Naomh Éanna secure dominant win over St James' Aldergrove to claim Antrim Intermediate Football Championship
Naomh Éanna won the OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship final on Saturday evening, defeating St James' Aldergrove 3-21 to 1-8 at Dunsilly. The victory completed an unbeaten league and championship double for the Hightown Road club.
Naomh Éanna entered the match having won all thirteen league games this season and carried that form into the final. Mickey Morgan opened the scoring with a two-point effort in the first minute. Aldergrove responded through captain Seamus McGarry and Conleth Hendron, and McGarry's free brought the teams level after ten minutes.
Naomh Éanna then took control, with Stephen O'Connor, Kristian Healy, and Michael McKenna all scoring points. By half-time, they led 0-12 to 0-5 after two-point scores from McKenna and Conor Eastwood, along with a free from Odhrán Eastwood.
Aldergrove received a lifeline in the 36th minute when Cormac McGarry's effort found the net, reducing the deficit. However, Naomh Éanna responded with further points from Conor Eastwood, Sean McBride, and Odhrán Eastwood.
Goals followed in quick succession for Naomh Éanna. Morgan palmed in a goal in the 51st minute, Fionn Nagle scored a second after a move involving Eastwood and O'Connor, and substitute Zac Kyle netted with his first touch in the 58th minute.
Michael McKenna was named man of the match, while Odhrán Eastwood finished with 0-4 and Conor Eastwood contributed 0-3. For Aldergrove, Cormac McGarry scored 1-1.
The match was refereed by Cathal McDermott of Tír na nÓg. Naomh Éanna's starting lineup included Senan Nagle, Sean McBride, Diarmuid McNulty, Eoghan O'Hare, Michael McKenna, James McAuley, Cillian Browne, Mickey Morgan, Fionn Nagle, Conan Lyttle, Stephen O'Connor, Conor Eastwood, Odhran Eastwood, Padraig O'Hare, and Kristian Healy.