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Saul Notes - September 27th 2006

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Saul GAC Club Notes for week of September 24th 2006
 

• Seniors: Saul 1-5 Downpatrick 1-8

Local Derby, local pride, bragging rights whatever - this game was about a lot more important prize, specifically 2 league points in the struggle for Division 2 promotion or safety. After a 5 week gap since the last competitive fixture, there was also a lot of hunger on the part of the teams and support for a return to league action. This game on Saturday past, typically, had everything - from fast skillful attacking play, tight brave defending, great goalkeeping, high aerial battles and catches, superb score-taking all interlaced a delicate taste of dishonesty.

Saul were quickly out of the starting blocks and inside the 1st minute, Lee Magee found JP Burke who split the uprights for the lead. The next 10 minutes saw great pressure from the defences making scoring opportunities limited and Gerard Deegan has 2 wides for the RGU with Magee and Nathan Keenan finding a similar fate for Saul. Then, the first goal chance fell to the visitors when a quick attack managed for the first time to get beyond the blockade that Adam King, Aodhan Brady and Greg Holland had formed and RGU's. Hoops full-forward Kevin Gracey was put through by Peter Turley and when he placed the in-rushing Greg Deegan on the 14yd line clean through it had goal written all over it. Stevie Stratton had other ideas in the Saul nets as he not only blocked Deegans shot but held it and cleared to his defenders to start a counter-attack that ultimately came to nothing. A minute later, the town side did pull level with a simple chance from a 30yd free in the centre that Karl Oakes converted and on the 1/4 hour a Gracey free gave the visitors the lead for the first time. Saul were far from deflated and they were making life uncomfortable for the RGU defence at every opportunity. In one such case, Philip Traynor hassled and harried an overcarry foul 40yds out from goal and although Lee Magee's resultant free dropped short, Traynor claimed the kick in front of Sean Bell and pivoted to give Robinson in the RGU nets no chance when finding the top left hand corner of the net for a Saul lead they were to hold until 10 minutes from time. With the interval approaching Traynor converted a close in free for a 3 point and after Paul Ferris and Karl Oakes exchanged wides, Kevin Gracey and Lee Magee exchanged pointed frees to leave Saul deservedly ahead by 1-3 to 0-3 at the half.

The visitors were expected to come out all fired up in the second but it was Saul who kept up the pace when Traynor slotted over a 21yd free after half-back Brady was fouled 5 minutes in. Gracey replied for the visitors to keep the gap at three and a fantastic block from Brady in his defensive role kept it at that. With tensions rising, it was the visiting side that hit a purple patch in a 5 minute spell from the 15th minute to turn the game on its head. 2 converted frees from Peter Turley and Greg Deegan closed the gap to the minimum and when a quick free found Gerard Deegan in space he netted to give the RGU the lead. Saul weren't finished though and star forward Traynor pulled a point back with a close-in free when he was pulled down closing in on goal. Spoiling tactics were the nature of the game at this stage and both sides were reduced to 14 players as the final 5 minutes arrived. Saul constant pressure though couldn't find scores or even frees and the visitors were able to break away to record 2 final scores and seal the win by 1-8 to 1-5. 

Saul will believe they deserved much more from this game and ultimately paid for a loss of concentration midway through the second half although they still had legitimate calls for free scoring chances strangely turned away as they pushed for an equaliser in the closing minutes. With other results not going their way, it was overall a bad day for the blue and gold but the management will have seen enough to suggest that the team are far from finished in their push for Division 2 survival starting with the trip to bottom side Glenn on Saturday in their penultimate match.
 

• U14 Girls: Saul 2-4, Bryansford 0-12

The U14 girls took on Bryansford on Sunday week past in late summer evening sunshine at Saul in front of a large supporting crowd in attendance from both clubs. Games played on the 3rd Sunday in September normally hold a high importance in the GAA calendar and this game was no different in that it was key to the ultimate positions in the U14 B League and unlike the All-Ireland Football final earlier in the day, this game was a thriller from start to finish with Bryansford just hanging on at the death to record a 2 point comeback win and secure the league title to the heartbreak of the Saul girls who gave their all during this match and the season as a whole.
The first half though suggested a different outcome as the Saul girls tore into attack from the start and superb goals Rachel Turley and Rachel Curran plus 2 points from Turley and 1 from Curran against 5 points from Bryansford gave Saul a half lead of 4 (2-3 to 0-5).
The second half started with Bryansford fighting to hold onto their unbeaten record and inside 10 minutes they had pulled level with 4 scores (from Corrigan, Brannigan and Shannon and Sorcha Kelly). Into the final 10 minutes the sides were still level as a further Bryansford score from Karen Corrigan was responded to by Grainne Laverty and the game was finally balanced with defences on top. Saul had a chance to claim the lead but didn't take it and when the ball was transferred to the other end, O'Higgins slotted over for the lead for the Newcastle side for the first time with 4 minutes remaining and despite great effort from the Saul girls they couldn't find the leveller and Brannigan was able to claim a further point at the death to seal a 0-12 to 2-4 win.
Despite the defeat the girls should be proud of the way they have performed in their first year in league football and the footballing talent and enthusiasm in the whole squad promises much for the years ahead in ladies football in Saul.

Training continues for the girls (including the usual annual Saul internal tournament) on Wednesday nights at 6pm (note change of day from Thursdays) and Sundays at 12.30pm. Note that this Sunday there will be no training as the girls will all be travelling to Croke Park, Dublin for the All-Ireland Ladies Football Finals at Junior and Senior level. Some places still remain on the bus - contact Irene at training on Wednesday evening or on 02844841898.
 

• U12's: Go-Games vs Liatroim

Saul under 12 boys entertained Liatroim on Sunday in Go Games and both teams enjoyed a great match.
Man of the match Tiarnan Curran was superb in goals and on kickouts. Joe Hayes, Cormac Byrne, Jack Murnin and Liam Dunlop defended well. Tony Molyneaux and Conor Marron were on top in the middle, while up front Michael Rice, Cathal Sloan and especially Cillian Gallagher impressed.

Referee James Magennis was excellent in the middle and gained the respect of both teams.

There will be an away fixture next Sunday - all players to meet in Saul at 11.30am as usual.
 

• U21's

With a view to determining interest in entering a team at U21 level this year, all players are asked to attend Senior training on Thursday evening at 6pm
 

• Night at the Races

Saul GAC will be hosting a night at the races in the Slaney Inn on Friday, October 13th. Check out the website (www.saul-gac.com) and the Saul notes for further details over the next weeks.