Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship – Group 2
Friday 26th August
Report by Niall Kelly
St Malachy’s 1-07 Laochra Loch Lao 1-06
A potent and inspired second half performance from talismanic forward Aidan Connor proved to be just enough to drag St Malachy’s over the finishing line and in doing so secured top spot and a plain sail straight to the semi-finals. The number fifteen burst into life in the second period notching up a personal tally of 1-05. Connor was the sole scorer for his side in the second half which perfectly illustrated just how crucial he was in earning this hard fought victory over a dogged and resilient Laochra side.
The first half was somewhat a war of attrition and scores were at a premium. The hosts endured a frustrating thirty minutes as they couldn’t make their superiority in attacking positions count and amassed a sizable wide count. The men in black and yellow started brightest and moved the ball around well with midfielder Ciaran Vernon so often the fulcrum of their attacks. Creating chances was no problem for St Mal’s but despatching them proved to be an unwanted theme of the first period. Laochra made them pay for their lack of composure in front of the posts and took the lead on the fifth minute with Caoimhin Ó Daimhín popping over to finish a flowing counter-attacking move. Padraig O’Prey doubled the lead four minutes later when he nonchalantly chipped over a long range free off the deck.
St Malachy’s eventually got their bearings right when Anthony Dobbin pointed spectacularly after industrious work from Jack McGivern. Three minutes later Paul Carlisle got on the end of a Ciaran Vernon pass from a quick free to split the posts and level matters. There was a somewhat tempestuous atmosphere for the remainder of the half with a few off the ball altercations as both teams battled hard to gain the ascendancy only for the wide count to continue to increase.
Just before Martin Quinn’s short whistle, the visitors dealt a significant blow to their South Belfast counterparts. The ever-dangerous Caoimhin Ó Daimhín finished off a fine, flowing attacking move to the net, fisting in a cross-field pass from Padraig O’Prey to leave the scores 0-02 to 1-02 at half-time.
St Malachy’s emerged a more potent and composed side in the second thirty though and were spearheaded by the cultured right foot of Aidan Connor. Barely two minutes into the half and Connor stamped his authority on the game unleashing a thunderous effort into the top left corner of the despairing Seán Ó Heachaín’s net to deadlock the scores once again. Connor’s ingenuity in front of the posts were on show three minutes later as his curling effort saw his side take the lead for the first-time in the game.
The Gaeilgeoirs responded well though and instantly replied through a fine score from Conchúr Mag Eacháin as he fired over from range before Padraig’ O’Prey doubled his tally on the fortieth minute from another placed ball and their lead was restored.
With only the bare minimum separating the sides, nerves were on edge and the game was becoming increasingly cagey. The perfect cue for Connor to seize the initiative yet again as he pointed two placed balls with great composure before adding another from a tight angle to give his side a two-point lead heading down the final straight. With little time remaining, Laochra’s charges were bombing forward desperately in search of scores and Conchúr Mag Eacháin found his range perfectly but on the sixtieth minute the two point lead was restored as Connor replied yet again to a roar of adulation from the home faithful.
Martin Quinn’s whistle couldn’t come soon enough though for the hosts though as Laochra ensured a nerve-wracking injury time period. Jack MacIomhair’s pointed with seconds remaining before Caoimhin Ó Daimhín was bundled over in the scoring zone and a free was awarded. St Mal’s waited with baited breath but the resultant kick veered wide agonisingly for the visitors and it proved to be the last action as the final whistle sounded to trigger scenes of euphoria for the home faithful.
St Malachy’s can now focus on training and preparation with their semis slot secured. This hard-fought victory will only serve them well in future. Laochra, although no doubt despondent about the manner of their defeat, will get back to the drawing board and prepare for their showdown against Éire Óg for the right to earn their own semi-final berth.
Teams:
St Malachy’s:
S Turley; C Corr, S Carson, P Hanna; D Quinn, C Connolly, D Casey; A Dobbn (0-01,) C Vernon; J McGivern, P Devine, R Maneely; P Carlisle (0-01,) K McCavana, A Connor (1-05)
Laochra Loch Lao:
S O Heacháin; M MacEachaidh, C MacGafraidh, D MacThom; E Ó Coinn, C Ó Coinn, É Ó Ceallaigh; C Ó Ceallaigh, J MacIomhair (0-01;) C MagEacháin (0-02,) A Ó Straitheain, T Ó Tuthalain; P Ó Tiarnaigh, P O’Prey (0-02,) C Ó Daimhín (1-01)
