Saul fight to stave off relegation

Saul fight to stave off relegation

9 July 2025

THE battle to stay in Division One has intensified after Saul showed true grit against Warrenpoint to secure their third win in a row.

Following Friday’s results ahead of the two-week break, the battle has pulled Warrenpoint into the mix along with Ballyholland, Downpatrick and Saul.

Saul got the scoring underway through Philip Doran, who secured his side’s first point after four minutes. Warrenpoint responded through Callan Morgan two minutes later following a quick touch and go free kick

Saul replied with two points from the Harney brothers, Lorcan and Ciarán, with Lorcan getting his point from play out right and Ciarán’s from a free.

Warrenpoint played a quick kick-out, with Ruairi McCormack going at pace to score a point from play. They levelled the game when Sean O’Hare tapped over the bar after taking a pass from Aaron Magee.

Doran restored the lead for Saul in the 16th minute when he converted a close free.

Saul’s first goal chance came a minute later when Eamonn Burns’ short pass was intercepted by James Mahoney,.

Mahoney passed to Ciarán Harney, whose shot was saved by Niall Rice rebounded to Jack Fitzsimons, whose effort was blocked by David Ruddy. The ball came back out to Mahoney, who shot wide. From the kick-out Rice sent the ball to O’Hare, who raced upfield and found Morgan, who scored a point.

The first goal of the game came in the 22nd minute when Fitzsimons made a run up the left sideline and passed to Doran, who smashed his shot into the back of the net.

Saul extended their lead with Doran getting another point from a free after a tackle on Mahoney. Frank Aiken pulled a point back for Warrenpoing to leave a half time score of 1-5 to 0-5 in favour of the hosts.

Just two minutes into the second half Doran landed an impressive two-point score from a free. Warrenpoint responded through Donagh McAleenan with a point from play.

The contest remained tight, with Pierce Laverty getting on the end of a move involving both Harneys to add another point for Saul, while Morgan answered with one of his own for Warrenpoint.

With 37 minutes on the clock, Joe Hayes found Darragh Higgins and the ball was played into Doran, who scored his second goal of the game.

Warrenpoint were not for giving up with Aiken getting a point from a close free and O’Hare finding Aaron Morgan, who had the space to slot home a goal to keep his side in the game.

With 20 minutes to play Justin Magilton scored another Saul free after tackle on Mahoney.

Saul brought fresh legs onto the field with Ryan Connolly going off for Luka Carew.

Young Doran scored another two-pointer, but McAleenan responded with a quick double for Warrenpoint.

Saul stayed in control. Rory Mullen won the kick-out and fed Higgins, who picked out Ciarán Harney, who guided the ball over the bar for another point.

Warrenpoint scored their second goal of the game through O’Hare and really upped the pressure in the final four minutes.

Shea Morgan went for goal, but Jack Hazard pulled off a fantastic save.

In the dying minutes, Doran added another brilliant two-point score, sealing his personal tally and putting the result beyond doubt. Mullen again won possession from a kick-out, passed to Lorcan Harney, who broke the Warrenpoint defensive line and laid it off to Laverty for his second point of the game.

The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming a crucial victory for Saul.

It was a performance full of resilience, maturity, and composure—marking real growth since the beginning of the league campaign and a clear signal of their intent to fight to the very end to preserve their Division One status.

Saul: J Hazard, J Hayes, G Murdock, R Connolly, L Harney, J Mahoney, C Mahoney, P Laverty, R Mullen, C Harney, J Magilton, P Doran, J Fitzsimons, D Higgins, C Kinsella. Subs: C Powderly, J Johnston, P Savage, L Carew, C Byrne.

Warrepoint: N Rice, R McGivern, P Sweeney, D Ruddy, S O’Hare, P Murdock, S Morgan, C Morgan, R McCormack, D McAleenan, F Aiken, E Burns, E Byrne, A Lynch, A Magee.