ACFL Division 2
Tir na nOg 2-13 St. Pauls 3-9
Tir na nOg staged a late rally to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in this thrilling division 2 clash at Whitehill tonight. Visitors St. Paul’s had come from two points down at half time to go three ahead with only two minutes of normal time remaining thanks to two goals from half time substitute, Conal Duffy but the final chapter of this end to end drama had not yet been written.
Sean Duffin got the home side back on level terms with an excellent strike with time almost up and Caoimhin Duffin screwed over the winner to grab both points and deny the visitors a share of the spoils.
It was Tir na nOg who made the brighter opening with Aaron McNeilly from a 4th minute free and Darragh Fagan direct from a ‘45’ putting them two in front with only seven minutes gone before Liam McKenna replied with a good point from play for the visiting St. Paul’s.
At this stage of the game it was the Whitehill side who were dictating matters and after Colm McLarnon fired over to bring the Shaw’s Road side level, Ciaran Dobbin sent Aodhan Toland through for the game’s opening goal with 14 minutes on the clock.
Ciaran Dobbin added a point before Liam McKenna replied with a point for St. Paul’s in the 19th minute and that’s how it stood at the first water break with Toland’s goal separating the sides and at this stage the home side were showing the greater hunger and pressing up high on their opponents.
Aodhan Toland and Barry McCormick struck further points to move Tir na nOg five in front by the 22nd minutes but St. Paul’s replied through a great individual goal from Liam McLarnon to put themselves right back into contention.
In the minutes leading up to half-time Darren Fagan pointed a free for the Whitehill men but St. Paul’s had the final score of the half when Liam McLarnon set up Niall Peoples for a point to leave just two between the sides at the break.
Tir na nOg had looked the better side during the opening thirty minutes but the St. Paul’s management made an important switch for the second half, introducing Conal Duffy and within 30 seconds he had the ball in the Randalstown net to move his side in front for the first time.
Sean Duffin replied with a point for Tir na nOg but Duffy responded with one at the other end as the visitors started to enjoy a bit of success. It was end to end stuff with neither side holding back in the challenges as Darragh Fagan and Sean Duffin splits the posts at the other end to edge the home side one in front again after 13 minutes.
Things were really hotting up with both sides playing entertaining football as Liam McLarnon levelled matters once more from a great long range free and the same player performed a similar fete to move his side ahead once again with 11 minutes remaining.
Two minutes later Ciaran O’Neill levelled the contest once more but a couple more from the excellent McLarnon in response to one apiece from Aaron McNeilly and Ciaran O’Neill left it all square again with only three minutes of normal time remaining.
A draw at this stage looked the likely result and probably both sides would have settled for it but the final chapter of this enthralling drama had yet to be written. A high delivery into the Tir na nOg danger area was superbly fielded by Darren McCormick but he slipped as he attempted to hand pass it and Duffy nipped in to steal the ball and hammer it to the net.
The points looked to be on their way up the motorway but Tir na nOg staged a strong finish with that goal from Sean Duffin and a point from his older brother Caoimhin to snatch a late-late victory.
Tir na nOg: Sean Paul McAtamney, Sean Devlin, Ciaran McGrellis, Peter Cullen, Ciaran O’Neill, Barry McCormick, Caoimhin Duffin, Christy Sheerin, Darren McCormick, Aaron McNeilly, Sean Duffin, Darragh Fagan, Ciaran McKeown, Ciaran Dobbin, Aodhan Toland. Sub: Ciaran Logan for Ciaran McKeown
St. Paul’s: Kiefer Toolan, Damien Magee, Sean Bradley, Niall Ward, Joe Duffy, Don Burns, Aodhan Kavanagh, Cormac O’Hanlon, —–, Padraic Lowe, Niall Peoples, Daniel Lavery, Liam McKenna, Liam McLarnon, Colm McLarnon. Subs: Conor Hughes, Conal Duffy, Conjal Barnes, Mark Nonce.
Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona)
