Saul Notes - June 26th 2006

Saul GAC Club Notes for week of June 26th 2006

Teams Roundup:
- Seniors: Kilclief 1-13; Saul 1-6

After 2 successive victories over the last few weeks at St Patricks Park, the seniors failed to complete the hat-trick when they found life on the road more difficult, this time losing out away to neighbours Kilclief in a game where at times the seniors closed the gap and looked capable of getting something from the game but failed at vital times to make and take the necessary scores. On the injury front, things looked brighter in that Philip Traynor was there without crutches for the first time in a while but that was countered on the playing side with the absence of Donnan Ritchie who took up the role of crutched supporter for the game and its fair to say the team missed his driving ability to link defence and attack.

Lee Magee starting at midfield, opened Saul's account after 2 minutes in response to an early score from the home side but Kilclief were clearly dominant in the opening period as they rapidly turned defensive ball into probing attack and collected another 2 minor scores separated by 3 wides as Saul's backline had a torrid start to the game with Aodhan Brady, Adam King and Greg Holland in particular getting plenty of work to do. Feargal Ward got on the end of a long ball on a rare attack to record a 2nd score for Saul but 2 wides from very scoreable positions in a mini-revival from Saul did nothing other than encourage the the home side and they finished the half strongly with 3 further points to lead 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval.

The second half started brightly for the blue and gold when in the opening 5 minutes, Vint opened his account from a 30yd free (after Brady was fouled on a deep drive into attack) and then repeated the scoring act from play with a sweet left foot shot. The sides exchanged points (a further free from Vint for Saul) to leave the game delicately poised at 0-7 to 0-5 midway through the second period. The game was there for the taking but a purple patch from a previously quiet Ricky Kerr built a winning lead for the homesters. Callum Laverty had been doing a great job in keeping Kerr in check but he could do nothing on 16 mins in when Kerr fielded, soloed and set up a crucial goal and a minute later nabbed a further point to open the gap to 6 points. Lee Magee pulled one back but 2 further scores for Kilclief had them comfortably 7 ahead with 5 mins remaining. Saul then got the break they needed when they pushed forward to create a goal scoring chance for Vint which was foot-blocked for a penalty award. The spot-kick from the same player slammed the crossbar and went high in the air with Vint himself quickest to react to fist the ball to the net. 3 minutes left and a 4 point gap gave Saul some hope but a strong possession game from Kilclief gave them further scoring chances as they game closed out and they took 3 further points to record a 1-13 to 1-6 win in this critical bottom of the table clash.

The senior's focus now returns to St Patricks Park on Friday night with the visit of Ballyholland complete with Down stars Ronan Murtagh and Paul Murphy on board.

Reserves: Saul 2-14; Carryduff 1-5

Sunday night saw the Saul reserve team record their second win of the campaign with a refreshingly fluent home win over visitors Carryduff. Carryduff though started strongly and had early scores from Carl Lewis and Eamonn Rooney but Gareth Casement, Stevie Shields, Paul Ferris and Ronan Brady started to build a platform for Saul to form attack after attack. Jason Dagens opened the Saul scoring and further points from Brendan Curran (2), Casement and Dagens again created a lead that wouldn't be lost. Stevie McGreevy then got into the act with 2 great scores from narrow angles before Philip Cheetham slammed home a killer goal to effectively end Carryduff resistance. Further scores from Chris Fitzsimons and McGreevy in reply to one from Lewis for Carryduff closed out a healthy half-time lead of 1-9 to 0-3.

The second half was more of the same and after Nathan Keenan and Mark McCartan exchanged scores in the early minutes, Cheetham recovered a blocked shot from Dagens and slipped to the net for his second goal. Further Saul scores flowed from Chris Fitzsimons, Paul Ferris and Conor Fitzsimons with McCartan responding for Carryduff. Player-Manager Shields then closed out the home scoring with a great long range effort but their was still time for a double penalty award for the visitors - the first missed and the second converted to leave the final score with Saul winning on a 2-14 to 1-5 scoreline. The Saul management will be pleased with the overall team effort from the players who are now showing well after a slow start to the league. In defense, Conor Sheilds, Mick McMillen and Ronan Brady swept up most visiting attacks. Gareth Casement and Nathan Keenan kept the forward line moving and McGreevy, Ferris, Fitzsimons, Curran and 2 goal Cheetham turned that feed into the winning scores.

U10's/U12's

The Under 12 and Under 10 boys had a quiet weekend,with no matches. However that changes with a busy week ahead. On Tuesday, there is the usual football for kids from Primary 1 upwards from 6.15pm at Saul and on Friday night, there will be a half-time match for Primary 4 to Primary 7 kids at the club senior match against Ballyholland. Saul's young players will be particularly keen to attend this game and see Down stars Rónán Murtagh and Paul Murphy up against Saul seniors team. Parents are encouraged to attend to support their kids and cheer on the senior team,working up an appetite
for the club BBQ in The Slaney afterwards.

On Saturday, the Under 10s have another Blitz, this time at the RGU grounds in Downpatrick starting at 1pm and finishing by 3pm and on Sunday next, the Under 12s have another Go-Games match. As usual the team will meet at Saul at 11.30am sharp as it is likely to be an away fixture - confirmed on the club website www.saul-gac.com

Throughout the summer, the U10s and U12s will continue to meet up every Sunday at 11.30am and every Tuesday at 6.15pm. Make sure to regularly check www.saul-gac.com for updated arrangements.

All players are reminded to attend all matches and training in full Saul kit with boots, gloves, water bottle Kit is available at the club and new orders are frequently placed.

Saul Ladies Football

Saul U12 girls unfortunately had to postpone Sunday's match with Bredagh (due to Saul sports day) which has now to be rearranged (check the website regularly) but they return to league action on Thursday night with the visit of Carryduff for a 7.30pm throw-in. All parents and supporters are experienced the last home game for the girls team will want to recapture the excitement of that match.

The U14 Girls await the lineup and fixtures for phase 2 of the league which is due to start on Sunday July 9th. In the meantime training will continue on Thursdays at 6.00pm (this week, before the U12 league game with Carryduff) and Sunday at 12.30pm.

There will be a meeting of all ladies interested in representing the club at senior level tonight (Tuesday) at 7.30pm in the clubrooms. Its important that there's a full turnout for this session so that plans for the rest of the season and beyond can be put in place.

Timetable for next week

Fixtures confirmed across the teams for the next week are:

Tues 27th June 7.30pm Darragh Cross vs U16's

Thurs 29th June 7.30pm U12 Girls vs Carryduff

Fri 30th June 7.30pm Seniors vs Ballyholland

U10's Go Games Blitz - Sat 1st July @ 1pm in Downpatrick

Sun 2nd July 7pm Teconnaught vs Reserves

Cul Camps in Saul

A reminder for all players to bring completed forms and fee of £35 this week for the Cul Camps week in Saul which starts next Monday 3rd July at 9.30am. We strongly encourage all kids aged 7-13years to attend with non Saul players also welcome. The Cul Camps will take place between 10am to 2.30pm for the week.

Summer Barbeque

The club hosts the annual summer barbeque at the Slaney Inn this Friday night starting at 9.30pm (after the senior game with Ballyholland). Good food, craic and musical entertainment will be the order of the evening and all Saul gaels are encouraged to attend with visitors also welcomed.

If you have any stories or information relating to Saul that you would
like to appear on this website please email them to: website@down.gaa.ie