Fintona Shock Aghaloo To Claim Place In Final

Saturday 30.09.2023

Club

Fintona 1-10 0-11 Aghaloo

Fintona qualified for their first Junior final in almost twenty years by defeating Aghaloo, under the lights at Healy Park. Conor McGillion held his nerve to fire home a 60th minute penalty, giving his side the lead for the first time in the contest and sending the large Fintona support into rapture.

Played on a perfect night for football with barely a breeze, Fintona played second fiddle to Aghaloo for large periods but eventually their fitness and doggedness played telling roles in the outcome.

The opening ten minutes of the contest saw the combatants display signs of early nerves with both sides guilty of a brace of wides from very storable positions. Eoin Ward did open the scoring for Aghaloo, and for the next fifteen minutes they completely dominated the game points from McElroy, Donnelly, McGeary, Jody McGlone and Conor Mullen saw Aghaloo lead 7-1, with 25 minutes on the clock.

Importantly Fintona finished the half strongly and converted frees by Aaron McCarney added to a Caolan Donnelly point left just a goal between the teams at the break.

Both sides had goal opportunities in the opening five minutes of the second half but both yielded nothing. Fintona were now edging the possession and points from half time sub Tommy McGrath and Aidan Donnelly reduced the lead to the minimum. Ruairi McGlone struck a timely point for Aghaloo but further frees from McCarney levelled the contest with 13 minutes remaining.

Once again Niall Henderson edged Aghaloo back in front before Peter McGlinn drew the game once moore. With the excitement levels increasing Fintona now looked to kick on but some wayward passing and shooting lethem down. Aghaloo looked like they might have done enough when Niall McElroy and Ruairi McGlone both hit the target with just minutes left.

There was still time for one final twist however and as Fintona pressed forward a foul on Donnelly inside the square was penalised and Conor McGillion despatched an excellent penalty. Aaron McCarney kicked his fifth free of the game for added insurance, as the Pearses confirmed their place in the final.