Carryduff made to fight hard by Saul

Carryduff made to fight hard by Saul

6 September 2023

MANY had Division One winners Carryduff as hot favourites for this Down SFC contest in Liatroim on Monday evening.

However, Saul were not to be written off, having stayed within a point of Dowpatrick in the first round and Carryduff losing by six against Kilcoo. 

Saul opened the scoring in the fifth minute with Philip Doran playing a great ball over the bar after receiving a telling pass from Phelim Savage. 

Carryduff got on the scoreboard with a point from play by Michael McGrath and quickly followed up with their second point as Saul’s failure to clear the danger enabled Joe Tunney to get his first point off the game. 

Saul quickly responded when Jack Hazard went far up the field and took a long range score to level the game. 

Sau went in front in the 11th minute when Ruari O’Hare found himself tight in the right corner, but a quick turn away from the defenders saw another point scored. 

Carryduff’s Connor Cassidy was allowed the space to run, and he took full advantage to secure his point. 

After a quick kick-out Lorcan Harney made great work down the right field and played the ball into James Mahoney, who was able to convert this chance. 

Carryduff could have scored a goal, but two great saves by Hazard kept the ball out and Saul were much still in the game. 

Carryduff got two more points through a 45 by John McGeough and Odhran Sherry from attacking play. 

Saul closed the gap again when O’Hare called a mark and confidently converted. 

Carryduff restored their lead in the 27th minute with Tunney getting his second point of the game and the 

lead was extended in the last minute of the half with an Eoin Donnelly point. Half-time score: Saul 0-5 Carryduff 0-7

Carryduff stepped it up a gear in the second half with McGeough opening the scoring. Ciaran Harney had Saul’s first chance, half, but hit the ball just wide. 

Saul’s first point came in the 36th minute through a close free conversion by O’Hare. Carryduff were throwing everything at Saul, but their back line was holding strong. Carryduff’s next score came with a close free through Cian Clinton. 

It was in the 41st minute that the game opened up with McGeough getting the only goal of the game — there was not much Hazard could have done in this instance. 

Donnelly added two points to his tally in the next five minutes, and questions began to be asked as to whether or not Saul could get back into the match.

The chance came in the 50th when a pass from Ciaran Harney to O’Hare created a great chance for goal. O’Hare stroked the ball well, but his shot hit the wrong side of the post. 

Carryduff’s Pearse McCabe increased the gap by a point from play. James Mahoney had a chance for goal, but it came off the bar for point. 

Saul’s O’Hare scored again in the last kick of the game. 

Saul can take a lot of positive from the game, but Carryduff’s ability to score from all angles was the difference.

Saul: J Hazard, C Mahoney, C Byrne, J Magilton, O Magee, L Harney, J Johnston, R Mullen, P Laverty, J Mahoney, P Doran, R O’Hare, C Kinsella, C Harney, P Savage.

Subs: S O’Hare, J Mahoney, B McGrath, B Cunningham, L Ritchie.

Carryduff: R Lavery, M McGrath, C Cassidy, O Sherry, P McCabe, J Connery, S McGonigle, E Donnelly, D Guinness, C Clinton, J Tunney, J McFlynn, R Beattie, J McGeough, J Guinness.

Subs: B Cox, C Rooney, L Toal, R Reilly, R Lawlor.