Super Saul record first Division 1 win

Super Saul record first Division 1 win

25 June 2025

SAUL came into this game with a strong belief that they could get the two points and the first win of their Division 1 season.

Standing in their way was Burren, who would not be an easy opponent to overcome, as they occupied second place in the table. 

The first 10 minutes of the game saw both teams attempting to find their feet and an attacking edge. 

Burren scored their opening point within the first minute through Dara Mussen and Saul received a blow when they were reduced to 14 men.

The referee did not see the initial incident between Ronan McGrath and Joe Hayes, but he did see Ciarán Harney pulling McGrath to the ground and produced a black card. 

Saul got on to the scoreboard in the 10th minute, when Rory Mullen played quick free through to young Conor Powderly, who confidently tapped over the bar. 

A quick Burren kick-out led to a goal chance for Matthew McManus, but he was temporarily stopped by a great block from Darragh Higgins.

McManus was forced to play it back out to McGrath, and he made no mistake in taking his point. 

The star player for Burren turned out to be Ryan Treanor, who converted a free point and an outstanding two-pointer in the space of a minute.

Twenty minutes into the game, Gary Murdock found Philip Doran for a score and while it looked like a two-pointer, the referee awarded a single point. 

Burren’s Mussen responded immediately, but Saul were able to keep their balance and control the remaining eight minutes of the half.

Harney scored two points, Burren’s Mal McEvoy received a black card and Cathal Kinsella converted a cracking two-pointer, all in quick succession.

Doran added to his tally and Lorcan Harney bagged the only goal of the game off the back of great play from James Mahoney.

Saul were vastly improved from last week’s game against Loughinisland and held control of the game, with a big 30 minutes ahead of them. 

It took seven minutes for scores to start the second half, with Ciarán Harney adding a point from a close-range free. 

Burren resumed their scoring through a Treanor two-pointer, but Saul’s Doran was not having any of that and responded with one of his own.

Jack Fitzsimons got in on the act with a point, bolstering the hosts’ advantage, yet Burren were not quite finished.

Treanor scored another two-pointer from a free, with eight minutes remaining, and closed the gap with his fourth score from outside the arc.

Doran secured a point with three minutes to go and as the game entered added time, James Johnston made use of a brilliant side step to point.

Treanor levelled matters on the points front with one final two-point, but the solitary Saul goal made all the difference.

Saul will receive a massive confidence boost from this win, heading to Ballyholland on Friday night with their hopes of staying in Division 1 still alive. 

Saul: J Hazard, C Kinsella, J Fitzsimons, J Magilton, P Doran, L Harney, R Mullen, C Powderly, D Higgins, J Mahoney, J Hayes, G Murdock, R Connolly, L Carew, C Harney.

Subs: D Higgins, L Cunningham, C Laverty, C Byrne, M Connor.