O’Neills ACFL Division One
Lámh Dhearg 4-18-3-19 St Galls
Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown
Pics from Mark Marlow
Pearse Fitzsimons netted in time added on as Lámh Dhearg ground out a hard fought 4-18-3-19 victory over St Galls at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening.
The visitors made the short-trip to Hannahstown hoping to maintain their strong start as the league entered the second stage.
They shaded the early exchanges with Dubhaltach Wilson twice shooting over between Conor Murray free’s in reply.
Lámh Dhearg hit the front through a well taken Declan Smyth score from outside and things got better when Adam Murray’s shot dropped and Conor Murray’s presence spooked Niall McCurdy- who was unable to get a fist on Murray’s attempt that found its way to the net.
Daniel Quinn responded with a point at the other end for St Galls, but Conor Murray fisted over his first from play.
A second goal arrived midway through the half after Declan Smith’s long ball was steered into the path of Mark Finnegan by Murray and Finnegan advanced for goal, picking his spot low in the corner to give his side a 2-4-0-3 lead.
Murray clipped over a further point from play and the Lámhs were relatively comfortable until St Galls netted approaching the 20-minute mark.
A sideline ball was floated in and touched down for Daniel Quinn to show composure and slot past Gerard Smyth.
Points were traded between Evan Stanley and Quinn (free) with Conall McGirr swinging a shot over to reduce arrears.
St Galls were penalised for not having the required numbers back, with Conor Murray landing a two-pointed free and Mark Finnegan added another two-pointed score from play to give his side a 2-10-1-05 lead.
Back-to-back converted frees from Quinn saw St Galls close the gap at the break, but it was the hosts in the driving seat at the midway point.
Lamh Dhearg extended their advantage after the break, Adam Murray shot over on the turn and namesake Conor added two more points to his personal tally- converting a free and then adding his third point from play.
The Murray’s added further scores in their period of dominance, a third goal arrived on the 35th minute- Calum Fegan-Lappin played a tremendous pass into Conor Murray’s path and he made a run towards goal but opted to slip in Adam for a simple palm to the net that made it 3-13-1-07.
Conor then kicked his second free of the half- however thereafter St Galls began to claw back the large deficit.
Daniel Quinn steered a high shot between the posts, Segdea Mac Adam took a lay off from Niall O’Neill and curled a shot over and Quinn notched his sixth point from a free.
Further points from Niall O’Neill and a two-pointed free from Daniel Quinn had almost halved the deficit with 13 minutes remaining (3-14-1-13).
A converted two-pointed free from Mark Finnegan was immediately cancelled out by a tremendous Brendan Bradley two-pointer from play.
Finnegan kicked another free from inside the arc a few minutes later and in response, Daniel Quinn sent over another two-pointed free.
St Galls were closing in on the Lámhs and on the 57th minute Conn Doherty gave them another huge shot when he guided a low shot to the corner of the net to make it 3-17-2-17.
Talisman, Daniel Quinn kicked his final free of the evening and shot over from play to leave a single point in it.
The Milltown outfit completed a remarkable fightback a minute into added time when Gerard Smyth’s kick-out was intercepted and the ball was immediately slipped into the path of Quinn- who rounded Smyth and kept his nerve to shoot home and give his side a 3-19-3-17 lead.
Lámh Dhearg didn’t panic though and responded with a goal of their own at the other end. Gerard Smyth found Conor Murray with his kick and after being illegally held, he took a quick free and found Declan Smyth, Mark Finnegan intercepted on the loop and dropped a shot goalwards that Pearse Fitzsimons bundled underneath the bar and in.
The hosts showed great game management in the aftermath as Ross Murray took possession, headed for goal and opted for a fisted point.
Garrick Mac Adam would receive his marching orders from referee Conal Roberts before the game was out as Lámh Dhearg breathed a huge sigh of relief for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat late on.
Lámh Dhearg: G Smyth, F Mervyn, P Mervyn, Ross Murray (0-1), D Smyth (0-1), B Rice, D Murray, C Boyd, P Fitzsimons (1-0), E Stanley, C Fegan-Lappin, D Martin, M Finnegan (1-5, 1x2pt, 1x2ptf, 1f), C Murray (0-9, 1x2ptf, 4f), A Murray (2-1). Subs: R Diamond for D Murray (43), N McGarry for E Stanley (43), S McCarthy for C Boyd (46), SP Gibson for P Mervyn (46).
St Galls: N McCurdy, C Hale, A McDonagh, S MacAdam (0-1), R Wilson, C McGirr (0-1), L Lynn, C Doherty (1-0), C Stinton, M Hopkins, B Bradley (1x2pt), M Murray, D Quinn (2-12, 2x2ptf, 5f), N O’Neill (0-1), D Wilson (0-2). Subs: S Burke for A McDonagh (18), A Gallagher for C Stinton (38), G MacAdam for M Hopkins (38).
Referee: Conal Roberts (St Johns)
