St Mary’s, Convoy progress past Naomh Colmcille in U-21 C championship

A physically stronger St Mary’s, Convoy took the spoils but they were pressed for long periods by Naomh Colmcille in this well-contested U-21 C championship affair in Convoy. 

Convoy, St Mary’s 1-9 Naomh Colmcille 2-4 

A fortuitous goal from Convoy’s ‘player of the match’ Niall Sweeney was the turning point as his hopeful punt eluded teammate Jack McNamee and Naomh Colmcille keeper Matthew Whoriskey as it sailed into the net. 

Sweeney’s crucial strike put Convoy into a 1-5 to 1-3 lead two minutes into the second half after Naomh Colmcille led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break. 

The home side had much of the play in the second period but hit five bad wides as they moved into a 1-9 to 1-4 lead coming down the home stretch. 

But a late goal from Naomh Colmcille’s hard-working midfielder Jacob McDaid left just two points between the sides. 

And it took a super double save from Convoy keeper Mark Gordon to deny the visitors a late victory. 

Convoy had the brighter opening as full-forward Matthew Coyle pointed a free in the fourth minute, into the breeze. 

Naomh Colmcille swiftly replied with a similar score from their full-forward Tiernan Brown who had to go off injured ten minutes from time, which was a big loss to his team. 

Shay McCole added another point before the visitors struck and opportunist goal through Brown. 

Luke Coyle’s hopeful shot was flicked to the Convoy net by the unchallenged Brown to put his side into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the tenth minute. Coyle and Oran Patterson hit back with two points for St Mary’s. 

They had a great goaling chance in the 15th minute when Jack McNamee found himself one one-on-one with Gordon but his shot trickled wide. Paul Sheridan then stretched Naomh Colmcille’s lead from a pointed free. 

Sheridan was almost through on goals as he just failed to grasp the final pass from Luke Coyle in the 19th minute. 

Convoy were growing into the game and finished the half with two points from McNamee and Patterson. 

But Naomh Colmcille had their best chance of a goal when McCole blasted the ball high and wide after a fine move unlocked the Convoy defence. 

The dynamic of the game changed when Sweeny was moved outfield and his goal gave his side a lead they never lost. 

Brown converted a free for Convoy to leave the minimum margin between the sides. 

But Convoy were in the ascendancy and the points flowed from Sweeney, Coyle, Jamie Lecky and Pauric Gordon who made two mighty catches on the line, as Naomh Colmcille tried hard to get back on terms. 

Despite losing Brown to injury, they continued to fight back and were rewarded with Jacob’s late goal. 

Convoy endured a few anxious moments and can thank keeper Gordon for a great double save to avoid a shock defeat. 

St Mary’s, Convoy scorers: Niall Sweeney 1-2; Matthew Coyle 0-3,1f; Oisin Patton 0-1; Jack McNamee 0-1; Jamie Lecky 0-1, Pauric Gordon 0-1. 

Naomh Colmcille scorers: Tiernan Brown 1-2; Jacob McDaid 1-0; Shay McCole 0-1; Paul Sheridan 0-1f. 

St Mary’s, Convoy: Mark Gordon; Dara Patton, Niall Sweeney, Michael Mulraine; Daithí Gordon, Rory Craig, Conor Gordon; Cormac Mulraine, Pauric Gordon; Owen Maguire, Oran Patterson, Jake Gordon; Jack McNamee, Matthew Coyle, Shay Healy. 

Subs; Jamie Lecky for Eoin Maguire half-time, Eoin Maguire for Jack McNamee (54). 

Naomh Colmcille: Matthew Whoriskey; Ethan Cullen, James Kernan, Luke Donoghue; Luke Coyle, Jack Kildea, Eoin Flanagan; Jacon McDaid, Shay McCole; Oisin McFadden, Caolan Monaghan, Matthew Doran; Ryan Gallagher, Tiernan Brown, Paul Sheridan. 

Subs; Gerry Casey for Tiernan Brown (inj 50) 

Referee: Tony Gallagher (Red Hughs).