SFC Group 4
St Paul’s 2-20 St Mary’s Ahoghill 3-03
Ciaran O’Dufaigh led the way as St Paul’s gained the verdict over St Mary’s Ahoghill with a dominant performance in Creggan on Saturday evening.
The Shaw’s road side dominated throughout the contest against a strangely subdued Ahoghill side and took an early lead through Ciaran O’ Dufaigh who was to lead the way for the city boys with a very positive ‘man of the match performance’.
The Cloney lads took time to open their account and the short blast was imminent before Danny’ O’ Neill raised their opening flag as he split the posts after 30 minutes but by such juncture St. Paul’s had built up a 1-10 to 0-01 lead.
Ahoghill had opened their championship account with a win away to Aghagallon but were never able to replicate anything like that performance even though Tom McGlone found the net following a Colla Mc Donald approach a few minutes into the second half.
St Paul’s with sharp shooter O’ Dufaigh leading the way in attack, despite facing a sharp breeze continued to dominate and they led 1-15 to 1-02 by the 40th minute.
Despite a second goal as Noel Crossey despatched a 43rd minute penalty to the back of the net the odds were firmly against the Cloney side and the Shaw’s Road outfit continued to call the shots.
More than a few observers felt that Ahoghill could build on an opening day win away to Aghagallon in the championship and gain a place in the quarter-finals but in truth they never looked like winning this one.
St Paul’s had not shown such positivity in attack in their championship games to date but they were obviously ready for this one and a couple of points in the opening minutes by Ciaran O’ Dufaigh saw them quickly away.
The city lads did have the favour of the breeze in the first half but in the event such assistance was not required and although Ahoghill created opportunities they were less than proficient in front of the posts with several attempts going a begging.
Niall Crossey just failed to open their account after his attempt found the woodwork and the resultant kick out saw corner forward Caomhin Duffy lob the ball over the advancing Aiden Graham and into the back of the net.
Ahoghill were struggling to find the posts as Lady Luck turned her back with a couple of attempts coming back off the wood work but St. Paul’s had no such difficulty as they replied with a trio of points through Conor Hughes and a couple more by Caomhin Duffy saw them 1-05 to 0-00 ahead after 20th minutes.
Ahoghill really needed a score but the St. Paul’s defence in which Mark Munce stood tall were giving nothing away whilst at the other end points from Ciaran O’ Dufaigh (2), Shea Burns, and the hard grafting Niall Ward saw them 1-10 ahead before Danny O’ Neill opened the Cloney account in time added.
Ahoghill started the second half in need of scores and when Colla McDonnell placed Tom Mc Glone to finish to the net within a couple of minutes of the restart hope possibly prevailed.
In the event St Pauls were quick to extinguish that hope as Lorcan Philips added a two pointer before the prolific Ciaran O’ Dufaigh added another with Ronan Graham replying at the other end to make it 1-15 to 1-02.
The die was most certainly cast as the game proceeded into the last quarter and Niall McStravick and Ciaran O’ Dufaigh added points before Noel Crossey scored from the penalty spot for St. Mary’s following a foul Colla McDonnell.
A further point from Caomhin Duffy increased to growing St Paul’s advantage and when he added a goal a couple of minutes later the writing was on the wall with St. Pauls at 2-20 to 2-03 as the clock ticked down.
St Paul’s added further points through prolific corner man Ciaran O’ Dufaigh and he came close to adding a goal shortly after only to be thwarted by the Ahoghill net minder Aiden Graham who made an excellent save.
In the event it was the Cloney men who were to have the last say on proceedings with the busy Danny O’ Neill finding the net in time added with St Paul’s crossing the line full value for their 2-20 to 3-03 victory.
St Mary’s: Aiden Graham, Ryan Martin, Bobby Magee, Seamus Mc Keever, Shea Neeson, Diarmuid Graham, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Tom Mc Glone (1-00), Ronan Graham (0-01), Noel Crossey (1-01), Danny O’ Neill (1-01), Colla Mc Donnell, D Graham, Conor Crossey
St Paul’s: Jack McAulfield, Aodhan Kavanagh, Ewan Mc Greevey, Diaramuid O’ Sullivan, Michael Duffy, Mark Munce, Lorcan Philips (0-02), James Farrell, Conor Hughes(0-02), Niall Mc Stravick (0-02), Conal Duffy, Niall Ward (0-02), Caomhin Duffy (2-03), Shea Burns (0-03), Ciaran O’ Dufaigh (0-08*)
Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)
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