ST EUNAN’S FLEXED their muscles to see off St Michael’s in a comfortable win at O’Donnell Park in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 1.
St Eunan’s 2-15 St Michael’s 2-7
The side managed by David McGinley were very impressive in the first half, going in 2-10 to 0-4 in front following goals from Kevin Rafferty and Patrick McGowan.
St Michaels’ did improve somewhat after the break and scored goals themselves through Michael Cannon and a penalty from Andrew Kelly.
The eight-point win means that team from the Cathedral town are still unbeaten this term and they were certainly impressive in parts of the first half.
On nine minutes, Conor Gibbons intercepted a kick-out from Mark Anthony McGinley and St Eunan’s moved the ball fast through the hands with Rafferty playing a give and go with Conall Dunne before driving home.
That made the score 1-3 to 0-1 but St Michael’s did come back into the fray by kicking the next three points, with Ciaran Gallagher, Raymond McLaughlin and Christy Toye all scoring.
However, between the 14th minute and half-time, the visitors failed to score. At the other end, St Eunan’s managed to clock up 1-6 without reply.
Dunne, Gibbons, McGowan and Rafferty all scored points before, on 25 minutes, a flowing move involving Conor Morrison and Oisin Carr concluded with McGowan slamming home a second goal.
The game as a contest was effectively over at half-time, although St Michael’s did at least save some face in the second half.
They might’ve goaled two minutes into that second period but Sean Daffan, the St Eunan’s goalkeeper, made a very good save from Kelly.
By the 40th minute, St Eunan’s had stretched their lead out to 2-14 to 0-5 with Rafferty and John Haran joining Gibbons on the scoreboard.
St Michael’s, on 42 minutes, scored a goal through Cannon when he shot under Daffan from the right channel following approach play from Martin McElhinney and Raymond McLaughlin.
[adrotate group=”37″]Then, three minute later, Kelly scored from a well-taken penalty after Conor Morrison was penalised for a foul on Brian McLaughlin.
St Eunan’s: Sean Daffan; Conor Morrison, Caolan Ward, Conor Parke; Eamonn Doherty, Conor O’Donnell, Peter Devine; Darragh Mulgrew (0-1), Kevin Rafferty (1-2); Conor Gibbons (0-5, 3f), Conall Dunne (0-1), Barry McGeehin; Patrick McGowan (1-3, 1f), John Haran (0-2), Oisin Carr (0-1). Subs: Darragh McWalter for Devine (50), David Tyrell for Rafferty (56).
St Michael’s: Mark Anthony McGinley; Ciaran Kelly, Stephen Black, Brendan Rodden; Ruairà Friel, Michael Gallagher, Chris McElhinney; Martin McElhinney, Ciaran Gallagher (0-1); Michael Cannon (1-0), Christy Toye (0-1), Oisin Langan; Andrew Kelly (1-3, 1-0 pen, 1f), Brian McLaughlin, Raymond McLaughlin (0-2). Subs:Paul Creamer and Odhran McFadden for Langan and Rodden (26).
Referee: Shaun McLaughlin (Malin).
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