‘Hill in steep trouble as Mals climb table

DIVISION 3 FL

A rousing second-half resurgence, when they hit 2-5 without reply, saw Naomh Malachi complete an 11-point turnaround on their way to securing a vital win which boosts their chances of avoiding the drop to Division 4.

Trailing 2-6 to 1-0 at the break, the hosts looked in disarray following a most lacklustre first half performance which saw them severely punished by the team propping up the table.

In spite of hitting the front in the very first minute with a goal from Noel Donaldson, that major was far from a sign of things to come.

Instead, it was the ‘Hill who lifted their performance levels, and they were quickly back on level terms when Peter Begley found the net after three minutes.

Points soon followed from veteran duo Gerry Mc Shane and Noel Finnegan, before Paul Gill found space to shoot home his side’s second goal on 18 minutes.

The visitors added four further points to lead by 2-6 to 1-0 at the break.

The Mals came out after the interval in determined fashion and Donal Begley’s early threepointer set the tone.

When Pádraig Moley registered goal number three soon after, the hosts were suddenly within striking distance and were being driven on by Pearse Caherty.

Mark Meegan’s free gave them the lead for the first time since the opening minute, before former county star Ronan Greene was afforded far too much space to slot over his team’s sixth point, to make it a two-point game with two minutes of normal time left.

Dowdallshill almost snatched the win when Peter Begley twice went close to goal, but the Mals held out for an important win. NAOMH MALACHI: Ronan Lynch; David Begley, David Rogers, Conor Gonnelly; Sean Gogarty, Ronan Greene 0-1, Stephen Burns; Padraig Moley 1-0, Pierce Caherty 0-1; Noel Donaldson 1-0, Ronan McElroy, Donal Begley 1-1; Mark Meegan 0-1 1f, Shane Rogers 0-1, Jamie Kelly.

DOWDALLSHILL: Noel Mohan; Luke O’Brien, Vincent Roe, Emmet O’Brien; Paul Flynn, Jack McGailey, Ridwan Bodunrin; Eamon Duffy, Peter Hughes; Noel Finnegan 0-3, Anthony Quinn, Conor McGailey; Gerry McShane 0-1, Peter Begley 1-0, Paul Gill 1-2. Sub: Dylan McDonnell for R Bodunrin.