Division II Relation Playoff in
Dundrum, Saturday 23rd October
Saul 0-12, Glasdrumman 1-01
The Great Escape
Saul travelled to Dundrum on Saturday
for their second match in the relegation
playoff series, needing a win against
Glassdrumman to have any chance
of staying up. Saul had done their
sums beforehand, and by beating
Glassdrumman by 8 points finished
the relegation playoff series with
1 win and a points difference of
plus 1, which means they have justly
retained their Division II status.Saul
held Glasdrumman scoreless for the
full second half and resilient defending
by the Saul men kept Glassdrumman
to 2 scores for the full game.
The day was crisp with little or
no wind. Glassdrumman had the first
opportunity of the day but failed
to convert a free. Saul's first
attack lead to a free scored by
Pete McKenna after good support
play from Noel Napier and Jp Burke.
Saul's returning custodian Stevie
McGreevy was tested early by Glassdrumman,
a good save by McGreevy was cleared
to Adam King, the ball was played
up field to Damian Gourley who pointed
for Saul, to put them two points
up. Glassdrumman came back at Saul
strongly but could not convert two
wide free kicks. Then Michael Vint
snaked his way through the Glassdrumman
defense before slotting the ball
over the bar to extend Saul's lead
to three points. Glassdrumman then
pointed a free from 21 yards for
their first and last point of the
game. Saul had to wait for their
next score after shooting three
wides from difficult angles. Jp
Burke pointed for Saul after hard
work from Gregory Holland and David
McKinley. A good clearance from
Marty Stratton out of defense was
collected by Donnie Ritchie and
played into Michael Vint who took
on his man and pointed to put Saul
0-5 to 0-1 in front. Again it was
good work from Vint who set up Noel
Napier to take a great score to
put Saul five points in the clear
with half time looming.
Murphy collected the ball for Glassdrumman
25 yards out from goal and drove
the ball low, which went through
many legs before ending up in the
Saul net. This goal putting Glassdrumman
back in game, with only two points
now between the sides. The last
minute of the first half was scoreless
with the score at half time reading
Saul 0-6, Glassdrumman 1-1.
The Saul support must have thought
that history was repeating itself
again, as Saul had went 4 points
up against Ballymartin in the first
relegation playoff match only to
concede a penalty in the last minute
of the first half in Newcastle.
The management and team had learnt
from the first game and were determined
not to let the second half slip
away from them, just as it had done
against Ballymartin. To this end,
Saul held Glassdrumman scoreless
for the full second half and extended
their lead to eight points.
The second half started competitively
with no great chances from either
side after five minutes. Glassdrumman
kept pushing forward and hit crossbar
after seven minutes, Saul replied
well and the ball was worked out
of defense by Joe Napier and Adam
King, the ball then was sent into
Traynor who won a free and pointed
to give Saul the first point of
the second half and a three point
cushion. The next attack from Saul
was a well worked short free from
Traynor to Burke, Burke went short
to collect and fisted to an advancing
Traynor who side stepped and pointed
to put Saul 0-8 to 1-1 in front.
Stevie McGreevy was earning his
keep in nets and pulled off another
good save after 17 minutes. Again
the Saul defensive unit worked the
ball well out of the danger area
and away to safety. Another Glassdrumman
attack ended in a wide from a free
on the right. Around the middle
of the park Saul continued to make
life hard for Glassdrumman and two
good blocks from McKinley and Damian
Gourley took the momentum out of
two potential Glassdrumman attacks.
Damian Campbell's presence in Midfield
was making it difficult for Glassdrumman
to win clean possession.
Good work from Hugh McGrath in
defense and a pass to Noel Napier
in center half forward was fisted
to Vint who pointed from 25 yards
and punched the air with delight.
Saul's McKenna settled the nerves
of the Saul supporters further by
pointing from play to extend Saul's
lead to 0-11, to 1-1. Saul's energetic
center half back, Adam King, pushed
forward and was fouled 25 yards
out from goal, the resulting free
was converted well by Traynor to
put Saul 8 points in front with
about two minutes of play left on
the clock. Glassdrumman now very
frustrated were reduced to 14 men
after a red card was shown to the
Glassdrumman half forward.
The final whistle blew to an emphatic
roar from the Saul supporters and
players. The delighted Saul team
and management ran over to the Saul
supporters to thank them for all
their support during this challenging
season. The Job had been done, and
great escape was now complete!
Saul: Stevie McGreevy, Joe Napier,
Gregory Holland, Mart Stratton,
Hugh McGrath, Adam King, Donnie
Ritchie, Damian Campbell, Davy McKinley,
Damian Gourley, Noel Napier, Peter
McKenna, Michael Vint, Jp Burke,
Philip Traynor, Connor O'Neil, Paul
Holland, Frank Holland, Michael
McMillan, Johnny McKinley, Conail
McGrady
http://www.saul-gac.com
