Match report by Seanan Moley
St Paul’s 3-18 Whitecross 1-7
It was a difficult afternoon for Whitecross at Abbey Park as they struggled to keep up with St Pauls’ scoring power. The ball hit the back of the net four times in total as the side from Lurgan advanced through the play off.
The goals started early, a ball was launched long in behind for Anton McParland during St Pauls’ first attack. The defence scrambled to push him wide. But it wasn’t enough to stop him ripping the ball across Aaron Lennon’s goal and into the net off his right foot.
Whitecross responded well, Mark Shields fired over to open their scoring. Jack Quinn came forward from half back to score the pick of the first half points.
Possession was maintained well around the middle of the park, but St Pauls’ defence pressed them back repeatedly. Their goal came from a high ball that eventually fell loose to Kian Rigley, who tapped into the gaping St Paul’s goal.
The remainder of the first period took a strange shape. Neither Whitecross patience nor St Paul’s fast breaks resulted in many scores.
Murnin major
Lennon made what looked like the decisive contribution of the first half. He saved a shot from Andrew Murnin who seemed to have the goal at his mercy. Later, just as the half looked to be over, Murnin got his goal and undid all the Whitecross good work.
The second half was all St Pauls. Murnin got into a groove, finishing up with an impressive 1-8 but scores were coming from everywhere. No less than ten different scorers got onto the board as they raced into a huge lead. Whitecross became sloppy, Lennon suddenly seemed unable to find teammates from the kickout, they were being bossed in midfield.
Caution was thrown to the wind and Whitecross piled forward. But this only led to the punishing third St Pauls goal. A final fast break was finished off by Steven McEvoy punching in, and the game was won for the Lurgan side.