Late Danny O’Connor Two Sends Thriller To A Replay
Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship
Quarter-Final
From PPFS Darver
Referee: Paul Kneel (Kilkerley Emmets)
Naomh Mairtin : 1-16
St Patricks : 1-16
St Patricks produced more late heroics to save their season as a late Danny O’Connor two pointer earned them a replay with Naomh Mairtin after an epic encounter in PPFS Darver.
Naomh Mairtin started off on a lively footing scoring 1-2 in the opening 8 minutes. Darragh Dorian and Sam Mulroy got points before Mulroy’ used his intelligence to win a long ball in to turn and tap home to an empty net. Jack Murphy opened St Patricks account, as minutes later Sean Fearon drove low and hard to land a crucial major for Jamie O’Hare’s side. Eoin O’Connor added to their momentum with a huge two-pointer outside the boot after Naomh Mairtin had missed two huge goal opportunities. Tom Gray and Sam Mulroy fired back in a period that also included a classy two pointer from Mulroy, where he danced his way beyond the Pats’ defenders before turning onto his right boot and curling over. The sides traded a score each before a quality Tom Gray point just before the interval, putting Naomh Mairtin back in the driving seat.
Half Time. Naomh Mairtin 1-8 : 1-4 St Patricks
Naomh Mairtin instantly extended their lead in the second half with an outstanding long range two pointer from county midfielder Dara McDonnell. This was followed by a Mulroy 45’ that unfortunately for them, signalled the end of a hot period for the Monasterboice men. St Patricks’ comeback was sparked by a Marty McEneaney two-point free that drew a huge roar from the Lordship faithful among a large crowd in Darver. Wingback Darren Connor then added another two-pointer for Pats’ before the bright Sean Fearon sent over a nice effort to leave the sides at 1-11 to 1-9. Micheal O’Shaughnessy cannoned an effort off the crossbar but the sharp Jack Murphy was on hand to get at least a point out of a huge chance. Eoghan Callaghan and Danny O’Connor traded scores before a classy indivual effort from Mulroy to extend the Mairtins’ lead back to 2. Jack Murphy reduced it back with a close range free before Tom Gray sharply converted off the left, a tit-for-tat encounter. Mulroy notched a free before the industrious Darragh Dorian manufactured and converted a beautiful score for his side. Then, queue the late heroics from the Pats’ men, AGAIN. Firstly, McEneaney added a two-point free from the ground for the Pats. Three minutes additional time was signalled and there was an air of tension among the patrons. St Patricks carefully plotted their way to a scoring chance with multiple phases of play eventually leading to the heroic Danny O’Connor risking an outside the boot effort for two, that deservedly found it’s way over the bar. The resulting kickout signalled the end of an enthralling match that ebbed and flowed. Both sides do it all again, next Saturday October 4th at 7:30pm in PPFS Darver.
Photo: Danny O’Connor, who delivered the all important equaliser.
Full Time. Naomh Mairtin 1-16 : 1-16 St Patricks
Player of the Match:
Eoghan Callaghan (Naomh Mairtin)
The Mairtin’s captain was at his vibrant best. Himself and Mulroy have directed their side for years and Callaghan continued his excellent form as he set up attack after attack. Knocked over a score and never shirked away from responsibility.
Notables:
Sam Mulroy (Naomh Mairtin)
The two time All-Star nominee was outstanding once again. Hit 1-7 which included a spectacular two point effort in the first half where he danced his way around the Pats’ defence.
Danny O’Connor (St Patricks)
The experienced campaigner lifted his side when introduced. He has a knack of getting big scores and his last minute two pointer to send the game to a replay was a mark of this. Great impact.
Darragh Dorian (Naomh Mairtin)
The Louth U20 man had one of his finest displays in the Naomh Mairtin shirt. He was lively throughout and also got two top scores.
Naomh Mairtin Team:
Darren Morgan; Shane Morgan, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan, Eoghan Callaghan (0-1), Sean Healy; Adam Booth, Dara McDonnell (0-2); Jack Murphy (0-1), Sam Mulroy (1-7, 2f, 1’45’), Wayne Campbell; Darragh Dorian (0-2), Tom Gray (0-3), Val Leddy.
Subs: Craig Callanan for Jack Murphy (48 Mins), Joe McGrane for Wayne Campbell (48 Mins), Tadhg O’Brien for Shane Morgan (53 Mins).
St Patricks Team:
Marty McEneaney (0-4, 4f); Sean Holland, Kevin Toner, Darren O’Hanlon; Conor Grogan, Barry Dunne, Darren Connor (0-2); Leonard Gray, Thomas McCann; Jack Murphy (0-3, 2f), Joseph Connor, Aidan McCann (0-1); Sean Fearon (1-1), Eoin O’Connor (0-2), Michéal O’Shaughnessy.
Subs: Danny O’Connor (0-3) for Thomas McCann (32 Mins), Conor McGuinness for Darren O’Hanlon (55 Mins), Rory Duffy for Sean Fearon (56 Mins).
