Antrim Reserve Football Shield Semi-Final
Lámh Dhearg 1-08 St Paul’s 2-14
at Hannahstown
St Paul’s booked their place in the Antrim Senior Football Reserve Shield final after a powerful spell either side of half-time helped them to a 2-14 to 1-08 victory over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown.
For much of the opening half there was very little between the sides. Lámh Dhearg recovered from a bright St Paul’s start to edge ahead midway through the half, but the visitors finished the opening period strongly, hitting four unanswered points to take a 0-09 to 0-05 advantage into the break.
St Paul’s then carried that momentum into the second half and two goals in the opening stages effectively took the game away from the Hannahstown men.
The visitors opened the scoring inside the first minute, but Lámh Dhearg responded immediately through Ronan Webb, who split the posts to level matters.
St Paul’s regained the lead through their number 15 before Conor Burns added another point in the fifth minute. A minute later, the visitors threatened the opening goal when their number 15 got a sight of the net, but Rhys Camlin made a good save with his feet, diverting the effort over the crossbar.
That left St Paul’s 0-04 to 0-01 ahead, but Lámh Dhearg responded with their best spell of the half.
Daniel Mulholland produced a superb individual score in the eighth minute, beating two opponents before curling over with his left foot.
Michael Herron followed with an equally impressive point a minute later. After Lámh Dhearg worked possession into the corner, Herron turned and sent a fine effort over from a difficult angle to reduce the deficit to a single point.
Sean Paul Gibson then completed the comeback, stepping inside before curling a left-footed shot between the posts to make it 0-04 apiece.
Lámh Dhearg moved ahead for the first time in the 14th minute. A free was advanced to the edge of the 20-metre line and Webb made no mistake, sending it over to give the home side a 0-05 to 0-04 advantage.
St Paul’s almost struck for a goal immediately afterwards when good work by their number 15 created an opportunity for Patrick Crawford, but Camlin intervened to turn the danger away.
Crawford did get St Paul’s back on terms in the 20th minute with a well-taken point, although he was then shown a black card a minute later.
Despite being temporarily reduced in numbers, St Paul’s began to take control. Bairre Burns broke forward to put them back in front in the 24th minute, and the visitors continued to create chances.
The decisive shift in momentum came in the closing stages of the half.
Conor Burns converted a free before producing a superb swivel and shot from the left to increase the St Paul’s advantage. From the resulting kick-out, the visitors regained possession and Burns struck again, completing a burst of two points in around 30 seconds.
It meant that a game which had been tied at 0-05 apiece had suddenly swung firmly in the visitors’ favour, with St Paul’s leading 0-09 to 0-05 at half-time.
There was no let-up when play resumed.
St Paul’s won possession from the throw-in and immediately attacked, Sean Óg McLaren carrying the ball forward before releasing Aidan Hamill, who sent over the opening point of the second half.
Five minutes into the half came the first major blow. St Paul’s attacked from the right and Niall Carmichael found enough space to angle a low drive into the Lámh Dhearg net, stretching the advantage to 1-10 to 0-05.
The visitors were now firmly in control and number 24 followed with another point before they struck for a second goal.
This time Hamill stepped inside his marker before firing home, leaving St Paul’s with a commanding 2-11 to 0-05 advantage.
Lámh Dhearg badly needed a response and they were handed an opportunity in the 39th minute when a high delivery into the St Paul’s defence caused confusion and the referee awarded a penalty.
Webb took responsibility and confidently dispatched the spot kick to the net, giving the Hannahstown side some hope at 2-11 to 1-05.
St Paul’s, however, were never seriously knocked out of their stride.
Patrick Crawford added another point after a good move involving McLaren, although Lámh Dhearg responded at the opposite end as they continued to battle.
Michael Herron produced another excellent score in the 54th minute, sending over from around 40 metres, but the deficit remained substantial.
Crawford added another fine point for St Paul’s in the 59th minute, winning possession in the left corner before working himself into position and curling the ball between the posts.
St Paul’s added the final score to complete a convincing 2-14 to 1-08 victory and secure their place in the Reserve Shield final.
The final margin was harsh on Lámh Dhearg, who had matched their opponents for much of the opening half and actually led 0-05 to 0-04 midway through the period. However, St Paul’s decisive scoring burst approaching half-time, followed by their two early second-half goals, ultimately proved the difference.
Final score: Lámh Dhearg 1-08 St Paul’s 2-14.
Lámh Dhearg: 1 Rhys Camlin, 2 Conor Fitzsimons, 3 Aaron McCloskey, 4 Aaron Ferris, 5 Aaron Kennedy (C), 6 Oisin Mackey, 7 Daniel Mulholland, 8 Christopher Nolan, 9 Conor McConville, 10 Seanpaul Gibson, 11 Shane McKenna, 12 Michael McCloskey, 13 Ronan Webb, 14 Michael Herron, 15 Michael McGarry, 17 Sean McKenna, 18 Mark McIlvenny, 19 Darren Vaughan, 20 Brendan McCrudden.
St Paul’s: 1 Adam Carroll, 2 Dee Magee, 3 Gary McGroarty, 4 Rossa Morgan, 5 Cian McCann, 6 Bairre Burns, 7 Oran Stevenson, 8 Jonathan Rodgers, 9 Miceal Vallely, 10 Aidan Hamill, 11 Sean Óg McLaren, 12 Niall Carmichael, 13 Conor Burns, 14 Patrick Crawford, 15 Shea Burns.
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
https://myalbum.com/album/VvWVd2TECmvXrF/?invite=4e5a7abc-5a24-4550-947d-b202a026beee