South West U14 League semi-final
St Mary’s 2:08 All Saints 1:07
St Mary’s squeezed through in this U14 league semi-final with a hard fought win over All Saints Ballymena.
After a cagey start by both teams it was the visitors who found their feet first and raced into a four point lead with Ciaran McQuillan kicking two frees to open the scoring and was joined by Conlin Neill and the impressive Calum Mc Avoy on the score sheet.
However the deficit was cut to the minimum with St Mary’s first score – Callum Mulholland was fouled and took a quick free kick picking out Sean Gowdy. Lewis Devlin in goals for All Saints made a fine save but the ball fell to Owen Mallon who coolly slotted it under the bar.
Calum Mc Avoy got his second of the game to open up the lead again but points by Sean Gowdy and Eoin Maginnis drew the sides level at 1:02 to 0:05 half way through the first half.
Sean Gowdy then put the hosts in front but it was short lived as Calum Mc Avoy collected the ball and drove towards goal before unleashing a powerful shot that bulged the back of the net. Nathan Gowdy pulled one back from a free just before referee John Moran gave the short whistle.
St Mary’s 1:04 All Saints 1:05
St Mary’s started brighter in the second half and a great passing move was well blocked by Corey McKillop but a well worked short pass from the 45 set up Sean Gowdy to bring the sides level again and when Keelan Gardiner was bundled over Callum Mulholland had the composure to slot it over the bar.
In the next All Saints attack the referee played a great advantage when Kevin O Boyle was being fouled, he got his pass off to Calum Mc Avoy and when his angled shot squirmed past Joseph Mc Donald in the home goal Daniel Crawford was on hand to clear off the line. All Saints worked a short 45 and Ciaran Mc Quillan slotted over his third point to again level the scores at 1:06 a piece.
All Saints had another great chance for goal and Calum Mc Avoy’s shot was well blocked down by Joseph McDonald but the rebound fell to Luis White but his goal bound effort was blocked by Daniel Crawford and pushed wide for a 45. When the home defence hesitated Calum Mc Avoy pointed to put the hosts in the lead.
As we approached the mid-point of the second half St Mary’s got their second goal, another quick free kick from Callum Mulholland found Sean Gowdy and after shrugging off challenges his shot ricocheted past the keeper and nestled in the bottom of the net. At this stage All Saints threw everything at the home defence but due to a combination of some great defending and bad luck in front of the posts they were unable to add to their tally.
St Mary’s did score another two points through Callum Mulholland, his first after a great interception from James Mc Cormick set up a counter attack to relieve the pressure on the home defence.
At the end of very competitive but sporting encounter it was the hosts who progress to the league final but All Saints pushed them all the way.
St. Mary’s: Joseph Mc Donald, Martin Braham, Eoghan Magill, Chrissie Hannon, Joseph Mc Intyre, James Mc Cormick, Aaron Kerr, Sam Thomas, Conor Magill, Keelan Gardiner, Eoin Maginnis (0:1), Callum Mulholland (0:03), Owen Mallon (1:0), Sean Gowdy (1:04), Nathan Gowdy (0:1)
Subs:Darragh Keightley, Daniel Crawford, Ronan Crawford, Ryan Mulholland, Sean Mc Cavigan, Coalan Maher, James Mc Stravick, Gareth Reavey, Michael Hamill
All Saints: Lewis Devlin, Calum Mc Avoy (1:03), Oliver O Rawe, Archie Mc Greevey, Aodhan Mc Garry, Ryan Thom, Kevin O Boyle, Pearse Martin, Conlin Neill (0:1), Fintan Brady, Luis White, Ciaran Mc Quillan (0:03) , Harry Connon, Daniel Kelly
Subs: Euan Anderson, Ciaran Logan, Orran Mayo, Conan Mc Conville, Carter Reid, Sean Mc Dermott, Corey Mc Killop, Paddy Murphy, Reese Wright, Jack Dowds