Match Report

ACFL Div 3 Series 8 - Moved to Thurs 8th from Fri 9th due to County training weekend!

On Thursday night, the seniors took on St Pauls in the All County League Div 3 at St Patricks Park and despite a few shaky moments, they recorded their 4th win in the league and third in a row to continue the ascent of the league table. St Pauls were coming into the game on the back of a great home win over Newry Bosco the week before and were up for the challenge. In a whirlwind opening 4 minutes, a Saul opening point from Davy McKinlay was overturned by 2 minor scores by the visitors and St Pauls were dominating early possession and moving quickly into attack. Thanks mainly to good defensive work by Kieran McVeigh, Aodhan Brady and Greg Holland their tally wasn't added to until the 12th minute of the game after a series of wides from both sides and a Saul point from Adam King kept the supporters on edge. On the quarter hour, Saul pressure on the St Pauls defence resulted in a foul on the ball, from which Michael Vint curled over the resultant free for the leveller and 2 mins later, a great move involving Chris Laverty, Michael Vint and JP Burke setup half-back Conor Shields for a sweet score. Adam King for Saul and Ryan Tumelty for St Pauls swapped points as Saul narrowly led with the break approaching. A huge effort from a free 50yds out by Michael Vint punished a late foul on Callum Laverty and Saul had a 2 point cushion at half-time (0-6 to 0-4).

With Davy McKinlay and Adam King on top at midfield and Aodhan Brady and Conor Shields raiding forward from half-back, Saul were now growing in belief and they started the 2nd half pressing the visiting goals. Wides came from Callum Laverty, Alan Murray and Vint before Nathan Keenan found the target from a free and Alan Murray opened a 4 point gap after a searing burst through the heart of the St Pauls defence. 2 St Pauls scores from Brian McElroy and Eunan Donnelly were cancelled out through converted frees from the accurate free-taking of Vint and Keenan. With 10 minutes remaining a 50 was slotted over by the accurate Donnelly for St Pauls leaving an edgy 3 points in the game and time running out. Saul were having chances to put the result out of doubt but some over complicated attacking play left the difference at a goal. With only 4 minutes left on the clock, route 1 paid off to seal the win. Aodhan Brady pushed forward through the middle and drove the ball long into the full-forward line. Keenan rose to flick on and Saul substitute Paul Ferris nipped in to flick the loose ball to the net. Despite another long range free from Donnelly, Saul were home and dry.

After a slow start to the league, the team are growing in confidence game by game and manager Jim Prior will be happy with the way the team are improving while also knowing that getting the possession game balanced with a greater cutting edge in attack will lead to a greater return on the efforts the team are putting in. The seniors now travel to newly promoted Drumaness on Friday night for a 7.30pm throw-in. Drumaness have produced some good results since their return to Div 3 and it should produce an interesting East Down head to head for the supporters and neutrals alike.

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