ACFL Division 2
Naomh Comhghall 1-12 Davitt’s 0-13
That well known saying, ‘A game of two halves’ often applies in Gaelic football but for the first time in my lifetime on Sunday I witnessed ‘A game of two pitches’
Let me explain, Naomh Comhghall were playing Davitt’s at Dunsilly’s pitch 3 which is their home pitch.
A superb game of football was heading to conclusion with last year’s division 3 champions, Naomh Comhghall holding on to a two point lead and the visitors pushing hard to salvage something from a fiercely contested game.
Suddenly Christopher Rafferty went down with what looked a serious injury and the Davitt’s substitute was clearly in a lot of pain and discomfort as an ambulance was summoned by someone on the side line.
There was still four minutes remaining and after a five minute stoppage the decision was taken to move the game to the adjoining Pitch 2 where the remaining four minutes were played out without any further score.
It was Aaron Slane who gave Davitt’s the lead from a ‘2 pointer’ free from outside the ‘40’ and with the wind at their back the Falls Road side moved into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead by the 10th minute through Deevy Persson.
Naomh Comhghall were pressing hard on the break and were back on level terms when a Miles Devine free from the ‘40’ dropped short but was scrambled home by Ryan Clarke.
The visitors went ahead again through a Deaglan Mooney point with Ruairi Griffin replying at the other end and points from Caomhan Slane and Anthony Rowntree for the visitors had them two in front by the 16th minute.
Barry Burn’s Naomh Comhghall were displaying an insatiable work rate as they began to force turn overs from the opposition and they finished the half on top as Aaron McGaw, Miles Devine and Kain Smyth pointed to leave them one ahead at the break.
With the wind at their backs the Antrim Town side would have been expected to push on but it was Davitt’s who were first to threaten and had the ball in the Antrim net after two minutes but the score was ruled out for a ‘square ball’ infringement
Caomhan Slane kicked a good point to level the contest before Naomh Comhghall started to get their game together again and Miles Devine began to exert his influence on the game as he converted three frees 1 (2pt’s) and another from play by Ruairi Griffin had the home side 1-10 to 0-8 ahead at the end of the third quarter.
The introduction of Tony McGrattan and Christopher Rafferty for Davitt’s seemed to lift them and Anthony Rowntree saw his well struck shot rebound of the cross-bar before McGrattan fired over.
Ruairi Griffin’s third point of the evening restored the Antrim Town side’s five point advantage but Davitt’s were beginning to enjoy some success and hit the next three points through Eoin Lynett, Caomhan Slane and Rafferty to close the gap to one with five minutes remaining.
The home side looked in trouble but Miles Devine steadied them with an excellent point, which was to be the last of the game before Rafferty’s injury momentarily interrupted proceedings.
The pitch-switch failed to produce any further scores and it is St. Comgall’s who pick up their first points in division 2 and on the evidence of Sunday’s performance it won’t be their last.
We at the Saffron Gael with Naomh Comhghall wish Christopher Rafferty a speedy recovery from his injury.
Naomh Comhghall: 1 Peter McAuley, 2 Iarfhlaith McKeating, 3 Cathal Donnelly, 4 Sean Hinfey, 5 Eoin Lynett, 6 Michael McCabe, 7 Ruairi Griffin, 8 Louis Higgins, 9 James McCabe, 10 Ryan Clarke, 11 Miles Devine, 12 Aaron McGaw,13 Kian Smyth , 14 Colm Griffin, 15 Liam Phinn
Sub: 22 Tiernan Floyd
Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Paul McKinney, 4 Conor Toner, 5 James Lindsay, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 Jack Scally, 8 Niall McParland, 9 Deevy Persson, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 16 Anthony Rowntree, 12 Deaglan Mooney, 13 Nathan Maginn, 14 Caomhan Slane, 15 Conor John Sullivan
Subs: 19 Tony McGrattan, 25 Christopher Rafferty
Referee: Charlie Hemsworth
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