Mahoney magic helps Saul see off Rostrevor

1 May 2024

SAUL got back to winning ways in their Division 2 campaign with a solid victory over league rivals Rostrevor at St Patrick’s Park on Friday.

Having picked up wins on the road in their opening two contests against Liatroim and Downpatrick RGU, respectively, Saul then tasted defeat away to St John’s in what was a lacklustre performance and were looking to right those wrongs in their latest contest.

Meanwhile, the visiting Rostrevor side were making the trip on the back of an unbeaten start to their season and have been viewed by many in the division as serious contenders for promotion.

However, Saul were able to put the ball in the back of the net and that proved a major difference by the full-time whistle.

The St Patrick’s outfit were largely helped to victory by two goals from the clinical John Mahoney and another from the impressive Rory Mullen.

The beginning of the match ebbed and flowed with Rostrevor’s Conor Doyle opening the scoring from a short-range free before Ciarán Harney kicked over two in reply to give the hosts the lead.

A mammoth 45 from ‘keeper Cathail Arnold extended Saul’s lead just moments later and by now the home team had gathered momentum.

Saul half-forward Philly Doran proved a constant thorn in Rostrevor’s side and he furthered the gap with an impressive score off his right boot from far out.

The St Bronagh’s outfit momentarily stopped the bleeding with a converted free from Shaun Parr but Saul kept their foot on the gas with another probing Doran run resulting in a free for the home side, which Harney converted with ease.

With 15 minutes gone, Saul were ahead at 0-5 to 0-2 and looked to be in control.

However, the hosts were let off the hook when Hugh Pat McGeary’s ball into the Saul square was palmed onto the crossbar by team-mate Doyle before the danger was cleared.

Saul then did what all good teams do and that’s make their opponents pay for missed opportunities.

Almost immediately, the hosts surged on the attack and a lumped ball forward from Harney was caught magnificently by forward Ronan Connor, who placed his pass on a platter to the onrushing John Mahoney for the number 15 to bury his strike into the top corner.

The game then saw an array of back and forth points before Saul found a very important second major as Gary Murdock’s dangerous high ball into the area was palmed into the net by the towering figure of Rory Mullen.

Rostrevor’s McGeary kicked over the final point of the half but the visitors were left in deep waters as they trailed at 2-7 to 0-5 as referee Karl Brannigan sounded his whistle.

After the break, Saul’s performance had slipped as they registered a trio of wides and invited Rostrevor back into the contest.

However, the visitors were also wasteful until a Doyle free eventually got the scoreboard ticking over again before McGreary added another and Callum Mahoney notched the first point of the half for Saul in response.

Just as Rostrevor were seemingly finding their feet with two points on the bounce, Saul raised their third green flag of the evening when James Mahoney assisted his brother John, who, in what was almost a carbon copy of his first half finish, confidently dispatched his effort into the top corner.

Following this, rather ironically, Rostrevor enjoyed somewhat of a purple patch and took the next five points on offer thanks to the accurate boots of Doyle and Parr.

Saul custodian Arnold kicked over a free in reply but the final score of the night went the way of Rostrevor, who will no doubt be frustrated that their most attractive football came too late in the contest to claw back the deficit.

Saul: C Arnold (0-2, 1f, 1 45); C Mahoney (0-1), L Carew, J Hayes; O Magee, C Byrne, R Connolly; G Murdock, R Mullen (1-0); J Magilton, P Doran (0-2), James Mahoney (0-1); C Harney (0-3f), R Connor, John Mahoney (2-0).

Rostrevor: G Clarke; C Gordon (0-1), T Gordon, E Murdock; J Donaghy, C Murney, F Murdock; H P McGeary (0-2), T Mulholland; P Magee (0-1), S Parr (0-5, 4f), P Morgan; C Doyle (0-5, 4f, 1 mark), J Rice, A McMahon.

Referee: K Brannigan.

Saul 3-9

Rostrevor 0-14

ACFL DIVISION 2

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