O’ Donnell’s 5-12 St Agnes 2-05

Today in the confines of Páirc Mhic Ruairí on the Whiterock Road was certainly a red letter day for the home side O’ Donnell’s as their win over St Agnes secured promotion back to Division 2. The O’D’s have striven to take a leap forward for quite some time and their efforts have finally been reward as their recent run of victories has clinched a vital promotion.

On Sunday the Whiterock Road men proved too strong for St Agnes but to their credit the Andersonstown road men gave their all throughout and fought right to the final whistle.

The Aggies always posed a threat and none more than the impressive Declan Crummey who played the shirt off his back and adding a personal contribution of an excellent 2-03.

Despite the more than honest endeavors of their guests O’Donnell’s had too much in the tank when it most mattered with dominating performances all over the park, including half back Kevin Kennedy who weighed in with two delightful first half points and made many contributions in some fine passes leading to more than a few fine scores.

The endless running of Ciaran Ferran in the middle of the park was a feature for the winners and the first of which resulted in a first half goal where he found himself furthest up the pitch in front of goal just the keeper to beat and he made no mistake from close range.

The visitors did hang tough in the opening period and in fact they were within 3 points at half time at time looked to have every chance of  spoiling the O’Donnell’s promotion party.

The opening phase of the second period would be crucial and in fact the Cardinal’s men could not have penned it any better with half forward Jamie Walker bagging two quick goals and indeed was to supply a third later in the half.

The first of those three goals was an unstoppable run before beating the keeper, a score which put the home side in control of proceedings and strong forward play from McDonnell, O’Donnell, and Loughran kept the scores ticking over. Some nice hold up play by young Loughran and strength shown by the latter to win the ball in the full Forward line proved a big feature in what was to be a huge victory, and a red letter day for Cardinal O’ Donnell’s

Jamie Walker gets the vote for man of the match because of  his hat-trick of goals and endless running, but others of note were Ferran and Kennedy who both gave star performances. A great win form the men from the Whiterock road who deserve the greatest to credit for sealing promotion to Division Two in this the club’s 90th Anniversary year.