OB Construction IFC Group 1
Davitt’s 2 -11 St. Paul’s 3-9
A pointed free from Lorcan Phillips in the third minute of injury time earned visitors St. Pauls victory over Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park on Sunday and secured the Shaw’s Road side a place in the knockout stages of the IFC
It was tough on a Davitt’s side who matched the visitors all the way and were denied a couple of goal chances over the hour by some resolute defending by the St. Paul’s defence.
It was obvious from the throw in that both side were up for this winner takes all encounter with a player from each side receiving Yellow early in the game and with both defences on top it was 15 minute before McParland pointed Davitt’s ahead with the game’s opening score.
Liam McLarnon levelled the contest two minutes later before Lorcan Phillips gave St. Paul’s the lead from a pointed free with 19 minutes on the clock.
That lead was short lived as substitute Stephen O’Neill rattled the visitors net, a minute later to bring the home crowd to their feet and a couple of pointed frees from keeper, Aaron Slane had the home side four in front with seven minutes remaining to the break.
St. Paul’s replied and Lorcan Phillips and Marcus Munce from a great long range effort had it back to two by the 29th minute but the final score of the half would fall to ace free taker, Aaron Slane to give Davitt’s a 1-4 to 0-4 half time lead.
There had been little between the sides during the opening half with both defences on top and O’Neill’s goal for Davitt’s the highlight but when Gerard Slane pointed an early second half free for the home side they looked to be in a strong position.
Liam McLarnon replied for the Shaw’s Road side but this time it was keeper, Aaron Slane who responded with a pointed free for Davitt’s to restore their four point advantage with six minutes gone.
St. Paul’s were starting to find a bit of space and moving the ball around with confidence and they struck with two goals within a minute to turn the contest on its head.
Lorcan Phillips got them going from a 9th minute free before wing half Miceal Duffy got through for an excellent goal in the 11th minute.
Before Davitt’s could recover corner back, Aodhan McKavanagh sent a screamer right into the top corner of Aaron Slane’s net and St. Paul’s were ahead for the first time.
Things were certainly livening up and McParland replied with a point for the home side and they might well have had a goal but a great block from Aodhan McKavanagh rescued the Shaw’s Road men and Jack McAufield brought off a good save from the follow up.
Points from O’Neill and Gerard Slane kept the Falls Road side very much in contention with Lorcan Phillips keeping the St. Paul’s noses ahead from a 21st minute free.
Gerard Slane had been excellent for Davitt’s and he pulled one back from a 23d minute free before getting through for a goal in the 25th minute to level the contest.
The home side looked to have gained the points and a place in the play-offs when O’Neill from long range and Man of the Match Slane pointed them three ahead with time almost up.
There was still a few minutes of injury time left however and St. Paul’s responded with a goal from Aidan McKavanagh and after Davitt’s went close at the other end it was Lorcan Phillips who sealed it for the visitors from a pointed free in the 33d minute.
An excellent game of championship football and it was a pity there had to be a loser with Davitt’s unfortunate not to not take something from the contest.
St. Paul’s now go forward to the quarter-finals and will make the short journey to Sarsfield’s for what will be an eagerly awaited contest in two weeks-time while their opponents on the day, Davitt’s will reflect on what might have been.
Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 C Rainey, 3 P McKinney, 4 C Toner, 5 J Scally, 6 A Hargan, 7 D Mooney, 8 A Rowntree, 9 N McParland, 10 M Connolly, 11 G Slane, 12 N Maginn, 13 C Sullivan, 14 M Toner, 15 P McParland Subs: Stephen O’Neill, Stephen Maguire
St. Paul’s: 1 Jack McAufield, 2 Aodhan Kavanagh, 3 Stephen Rooney, 4 Niall Ward, 5 Miceal Duffy, 6 James Farrell, 7 Marcas Munce, 8 Conor Hughes, 9 Colm McLarnon, 10 Lorcan Phillips, 11 Liam McLarnon, 12 Conall Finnegan, 13 Caoimhin Duffy, 14 Sean McCrory, 15 Aidan Finnegan. Subs: Conall Duffy for Conall Finnegan.
Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass)
Paul Toner Treasurer of Davitt’s presents a sposorship cheque to Bert Trowlen who receives it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
