Antrim LGFA Senior Football Championship – Group Stage
St Gall’s 3-08 St Paul’s 0-07 At Milltown
St Gall’s produced a remarkable final-quarter comeback to defeat West Belfast rivals St Paul’s in their opening game of the Antrim LGFA Senior Football Championship at Milltown.
Favourites St Paul’s appeared to be firmly in control for much of the contest. They led by two points at half-time and extended their advantage to five early in the second half, but the home side suddenly sprang to life and struck three excellent goals to secure a memorable ten-point victory.
St Gall’s made the brighter start, with Alex Burns opening the scoring after five minutes before Megan Dowds doubled their advantage with an excellent point from play.
St Paul’s soon settled into the contest, however, with Orlaith McCrory opening their account from 20 metres. McCrory then soloed through to land a lovely equaliser before Cara Mervyn edged the visitors ahead.
Aine Turley added another following a strong solo run, while St Gall’s survived a major scare when a low shot was blocked by a defender and cleared by the goalkeeper.
Nicole Munce completed an impressive St Paul’s move with a well-taken point to stretch their lead to 0-05 to 0-02. Aoife Garland responded for St Gall’s following an excellent cross-field pass, leaving the visitors 0-05 to 0-03 ahead at the interval.
Cara Mervyn and Orla Munce struck early in the second half to move St Paul’s five clear. The visitors also had an opportunity to increase that advantage, but the St Gall’s goalkeeper produced an important save.
That intervention proved crucial as the complexion of the contest changed dramatically during the final quarter.
Burns began the recovery with a point before substitute Eimear Bradley played an important role in creating the home side’s opening goal. Bradley fisted the ball across the square, where a Alex Burns palmed it into the net.
St Gall’s immediately attacked again, but an effort fisted into the net by Orlaith McAllister was ruled out after the referee judged that it had gone directly in without a defensive touch.
McAllister then landed a fine left-footed point before St Gall’s struck for their second goal. Erin Stewart was left unmarked near the edge of the square following a cross from Siobhan McGirr, and she made no mistake with a clinical finish.
The momentum was now firmly with the home side. Burns sent over from 25 metres and Cora Bellew added another point as St Gall’s took complete control. then sealed the victory with a superb finish into the corner by McAllister for a great goal. She also registered the final score of the evening as St Gall’s completed an extraordinary turnaround and ran out convincing winners.
St Gall’s scorers: Erin Stewart 1-01; Niamh McAllister 1-01; Alex Burns 0-03; Megan Dowds 0-01; Aoife Garland 0-01; Cora Bellew 0-01.
St Paul’s scorers: Orlaith McCrory 0-02; Cara Mervyn 0-02; Aine Turbidy 0-01; Nicole Munce 0-01; Orla Munce 0-01.
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