ACMHL Division 2
All Saints 1-7 St. Paul’s 1-11
St. Paul’s visited Slemish Park on Sunday morning and left with both points after an excellent game of hurling with an All Saints side who were in contention right up to the final minutes.
A superb goal from Shea Burns, midway through the second half swung it St. Paul’s way and with Odhran Donnelly in great form from the placed ball the visitors pushed on for the win.
In the end the Shaw’s Road side were good value for their victory as they struck the woodwork on several occasions while All Saints keeper, Pearse Martin was in fine form for the home side.
It was All Saints who got off to the perfect start when Jakub Kaczmarek fired to the St. Pauls net in the opening minute but the visitors failed to panic and slowly played their way back into the game.
Darragh De Brun and Odhran Donnelly led the visitor’s comeback and by half time the sides were level at 1-3 to 0-6 with Conor O’Hara and Conall Boyd on target for the home side.
It was the Ballymena youngsters who made the better start to the second half as Keeper, Pearse Martin stepped forward to send a 60 meter free between the uprights and when Conall Boyd followed with another from a free they were two ahead
Another Boyd free extended that lead to three but St. Paul’s were quick to respond and Shea Burns soloed 40 yards before firing an unstoppable shot to Pearse Martin’s net and bring his side level for the second time
Odhran Donnelly edged the Shaw’s Road side ahead from a free and it was a lead they would not lose as the Red &White hoops started to take control with Donnelly striking a number of excellent frees.
Darragh De Brun and Donnelly added points going down the home straight and the flying De Brun saw a well struck goal attempt come back of the crossbar while All Saints continued to fight but were wasteful in their shooting.
They were finally rewarded when Conall Boyd pointed a 27th minute free to leave just a goal in it but the excellent De Brun replied with a point at the other end to conclude the scoring and ensure there would be no way back for the boys in black.
All Saints: 1 Pearse Martin, 2 Finn Connon, 3 Patrick Murphy, 4 Oisin Doherty, 5 Caolan Laverty, 6 Robert Crooks, 7 Conan McKeown, 8 Sean McDermott, 9 Harry Connon, 10 Ciaran Logan, 11 Jakub Kaczmarek, 12 Connor O’Hara, 13 Michael Connolly, 14 Jason McGregor, 15 Antoin Martin, 16 Conall Boyd, 18 John Ireland, 17 Sean O’Brien
St. Paul’s: Ciaran O’Carrol, 2 Conor Daley, 3 Bobby Jack Bennett, 4 Padraig Keenan, 5 Cian McCann, 6 Padhraic McKevitt, 7 Liam Murray, 8 Ewan McGreevey, 9 Garett Cowan, 10 Nathan O’Neill, 11 Micael Valley, 12 Odhran Donnelly, 13 Oisin De Brun, 14 Shea Burns, 15 Darragh De Brun
Subs: Ciaran De Brun, Gerard Maguire, Brogan McEvoy, Daire Maguire, Ronan Smith
