St.
Paul's Under 12s Enjoy Back to Back
Away Victories
St.
Paul's Under 12s Enjoy Back to Back
Away Victories
14 June 2005
Dundrum 2-3 v
St Pauls 11-9
- Sunday 12th June
St Pauls enjoyed a facile victory over
a young but spirited Dundrum team. In
sunny but windy conditions, St Pauls,
playing with the breeze, scored 8-7 in
the first half without reply. It was
heartening to see scoring
contributions well spread with Tom
Carson (2-1), the excellent Shane
Johnston (2-3) and Michael Eastwood
(2-0) forming a strong full forward
line. Half forwards Sean Toal weighed
in with 2-1 and Owen Fearon scored 1-4
in the first half before being pulled
back to the half back line at half
time. Scoring was completed by Daniel
Eastwood with two goals from long
range kicks.
Dundrum improved significantly in the
second half but the defence, well
marshalled by Jack Brennan, were never
under prolonged pressure. The Dempsey
brothers Ryan and Shane deserve
mention for very determined and
tenacious displays.
As ever, the beautiful setting and the
local welcome makes Dundrum one of the
nicest away venues on the underage
circuit. We wish them well.
Killyleagh 4-8 v St Pauls 5-7
- Monday 13 June
We travelled to Killyleagh for a 7.30
throw in for what was a rearranged
fixture. Although we had beaten
Killyleagh comfortably at MacNamee
Park in our first game of the league
campaign in early April, results were
indicating that the Killyleagh team
were improving and we learned from
locals before kick off that they had
infact beaten table toppers Dromara on
the Sunday.
A determined St Pauls started well
with an early goal from Sean Toal and
an Owen Fearon point but possession
was largely even and it was clear that
it was going to be a very tough night
against a very big, physical
Killyleagh outfit. An Owen Fearon goal
before half time left us 2-1 to 1-3
ahead at the break with keeper Gavin
Rice retiring with an injured wrist,
replaced between the posts by Andrew
Clarke.
Helped by the breeze, St Pauls started
the second half in fine form with an
array of points and goals from the
outstanding Toal and Fearon. But we
were then put to the sword midway
through the second half as Killyleagh
came back to within a point, playing
with momentum. Sterling defensive work
by Aaron McGrattan, Jack Brennan, Rory
Collins and newcomer Martin Burns
helped keep our noses in front and it
was tremendous to see our players
competing for every ball in a very
physically challenging game. A Ryan
Dempsey goal steadied the ship late on
and although Killyleagh struck from a
late penalty, St Pauls held on for a
vital away win.
These wins leave us jointly topping
the league table (see www.downgaa.net
for current Down league tables) but
tough home and away assignments await
against Ballykinlar and Dromara. We
understand that our next match is at
home to Bright (who beat us earlier in
the season) at MacNamee Park next
Monday evening, 21st June 7.30 throw
in.
Training on Sunday morning (11am) for
all under 12s.
PLAYERS: Gavin Rice, Niall Fearon,
Jack Brennan, Dominic O'Brien, Rory
Collins, Aaron McGrattan, Andrew
Clarke, Daniel Eastwood (0-1), Sean
Toal (2-3) , Michael Eastwood, Owen
Fearon (1-3), Ryan Dempsey (1-0), Tom
Carson, Shane Johnston (1-0), Rory
McCullough, Shauna Kelly, Shane
Dempsey, Jack Smyth, Martin Burns.
