This was definitely a contrasting opening game of the league campaign. We started the game well and dominated in the first half with Glenavy on the backfoot, however, the situation reversed in the second half as Glenavy controlled but we finished the game with three two point scores to secure a a share of the spoils.
We were out of the traps quickly with the opening point coming from Paul McLaughlin following a good period of possession. A pinpoint pass to Anthony Rowntree in around the square enabled him to offload to the incoming Niall McParland who who calmly slotted beyond the advancing keeper to the net. Paul McLaughlin finished off a great solo run when he split the posts for his second point and at this stage we had opened up a five point advantage. Naomh Seosamh got off the mark courtesy of a pointed free, after we failed to retreat quickly enough from the original position of the free and the referee duly moved the ball forward into a kickable position.
We regained our five point advantage when CJ Sullivan slotted over a long range point. The Glenavy men responded with three points on the trot, two from central positions, with the pick a well worked point from a handpass over the bar. Paul McLaughlin was on the mark again with his third point from a free, this time we benefitted from the referee moving the ball forward due to a Glenavy man restricting the tap and go. We then had our first 2 pointers of the game with both teams pointing frees from outside the arc with the final point of the half going to Naomh Seosamh leaving us deservedly in front at the break 1-6 to 0-7.
From the restart Naomh Seosamh worked the ball into a shooting position and the resultant point reduced our lead to a single point. However, we replied with a 2 point score from CJ Sullivan and extended our advantage to a goal. Naomh Seosamh then enjoyed their best spell of the game and their attack became more decisive as they chipped away at our lead and by the 44th minute had levelled the game. They pushed on from here and a well taken goal and several points held a six point advantage and appeared to be heading home with the win with only a few minutes (plus injury time) left. However there was another twist and three quickfire 2 point scores, 2 from CJ Sullivan and a free from Aaron Slane saw us tie the game at the final whistle.
Click here for photos of the game.
Scorers: CJ Sullivan 0-7, Aaron Slane 0-4, Paul McLaughlin 0-3, Niall McParland 1-0
