U-14s Power into Championship Semi-Final

Tuesday 23rd August 2016

Loughinisland 2-07 St Pauls 6-13

St Pauls travelled to unbeaten Loughinisland on Monday night with a mountain to climb in order to progress in the Championship, in the end they didn’t just climb the mountain they ran up it and over the top. Playing with a fierce intensity from the outset they soon had their hosts on the back foot and they hammered home that advantage running up a total of 13 scores in the opening half whilst conceding only twice.

Halftime Loughinisland 1-01 St Pauls 3-10

In the opening half it looked like Loughinisland weren’t expecting the St Pauls performance and were caught flat-footed by it and in fairness to the hosts they played with more directness and focus in the 2^nd half. The damage had already been done though and all that remained was for the St Pauls' players  was to: keep their focus, keep their discipline which was difficult at times at the home players became frustrated and keep the scoreboard ticking over and they managed to achieve all of these.

This was a wonderful performance from all 15 players and whether their primary job was stopping Loughinisland attacks, carrying the ball, creating scoring opportunities or converting these opportunities each and every one of the players delivered. The overall outcome was fast, stylish football delivered with grit and determination.

The reward for this victory and therefore topping their group is a home semi-final against Laitroim on Monday 29^th July AT 7pm. There will be training on Sunday morning details TBC

St Pauls: Sean Smyth, Johnny Cheyne, Niall Kelly, Patrick Monaghan, Shea Haughey, Conal Goan, Finn Collins 0-2, Josh Gray 1-2 (Capt), Fearghal Eastwood 0-2, Cain Gantley 4-4, Ronan Crozier, Sean Curley, Conor Burns 1-2, Ronan Heneghan, Ryan Carville 0-1, Paudric Atkins