Allenwood show tremendous guts, courage and belief to progress in Leinster Championship

Allenwood 1-17

St Malachy's 1-14 (aet)

Sixty-three minutes on the clock as Allenwood awaited the long whistle and a place in the AIB Leinster Club IFC semi-final with a win over St Malachy's of Westmeath at Manguard Park on Saturday.

The visitors had one last throw of the dice, wing back Shane Clavin sent in a long hopeful punt to the heart of the Allenwood danger area.

In a crowded area it was Naoise McKenna, Malachy's full back, who got a touch steering the ball past Luke Anderson to level the game and force extra time.

It was a real body blow for Noel Mooney's boys but they have shown throughout this season after taking a body blow they simply dust themselves off and get on with it.

As manager Mooney said after the game “these things happen in sport, all you can do is put it behind you and get on with it” and that is exactly what the Kildare intermediate champions of 2023 did.

Star full-forward, Eoghan Bagnall, edged the boys in blue ahead six minutes into the opening half of extra-time and while Morgan Gavigan played a captain's part by leveling up a minute later, the decisive goal of the game was just around the corner.
And as a script goes you couldn't make this one up.

Substitute Jack O'Brien who came on to score the winning point in the Kildare IFC decider was introduced in the 61 minute and here now in an excellent move involving Rory Moran, Johnny Byrne and Jack O'Brien, the apprentice electrician provided the spark that saw him blast to the back of the St Malachy's net to make it 1-13 to 1-10 on 66 minutes; Johnny Doyle added a free and, not for the first time in this game, Allenwood looked on their way.

Malachy's hit back with two points as the half-time whistle arrived — Allenwood leading by two, 1-14 to 1-12 — and while Malachy's were to add two points to their total in the second half of extra time (one being an own point from the boot of Eric Judge while attempting to clear volleyed the ball over his own bar) it was Allenwood who prevailed with points from Johnny Doyle (45), Eric Judge (free), and appropriately, full forward Eoghan Bagnall firing over the final score of the game on a final score line of Allenwood 1-17 St Malachy's 1-14.

Incredible or what?
Two Eoghan Bagnall points had the 'home' side in front but by the 11 minute the sides were level.
The visitors edged ahead with a Niall O'Brien point before Luke Anderson made a brilliant save to deny Shane Corcoran. Bagnall leveled up before edging his side in front with two frees.

A foul on Eric Judge was punished by Bagnall and while Darren Ruane replied with a similar score for Malachy's, Allenwood led at the break by one 0-5 to 0-4.

It was a bitterly cold, wet afternoon at Hawkfield, conditions far from ideal.
That man Bagnall put two in it on 31 minutes before Aaron Dunne had a weak shot on goal easily saved.
Six minutes into the second half and Luke Anderson denied Conor Murphy with another brilliant diving save.

Mid-way through the sides were level after points from Alan Mangan and Niall O'Brien but again Allenwood responded, a fouled on JD saw Eoghan Bagnall convert before man-of-the match, Darragh Malone came through to hit a cracking point to put two between them but a silly foul saw Darren Ruane reduce it to one on 49 minutes.

Points from Cormac Denagher and a Darren Ruane free left one in it and a minute later the sides were level after Alan Mangan came forward again to knock over a free — 0-9 each.

A Darren Judge free and a beauty from Johnny Doyle had The Blues two to the good on 59 as Aonghus Clarke picked up a black, already on a yellow so off for an early shower as Johnny Doyle knocked over the resultant free to leave three in it.
Then that long ball in from Guilfoyle was met by full back McKenna, level, extra time and the rest is history.
A magnificent win for Allenwood as they now look forward to a Leinster semi-final in two weeks time.
The dream lives on.

Scorers: Allenwood, Eoin Bagnall 0-9 (6 frees), Johnny Doyle 0-4 (2 frees, 45), Jack O'Brien 1-0, Darren Judge 0-1, Darragh Malone 0-1, Cormac Denagher 0-1, Eric Judge 0-1 (free).

St Malachy's, Darren Ruane 0-5 (4 frees), Naoise McKenna 1-0, Alan Mangan 0-3 (3 frees), Niall O'Brien 0-2, Morgan Gavigan 0-1, Neal Kerby 0-1, Shane Corcoran 0-1, Eric Judge 0-1 (own point).

ALLENWOOD: Luke Anderson; Fionn Moran, Sean Moran, Brendan Hanafey; Gavin Malone, Darragh Malone, Ronan Guilfoyle; John Doyle, Rory Moran; Aaron Dunne, Johnny Byrne, Billy Maher cpt.; Cormac Denagher, Eoin Bagnall, Eric Judge. Subs: Cillian Moran for Fionn Moran (13 minutes); Darren Judge for Billy Maher (54 minutes); Shane Carthy for Arron Dunne (61 minutes); Jack O'Brien for Aaron Dunne (61 minutes); Aaron Dunne for Ronan Guilfoyle (half-time ext); Oran O'Sullivan for Aaron Dunne (73 minutes).

ST MALACHY'S: Alan Mangan; Eoin Kiernan, Naoise McKenna, Aaron Glennon; Aonghus Clarke, Peter Murphy, Shane Clavin; Johnny Bermingham, Conor Murphy; Morgan Gavigan cpt., Shane Corcoran, David Maloney; Darren Ruane, Niall O'Brien, Jack Gallagher. Subs: Odhran Gavigan for Jack Gallagher (40 minutes); Neal Kirby for Arron Glennon (40 minutes); Jack Gallagher back in for Aonghus Clarke (60 minutes); Paul O'Sullivan for Conor Murphy (77 minutes); Conall Fagan for Johnny Bermingham (80 minutes).

REFEREE: David Hickey, Carlow.