St Comgall’s Minors and Majors kick off their Championship Campaigns

Although St Comgall’s were dominant, the Belfast lads steadied the ship to level with a goal and a point. They could have been in for another three pointer but for the reactions of net minder Jack Hampton as well. Matches turn on such key moments and it was the local side who raised a green flag when Rory McLarnon found Paddy Cooke with his free, and although Cooke was advancing on goal, he had the vision to see Liam McKernan in a more central position to fist into the net.

O’Donnells responded with a point, before the other twin Cooke, Rory, hit back with with a score, and Conor McAuley knocked over a brace of quality points. 1-7 v 1-3. St Comgalls appeared to have the edge in most areas and no-one could stop the running of Josh Henry when he powered directly up the centre and kicked a point. Rory McLarnon converted two frees but O’Donnells re-grouped and responded with a goal and a point. Full time score Naomh Comhghall 1-11 v 2-5 Cardinal O’Donnells

Naomh Comhghall v Na Pairsaigh – Senior mens

After the Minors showed them the way to the second round earlier in the week the pressure was on their senior colleagues when their championship campaign started against Na Pairsaigh at a rain-sodden Hightown Rd on Friday.

St Comgall’s took the initiative and led through a point from Miles Devine, who benefitted from the link play of Ryan McAuley and Ciaran Quinn. Joe McKernan drew a save from the Keeper and saw a good shot head over the bar. By contrast, Pearces were more clinical and made it double scores rattling off four in a row. The local side didn’t panic though and responded with a good team point, started in midfield with Ryan McAuley and Darryl McNeill, moved forward by Barney Williamson, and finished by Devine.

The lads set to their task immediately, with the Ryan McAuley and Barney Williamson again combining in the build-up to Dylan Murdoch’s well-struck point to level the affair. Caolan McKeown supplied Ciaran Quinn for a score, before drawing a foul himself for Paddy Quinn to convert. Pearce’s weren’t going to let them have it all their own way though and picked up a brace of points themselves, but Paddy Quinn was assured again from the dead-ball when speedster Paddy O’Connor was upended (0-7 v 0-6).

As the game approached the last five minutes it was a nervy experience with just a one point margin but when Ciaran Quinn powered his way across the square he laid off to Caolan McKeown who made no mistake and rattled the net to kill the contest.

St Comgalls will have been pleased to look assured against what was no mean opposition but with a large wides tally they will want to lace their boots up a bit tighter in the scoring zone for the next round.

Final score Naomh Comhghall 1-7 v 0-6 Na Pairsaigh