Early blitz vital as Saints march on

THE

attacking football.

The Mairtins matched their opponents in an end-to-end second half but ultimately that six-point gap proved beyond their reach.

A heavy downpour at the start of the game made life difficult for both sets of players but it was the Mairtins who looked the more assured as points from Sam Mulroy and Stephen Campbell had them in front.

The impressive Paudy Clarke and Alan Kirk levelled but the Jocks seemed to have regained control when Mulroy and Berrill replied to see their side lead by 0-4 to 0-2.

However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 12th minute when Clarke’s pass opened up the defence, allowing Niall Eccles to score the first goal.

The Marys won the kick-out and sliced open the defence again before Mark Fay fired home a second.

A shell-shocked Mairtins were then relieved to see Darren Clarke take his point when he might have gone for goal, while Conor Keenan ended the 90-second blitz with a fine point to see his side lead by 2-4 to 0-4.

Driven forward by a dominant midfield and half back line, the Marys increased the gap to eight with scores from Darren Clarke and Kirk.

The Mairtins slowly found their feet and might have had a goal but Brian Berrill failed to connect properly after being set up by Mulroy. However, the Monasterboice side did give themselves hope when three successive points from Mulroy along with efforts from JP Rooney and John Clutterbuck saw the gap reduced to 2-8 to 0-9 at half time.

The Mairtins continued to have the edge in terms of possession in the second half, but the Marys always seemed capable of keeping them at arm’s length and had the ability to pop up with a score when required.

Driven forward by Michael Fanning at midfield, the Mairtins slowly chipped away at the lead although the Marys ability to curtail the threat of Mulroy hampered their chances.

Entering the final ten minutes there were just three points between the teams but efforts from Padraig McDonagh and Mulroy cut the gap to just one at 2-11 to 0-16 with five minutes to play.

With extra-time looming, St Marys were once again able to respond to the danger and quick-fire points from Dean Matthews and Darren Clarke put them back in command. The Mairtins went in search of a goal to save the game but their only reward was a late point from Conor Whelan as the Ardee men held out to set up a meeting with Dreadnots in the last four. ST MARYS: Peter Duffy; Conor Keenan 0-1, Karl Faulkner, Niall Carroll; Eimhin Keenan, Niall Eccles 1-0, Brendan Matthews; John Bingham, Robert Leavy; Daire McConnon, Paudy Clarke 0-2, Mark Fay 1-0; Darren Clarke 0-3 (1f), Ronan Carroll, Alan Kirk 0-6 (3f). Subs: Barry McCoy for D McConnon, Dean Matthews 0-1 for M Fay, Barry Faulkner for N Eccles.

NAOMH MAIRTIN: Jamie Mulholland; Patrick Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan, Paul Berrill; Padraig McDonagh 0-1, Brendan Reilly, Conor Healy 0-1; Michael Fanning 0-1, JP Rooney 0-2; John Clutterbuck 0-1, Stephen Campbell 0-1, Craig Lynch; Conor Whelan 0-1, Sam Mulroy 0-6 (4f), Brian Berrill 0-2. Subs: Luke Harrington for C Whelan, Francis McCullough 0-1 for C Lynch, Conor Whelan for C Healy.

REFEREE: Kevin Brady. Pictures: Ken Finegan