“Naomh Mairtin Power Into Ninth SFC Semi-Final In a Row”
Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Quarter Final REPLAY
From Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre Darver
Naomh Mairtin powered their way into an Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Semi Final thanks to a dominant second-half display, St Patricks challenge fizzling out subduedly after a really bright championship campaign.
Sam Mulroy racked up 0-08 but the game’s most influential figure, once again, was undoubtedly captain Eoghan Callaghan, who delivered an extraordinary, all-action display both defensively and in attack.
After leading by the minimum at half-time having played against the elements, Mattie Rice’s side kicked for home in a dominant second half display, racking up 0-10 without significant reply to kill the game and book their place in an remarkable ninth successive Senior semi-final.
The build-up was dominated by the aftermath of last weekends antics, which had seen the championship blown wide open as hot favourites Ardee St Marys crashed out at the hands of Newtown Blues.
St Patricks, the consensus went, had made it this far against all the odds – knocking out a fancied St Mochtas side on the way. Their performances in the group and the drawn quarter-final game suggested a marked improvement in them from previous campaigns. The win over Dreadnots and the manner of how they rescued themselves in the quarter-final showed a team well-capable of going steps further.
The first half was far from ideal for the Lordship men despite only trailing by a point. They held the advantage of quite a strong breeze stemming from Storm Amy, which hit the country this week. Naomh Mairtin intelligently controlled the ball and slowed the game down, allowing them manage proceedings.
Sam Mulroy opened the scoring as usual with a well-struck 45’ after he was denied a goal from close range. Sean Fearon replied before Darragh Dorian clipped over for the Jocks’. Pats were dealt a huge blow shortly after as Evan Whelan held his composure to strike low, evading Marty McEneaney. A goal that felt like a real blow as it put St Patricks on the backfoot straight away, in a half where they needed to build a lead up.
Jack Murphy of St Patricks hit over a superb two-point effort but this was soon canceled out by a precise effort from Sam Mulroy from the deck for two of his own. Indeed this was a tale of woe for Pats’ as Mulroy’s ability to kick again the elements prevented the foothold that Jamie O’Hare’s men would have hoped for.
Marty McEneaney nailed a two-point free as Jack Murphy backed this up on 22 minutes as St Patricks narrowed the gap to 1. Once again, Mulroy pulled this lead back as he composed himself to strike his second two-point free of the half. The halves last score came from Eoin O’Connor who sent over a long range effort for two, narrowing the gap. However the remainder of the half was dictated by Naomh Mairtin who refused to take risks with the ball, rightfully content to be in the ascendency.
Half Time. St Patricks 0-8 : 1-6 Naomh Mairtin.
Leonard Gray levelled the game up just after the break in a brief moment of hope for the Pats men that would soon evade them. Wingback Jack Murphy came storming into the game as he nailed a two-pointer, just about keeping itself inside the post as he sent his side back into the lead. Mulroy, Wayne Campbell and Sean Healy all backed this up with points of their own before McEneaney struck a brilliant two-point free to leave the scores at 0-11 to 1-11 on 40 minutes.
The remainder of the game was masterfully dictated by an experienced Mairtins side as the influential of captain Eoghan Callaghan and Mulroy became pivotal in handling possession under pressure. Jack Murphy and Dorian added scores before Murphy, the Pats one – got his sides last score from a close range free on 49 minutes. Mulroy got two more from play while Callaghan tagged on beautifully struck point to keep the scoreboard ticking and thus, stretching out the margin. Conor Grogan received a late red card while Eoin O’Connor was black-carded for the Lordship men as they exited a championship in which they contributed greatly.
Full Time. St Patricks 0-12 : 1-16 Naomh Mairtin
Player of the Match:
Eoghan Callaghan (Naomh Mairtin)
An incredible ball player and has a top class understanding with Sam Mulroy. Played a stormer and delivered a sumptuous crossfield kick pass to Sean Healy for a 37th minute point. There were so many positive, creative moments like that throughout and Callaghan struck a wonder score aswell. There is not many blots on his copybook and if he continues this form, the Jocks’ will fancy the big prize.
Close second… :
Sam Mulroy (Naomh Mairtin)
Delivered once again. 1-7 last week, 0-8 this week – Naomh Mairtin hold all the aces when Mulroy is in the mood. Looks so sharp.
Naomh Mairtin Team:
Darren Morgan; Cian Sands, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan (1-0), Eoghan Callaghan (0-1), Jack Murphy (0-3), Adam Booth, Wayne Campbell (0-1); Dara McDonnell, Sam Mulroy (0-8, 4f, 1’45’), Sean Healy (0-1); Darragh Dorian (0-2), Val Leddy, Tom Gray.
Subs:
Ben Callanan for Tom Gray (50 Mins), Tadhg O’Brien for Cian Sands (57 Mins), Craig Callanan for Sean Healy (58 Mins), Joe McGrane for Dara McDonnell (61 Mins)
St Patricks Team:
Marty McEneaney (0-4, 4f); Sean Holland, Kevin Toner, Darren O’Hanlon; Conor Grogan, Barry Dunne, Darren Connor; Leonard Gray (0-1), Eoin O’Connor (0-2); Michael O’Shaughnessy, Jack Murphy (0-4, 2f), Joseph Connor; Aidan McCann, Danny O’Connor, Sean Fearon (0-1).
Subs:
Padraig Duffy for Joseph Connor (50 Mins), Rory Duffy for Darren O’Hanlon (50 Mins), Daniel Tumulty for Kevin Toner (53 Mins), Brian Commins for Aidan McCann (55 Mins), Conor McGuinness for Sean Fearon (57 Mins).
Referee: Ultan McElroy (Kilkerley Emmets)
