St Comgall’s keep league hopes alive

Homefit Antrim Football League – Division 3

St Comgall’s 0-15 O’Donnell’s 2-7

St Comgall’s kept themselves in the hunt for the Division 3 title when they beat O’Donnell’s in Wednesday evening’s final league game at Dunsilly. The Antrim side appeared to have blown their chances when they lost out to Naomh Padraig in Lisburn two weeks ago, but Lisburn’s subsequent defeat by St Gall’s on Sunday last has opened the gate for the Antrim Town side yet again and they did what they had to do on Wednesday evening against visitors O’Donnell’s.

St Comgall’s had to work hard for their win and after going ahead with points from Miles Devine and James McCabe they were rocked back on their heels when O’Dee’s hit back with a point from Patrick Meenan and a goal from corner forward Ciaran McKissok.

***St Comgall’s Eoin Lynott is forced to punch the ball over his own crossbar as O’Donnell’s pile on the pressure early in the second half***

Four on the trot, three from Miles Devine and one from Dylan Murdock, put the home team two in front, but the game swung again when O’Donnell’s centre forward Patrick Meenan grabbed his team’s second goal to edge them a point ahead on 21 minutes. To their credit St Comgall’s reacted well and hit the last four scores of the opening half, two of them from Miles Devine, one from Kian Devine and the other from Niall Ward to lead by 0-10 to 2-1 at the interval.

O’Dee’s came back to level early in the second half as Jonathan McKenna, Patrick Meenan and Fergal McNerney all knocked over points, but Oisin Crilly and Miles Devine responded for the home team to put them two in front again. On 56 minutes O’Donnell’s Eugene Gallagher appeared to be in for a goal but his shot rebounded off the post, but Patrick Meenan pointed from a free soon afterwards to close to within one.

***St Comgall’s Conor McAuley in action against O’Donnell’s David Mackell***

St Comgall’s Miles Devine and O’Donnell’s Patrick Meenan exchanged points to keep the gap at one, but the home team finished strongly with points from Devine, PJ Quinn and Oisin Crilly to secure the win.

The win brings the Antrim town side level with Naomh Padraig on points with their rivals, but the Lisburn men have played a game less and need a win or a draw to secure the title when they play Pearses at the Cricky next Wednesday evening.