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Saul Notes - Oct 20th 2008

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Saul GAC Club Notes for week of October 19th 2008
A double success for the club this week, with the U12’s claiming the runners-up spot in the league to add to their championship success of a few weeks back and the seniors settling all concerns of relegation involvement with a great home win over Bredagh.
ACFL Div 3: Saul 0-15, Bredagh 1-10 - In their final home performance of the season, the seniors finished off the season on a thrilling high with a great victory over promotion chasing Bredagh. Missing Davy McKinlay and Aodhan Brady through injury, Conor Shields and Alan Murray stepped into the starting lineup and as Saul settled in to the pace of the game, Bredagh got off to a flyer with 3 un-replied points in the opening 10 mins. Finally Saul got their opening score through Philip Traynor in the 12th minute and after a number of Saul wides, he added to the tally from a free. Bredagh though were being more efficient in their attacking play and registered 3 further scores to open a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 25th minute, punishing some poor Saul defensive clearances in the process. A strong finish from the Saul attack with 3 points in as many minutes from play - from Michael Vint, Traynor and Callum Laverty left the minimum half-time lead for the visitors. HT: Saul 0-5, Bredagh 0-6.
While the Saul boys had struggled to find a level of consistency in the first half, the second half was a different story as Adam King and JP Burke owned the midfield from the throw-in and almost immediately, Callum Laverty placed Gareth Casement for the levelling point. Despite Bredagh converting a very easily won free for the lead again, Saul were now taking most of the loose ball. Six minutes in, Vint was fouled and up stepped Nathan Keenan to slot over the free from 40yds out. The pace of Vint drew another free a minute later which Traynor slotted over for the Saul lead for the first time. Adam King then out fielded Gormley brilliantly in the centre of the park to set up Keenan for a close-in score. A rare foray forward by Bredagh pulled one back but Traynor was on hand to punish a stretched visitors defence with a sweet strike from 40yds out. Saul were dominant - an effort from Traynor came back off the upright and was cleared and then Vint setup Keenan for a goal chance only to be denied by a great save from the Bredagh custodian. The ball broke to JP Burke though as as he set himself to finish to the net he was pulled unceremoniously to the ground. To the amazement of all though, a penalty wasn't the result as a hop-ball was inexplicably awarded. Bredagh broke away to snatch another point but Saul overcame the setbacks to open the lead to 3 points with a Traynor free and a Vint point from play. Saul were well placed as the game entered the closing 5 minutes but then came the 2nd body blow. A speculative effort into the Saul goalmouth was fisted to the net and despite both umpires signalling a square ball and around 30 seconds of confusion, the referee awarded the goal and the sides were level. A long tough season though has hardened this Saul side to poor breaks in games and they superbly reacted over the final 4 minutes to regain the lead and claim a deserved win. King, Laverty and Burke repeatedly scrambled to win possession time after time and ensured the chances came to the home attack and in particular the accurate left boot of Nathan Keenan. An inspirational score from Keenan from 50 yds out on the right sideline regained the lead for Saul and almost immediately, Ronan Brady and Michael Vint exchanged passes before Vint picked out that man Keenan again to extend the lead to 2 points. A converted Bredagh free kept the supporters on edge as the game entered the final 2 minutes but then came the score worthy to close out the win. A free from JP Burke picked out Vint running into the clubroom corner of the field and as his space was closed down, Burke took the return pass before offloading to Keenan just inside the 50yd line close to the right touchline. The large Saul support were directly in line behind Keenan as he quickly brought the ball under control and struck a sweet left foot shot which arrowed high between the uprights to the roar of the crowd. When the referee sounded the final whistle, Saul had claimed a vital win in probably their last game of the season.
So, no playoffs this year and thankfully the threat of relegation playoffs had been averted with a great finish to the season. With greater consistency and commitment plus returns from injury of players such as Aodhan Brady, Davy McKinlay, Lee Magee, Chris Mullen & Conall Magill, 2009 should see the team looking to press the top half of the league again.
U12 League Playoff: Dundrum 1-3, Saul 3-1 - After the high of winning the East Down U-12B Championship, Saul U-12 boys travelled to the neutral venue of Drumaness to play Dundrum for the league runners-up spot.
From the throw in, Saul dominated possession for the first quarter and squandered a lot of simple frees and 45’s and the management wondered if this was an omen of things to come. It took ten minutes before any score was registered and the reliable poacher Conor Hazzard was in the right position to slot the ball into the Dundrum net to settle the Blue & Gold nerves. Dundrum tried hard in attack but were denied repeatedly by Conal McGreevy, PJ Dunlop, Ryan Crawford in defence. Saul gained most of the possession also in the second quarter of the first half but their scoring however did not improve despite some great flowing attacks from half backs Pierce Laverty and Cormac Coulter. The forward line of Niall Molloy, Rory Fitzsimons and Caolan Magee were supplying the powerful Martin Holland at full forward with good direct supply ball and Martin dutifully obliged with when he fielded a high ball and rounded his marker and drilled the ball into the back of the net to double Saul’s lead at half-time. This is the second week in succession that the Saul defence held their opponents scoreless for the entire first half and is probably a club record and is a testament to the courage and skill of this team. The half time score was Dundrum 0-0 -v- Saul 2-0.
At the start of the second half Gordon Rourke and Riann Doran were introduced to freshen up the attack. Dundrum opened their account with a point and were beginning to win the early exchanges with Dundrum’s Aiden Fegan and David McCumiskey looking more dangerous. Mark McGrady put in another sterling display and began to dominate around the middle and stopped their danger men on many occasions. Dundrum doubled their points tally before the game then became very defensive with both sides not gaining much penetration despite best efforts of Lorcan Harney at corner forward. James Gordon had another assured game at full back and used the second half breeze to launch his kickouts beyond the mid-field sector.
One of these long direct balls set-up a brilliant sweeping move before Niall Molloy gathered the ball and palmed it into the path Connor Hazzard who put the ball low into the net to extend Saul’s lead. Saul had to soak up an enormous amount of pressure in the last ten minutes and Dundrum got the goal that they deserved even though heroic goalkeeper Johnny Perry made a great attempt to stop the shot. In the remaining few minutes of the game, Niall Molloy bullied his way through to score a superb point to put five points between the sides before Dundrum peppered Saul’s defence looking for a couple of goals to steal the runners-up medal. Dundrum could only muster a point during the last few nervous minutes before the final whistle sounded to the relief of the Saul lads. The final score was Dundrum 1-3 -v- Saul 3-1 with Martin Holland and Niall Molloy winning the joint man-of-the-match award.
The U-12 Saul team showed great sportsmanship and temperament against a physical Dundrum team but unfortunately in play-off’s there can only be one winner and Dundrum deserve credit for making this a tight and close encounter. The U-12 boys have had a most successful year receiving medals for being runners-up in the Shield Final at the U-12 Ulster Blitz at Glenavy; runners-up in the East Down B League and Champions in the East Down B Championship. This is the last action for the U12’s this season and the club extends its congratulations to the players, management and parents.
Under 13s ready for league throw-in - U-13 training has been switched to Thursday from this week, starting at 6pm and also Sunday at 11.45am. The league is expected to start either this Sunday or next - see your coaches (& club website) for details.
U10 & U8 roundup - The under 10s and under 8s enjoyed great matches against Darragh Cross on Saturday morning past with skilful performances from both sets of players. There should be an East Down Mini-Blitz this Saturday and coaches will inform players of the details when available.
Football Sub-Committee Meeting - There will be a meeting of the sub-committee looking after teams and preparations for the 2009 season, next Monday evening (Oct 27th) at 8pm in the clubrooms. Everyone interested in being involved in any way with teams next season is asked to attend.
Saul-News? - All results, match reports or snippets on club activity, including photos can be supplied to the club PRO by txt or calling to 07779351405 or by email to pro@saul-gac.com. All latest news is on the club website and includes photo’s from various club activities in the photos section. Why not go along to saul-gac.com, register on the guestbook and leave a comment on what you think of the revised website along with any suggestions for improvements. All feedback welcomed.