Saints secure vital win

ST Mochtas picked up two vital points in the battle to avoid relegation when they claimed victory over Young Irelands on Friday night.

Going into this game these teams only had two points on the league between them after the first four rounds, therefore this game was a must win for both sides.

St Mochtas opened the brighter of the two teams and were three points up inside nine minutes thanks to points from Nigel Farrell (2) and Eamon O’Neill. The Dundalk men hit back with points from Dean Maguire and Johnny Breen only to see the Louth Village men stretch the lead to 0-7 to 0-2 on 18 minutes with Martin McGahon on target.

The Young Irelands kicked the last three points of the half to close the gap to just two.

Gerry Nixon cut the deficit to one point early in the second half and after points were exchanged, the Irelanders drew level at nine points apiece with five minutes to play.

At this stage St Mochtas players really stood up to the mark and Eamon O’Neill kicked the next two scores. In the last minute the last minute Nigel Farrell landed the only the goal of the game and effectively finished the tie, when he blasted to the bottom corner of the net from distance after a nice run.

ST MOCHTAS: Fergus English; Liam Lawlor, Andrew English, Cormac Callan; Donal Gernon, Gary Connolly, David Lennon; Emlyn Clerkin, Shane McMahon; Nigel Farrell 1-3, Gareth O’Reilly, Gavin Breen; Martin McGahon 0-2, Eamonn O’Neill 0-6, Liam McGranaghan. Sub: Conor Lynch for M McGahon.

YOUNG IRELANDS: Fergal Sheeky; Alan Flood, Cian O Naraigh, Peter McCourt; Aidan Sheeky, Jason Mulligan, Peter Nixon; Gerard Nixon 0-1, Johnny Breen 0-4; Shane O’Connell, Sean Maguire, Jonny Lynch 0-1; Dermot Mone 0-2, Paddy McSorely 0-1, Jordan O’Donoghue 0-1. Subs: Andrew Nixon for S O’Connell, Aaron Rogers for A Sheeky.