St Mary’s Convoy ease past Naomh Ultan in a lopsided Junior A encounter

St Mary’s, Convoy had too much in all departments for an outgunned Naomh Ultan in this one- sided Junior A affair at the splendid St Mary’s Park. 

St Mary’s, Convoy 3-17 Naomh Ultan 1-9 

Both sides came into this tie unbeaten in their section with three wins each so a close contest was expected.

But there was no doubting the victors’ superiority from the outset. The impressive Joe McGill, Pauric Gordon and impact sub John Toye grabbed the all-important goals while Paddy Dolan also finished with a tally of 0-8 with six coming from placed balls. 

McGill also had a big impact, especially in the first half when he won a lot of possession playing into the breeze. The home side were well worth their half-time lead of 1-6 to 0-7. 

But an early goal from Convoy midfielder Pauric Gordon a minute into the second-half was the crucial score in this one as the hosts led by 2-6 to 0-7. Even at that stage you just sensed already that there was no way back for Naomh Ultan.      

The visitors were rapidly out of the traps and the flying Kyle Breslin opened their account after 20 seconds. But London-based McGill, who flies home for matches at the weekend, quickly levelled matters for the home side. 

The impressive Paddy Dolan landed a free for Convoy but that was quickly cancelled by Naomh Ultan marksman Cian Kennedy. 

McGill then struck for the crucial score of the half when he took a sweet pass from Matthew Coyle before rifling the ball to the roof of the Naomh Ultan net. Corey Lee Bogan added another point for the home side as Kennedy responded from a placed ball. 

Dolan and McGill traded scores with Kennedy before Convoy almost had another goal, but Dolan’s drilled effort sailed into the side netting. 

Convoy had further points from Dolan and there were responses at the other end from Kennedy as Laurence McMullan’s team led by 1-6 to 0-7 after losing Anthony Browne for ten minutes to a black card in the run-up to the interval. 

The clinching score came just a minute into the second-half when Gordon blasted the ball to the Naomh Ultan net after a great pass from Gavin Sweeney. 

Gordon’s great strike sealed the deal for Convoy and the remainder of the match was an exhibition of free taking from Dolan who hit a further 0-5. 

Super sub Toye came on and hit 1-2 as Convoy won at their ease. Naomh Ultan were restricted to breakaway raids by a much physically stronger Convoy.

Naomh Ultan’s top scorer Cian Kennedy forced home a late goal which did not disguise the big gulf between the sides as Convoy grabbed a semi-final slot in convincing style. 

Convoy scorers: Paddy Dolan 0-8,6f; Joe McGill 1-3,1f; John Toye 1-2; Pauric Gordon 1-1; Corey Lee Bogan 0-3. 

Naomh Ultan scorers: Cian Kennedy 1-7,7f; Kyle Breslin 0-1; Luke Gallagher 0-1. 

Convoy: Emmett Doherty; Keelin Gillen, John A Kee, Niall Sweeney; Conal McDermott, John Doherty, Anthony Browne; Liam Toye, Pauric Gordon; Patsy Dolan, Gavin Sweeney, Corey Lee Bogan; Matthew Coyle; Joe McGill, Ciaran Dolan. 

Subs: John Toye for Ciaran Dolan (36), Sean Browne for Matthew Coyle (44). 

Naomh Ultan: Daniel McGlynn; Jordan Watters, Dara Byrne, Christopher Boyle; Daniel Gallagher, Aaron Kyles, Mark Hutchinson; Patrick Boyle, Sean White; Patrick White, Cian Kennedy, Kyle Breslin; Darragh Murrin, James Byrne, Jack Bach. 

Subs; Joe Alvey for Dara Byne (23), Luke Gallagher for Patrick White (26), Jamie Cunningham for Christopher Boyle (38), Aidan Duddy for Sean White (49), Kevin McGuinness for Jordan Watters (55). 

Referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughs)