Guinness stars as Carryduff ease past Saul

Guinness stars as Carryduff ease past Saul

27 August 2025

ARRIVING at Páirc Tomás Ruséil, Carryduff were favourites to secure a win, but a determined Saul team hoped to upset the odds as they look to keep their spot in the Senior Championship next year. 

Carryduff got off to a great start when Sean McGonigle’s hit the opening point via the post and Daniel Guinness scored an outstanding two-pointer. 

Jack Hazard’s kick-out fell into Carryduff hands and although Pearse McCabe’s goal attempt hit the post, Joe Tunney was there to scoop it up and punch over the bar for a point. 

Saul got on to the scoreboard in the ninth minute, when Philip Doran converted a free for his first point of the game. 

However, Daniel Guinness added another point to his tally two minutes later, and his side extended their lead through Odhran Sherry. 

Hazard made a great save to deny Ronan Beatty, before Saul got their second point of the with a Doran free. 

A Tunney score stretched the Carryduff lead, and they came close to a major once more, as Joe Hayes cleared Daniel Guinness’ effort off the line.

Doran secured his third point of the game minutes before half-time and Justin Magilton pointed to cut the deficit to two at the break. 

With two great goal chances saved, Carryduff would have been frustrated that the game was not wrapped up by the mid-way stage, but Saul were holding on to a chance.

Carryduff showed they meant business straight away in the second half, with John McGeough picking out McCabe for a point. 

Two minutes later, Daniel Guinness was denied another goal, as his shot cannoned off the post and Cathal Kinsella cleared the ball.

The clearance fell to James Mahoney, who drove through the middle of the park and fed Ronan Connor for a two-pointer. 

Carryduff increased their lead when McGeough was rewarded with a two-point free of his own, but Connor responded with a point from play. 

A quick Carryduff double followed however, as star man Daniel Guinness increased his tally to four points and Owen McCabe got in on the act. 

Hayes was the hero for Saul yet again, sprinting back to clear another goal effort from Daniel Guinness, who had flicked over the onrushing Hazard.

Saul went in search for a way back into the game, and they were rewarded when Mahoney rounded off a fine team move with a well-executed point. 

Hazard was called into action yet again, dispelling the attacking efforts of McGeough with another impressive save.

However, Carryduff found another gear in the final 10 minutes, bagging a quick trio of points courtesy of Daniel Guinness (2) and Cassidy.

They showed no signs of letting up in the dying embers either, adding to the tally through James Guinness (2), McGonigle and McFlynn.

Carryduff will be relieved to get the win after an edgy first half, where Saul had their chance to level the game and have the momentum going into the second half. 

Saul have the potential and the determination to stay in the Senior Championship and will play Ballyholland in round two, with Carryduff facing Glenn.

Saul: J Hazard, J Hayes, C Fitzsimons, L Harney, C Kinsella, P Laverty, R Connolly, R Mullen, G Murdock, J Magilton, P Doran, J Mahoney, C Harney, R Connor, J Fitzsimons.

Subs: D Higgins, L Carew, C Powderly, M Connor, R Gilchrist.

Carryduff: R Lavery, M McGrath, C Cassidy, O Sherry, G Henderson, D Guinness, P McCabe, E Donnelly, T McCarroll, S McGonigle, J Guinness, O McCabe, J Tunney, R Beatty, J McGeough.

Subs: M Hynes, C Clinton, J McFlynn, C McCullough, D Coogan.