Eire Og finish strongly to claim Martin Cup

South Antrim, Martin Cup Final

Eire Og 1-14-3-4 St Endas

Kevin Herron reports from Woodlands

Eire Og clinched the South Antrim Martin Cup after a 1-14-3-4 win over St Endas in Wednesday evenings re-arranged final underlights at Woodlands.

The Derriaghy outfit led in the early stages through points from Mark O’Hanlon and Conor Erskine before St Endas hit the games first goal.

Parity was restored temporarily when Patrick Maxwell floated over, however Chris Doyle edged the visitors in front again.

A two-pointer from Conor Dixon had Eire Og 0-5-1-1 ahead and a Matt Hanna point in the aftermath doubled his side’s advantage.

The pendulum continued to swing in the latter stages of the opening half. St Enda’s reginaed a slender lead after Phil Curran squeezed a low shot in at the near post past Brendan Shannon.

However Eire Og hit back at the other end, Conor Cochrane’s shot came back off the large post and Conor Dixon gathered the loose ball and popped it across for Cormac Duffy to fist to the net and make it 1-6-2-1.

Almost instantly St Enda’s replied with their third goal of the half, Gerard McAlea’s shot was blocked and Conor Hughes sent a pass across the face of goal where P McGoldrick slammed home at the back post.

Conor Hughes extended Endas’s lead, ahead of Eire Og keeper Brendan Shannon kicking a 45’ to ensure the slenderest of margins separated the sides at the interval with St Enda’s 3-2-1-7 ahead.

Parity was restored again within two minutes of the restart when Matt Hanna slipped in Patrick Maxwell to double his tally for the evening.

A converted Gerard McAlea free had the Glengormley outfit again once more, though Luca Mulholland kicked a leveller and Conor Dixon had his side in front from a converted free.

St Enda’s last score of the night came in the form of a close range Gerard McAlea free that had levelled the game at 1-10-3-4.

Eire Og were ahead for the final time when Mark O’Hanlon found substitute Ronan McKeown in space and he steered the ball over.

With five minutes remaining St Enda’s had the opportunity to hit the front again when referee Marty McKeown awarded a penalty for an infringement, but it passed them by and Brendan Shannon turned away the resulting spot kick.

Defence turned to attack and substitute Christopher Carberry extended his sides lead, added to late on with further points from Luca Mulholland and Conor Dixon ensuring victory at the conclusion and silverware for the Derriaghy men.