Antrim Football League – Division 2
St Paul’s 1-11 Glenravel 2-09
Glenravel held a six point lead on three separate occasions in Sunday’s Division 2 Football League game with St Paul’s at Shaw’s Road, but just about scraped over the line with one point to spare in the end.
Glorious sunshine welcomed back spectators to Shaw’s Road and with three simultaneous games running (Rossa v Cargin & Sarsfields v Tir Na nOg) those spectators were often left wondering which referee’s whistle was blowing at any given time. These two teams, both with proud traditions in the big ball game, served up a free flowing football game that reminded us all what we had missed these past few months.
The home team opened in the first minute with a point from Padraic Lowe but the visitors then started to take control in front of goal. Glenravel we’re delighted to welcome the return of Eamon Fyfe to the forward line but I very much doubt by the end of the game if St. Paul’s were equally as delighted. Fyfe levelled on six minutes. Aiden O’Donnell doubled the lead from a free on ten minutes and two minutes later Fyfe tripled the lead. During these opening exchanges St Pauls had the lion’s share of possession but strong defence and good luck from the visitors kept the scoreboard quiet.
Callum Higgins scored a lovely point form half back and now the visitors were ahead by three 0-04 to 0-01. Glenravel were living on their wits in defence at this stage and a goal line clearance from Michael Laverty, where he showed little regard for his own personal safety – nor that of the right hand upright – thwarted the locals once more. The injury to Laverty gave an ideal opportunity for a much needed water break as the players on both sides struggled in the high tempo and high temperatures. On the resumption, Conleth O’Loan slotted over with the outside of his right boot and Glenravel were now in front by four. St. Paul’s strategy up to this point had been to try and isolate their six foot two full forward Liam McLarnon – curiously christened “Tiny”, and it paid off on twenty minutes when he pointed for the home team. But within a minute Eamon Fyfe had the ball in the back of the net and followed up with a point from play one minute later. Conor Burns was beginning to have more influence on the game and he brought us to half time with a fine point to leave six between them at the break, Glenravel leading 1-06 to 0-03.
It would be interesting to get a transcript of the St. Paul’s half time team talk as they came out in the second half completely invigorated playing up the hill towards Shaws Road. They put over four unanswered points in the first eight minutes of the second half, Burns with the first and then “Tiny” Liam McLarnon with the other three. The water break gave the visitors a welcome break and not long after that Eamon Fyfe chipped the goalkeeper to goal after a loose kick out. Aiden O’Donnell stretched Con Magee’s lead to six once more with a free and with ten minutes left it looked like an away victory was inevitable.
St Pauls reduced the deficit to five but Fyfe again restored the six point cushion with now only five minutes left. Surely the points were now secure for the visitors!!!! Think again. Three points on the bounce for St. Paul’s from Micheal Duffy and a brace from Conor Burns meant the sides were now separated by a single score.
Into added time Glenravel were playing keep ball but Conleth O’Loan opted for an audacious effort from the left hand side line which sailed over the black spot to put four between the teams. We didn’t realise at the time just how important that point would prove to be. Three minutes into added time St. Paul’s were awarded a penalty which the “Tiny” man dispatched to the net to leave a one point game. Possession from the kick out was all important and the visitors secured that and managed to hold onto the ball until the referee put us out of our misery and ended a close tense affair with Glenravel ahead by the narrowest of margins.
St Pauls:: Kiefer Toolan, Niall Ward, Damien Magee, Aodhan Kavangh, Joe Duffy, Don Burns, Mark Munce, Conor Hughes, Daniel Lavery, Padraic Lowe (0-01), Conor Burns (0-04 4f), Colm McLarnon, Micheal Duffy (0-01), Liam McLarnon (1-04 1f, 1pen), Aidan Finnegan
Glenravel:: Shaun O’Boyle, Michael Laverty, Paul McCurry, Conor Carey Jnr, Callum Higgins (0-01), Niall Swann, Cathal Hynds, Eoin McCusker, Eoin Hynds (0-01), Conleth O’Loan (0-02), Aiden O’Donnell (0-02 2F), Rian Lennon, Eamon Fyfe (2-03), David Higgins, Declan Traynor.
