O’Neills Sportswear ACFL Division 2
St Paul’s 1-7 St Teresa’s 0-8
A Conall Duffy goal, midway through the second half proved the defining score as St. Paul’s completed the league double over visitors St. Teresa’s to claim the division 2 title at Shaw’s Road on Wednesday night.
Heading into this encounter, St. Teresa’s led the way at the top by one point, so a draw would have been enough to see them end as champions, but it was St Paul’s who came out tops, in a game that was always close, to regain their place in division 1 next season.
On a night where conditions were far from ideal as the rain and wind drove in from the mountain, the home side had the elements in their favour. Despite that the conditions certainly didn’t help either side and both sides found it difficult to find the target.
St Paul’s opened the scoring from a Lorcan Phillips free and after both sides wasted chances, it was Jay Mallon who levelled matters with his sides opening score in the 12th minute.
Both sides struggled to master the difficult conditions but it was St Paul’s who finally restored the lead with Niall McStravick cutting in from the left and curling over.
The visitors were handed the opportunity to take the lead in the 21st minute after Paul McGoldrick took a tumble over Gary McGroarty and referee Ray Matthews pointed to the penalty spot.
Mallon stepped up and struck his spot kick well, but was thwarted by an excellent save by Jack McAufied who dived to his right to deny the St. Teresa’s man.
As the rain eased for a period St Paul’s pushed on with a couple of good scores with Phillips and Ruairi Hamill firing over to stretch their advantage.
St. Terersa’s were struggling to put their own game together but Eoin Connolly raised their first flag for more than 15 minutes after being placed by McGoldrick.
Scoring opportunities came and went before Conall Duffy found the target with a point for the ‘Hoops’ with virtually the last kick of the half to give his side an 0-5 to 0-2 lead at the interval.
The Glen Road men turned around with the wind in their favour for the second half and the question on most peoples lips was, ‘Would three points be enough for the home side’
St. Paul’s retained possession well early in the second half before Phillips split the posts to extend their lead to four but St. Teresa’s returned fire through a Jay Mallon free and a great point from Francis Dugan from distance.
The home side replied as McStravick fisted over before a great move saw Caoimhin Duffy send Conall Duffy through and he made no mistake as he fired past Murtagh in the St. Teresa’s goals.
It looked as good as over at this stage but to their credit St. Teresa’s came back with a pointed free from Mallon and they might have had a goal of their own when Anton Taylor found himself in the clear but blazed over as McAulfield advanced from his goal.
The visitors kept at it to the end with Niall McCann converting a free and Mallon curling over from the left to close the gap to two with time almost up.
It was all or nothing for the Glen Road men as Anthony Varndell dropped an inviting ball into the area with St Teresa’s requiring a goal, but it was James Farrell who came to St. Paul’s rescue with a fine interception as St Paul’s celebrated their return to the top flight for next season.
St. Paul’s: J McAufield; A Kavanagh, G McGroarty, D O’Sullivan; N Ward, J Farrell, M Duffy; M Munce, C McLarnon; R Hamill (0-1), L McLarnon, Caoimhin Duffy; N McStravick (0-2), L Phillips (0-3, 1f), Conall Duffy (1-1)
Subs: N McAlea for G McGroarty (HT), C Killyleagh for R Hamill (HT), C Hughes for D O’Sullivan (55)
St. Teresa’s: C Murtagh; A Dugan, A Varndell, R Mallon; E Connolly (0-1), C O’Rawe, P Johnston; D McCann, L Cassin; J Mallon (0-4, 2f), N McCann (0-1f), E Hamill; F Dugan (0-1), P McGoldrick, A Taylor (0-1).
Sub: C Mallon for E Connolly (55)
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
For more of Bert’s pics from the game click on the link below
https://myalbum.com/album/qXobfNfT6rs67X/?invite=643e0673-b109-4fe4-9142-91ccfb4891de