11 October 2009
A Man of the Match performance by Ahoghill mid-fielder and Antrim panellist, Neil O’Connell set St. Mary’s on their way to their first ever Intermediate Football Championship title when they proved too good for South West neighbours, Tir Na nOg in Creggan on Saturday evening. Ahoghill looked well on their way when they led by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break, thanks to an early Donal Graham goal and a superb penalty save by their keeper, Francis Neeson when he went full length to deny Michael Magill in the 12th minute.
Within five minutes of the restart Tir Na nOg were back on level terms thanks to two pointed frees from Eamon Harte and a goal from Michael Magill when he rounded keeper Neeson after a defender had been robbed coming out of defence.
It was at this stage that Neil O’Connell put his stamp of authority on the game with a superb exhibition of high fielding and strong running to swing the game back decisively in his side’s favour.
Diarmud Graham put the Cloney side back in front with an 8th minute point and they went on to add eight more without reply as the Tir Na nOg challenge fizzled out.
Neil O’Connell 0-1, PJ O’Connell 0-2, Donal Graham 0-2, Gerard Graham, Paul Bradley, and Owen Neeson were the men who did the second half damage and it was a proud Chris McGlone who stepped forward to receive the Kevin Armstrong Memorial Cup, presented for the first time by his son, Kevin Armstrong in memory of the former Rossa and Antrim great.
