed the ball to Gerard Docherty who gave a perfect pass for Steven O'Neill to run onto who almost burst the net with a piledriver. Ryan Phillips finished a great Glenavy move, taking Kieran Devlin's pass on the run and finished with a well taken point.

A mixup in the defence allowed Moneyglass through for a goal.

Moneyglass were now taking the game to Glenavy and with the fullback line of Kieran O'Neill, Martin McPeake and Michael Mulholland having to pull out all the stops to keep their opponents at bay. From a 45 the Moneyglass keeper stepped up to bring the sides level once again.

Darragh Moore and Gerard Doherty were gaining control at midfield and was getting quick ball into the fullforward line of Sean Corr, Steven O'Neill and Kieran Devlin. Steven O'Neill put a beauty between the sticks. Over the years Moneyglass has proved a thorn in Glenavy's side and when they took the lead on twenty minutes some of their supporters must have thought here we go again.

These Glenavy lads proved they don't worry what happened in the past when they went two up with excellent points from Neil Scullion, Conor Hamill and Conor McCumiskey. Once again back came Moneyglass and levelled the scores at 1.6 each as the referee blew for the break.

The second half started with the Toomebridge side getting a couple of soft frees which they pointed. Conor Hamill, Michael Loney and Ryan Phillips in the Glenavy halfback line were now getting to the ball first and laying off good passes to their forwards. Malachy McCourt, Conor McCumiskey and Neil scullion were now pushing forward at every opportunity. The pressure paid off Malachy McCourt splitting the posts from an acute angle. Kieran Devlin proved there is still life left in the oul legs when he pointed from what seemed an impossible angle to bring the sides level. Darragh Moore pointed form a 50 meter free to put one between the sides. From a rare Moneyglass attack Steven Daly was alert and made a great save to stop what seemed a certain goal.

From the kickout the ball was played through to Ryan Phillips who put more daylight between the sides.

Darragh Moore capped a great day for him when once again he scored from play to put three between the sides. Moneyglass were really putting on the pressure but the Glenavy backs stood firm and only a point was conceded.

The lads from the Hill weren't going to let this one slip and came back with the last two scores from Malachy McCourt. There was great jubilation when referee Eddie McKeever blew the final whistle.

County Officer Danny McLernon presented the shield to team captain Martin McPeake.

Every player deserves great credit in making this win possible and when you take into consideration the U-16 winning their championship and the minors going through the league undefeated it has been a great year for the club.

St.Joseph's team: Steven Daly, Kieran O'Neill, Martin McPeake, Michael Mulholland, Conor Hamill; Michael Loney, Ryan Phillips, Darragh Moore, Gerard Docherty, Neil Scullion, Conor McCumiskey (Francis Doon 50mins), Malachy McCourt, Sean Corr, Steven O'Neill, Kieran Devlin.