fonaCAB Ulster Minor Club Football Tournament, quarter-final
Mayobridge 1-7 St Paul’s 1-5
PICS BY BERT TROWLEN
St. Paul’s looked to be heading for a rare victory for Antrim clubs in the quarter-final of the fona/CAB Ulster Minor tournament when they led Down champions, Mayobridge by three points early in the second half at Shaws Road today.
However the visitors hit five scores on the bounce midway through the second period to defeat St Paul’s on their home patch to reach the semi-final where they will meet Cavan Gaels.
When the hosts moved into that three point lead it was looking good for them on their return to their home tournament for the first time in 30 years, but the Down side didn’t panic and made the most of their spell to advance into a last four clash on St Stephen’s Day.
Daire O’Keefe was excellent for Mayobridge at mid-field with some excellent fielding for the Mourne side and added a score during the second period while Patrick Woods also made a big impact with some fine scores.
Both sides were strong in defence and gave little away and as result scores were hard to come by and the game was in the balance right up to the final whistle.
St. Paul’s opened with the wind at their backs in the opening period and they made a bright start with Oisin Gamble playing an excellent ball into Sean Og McLaren who claimed a mark and curled his effort over within the opening minute.
The big full-forward doubled his score soon after when he fisted over from a tight angle on the right, but Mayobridge hit back with a sucker punch when Ryan Coulter finished a rebound to the net after Adam Carroll made a good save to deny Darragh Polland.
The scores dried up for a time as both defences dominated and it wasn’t until the 14th minute when Patrick Woods split the uprights for the Down champions.
St Paul’s responded and began to take the game to their opponents with Patrick Crawford sending over a free and then McLaren got on the end of a long ball and turned his marker with his fierce drive sailing over when a goal looked eminent.
This score squared the contest for the first time and it would get better for the Antrim champions as James Keenan added another to leave it 1-2 to 0-4 in favour of the ‘Hoops’ at half time.
Mayobridge started the second half with a fairly substantial breeze at their back and they took the game to their opponents early on but the St. Paul’s defence continued to thwart their efforts.
The host club soaked up the Mayobridge second half pressure before striking on the counter at the other end and Oisin Gamble broke free down the left sideline and placed Oisin Casey who took the pass on the volley from 25 metres out and his shot nestled in the corner of the net.
Conor Ward moved forward from defence to add a point and the home side were 1-5 to 1-2 ahead after 40 minutes and it looked like the Antrim champions were on their way to victory.
Mayobridge looked rattled but they picked themselves up of the floor and Corey Clerkin got them on the comeback trail as he fired over after forcing a turnover.
This score provided the Mourne side with a lift and they would hit a further four points without reply as Woods pointed a free and then O’Keefe broke clear but seemed to have lost control but he volleyed over to level with a quarter of an hour remaining.
From the resulting kick-out, Mayobridge again won the break and it was worked to Woods on the right who fired over and with nine minutes remaining, he would add another from distance to put two between the sides.
It would prove to be the final score of the game, though both sides had opportunities to add to their tally in the closing stages.
Clerkin found himself in space to the right of goal but fired his shot wide when well-placed and at the other end St Paul’s tried to respond but McLaren was blown up for lifting off the ground as he finished to the net.
The Antrim champions pushed hard in the closing stages but the Mayobridge defence stood firm and it is the Mourne champions who go through to a Boxing Day semi-final against Cavan Gaels.
St. Paul’s: A Carroll; C Ward (0-1), C McAlea, G Cowan; C McDonnell, O McCann, O Gamble; E McGreevy, C Burke; P Crawford (0-1 free), S Burns, O Casey (1-0); N Carmichael, S Og McLaren (0-3, 1 mark), C Rodgers-Duffy.
Subs: C McCann for P Crawford (49), A Mitchell for C McDonnell (55).
Mayobridge: M Gallagher; R Magone, B Kelly, J Keenan (0-1 free); O De Rose, J McGlade, C Colhoun; D O’Keefe (0-1), P Woods (0-4, 2 frees); D Carr, C Clerkin (0-1), C Keenan; R Coulter (1-0), D Poland, C McPolin.
Sub: D McMahon for J Keena (HT).
Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone).
