Saul Notes - June 8th 2006

Saul GAC Club Notes for week of June 4th 2006

Wayout join Business Sponsor team.

Wayout childrens fashions of Downpatrick, Banbridge, Newcastle and Banbridge became the latest members of the Saul Business Sponsor team when owners Brian and Madeleine Crawford signed up to support the Saul drive for a brighter future. Pictured outside the Downpatrick shop is club chairman Peter Craig thanking Madeleine Crawford for their involvement. Club members are again reminded that sponsorship is a 2 way street and that the businesses supporting the club should be rewarded through member support in return.

Teams Roundup:
- Seniors: Downpatrick 2-7; Saul 2-4

The Blue and Golds plus support took on neighbours Downpatrick in the sunshine at Pairc Tomas Russell. Saul, still struggling to overcome the injury hits they've taken recently saw JP Burke, Alan Murray, Damien Hamill and Callum Laverty join Philip Traynor on the sidelines but their replacements needed little motivation in this big local derby game as previous form and results mean little difference when the ball is thrown-in in these games.

The hosts started brightly and had early wides from Gerard Deegan and Karl Oakes while an effort in reply from Michael Vint from play dropped short in keeper Robinson's hands to clear as both sides sized each other up. Saul though did open the scoring when Lee Magee, himself slowly returning to his best form from injury, collected in midfield and surged forward only to be fouled for a close in free which Vint converted. A further effort from Saul's Conor O'Neill dropped short but as Telford and Turley took a strong grip on midfield possession for the hosts, the RGU turned up the heat on the Saul backline. After a few of the resultant scoring opportunities for Downpatrick were missed, Oakes levelled for the game on 8 minutes when he played a short free, took the return and split the posts and Deegan repeated the feat to take the lead for the first time. Things were starting to look ominous for Saul when possession was proving hard to gain or retain and on the 1/4 hour, Stevie Stratton had to save his side (the first of many times as it turned out) when he spread well to deny Boyd with Adam King completing the clearance for a 50. The resultant kick was flicked over by Telford to stretch the home lead. A minute later Oakes found himself clear of the Saul backline but Stratton again pulled off a fantastic point blank stop with the ball being worked forward through Aodhan Brady, Adam King and Greg Holland for Donnan Ritchie to win a free for Saul just outside the RGU 50 yard line. Nathan Keenan's effort for the score dropped short and when the needed clearance didn't come for the hosts, Paul Holland pounced to collect and turned to find the top right hand corner of the RGU net for the lead. Magee narrowly wided from the next attack as Saul tails were up and Downpatrick were still recovering from the shock. Recover they did though as dominance of break ball around the middle was giving the Saul defence plenty to occupy themselves with. RGU scores from Boyd and Deegan followed to regain the lead with 5mins to the break and Saul conceded a dubious penalty which was unceremoniously hammered home by Telford. When an effort by Vint drifted wide at the other end, Saul needed the break to regroup but there was still time for a point from Boyd and then Telford finding space through the center to beat Stratton in the Saul goals for a healthy home town lead of 2-6 to 1-1.

Downpatrick started the second period as they had finished the first but after wides from Peter Telford matched a missed free from Vint, the RGU extended their lead when a drive from Andrew Telford hit the base of Stratton's left hand post and was scrambled away only to be worked back in again for the same player to notch a minor score 10 mins in. This was a further wake-up call for Saul and with McKinlay and Ferguson working feverishly around the centre supported by Brady and Ritchie, Saul started to take more of a grip on the game. Vint pulled one back after Feargal Ward was fouled and Ward himself created and took a further score when he robbed a home defender and won a free which he converted. Saul captain JP Burke had entered the fray by this stage and he initiated a great move which resulted in a scoreable free 25yds out on the right for a foul on Paul Holland which Vint did the needful from. The Saul defence were scrapping now for every ball that came their way and the heart of the team was shown on 15mins when Andrew Telford had a goal chance brilliantly blocked away by Stratton with follow-up goal saving blocks coming in from Greg Holland and Aodhan Brady to concede a 50 which was cleared. With 10 to go and the hosts holding a 6 point advantage, Saul had their chances but unfortunately they dropped short or wrong options were taken as the tension increased. Vint and Ferguson had attempts for points drop wide of the target and then on 25 mins, Davy McKinlay worked a slick move with JP Burke to send Michael Vint clear on goal but Robinson forced the drive wide of the upright. Burke had a further wide for Saul as Saul were throwing caution to the wind as time ticked away. With minutes left, Adam King pushed forward from defence and was hauled to the ground inside the large square for a clear penalty. Donnan Ritchie stepped up to drill a shot low to Robinson's left and the home keeper pulled off a superb save but Ritchie acted quickly to drive the rebound home to close the gap to 3. Unfortunately it was just too late as the referee called time shortly afterwards and Saul had missed out again. Despite the defeat, Saul continue to show improvements week after week and as the sick room crowding reduces, the Blue and Gold should have increasing confidence in turning round the current run of form. In this game, the first half late goal show and midfield dominance from Telford and Turley proved just too much to handle for Saul but the fantastic (again) Saul support will wonder what could have been if that 5 minute period at the end of the first half hadn't happened or had been minimised on impact.

Next up for Saul is the visit of basement side Glenn on Thursday night at 7.30pm. .

U16's & U14's

The U16 team lost out narrowly at home to Dromara last Tuesday night in a table topping clash. Hampered by exam season, the lads went down on to a 2 goal defeat but will have been regrouping for the visit of Downpatrick in the U16 Championship this week (on Tuesday night - report next week).
The U14 side also fell to defeat in Loughinisland.

U8's, U10's & U12's

Saturday saw a great day out for Saul under 10s/under 8s,at a superbly organised blitz at Kilclief (also involving Ardglass, Bright and Ballykinlar). Saul brought nearly 30 young players to compete in the GO-GAMES,and there were great performances by all in the blue and gold.

A number of players stood out including Mark McGrady, Gordon Rourke, James Gordon and Nathan Keown. Defensively Martan Holland, Conor Hazzard and Tom Burns impressed while in the midfield area, Frank Starkey and Rory Fitzsimons shone. Up front PJ Dunlop, Caolán Magee, Conor Magorrian and Lorcán Harney took some great scores. All the kids however learned the value of team play and sportsmanship. Thanks to Kilclief club for a well organised day, and thanks to our own coaching staff and parents for their contribution to a very successful tournament.

Training for under 12 and under 10 boys continues every Tuesday at 6.15. Club gear should arrive shortly,and don't forget to pay membership and sign up for the summer camp at the clubhouse.

U12 Ladies

A busy week for the U12 girls team saw them play 2 games, winning at home to Bright on Monday night and then falling to a strong Castlewellan team on their travels in a hastily arranged league game on Thursday night.

An exciting and close fought derby game on Monday last with Bright resulted in a narrow and exciting win (5-1 to 4-1) for the Saul side. The game was end to end with plenty of fluent play and teamwork from both sides. Saul took the lead 5 minutes in with a well taken goal from Sarah McVeigh but then the visitors came into their own with a fast breakaway, taking advantage of a home defence pushing up the field to level the scores and then nab a further goal and a point to take a decent lead.

Kate Turley pulled a goal back for Saul and when Eimear Jennings netted again for Saul to take the lead by 2 points, it looked like Saul would go in at the break ahead on the scoreboard. With a minute to go Bright found the net again to leave half time at Saul 3-0; Bright 3-1.

The second half started as the first had left off with Katie Bohill finding her way to goal only for Bright to again reply to regain their one point lead. With the game developing into a midfield tussle, scores were proving harder to come by but Catherine Hamilton picked up a clearance from a goalmouth scramble and pointed to level the scores with minutes to go. With the excitement levels at fever pitch from both sets of supporters, Saul pushed into one last attack and with Bright blocking down at least 2 goal attempts a draw looked likely before the ball fell to Kate Turley and her shot squeezed into the net for the win for Saul.

This was a great game of football played by 2 well organised and committed teams which neither deserved to lose. Both teams and supporters enjoyed a local derby spirit throughout and the future in ladies football for both clubs looks positive.

The teams that graced St Patricks Park on Monday night were:

Bright: Jenna Hughes; Connie O'Shea, Sarah Degan, Caitlin Gibney; Jennifer Tempaney, Nicole Wallace, Katie Tumelty; Natasha Wallace, Kendra McEvoy; Nicole Tumelty, Gabrielle Glendenning, Anna McGrath; Nicole Braden, Alisha Tracey, Orla Kelly.

Saul: Helena Killen; Anna Vaughan, Michelle McCavera, Catherine O'Hanlon; Meabh McClurg, Eimhear McFarlane, Cara Fitzsimons; Catherine Hamilton, Katie Bohill; Eimear Jennings, Orla Holland, Erin McLaughlin; Sarah Curran, Sarah McVeigh, Kate Turley; Sian Laverty

Training continues on Thursday night at 6pm with the team having a bye on the fixture list this week.

U14 Ladies

The U14 girls having started brightly in their first year in the league with 3 wins in their first 5 games, travelled to Cherryvale on the Ravenhill Road on Sunday and despite a brave showing throughout fell to defeat to a strong Bredagh team who will be contesting league honours. Saul scores came from Natalia Hynds, Rachel Turley and Rachel Curran and the St Patricks Park side also had great performances from Roisin Sloan, Lauren Hamilton, Lisa McMullan, Grainne Laverty, Tara Laverty, Niamh McMullan and Erin Fitzsimons.

The team will travel to play Bryansford on Sunday (throw-in 12.30pm) with the players to meet at Saul for 11.15am. Ahead of that, final preparations for that game will happen at training on Thursday night (6pm) in Saul

Down Girls defeat Armagh in Saul

St Patricks Park hosted the U14 Ladies championship game between Down and Armagh on Saturday with the red and blacks (including our own Tara Laverty and Rachel Curran) overcoming neighbours Armagh by 9-12 to 1-2 at sun kissed Saul. Its not often that Saul gets to host an inter county match and with the numbers now playing ladies football in the club, this was an important step to recognising that involvement. The pitch and venue looked magnificent on the day and thanks to the Saul ladies committee for their part in ensuring both teams and referee were well looked after. Best of luck from the Saul club to managers Francie Toner and Paul O'Reilly and the Down squad as they go forward to the Ulster final match later this month.

Table Quiz

The club will be hosting a Table quiz night in Paddys Barn on Friday June 16th (following the seniors home game with Atticall). Further details and timing will be provided next week.

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