Unfortunately, this Intermediate Championship game got away from our senior footballers early on and by half-time the Chapel Hill men had more or less put the game to bed as they led 3-8 to 0-5. We were second best all over the park and while we battled hard to the end we came away with little to show for our endeavours as the home side added another 3 second half goals.
Naomh Seosamh kicked the opening point from Ciaran Loney and followed up with a two pointer from a central position by Finn Shannon to give the home side the perfect start. We replied with a point from a 45, after 6 minutes, but a Fergal Henry point restored the goal advantage. Paul McLaughlin then cut inside and kicked a fine point with Fiontan Boyle responding before Gerard Slane kicked a point from a 20 metre free to leave two between the sides.
Glenavy then started to take control and after a series of quick handpasses, kicked a well worked point, before kicking their first goal from Pauric McKevitt in the 20th minute. Another Feragal McHenry point increased the home sides lead to eight and we were firmly on the back foot. Gerard Slane chipped in with a brace of points from frees but Glenavy’s Ciaran Loney pointed before the referee awarded a penalty which was duly kicked to the net by Fergal Henry. We were further rocked 2 minutes later when James Gallagher goalled to leave us trailing at the break 3-8 to 0-5.
Fergal Henry kicked the opeing point of the second half and we were quick to respond with a great 2 pointer from CJ Sullivan followed by a goal from Anthony Rowntree. However Glenavy were not phased and James Gallagher duly kicked his second goal of the evening to cancel out what little inroads we had made. Gerard Slane then kicked another point as he dropped the shoulder swivelled and on the run split the posts. On the 40th minute Fiontan O’Boyle got Glenavy’s fifth major and the game was truly over as a contest. However, we kept going with Gerard Slane kicking two points, one from a free but all was in consolation as points from Loney and James Gallagher befor Gallagher completed his hat trick to finish the scoring and a comprehensive victory 6-12 to 1-10.
