Saul Notes - June 8th 2006

Saul GAC Club Notes for week of June 18th 2006

Teams Roundup:
- Seniors: Saul 1-9; Atticall 0-11

Back in April, Saul's Div 2 campaign began with a what can't be described as other than a hammering up in Atticall to a team that put together a display of fluent attacking play that Saul simply had no answer to. Since then the squad have battled on against a mix of injury hits, external doubters and a few let downs and disappointments to continue to believe that they could compete. Last week the victory at home to Glenn was a boost to that belief but the visit of Atticall on Friday was a huge test considering that Saul's victory last year over the same opposition hurt the Mourne club so deeply that the visitors were determined to not even contemplate a repeat.

A large crowd again filed into St Patricks Park looking forward to the test on a dry, perfect evening for football. A further new injury last week to Greg Holland deprived Saul of a defensive stalwart for this game and with Marty Stratton also unavailable, a home team shuffle handed starting jerseys to Nathan Keenan and Alan Murray on their injury returns.

The throw-in signalled a hard-hitting beginning with Davy McKinlay forced off after a minute for treatment and blood subbed as both teams scrapped for every loose O'Neills. 4 minutes in, Martin Trainor opened the scoring with a point for the visitors when Stevie Stratton closed down an early goal chance and Trainor claimed the minor score. Paddy Sloan then collected a loose ball 30yds out to add to that. Saul scoring opportunities were limited early on and JP Burke and Michael Vint registered wides on rare attacks as Atticall attacked in waves in a confident and slick opening for the visitors. Midfielder Mark Sloan, despite a heavy hit from Saul fullback Adam King, extended the lead and Miceal Sloan added point number 4 from a free as the Saul backline were pressured with only 12 minutes gone. With Davy McKinlay returning to action complete with head bandage, Saul started to break more even in terms of possession around the middle and Lee Magee picked out Feargal Ward who in turn found Donnan Ritchie for Saul's opening score but this was responded to almost immediately with a close in converted free from Paddy Sloan to retain a 4 point lead for the visitors half way through the opening period. Saul though were shutting down the avenues of attack for Atticall with Adam King, Aodhan Brady, Donnan Ritchie and Paul Holland helping to snuff out any deep attacks allowing McKinlay and Darren Ferguson in the middle to form an attacking platform for the blue and gold. With just over 10 minutes to the break, Burke and Vint combined to win a free for the former to pull one point back and the Saul captain repeated the feat a minute later when Magee was fouled on the 21. With 5 left, Nathan Keenan and Ritchie combined to win another free for Vint to open his account and the comeback was complete with a point from Alan Murray set up after a clever interchange involving Burke and Vint. Wides were exchanged by Ritchie and Sloan as the ref brought an exciting first half to a close with the teams tied at 0-5 each.

The dominance of Saul at the close of the first half obviously stung the visitors as they started the second half again in whirlwind fashion with 3 pointed frees from Miceal Sloan and a missed goal chance inside the first seven minutes. Possession in this third quarter though was more even but Saul's attempted response produced wides from Vint, Magee and Burke as they fought to close the new 3 point deficit. Then with 14 minutes remaining, St Patricks Park burst into life when Vint, who had been troublesome for the Atticall corner back throughout, turned his man and bore down on the left of the goal at speed. With keeper McAstocker and full-back Brendan Sloan closing him down, Vint spotted substitute Ray Campbell tearing in on the right and flicked a pass across the square for Campbell to fist to the open net to the roar of the home support. The scores were level and Saul were definitely in the ascendancy as Atticall tried to recover from the blow. Burke took a short free to Magee and collected the return to give Saul the lead for the first time and just inside the closing 10 minutes, Vint was fouled on a run resembling his earlier goal setup and he took his score from the placed kick. Miceal Sloan briefly reduced the deficit but further scores from Vint and Burke put Saul 3 up with minutes remaining. Sloan again tagged one back and as the game drew to a close, Atticall had one final attack to try to recover the game but a driven goal attempt from Trainor went over rather than under the bar and referee McElroy blew for time as the Saul faithful soaked in another great night and victory at the park.

Next up for Saul is the short trip to Kilclief on Friday night for another keenly awaited lecale derby contest.

Saturday blitzes

Saturday morning last saw a Blue and Gold convoy depart St Patricks Park just after 9am with the U10 Boys and the U12 Girls both heading off to compete in Blitz tournaments at Sarfields (Belfast) and Carryduff respectively. Both squads travelled in convoy as far as Carryduff before splitting to take up their separate challenges and overall it was a successful day for both teams.

U10 Boys: The U-10s took part in Sarsfield's centenary blitz and it was an excellent tournament organised by Ciaran Laverty whose Dad Pat Laverty played for Saul in the 60s. The kids were treated by the host club to a feast of football and topped their group before narrowly losing out to Rossa at the semi-final stage. Goalkeeping duties were shared by Martán Holland,and Ryan Crawford and both performed brilliantly. Timothy and Shea Hayes showed great skills in defence as did Jonathan Perry and Mark Curran; while Niall Molloy's high catches and long kicks were exceptional. Frank Starkey's class was evident in the middle and yet again Mark McGrady was an example to the whole team. Pearse Laverty and Lorcán Harney played with great bravery and skill up front. Next up is the East Down blitz on 1st July.

The club would like to thank parents for help with coaching, transport and refreshments

U12 Girls: The annual Carryduff U12 Ladies 11-a-side Tournament took place in warm dry conditions with 12 teams taking part in 2 sections of 6 teams with the first 2 in each section to go forward into semi-finals etc.

Saul were drawn in section B along with Newry Bosco, Carryduff B, Castlewellan, Bredagh and Bright and the girls performed magnificently throughout drawing positives comments from various quarters. After losing narrowly to Newry Bosco, Saul tasted victory over Carryduff and then battled to a draw with Castlewellan. A strong Bredagh side were victorious over the Blue and Gold but the girls recovered to defeat Bright in their final game by 2-4 to 1-1 and finish 3rd in the section just missing out on the semi-final places which went to Bredagh and Bosco. Bredagh went on to contest the final where they lost out to the Carryduff A side in a close final.

Thanks to Carryduff for a well organised tournament as always and to the Saul parents and supporters who made the trip and helped with transport. Team sponsor Greg McLaughlin of Glen Building Services (GBS) was also there to formally hand over a new sponsored set of jerseys to managers Irene Fitzsimons and Margaret Laverty - the club is appreciative of all support.

The squad that again did Saul proud was: Michelle McCavera, Catherine Hamilton, Sarah McVeigh, Katie Bohill, Eimear Jennings, Eimhear Macfarlane, Cara Fitzsimons, Chloe Mahon, Anna Vaughan, Sarah Curran, Erin McLaughlin, Emma Savage, Kate Turley and Helena Killen - Well done girls.

U12's Go-Games v Liatroim

Saul under 12s travelled to Liatroim on Sunday for the latest GO-GAMES fixture and had another competitive outing.

James Murray,and Tiarnán Curran performed heroics in goals. Defensively Líam Dunlop, Joe Hayes and Frank Starkey were very strong on the ball. Cillian Gallager's long range shooting and passing was a joy to watch.While Jack Murnin's tackling and workrate in the middle gave Saul the edge in this area. In attack ,Ciarán Harney, Tony Molyneaux and Callum Mahoney took a number of terrific scores.

U14 Girls in Castlewellan

Saul U14 girls visited a rainy Castlewellan on Sunday and recorded a win against a young brave Town team to finish the Phase 1 league mid table. The Saul team did all asked of them on the day in terrible conditions and again did the club proud in the way they worked fluently as a team and took their scores when in position. Lauren Hamilton was sound in goals and notched a great score when brought outfield late on. Caoimhe Hayes, Roisin Sloan and Orla Kearney were dependable as usual in the full backline with Roisin showing an attacking prowess not seen before this year when she claimed a great goal late on. Niamh McMullan, Grainne Laverty and Clodagh Keeling cleared up many home attacks and provided the platform for county representatives Tara Laverty and Rachel Curran to supply a hungry forward line in which Shannon Fitzsimons, Natalia Hynds and Catherine Hamilton thrived ably supported by Shona McLaughlin, Chloe McEvoy and Abbey Kearney. Replacements Erin Fitzsimons, Catherine Polly, Katie McMullan, Katie Bohill and Sarah McVeigh all played their part.

The team now await the start of phase 2 of the leagues and the merge with some of the South Down teams. This is due to start on July 9th. In the meantime, training continues on Thursday at 6pm in Saul

Cul Camps in Saul

Parents and players are reminded to sign up this week for the Cul Camps Summer scheme taking place at Saul between July 3rd and 7th (10am to 2.30pm each day). This is open to all U14 players (boys and girls) and the application forms handed out last week should be completed and returned with the fee to the club at training sessions this week.

Saul's Ulster Champions

Congratulations to the Down U14 Girls team including Saul's Tara Laverty and Rachel Curran who won the Ulster B title on Saturday defeating Tyrone in Fintona by 7-9 to 5-6. The girls now take on Roscommon or Sligo in the All-Ireland 1/4 finals in August. Well done Rachel and Tara and the whole Down squad and good luck in the All Ireland series.

The 'Seven' claim Table Quiz win

Friday saw a very successful second club organised Table quiz with a packed house, 11 teams and a series of taxing questions and good company keeping things buzzing at Paddys Barn with the crowd on a high after the Saul seniors win over Atticall earlier in the evening. Thanks to Paddys Barn for hosting the event, Michael Blaney and Paddy Curran for providing the questional challenges and to the ladies who supplied the food. In the competition itself, winners last time out (the Crafty Three) weren't available to defend their title although Mick Starkey of the 'Three' did turn up with his new team of 'The Magnificent 7' who claimed first prize by 1 point after 9 rounds of furrowed brow and pressure deadlines. The 'Lame Ducks' took runners up ahead of an array of teams including 'Frankie Dit & Co', 'The Split Ends', 'UnluckyAtticall', 'The Young Ones' and apparently also Brazil taking in the quiz as prep for their next World Cup game :)

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