O’Donnell’s pushed all the way as they secure a semi-final spot

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship

Eire Og 0 – 15 O’Donnell’s 2-12

One of the favourites for the Junior Championship, O’Donnell’s, were pushed all the way by Belfast rivals Eire Og in Friday evening’s round robin game at St Agnes, the MacCrory Park men winning in the end by three. However when Eire Og centre back Ronan Donnelly pointed with just three minutes of normal time left to play the gap was just one, but O’Dee’s held their nerve to slot two late points and seal the win.

O’Donnell’s started well and two points from Sean Pat Donnelly and one from Richard McAvoy put the three ahead after just three minute, but Eire Og hit back with three of their own from PJ Toal, Daniel Campbell and Ronan Donnelly to level up the score. Keelan Loughran and Fergal McNerney pushed O’Ds two clear again but Toal pulled one back from a free for Eire Og and it wasn’t until corner forward Marc McKenna grabbed the first goal of the game that O’Ds had a bit of breathing space. However it was to be brief respite for the Whiterock Road men as Eire Og finished the half strongly with three points from PJ Toal to trail by just one at the break. (0-8 to 1-6)

It took a good save from O’Ds goalkeeper Cillian Walsh in the opening minute of the second half to keep Eire Og at bay and then lady luck turned her back on then Ogs when one of their defenders deflected an attempted punched clearance into his own net. Toal and Donnelly exchanged points to keep the gap at four but Daniel Campbell and Stephen Erskine cut the gap in half, Erskine unlucky to see his shot go just over the bar when a goal seemed to be on.

Sean Pat Donnelly gave O’Donnell’s a bit of breathing space with two pointed frees and Fergal McNerney added one from play to put four between the sides again, but Eire Og kept coming back and three in a row from Clarke, Toal and Donnelly cut the deficit to the minimum. Once again when the chips were down however O’Donnell’s reacted well when the pressure was on and two late points from Sean Pat Donnelly and Ciaran McKissock sealed the win and secured a semi-final spot.