ACFL Division 3
Naomh Comhghall 4-12 Eire Og 0-5
Naomh Comhghall’s relentless drive towards promotion to division 2 continues and with their nearesr rivals, O’Donnell’s and Pearses both losing on Wednesday night their fate is very much in their own hands.
St Comgall’s came into the game as red hot favourites with maximum points from 8 league fixtures to their name. The Antrim men found it difficult to build any sort of rhythm early on, with the Deriaghy side deploying a defensive set up. With two “sweepers” within their own 45.
The home side were finding joy with keeping possession, making the Comgalls work tirelessly to get a share of the play. Eire Og took an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, with the Antrim men playing against a strong breeze.
A Tom Patchett goal midway through the first half proved to be the catalyst for St Comgall’s taking the lead for the first time in the game – a lead in which they ensured to keep.
Further scores from Tom Patchett, and a goal apiece for Aaron McGraw and Josh Henry ensured a commanding 3-5 to 0-3 half time lead for the visitors.
The half time break did little to wane the attacking intent of the Antrim men, it was very much ‘as you were’ with the visitors piling on the pressure from the 2nd throw in.
Tom Patchett capped a fine performance with a number of well struck scores and Dylan Murdock, Paddy O’Connor and Ruairi Griffin joined in on the action with a score apiece, Griffin grabbing a major to add to his haul.
The introduction of James McCabe and Danaan O’Hara bolstered the Antrim defence but Eire Og, to their credit, continued to carry the ball into the opposing half, only to be met with the well marshalled Antrim rearguard.
With a number of wides, Naomh Comhghall were able to launch quick counter attacks through the precision of Anto Watson’s kick outs, picking out forward players in green and white anywhere within 80 yards.
The visitors could have added another two majors to their tally, but for the athletic Eire Og netminder, Colly Morgan, making 2 fantastic saves.