RGU and Saul join together for glory

19 December 2012

NAOMH Padraig, an amalgamation of Downpatrick RGU and Saul GAC, produced a barnstorming second half display to lift the U-21 B title at Clonduff on Sunday.

The East Down outfit just couldn’t get to grips with Burren in the first half and went in at the break 2-8 to 1-5 down, but the second half was a different story altogether.

Naomh Padraig ran Burren ragged and outscored them by 1-8 to 0-2, but they left the vital score to late on in the game. It took a Rory Mullen penalty and a Conor McGrady point in added time to seal what was a richly deserved victory.

Burren had the wind in their backs in the first half and early points from Pearse Murdock and Rory McKernan settled them down. Naomh Padraig, who were giving away hard earned possession far too easily, finally got a foothold in the game and Daniel McCarron bombed forward from his corner back berth to lost over his side’s first score in the fifth minute.

Unanswered points from Darragh McAuley (0-3) and one from Shea McArdle gave Burren a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes. Cathail Arnold and McArdle exchanged frees before Ciaran Harney ended a searing run with a well taken point.

Naomh Padraig then rattled the favourites when Rory Mullen’s persistence in the middle of the park paid off and when his attempt at a long range point just fell short, Ryan Slavin was on hand to fist the ball to the back of the net in the 24th minute and

bring the locals to within a point, 1-3 to 0-7.

Burren didn’t take long to respond and two goals inside a manic 90 seconds from McKernan and McAuley gave them a 2-7 to 1-3 lead.

McArdle tagged on a point for good measure to extend Burren’s lead, but Naomh Padraig resolutely hung on and late points from Arnold and a super score from Conor McGrady left them side trailing 2-8 to 1-5 at the break.

It was all Naomh Padraig after the break with Damian Braniff and Mullen ruling the roost in the middle of the park.

Scores from McGrady (2), Arnold (3), Mullen and John Cunningham over the next 20 minutes gave Naomh Padraig a 1-12 to 2-8 lead and it could have been much more, but for some breathtaking saves from Sean Girvan in the Burren nets.

Burren looked down and out at this stage, but they staged a late comeback and points from McArdle and substitute Ronan Magee, their only scores of the second half, put them back into a narrow lead with five minutes remaining.

Naomh Padraig had it all to do, but with the game entering the final minute, Slavin was fouled as he went to shoot and the referee awarded a penalty.

Mullen waited until the dust had settled and confidently drilled the ball into the top right hand corner of the net.

Just for good measure county minor star McGrady lofted over an insurance point before the final whistle went.

Naomh Padraig: J. Deeny, M. Magill, D. Turley, D. McCarron (0-1), S. Burns, A. Docherty, C. Byrne, R. Mullen (1-1), D. Braniff, C. Harney (0-1), C. Arnold (0-5), L. Cunningham, J. Cunningham (0-1), C. McGrady (0-4), R. Slavin (1-0). Subs: J. Bell for L. Cunningham.

Burren: S. Girvan, F. Kerr, B. Grant, G. Fitzpatrick, J. McGovern, D. O’Hare, M. Magee, P. Murdock (0-1), G. McGovern, C. Kirton, D. McAuley (0-3), R. McKernan (1-1), P. Farrell, S. McArdle (0-4), T. Treanor. Subs: R. Magee (0-1).

Naomh Padraig 2-13

Burren 2-10

ALL-COUNTY U-21 B FC FINAL

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