St Paul's fall to
Clann na Banna in Championship
St.
Paul's 1-4 2-9 Clann na Banna
Seniors
Fall In Championsip
A spirited yet ultimately fruitless
performance saw St. Paul's seniors fall to Clann na Banna in difficult conditions
in Carryduff.
The excellent playing surface at the new
Carryduff pitches was made treacherous by the steady rain which fell before and
throughout the first half of the game. However St. Paul's started well and competed
in a close fought first fifteen minutes. However with the score at one point a
piece Clann na Banna put the ball in the net from cloase range in a packed goalmouth.
St. Paul's had to battle hard to regain their compusure,
with Shane Quinn having to leave the field temporarily due to a cut above his
eye and Clann na Banna continued to stretch their lead. Paul Murphy had to be
replaced by McIlroy as the conditions took their toll, with scores becoing very
hard to come by. As the half progressed St. Paul's had their fair share of the
ball but the extremely wet conditions made it difficult for the forward line to
hold the ball for long periods despite hard work from McWilliams and Brian McElroy.
The second half started slowly for St. Paul's bu they gradually
worked their way into the game. Building from the back with composed fielding
and passing from Spice and Declan and hard work in the middle by Connor McElroy
and Twang, St. Paul's did begin to come to grips with the conditions and despite
a well taken goal from Clann na Banna St. Paul's continued their improvement culminating
in a goal similar to Clann na Banna's first.
As the game
moved towards the final whistle St. Paul's continued to battle, however despite
good work by Murray up front and Brian Mc taking the frees, St. Paul's never really
looked like catching the lead that Clann na Banna had developed in the middle
period of the game.
Final Score: St. Paul's 1-4 2-9 Clann
na Banna
