Laverty’s late point decides the issue for Saul

Laverty’s late point decides the issue for Saul

6 July 2022

SAUL managed to maintain their fourth place league position after overcoming local rivals Darragh Cross in a tightly contested affair at St Patrick’s Park on Friday evening.

A rapid beginning to both halves allowed the hosts to pull away from the Cross, who will blame a host of missed chances as their reason for not gaining any points from the match.

Despite the damp and dreary weather conditions, the home side began with intent as Ruairi O’Hare split the posts from a free in the opening minute.

Darragh struggled to respond and within the following five minutes they lost possession four times whilst attempting to manufacture an attack.

Amongst this frustration, Cross forward Shea Boyle picked up a yellow card for two soft fouls. Still, the visitors attempted to make a breakthrough but yet again, possession was overturned with Saul’s Pierce Laverty offloading a pass to team-mate O’Hare who smartly drew a foul.

Cathail Arnold made no mistake with the conversion, allowing his Saul side to open up a two-point lead.

A couple of wide efforts followed from the visitors before Ciaran Harney kicked over from play for the hosts.

The Cross did finally get off the mark in the 19th minute courtesy of a sweetly struck effort from Anton McGrattan.

It wouldn’t be long before McGrattan would notch his brace after team-mate Michael Monan cleverly manufactured space for him to kick over from range.

Saul replied with a point from defender Lorcan Harney but this acted as a much needed catalyst for the away side to find their stride.

Darragh hit three points on the bounce with well taken scores coming from Kyle Morgan, James Murray and Joe McKinney, which gave the visitors the lead for the first time in the contest.

This lead would be short-lived as O’Hare converted a free on the stroke of half-time to level the scores at the break. Half-time: Saul 0-5 Darragh Cross 0-5.

As both sides returned to the pitch for the restart, it would be Saul who would quickly gain the upper hand.

Arnold kicked over a free before Ciaran Harney and O’Hare tagged on further points from play.

Saul’s Harney and Darragh’s Oisin McConvey then entered referee Conor Curran’s book with a yellow card apiece following some off the ball rough-housing as the game became more physical. 

O’Hare would add yet another free before Arnold lofted his effort over the black spot to leave Darragh dazed and trailing by five.

Mark McMahon was shown a yellow card for the Cross and the visitors also saw a few attempts go the wrong side of the post.

However, Eoin McGrattan did stop the bleeding when he wriggled free of his marker and notched his side’s opening point of the half.

Darragh’s Monan made no mistake from his free to chip away at the deficit, although Saul responded promptly with a fantastic long range score from O’Hare.

Ciaran Harney added another to return the scoring margin to five and with six minutes to go, Darragh had a mountain to climb.

It was still a rather nervous final few minutes for the hosts after Monan converted another free and Saul’s Arnold 

became the latest entry into the referee’s book.

McMahon and Monan kicked over with the clock ticking down and now there was just two points as the difference between the sides.

Darragh were pushing for their elusive goal but in the final passage of play, a misplaced pass allowed Saul’s Pierce Laverty to nick possession and surge up the pitch past the tired Cross legs for a simple hand pass over the bar.

This point secured the result as the final whistle was blown and a collective sigh of relief was released from the home support.

Saul: J Hazard; L Harney (0-1), C Mahoney, S O’Hare; C Kinsella, P Laverty (0-1), J Fitzsimons; R Mullen, G Robinson; P Doran, C Arnold (0-3, 2f), R O’Hare (0-5, 3f); J Magilton, C Harney (0-3), C Byrne.

Yellow cards: C Harney, C Arnold.

Darragh Cross: R Miskelly; D McSorley, J Hardy, M Boyle; J Murray (0-1), O McConvey, J Flynn; J McKinney (0-1), M McMahon (0-1); E McGrattan (0-1), A McGrattan (0-2), M Monan (0-3f); K Morgan (0-1), M McAleenan, S Boyle

Yellow cards: S Boyle, O McConvey, M McMahon.

Referee: Conor Curran (RGU Downpatrick).