Naomh Comhghall suffer defeat in championship

Although the sides drew in the corresponding league fixture the Antrim side were approaching with some confidence, despite some difficult results recently.

That optimism appeared well-placed when the contest started as it was St Comgalls who were attacking with both pace and power.

The first 15 minutes were a real purple patch for the local lads completely containing the Ardoyne threat and entering a three point lead.

Gradually though Ardoyne found their rhythm and clawed back into the game and rattled off four scores in a row. St Comgalls were now battling to regain a foothold and were relieved to level up the affair with five points apiece at the break.

Half-time score Naomh Comhghall 0-5 v 0-5 Ardoyne Kickhams

With the contest finely balanced it was Ardoyne who moved into the ascendancy when the sides re-took the field.

The North Belfast men had fully clicked into gear, and a very powerful mid-field unit took a real stranglehold on the game. Driving forward, this possession was converted into score after score and St Comgalls could not stem the tide.

When Ardoyne had a man sent off St Comgall’s band of supporters hoped that would change the dynamic but to no avail.

Confidence was high amongst Ardoyne’s forward unit and they were happy to pick off scores even from range. St Comgall’s did apply plenty of effort, but quality ball into the forwards was in short supply and they had to make do with their tally from the first half.

After a couple of years of losing in the final this was a disappointing end to a championship campaign that had promised much at the start of the season.

Full-time score Naomh Comhghall 0-5 v 0-11 Ardoyne Kickhams