St Joseph's Glenavy grab fine victory on their hunt for league honours

There was double delight for St.Joseph's Glenavy, when two of their sides claimed victory at Rasharkin in the league.
Maghery, Plate winners.Maghery, Plate winners.
Maghery, Plate winners.

The reserve team recorded a 1.13 to 2.04 win. With holidays and foreign travel the senior team took to the pitch with a number of players stepping from the development squad.

Rasharkin, like their opponents, were in need of two points from this game to keep themselves in this division, Glenavy on the other hand was pushing for league honours.

The visitors were first on the score sheet with an excellent point from the ever improving Peter Treanor.

Fergus Cunning extended the lead when he split the posts.

Peter McCleneghan laid on a perfect pass to Michael McCourt who gave the home keeper no chance. Rasharkin replied with their opening point.

Niall McCann restored the Glenavy lead with a pointed free.

Then we had the first of four penalties’ when Paddy Gallagher was fouled, a very confident Fergus Cunningham found the corner of the net from the spot.

Rasharkin pulled a point back to leave eight between the sides.

Team captain Paddy Gallagher finished a brilliant run with a point. Rasharkin pulled two points back with a pointed free and one from play.

Peter Treanor and Fergus Cunningham restored the orange mens lead with a point apiece.

Rasharkin had the final score of the half to leave the score 2.07 v 0.05 in Glenavy’s favour.

The second half started with Michael Small replacing the injured Michael Johnston.

Fergus had the first score was a pointed free from an acute angle.

Rasharkin then had three unanswered points to close the gap to six.

Michael Small showing he was ready to step up to the senior team added a point while under severe pressure.

The game then had a three penalty pantomime with the referee awarding the home side a penalty which was hotly disputed.

Gareth Collins made an excellent save only to see the referee blow for the penalty retaken because a Glenavy player had encroached into the D.

This time the kick was blasted onto the upright and was partially cleared only for the referee penalised a defender committing a foul.

The third kick was taken and this time the kicker placed the ball to the outside of the upright.

Once again the Dean side came back with three unanswered points to close the gap to four.

Michael Small added his second point which also settled his side. Eoin Henry came on for Sean O’Doherty. Paddy Gallagher had his side’s last score with a brilliant point.

Rasharkin fought to the last and had the final point to leave the full time score Rasharkin 0.12 v 2.11 Glenavy.

Glenavy team: G. Collins, M. Nelson; C. Scullion; N. McLaughlin; J. Phillips; S. McGirr; R. Phillips; Patrick Gallagher; M. Johnston (Michael Small); N. McCann; P. Treanor; M. McCourt; F. Cunningham; P. McCleneghan; S. O’Doherty (E. Henry).

Referee Jarlath O’Donnell.

Annual U-12 football tournament takes place

St.Joseph’s GAC Glenavy held their 11th Annual U-12 football tournament last Saturday with sixteen teams taking part.

The following Counties were represented by the following clubs: Antrim had St.Enda’s, Sarsfield’s, O’Donnell’s A & B, Lamh Dhearg, Bridget’s A & B, Glenavy A & B. Armagh had Wolftones and Maghery. Tyrone had Clonoe A & B. Derry had Slaughneil. Fermanagh had Tempo.

The wet weather didn’t stop the players from enjoying the matches.

Each team played three round robin matches with first and second placed teams playing for the cup.

Teams finishing third played for the shield.

The plate was played off with teams finishing fourth. These play-off games were hotly contested with Wolftones lifting the cup.

The shield was won by St.Brigid’s and Maghery lifted the plate.

The players deserve great credit for the standard of play and sportsmanship which was shown by everyone.

The Glenavy club wishes to thank the players, mentors and their families for their support and hopes everyone will be back next year.

A word of thanks to the referees and officials for making everything run smoothly.