Game 2: Sun 06/11/2005 Saul 2-11 Drumgath 0-8
Saul retained their Division II Status with an emphatic victory
over Drumgath in Ballykinlar, and with Ballymartin beating Darragh
Cross the relegation playoffs ended a game early. Unfortunately
for Saul, influential forward, Philip Traynor had to be taken to
the Royal Victoria Hospital for dental surgery following a bad foul.
Saul stamped their authority on the game from the outset and went
two points ahead from D Ritchie and P McKenna in the first few minutes.
Feargal Ward pointed from play before Drumgath replied with two
free kicks. McKenna scored another free and Drumgath replied with
a point from play. Saul where starting to create chances and as
they had done against Darragh Cross where converting these chances
into scores. Saul next chance fell to Traynor, he headed straight
for goal only to be “clothes lined” to deny a certain
goal, the referee awarded no free to the dismay of the large crowd
in attendance. A long stoppage followed, Saul where to score twice
after the restart with points from Ward and McKenna. Saul with all
the possession shoot two wides before a long ball from McKenna found
Ritchie who pointed with ease. The score at half time read Saul
0-8 Drumgath 0-3.
Drumgath came at Saul at the start of the second half, good tackling
from Gregory Holland and Donnie Ritchie was followed by two Drumgath
wides. Saul again sprayed the ball well to roving forwards Ward,
Murray and Vint. Lee Magee collected the ball in midfield hit a
great pass to McKenna who flicked on to Vint, and with a side step
and a shuffle Vint hit the back of the net to put Saul 8 points
ahead. The next 5 minutes were quite heated and probably Drumgath’s
best period scoring three points in succession. McKenna was then
fouled and he converted the resulting free. Connor O’Neill
was introduced to the game, replacing Alan Murray. Vint was fouled
and again McKenna pointed the free on offer.
Donnie Ritchie then hit two great long passes, the first to McKenna
whose effort hit the crossbar, the second to Connor O’Neill
who collected the ball strode towards goal and delicately slipped
the ball past the Drumgath custodian. The Saul supporters and squad
could not be contained in their delight and a soccer style celebration
followed. With no time for Drumgath to recover the whistle blew
for full time, the great escape part two had been completed and
Saul now look forward to Division II football again next year. Saul
2-11, Drumgath 0-8
Game 1: Sun 30/10/2005 Saul 1-6 Darragh Cross 1-3
Saul travelled to St Malachy’s Park, Kilclief
to take on Darragh Cross in this Relegation Playoff in Division
II. Saul winning the game after a convincing first half and great
work rate against the breeze in the second half. Darragh Cross had
an opportunity to steal a point from the match but a missed penalty
by Gary Kennedy gave Saul a deserved win.
Captain Burke was to score the first point of the day from 40 yards
in open play. Lee Magee followed this with a pointed free after
McKenna had been fouled. McKenna then pointed the next free. Darragh
Cross replied with a pointed free. Saul were now keeping Darragh
Cross penned in their half, this pressure paid off, a point effort
fell short the Darragh Cross Keeper dropped the ball Traynor pounced
and Saul went 1-3 to 0-1 up. Traynor then rose to collect the next
kick out and promptly sent it straight back between the uprights.
Saul continued to attack and made it very difficult for Darragh
Cross to string any passes together. Great defending from Marty
Stratton, Hugh McGrath, Adam King, Aodhan Brady, Joe Napier and
Gregory Holland kept Darragh Cross from scoring in the next ten
minutes. Joe Napier set up Traynor for the next point after a well-worked
move out of defence. Tom Mahon scored a free to leave the score
Saul 1-5 to Darragh Cross 0-2 at half time.
Darragh Cross now playing with the breeze began to play the long
ball tactic, Gregory Holland collected the first and Hugh McGrath
stealing the next. Fergal Ward won a free out on the right, which
Traynor put narrowly wide. Saul continued to attack against the
breeze, Noel Napier burst through the defensive line and was fouled
and McKenna pointed the free. Michael Vint was introduced to the
game and replaced Fergal Ward. With fifteen minutes on the clock
Saul were seven points ahead. Miskelly then pointed and scored a
goal to leave three points between the sides. Saul were unlucky
not to get a goal back when Vint's goal effort hit the post. A long
ball into Tom Mahon, now playing full forward, was collected and
the referee blew for a penalty deeming Mahon to have been fouled
on route to goal. Kennedy stepped up and sent the spot kick narrowly
wide to keep Saul 3 points ahead. With time running out for Darragh
Cross Joe Napier flicked on the Saul kick out to set up Traynor
to carry the ball deep into Darragh Cross’s half, his effort
going wide. The kick out was taken and the referee blew for full
time. The final score Saul 1-6 Darragh Cross 1-3.
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