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Saul Notes - August 08th 2006

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• Teams Roundup:
   

• Seniors:  Saul 1-6; Saval 1-14
   

Promotion chasing Saval were the visitors on Tuesday night last and prompted by the probing play of county man Danny Hughes, they got off to a strong start with 3 points inside the first 10 minutes before Saul could open their account with points from Michael Vint and Lee Magee. As Saul started to believe they could get something from the game, Saval extended their lead bounded with a string of pressured wides but Lee Magee was really starting to influence the midfield area and it was no surprise when Vint and JP Burke brought the scores level with 5 to go but unfortunately Saul couldn't find the target again in the close to the half as they recorded a handful of wides. At the other end though Saval found the range twice to go in leading 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

If the first half was encouraging for Saul, the second started in whirlwind fashion when virtually from the throw-in, Vint raced clear only to have his goal bound effort blocked out for a 50. Vint took the resultant 50 and as the ball dropped short, Davy McKinlay flicked on and despite the Saval keeper saving and clearing the danger the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line - Saul were in front for the first time and the large home crowd were delirious. While it would be great to highlight this as the point where Saul went on to tie up the game, that wasn't the case in reality. The score (and its controversial nature) fired up the visitors more and it wasn't long before they nabbed 2 points (both from Hughes) to go back in front. On 10 minutes in came the clinching score. A long raking pass on a breakaway for Saval found its way to Hughes inside the Saul full back line and while his first shot was brilliantly saved by Stevie Stratton, Hughes tucked the rebound away to open a four point gap (1-8 to 1-4). Thereafter it was exhibition stuff as Saval picked off a series of scores answered only by 2 points from Vint to run out winners by 1-14 to 1-6. .
 

• Seniors: Carryduff 2-3; Saul 0-10

On Friday night, Saul were in Carryduff for a critical relegation battle with the hosts and after a mix of great dedicated team play and frustrating lapses, they ran out winners by a single point after some late scares.

The first half was all Saul as they appeared to cope much better with the big Carryduff pitch. Michael Vint had a goal chance in the first minute that went narrowly wide and they went on to record a total of 7 wides in a dominant opening. Scores from Aodhan Brady (surging through from half-back), Michael Vint (2 frees) and JP Burke (2 sweet scores from distance) built on an attacking platform setup by a great display from Lee Magee at midfield. In contrast the hosts managed 2 wides in the period. Half-time Carryduff 0-0; Saul 0-5

It was predictable that Carryduff would come out all guns blazing after a half-time talking to and they wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. Ronan Lawlor pointed from play for the Duff after a Saul foray forward broke down and on 5 minutes the Saul lead was almost wiped out completely when a high ball into the Saul backline was broken back into the hands of Conor Gardner and he drove to the net giving Stevie Stratton no chance. Saul though hadn't come to give in easily and Paul Holland superbly broke up a Carryduff attack and set up Nathan Keenan for Saul's first point of the half. Carryduff Substitute Shane O'Neill was on at this point and the big full-forward was making life difficult for the Saul defence. With 8 minutes on the clock he drove over a free 21yds out on the right hand side to again close the deficit to a point (1-2 to 0-6). Stirred from a slow start to the half, Saul started to make better use of possession with Lee Magee, Darren Ferguson, Davy McKinlay and Donnan Ritchie key in wrestling the game back from a resurgent home team. When Ritchie was fouled on the 21yd line, Vint converted the resultant free. Magee then fielded superbly and planted a high ball onto full-forward Nathan Keenan who's knock down was curled over by captain JP Burke for a 3 point lead midway through the half. The teams exchanged wides before with 10 minutes remaining, Saul seemed to grab the insurance point when Ritchie set up Keenan for a great score from distance to rouse the large and noisy Saul support. A point from O'Neill for the home side was immediately balanced by an effort from Ritchie to retain the 4 point lead and with 5 mins remaining, Saul were seemingly home and dry. The Saul support have come to know though that victories for the blue and gold are rarely comfortable and it has heart in the mouth stuff when with a minute left, full-forward O'Neill occupied the Saul backline on a high ball in and the ball fell to Ryan Hanna who calmly netted to close the deficit to the minimum. With the atmosphere at fever pitch, Carryduff had one last attack and how close they came to snatching a draw when a fisted effort from Sean Molloy came back off the upright and was cleared to trigger the final whistle and relief for the Saul contingent.

There was no doubt that Saul deserved this win for the overall performance (and it would have much more comfortable if even half the wides tally had been converted) but the goal scares continue to concern and scare the loyal support. The victory takes Saul above Carryduff in the league and gives a platform to push for safety in the league. Next up for the seniors is the trip to Newcastle next Tuesday (August 15th) for the Intermediate Championship contest with Atticall and a big support is expected. .
 

• Reserves: Saul 1-6; St Johns 0-9
   

Following the narrow defeat in Ardglass last week, the reserves (again scrambling for numbers - how does this happen!!) were held to a draw by a St Johns team that grew in confidence as the game progressed.

At half time, Saul held a 1 point lead (1-3 to 0-5) with the difference being a rasping goal from Stevie Shields but St Johns edged the second half although it took a late free from the visitors to pull level. Best for Saul in this battling stalemate were Conor Shields, Chris Fitzsimons and Ronan Brady in the backline; Nathan Keenan and Paul Ferris evened out at midfield and up front Gareth Casement and Stevie Shields stuck at the task to the end.

With a few games left in the league before the League Cup/League Shield split, manager Marty Molloy will be hoping for an increased turnout at training.
 

          o Underage teams:
 

• U16's: In the U16 B Championship quarter final, there was the performance of the year from a depleted Saul team who showed an incredible sense of the belief to come from 4 points down at half-time to win by 0-11 to 2-3 in Dundrum. No individual can be singled out in what was an outstanding team performance. All go for league business next Tuesday and training Sunday 11am
   

• U14's: Saul U14's travelled to Darragh for this league fixture,and despite Saul winning by 6-5 to 0-8, it was a very evenly contested match. An avalanche of goals at the end,made the difference.
  
  Keeper Cathail Arnold has been Saul's most consistent player all season and he was well protected by high fielding Andrew Maginn and Daniel Lyttle. The half back line of Mark Magill, Deaglan Arnold and the excellent John Thompson was the platform for many attacks but undoubtedly Jamie McComiskey was the defensive star with timely interceptions and intelligent use of the ball. At midfield Leigh Cunningham and Brendan Breen really dominated, setting up great scores for Tony Molyneaux, Conaill McGrady and Frank Starkey. Saul's attacking stars on the night, however, were their hard working wing forwards, Sean Moreland and Sam Burns. Saul managed to win due to the teamwork and tackling back of all the squad and if this current batch of under 14s continue to work and train together they have a great future ahead of them.The under 14s train every Sunday at 11am,and Mondays at 6.30pm. Meeting time for matches is 6.30pm every Thursday. Thanks to all Parents for help with transport and their vocal support..

• U12's: Saul under 12s enjoyed a great training match on Sunday past. Despite the pouring rain, there was some great skill from the likes of Sam Burns, Paul McMullan, Líam Dunlop and Sam McKee. In the second half Frank Starkey, Tony Molyneaux, and Ciarán Harney also excelled. A number of under 10 players competed very well against their older teammates.
  
  All under 12s are reminded to be at Saul every Sunday at 11:30 for football, and parents are asked to help with transport for away games. Training continues on Tuesdays at 6.15 as usual,and all players are reminded to attend all football matches/training with full Saul gear and water bottle.

• U14 Girls: Saul 5-8; Ballymartin 1-1: Saul U14 Girls got their phase 2, group B fixtures up and running with a comfortable win over a brave Ballymartin side in constant rain at St Patricks Park.
  
  The rain made conditions difficult but to the credit of both teams there were many periods of flowing football to brighten the afternoon with the Saul diamond of Clodagh Keeling at center-half-back, Rachel Curran and Tara Laverty at midfield and Grainne Laverty at centre-half-forward at the hub of most of Saul's play and laying the base for the rest of the team to perform and claim the vital 2 league points.
  
  Saul got off to a flier with 3 goals in the first 7 minutes from Rachel Turley, Rachel Curran and Catherine Hamilton. Turley added a point and full-forward Natalia Hynds' strong battling was rewarded by a goal and a point before the break (HT 4-2 to 0-0).
  
  The second half was more of the same as Rachel Turley pointed at the end of a slick move (involving Rachel Curran, Tara Laverty and Grainne Laverty) through the Ballymartin defence in the first minute and Catherine Hamilton netted inside 5 mins. Emma Colgan in the Ballymartin goals was having a busy afternoon but she showed her ability with a couple of great saves to deny further Saul goals. Indeed the visitors through great work from Stephanie Rooney in midfield kept driving forward and claimed their first scores with a snapshot goal from Sinead Brannigan and a point from Jessica Collins who's overall workrate deserved her score as reward. The Saul girls responded magnificently to these scores to confidently close out the win with a string of points from Catherine Hamilton (2), Shannon Fitzsimons, Grainne Laverty and Rachel Turley.
  
  So overall a solid reintroduction to league football for the girls and besides those mentioned to date, Saul's defence deserves credit for maintaining concentration and focus to repell Ballymartin attacks throughout. Lauren Hamilton in goals saved at least one goal chance and Roisin Sloan, Caoimhe Hayes and Orla Kearney minimised any attacking threat from the Mourne visitors
  
  Next up for the girls is training on Thursday night (6pm to 7.30pm) followed by taking on Newry Bosco in the league at home on Sunday (12.30pm throw-in; players to be at the pitch for 11.30am).
   

• Support your club

  • f you're a Saul gael and you're reading this, ask yourself are you contributing your bit financially to keep our club developing.
    We EXPECT all families in the club to be either a Business sponsor, Goldclub/Clubsaul member or at least a Clubdraw member (£1 per week).
    It costs the club the equivalent of about £200/year for each playing member,just to stay still.
    Please contribute what you can and encourage your friends to do the same - We need everybody's help to make us the best!