ARDGLASS continued their impressive league campaign with a hard fought victory over St Paul’s in Holywood on Friday evening, coming from behind late on to secure the points in another closely-contested encounter between the sides.
The home side opened the scoring in the second minute with a well worked point before Michael Magee replied from a free a minute later. Ardglass then struck for the game’s opening goal when Magee burst into the St Paul’s square and was brought down, allowing Shea Dorrian to calmly convert the resulting penalty.
St Paul’s almost responded with a goal of their own, but Taylor Beattie produced an excellent save before the home side added another point. Magee continued to influence proceedings and took full advantage of the compact dimensions of McNamee Park, claiming a kick-out mark and converting a two-point score from the 45-metre line.
The hosts missed a number of chances before finding their range and registering three unanswered points midway through the half. Ardglass replied through scores from Antoin O’Shea and Caolain O’Shea, but St Paul’s finished the half strongly with 1-2 in quick succession to edge into a 1-7 to 1-6 lead at the break.
The second half remained finely balanced as both teams exchanged scores and wides. Ardglass kept in touch through a two-point free from Caolain O’Shea, an inside mark from Jack O’Shea, and a point from play by Chris McElroy.
A major moment arrived in the 49th minute when Ardglass were awarded a second penalty, but Dorrian’s effort was well saved by the St Paul’s goalkeeper. The home side capitalised and added further scores to maintain a two-point advantage entering the closing stages.
Ardglass showed great composure when it mattered most. Magee converted a two-point score and a free, while Sean Carr added a point from play to put the visitors back in front by the 57th minute. St Paul’s responded immediately to level the game as it entered injury time.
The decisive moments came in a frantic finish. Captain Caolain O’Shea converted a superb two-point free to edge Ardglass ahead once more. Although St Paul’s replied with a point from play, Magee had the final say, calmly converting a free with the last kick of the game before referee McDade sounded the final whistle to confirm a two-point Ardglass victory.
Ardglass relied heavily on the dead ball accuracy of Michael Magee and Caolain O’Shea, whose composure under pressure proved decisive. St Paul’s will feel they left opportunities behind them, but both teams contributed to an excellent contest and will meet again in the coming weeks in Division 4A, where another closely-fought battle can be expected.
Ardglass team: T Beattie; SP Halpin, M Crangle, A O’Shea; C McElroy, C Mahon, S Teggart; J O’Shea, C Kearney; G O’Shea, M Magee, C O’Shea, L Mulhall, J Polley, S Dorrian.
Subs: S Carr, J Zych; C Feenan, M Curran, E McMullan, J O’Connor, O Curran.
Match day sponsor: Denvir family
