ACFL Division 2
All Saints 2.16 Davitts 0.6
Photographs: Neal O’Boyle
All Saints third league game of the campaign saw them take on Davitts in Ballymena today.
The Belfast men travelled to Slemish Park without any points from their opening two games but during the opening half they matched the home side stride for stride and at half time they must have fancied their chances.
It was a different story after the break as All Saints finally got their game together, outscoring the visitors by 2-10 to 0-2 and showing glimpses of what they are capable of when they put their minds to it
In an error strewn first half, both sides were guilty of giving the ball away and looked sluggish with little free flowing football and most of the scores coming from frees with Michael McCarry (0.3) and Brendan McDonnell (0.2) registering on the scoreboard. Davitts lost a man to the sin bin for 10 minutes and competed well in the first half with their points
coming from Stephen Tully (0-2), Michael Connolly and Tony McGrattan.
The Saints management team will have been disappointed with the first half showing and strong words will have been needed at the break.
All Saints started the second half strongly and began to build some momentum with Sean McVeigh dominating the midfield exchanges and Joe Rafferty providing an attacking outlet from the half back line.
Saints quickly took control of the game and registered 2.5 to no score by the 2nd water break with goals coming from Oisin Connolly and Brendan McDonnell. They led at the 2nd water break by 2.10 to 4 points.
In the final quarter, the home side kicked over a further 6 points with a couple of consolation points by Davitts from frees. McCarry (0.8) and McDonnell (1.4) top scored for All Saints.
All Saints will be happy with a further 2 points on the board though significant improvements will be necessary if they to prove real contenders at this level this season.
It was largely a tale of 2 halves however with a very cagey first half ending with Saints leading by the minimum margin on a scoreline of 0.5 – 0.4.
All Saints: Joe Rocks, Mathew Downey, Reece O Mullin, Cormac Lemon, Joe Rafferty (0.2), Emmet Killough, Kieran McGarry, Sean McVeigh (0.2), Shea O Brien, Conal Lemon, Kavan Keenan, Michael McCarry (0.8),, Brendan McDonnell (1.4), Oisin Connolly (1.0), Rory McVeigh.
Subs:
Ronan McKillop for Rory McVeigh (20 mins)
James Gillan for Emmet Killough (40 mins)
Ciaran McLarnon for Brendan McDonnell (50 mins)
Niall Walsh for Oisin Connolly (55 mins)
Davitt’s: Aaron Slane, Michael Og Rowntree, Anthony Rowntree, Nathan Maginn, Conor Toner, Daniel Wallace, Niall McParland, Caomhan Slane, Sean O’Neill, Michael Connolly, Stephen Tully, Gerard Slane, Conor John Sullivan, Tony McGrattan, Marcas Toner
Referee: Paul Burns (St. Comgall’s)
