Moortown make Ulster Final after tense battle

Moortown 0-9

Tir Na Og 0-8

A PERFORMANCE laced with commitment reached a fittingly exciting climax when Moortown came from behind in the closing stages to record a memorable win on Sunday in Ballinderry that clinched an Ulster Intermediate Club Final place.

Ryan Kelly was the toast of the St Malachy’s when his last-gasp free, with virtually the final kick, defeated Randalstown Tir Na nOg. It was a long range score which put the Tyrone champions ahead for the first time, and they held onto in style during the remaining seconds.

The Loughshore side have relished a marvellous championship season to date. Now they are getting set for the provincial decider, and with it a golden opportunity to further enhance their credentials as an up-and-coming team.

All the qualities required for success were in evidence from Moortown here. The workrate, patience and skill of players like Christopher McGuigan, Tarlach Quinn, Peter Devlin and, of course, their team captain, Ryan Kelly, came to the fore when it mattered most.

This was undoubtedly the toughest tie so far in 2021 for the St Malachy’s. Evidence of this was presented during the opening half in particular when the Antrim champions grabbed the initiative and entered a deserved lead.

It was all Tir Na nOg during that first quarter. Their control at this stage was built on a powerful defensive and midfield display. The strength and determination of Ciaran McGrelis, Barry McCormick, Christy Sheerin and Ryan O’Neill put Moortown under immense pressure.

Points in quick succession saw the Antrim champions go ahead. Sean Duffin, Ciaran O’Neill, Peter Cullen and Darragh Fagan put them 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. Their strength in the tackle and ability to restrict the space available to Moortown players in possession also increased their control.

No wonder, then, that Moortown were finding the going tough. Only a few vital interceptions from Michael Devlin, Connor Quinn and Christopher McGuigan prevented them from going further behind. Brian McLarnon was thwarted from forging forward on trademark runs, while up front the space was also restricted to Peter Devlin, Ryan Kelly and Sean Kelly.

But there were still glimmers of light and these began to burn more brightly for Moortown as the half-time break approached. A great move involving Brian McLarnon and Peter Devlin put Shaun Conway through on goal. His shot was well saved, but the St Malachy’s were finally getting into their stride.

Karl Hagan increased their tally to three to leave the Tyrone champions well in contention on a score of 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time. The fact that they had struggled to find a foothold and were still just two behind provided a platform for them on the resumption.

The only downside was a black card for Con Heron, who had been introduced as a blood sub for Ryan Kelly. Nevertheless, the team captain, Kelly, was brought back on early in the second half as Moortown soon overturned the Tir Na nOg deficit.

Points in quick succession from Peter Devlin and Connor Quinn brought the teams level. More crucially, those scores heralded the start of a tense and very closely contested second half.

Time and again Moortown’s work to draw level was undermined almost immediately. The loss of Brian McLarnon due to injury was a setback. But they were competing far more effectively and the workrate and ball-winning abilities of Christopher McGuigan, Blaine Ryan and Karl Hagan were making a difference.

The teams were level on four occasions in that second half. First when Connor Quinn equalised for Moortown, only to see Tir Na nOg go ahead again from the very next attack thanks to Christy Sheerin. Ryan Kelly made it 0-6 each, but again Ciaran Dobbin responded to re-establish the lead for the Antrim champions. Then, the same thing happened for a third time when Tarlach Quinn made it 0-7 each before Darren McCormick responded to make the score 0-8 to 0-7 for Randalstown right at the end of normal time.

Things were looking bad at that stage, especially following a black card for Peter Devlin. But Moortown held their nerve and the tide eventually turned decisively in their favour. Some great play set up Ryan Kelly to make it 0-8 each. Then, with time virtually up, the returning Peter Devlin was fouled and up stepped Ryan Kelly with the decisive winning point.

Moments later the final whistle heralded the start of great celebrations for the St Malachy’s who are now looking forward to that Ulster Final next month.