Conn Mag Aoidh produced a battling performance against St Paul’s, who play a division above them, but ultimately came up five points short in a hard-fought encounter at Fr Maginn Park on Sunday.
The game was made particularly difficult from the outset when a very heavy shower swept across the pitch during the opening ten minutes, leaving underfoot conditions challenging for both sides for much of the contest. Despite this, both teams settled quickly, with St Paul’s opening the scoring before Cormac McKeown and Conleth O’Loan responded for Conn Mag Aoidh.
St Paul’s gradually established a narrow advantage during the opening exchanges, with Sean Og McLaren proving particularly influential from placed balls and open play. Conn Mag Aoidh remained firmly in touch, however, with McKeown converting frees and Rian Lennon and Caolan Lennon also getting on the scoresheet.
The key moment of the opening half came in the 28th minute, when Conn Mag Aoidh were awarded a penalty. Cormac McKeown confidently converted from the spot, giving Conn Mag Aoidh a valuable goal and keeping them within touching distance of their opponents.
The second half began with Conn Mag Aoidh holding a slight one point advantage over their opponents with McKeown again central to their scoring, adding further points from frees and play, while Conleth O’Loan also contributed.
St Paul’s, though, had the greater scoring return from play. Sean Og McLaren struck two goals, while Caolán O Duibhfhinn and Sean Munce also featured prominently on the scoreboard. St Paul’s lead was reduced by a late goal from Conleth O’Loan giving Conn Mag Aoidh hope, reducing the deficit to 22-17.
There was to be no final twist, however, and St Paul’s saw out the remaining exchanges to claim a 3-13 to 2-11 victory which keeps the Shaw’s Road men in the hunt for a knock-out place.
Despite the defeat, there was plenty of encouragement for Conn Mag Aoidh. To stay within five points of a team competing in the division above, particularly in such difficult conditions, demonstrated the resilience and competitive spirit of the Conn Mag Aoidh side. On another day, a little more efficiency at key moments could have made the outcome considerably closer.
