ACFL Division 1
St. Pauls 2-17 All Saints 3-15
All Saints secured two valuable ACFL Division 1 points with a narrow 3-15 to 2-17 victory over St. Paul’s on the Shaw’s Road, despite a late fight-back from the hosts. Goals from Ciaran Campbell, James McDonnell, and Joe Rafferty powered the Ballymena side to a crucial win that moves them away from the bottom of the table.
First-Half Drama
The match exploded into life in the 2nd minute when St. Paul’s goalkeeper Jack McAufield made a great blocking save to deny Connell Lemon. Caoimhin Duffy opened the scoring for the hosts, but All Saints hit back rapidly. Points from Conor Stewart and Benny McDonnell were followed by a clinical 11th-minute goal from Ciaran Campbell.
Despite All Saints wasting further goal chances, James McDonnell split the posts to stretch their lead. St. Paul’s punished a defensive mix-up in the 17th minute when Shea Burns found the net, sparking a scoring spree from Caoimhin Duffy that put the hosts 1-5 to 1-3 ahead. All Saints rallied brilliantly before the break; Cal O’Brien struck a fine 2 pointer and James McDonnell finished a slick team move for a superb goal, and further points from Conor Stewart, Ronan McKillop, and Connell Lemon ensured the visitors led 2-8 to 1-9 at halftime.
Second-Half Survival
St. Paul’s intent was clear from the restart as Shea Burns rattled the post just 30 seconds into the second half. Inspired by the accurate free taking of Ciaran Rogers, the hosts levelled the match at 1-11 to 2-8 by the 4th minute. All Saints responded and their pace and movement again put them in the ascendancy. Connell Lemon clipped over two points before Joe Rafferty scrambled a vital third goal over the line after Ronan McKillop’s initial effort was blocked.
Points from McKillop and Campbell pushed the Ballymena side into a commanding seven-point lead (3-13 to 1-12) by the 15th minute but St. Paul’s refused to yield on home turf. After James McDonnell and Connell Lemon added late scores for the visitors, St. Paul’s launched a furious comeback. Liam McKenna bagged a 26th-minute goal, and Aodhan Kavanagh dragged the hosts within a single point in the 29th minute. Showing immense composure in the dying seconds, All Saints intelligently retained possession to run down the clock and secure a vital victory.
St. Paul’s: Jack McAufield, 2. Cian McCann, 3. Aodhan Kavanagh, 4. Michael Duffy, 5. Niall McKenna, 6. Marcus Munce, 7. Ciaran Rogers Duffy, 8. James Farrell, 9. Conor Hughes, 10. Pearse Magee, 11. Conall Duffy, 12. Caomhin Killyleah, 13. Caoimhin Duffy, 14. Lorcan Phillips, 15. Shea Burns.
Sub used: 20. Liam McKenna.
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, 2. Sean McDermott, 3. Michael Read, 4. Joe Rafferty, 5. Harry Connon, 6. Cal O’Brien, 7. Matty Downey, 8. Peter McReynolds, 9. Emmet Killough, 10. Connell Lemon, 11. James McDonnell, 12. Conor Stewart, 13. Ciaran Campbell, 14. Benny McDonnell, 15. Ronan McKillop.
Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)
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