ACFL Division 1
Dunloy 2.12 St Galls 0.13
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Dunloy picked up a well-earned win at home to St Galls on Sunday morning. In what was an evenly matched contest throughout, goals would prove decisive and when Karl Fitzpatrick found the net twice in the second half the Cuchullains held strong to claim the 2 points.
With the game scheduled for an 11am throw in, it took time for this one to spark into life. Defences were on top in the early stages with chances limited from play and the team’s early scores were limited to dead balls. Michael Pollock eventually found a gap in the Dunloy defence and with the wind at his back, slotted over his the visitors first from play.
Dunloy though answered back through a fine score from Luke McFerran followed by a great individual effort by Reece Cunning who drove his team forward and saw his effort sail over. The teams exchanged further scores through breaches in the new rules – firstly St Galls were guilty of failing to keep 3 in attack and Dunloy were too eager to tackle Aodhan Gallagher after the midfielder claimed a fine mark.
St Galls made no mistake with the advanced 50 metre free to level the scores before the break. Half time Dunloy 0.05, St Galls 0.05
Dunloy would have been the happier of the teams as they would have the slight breeze in the second half but it was St Galls that started the half strong with 2 points from play. The rest of the half though belonged to Karl Fitzpatrick as he cancelled out St Galls early scores with a 2 point free.
Fitzpatrick was on hand again shortly after when the forward got on the end of a fine move before finishing to the net. Dunloy had started to gain momentum and in their next attack Ryan McFarliane was brought down and the Cuchullains were awarded a penalty.
Karl Fitzpartick stepped up and made no mistake with the finish. The visiting St Galls answered with a couple of points but Fitzpatrick with another 2 point effort and a fine score from Tom McFerran kept Dunloy out of touching distance. The teams exchanged late scores but it was Dunloy’s day as they held on for the win.
This win moves Dunloy onto 8 points and should ensure their survival in division 1 while this third defeat on the trot makes it unlikely that St. Gall’s can earn a top four birth and a place in the play-offs