Shane O’Neill’s 3-14 St Paul’s 2-18
In an incredibly enthralling game of football, St Paul’s just did enough to edge the five-goal thriller. An late fisted score from the inspirational Andrew Murnin proved to be the difference in the end.
In the game of the weekend, St Paul’s nudged past Shane O’Neill’s to book their place in the Intermediate decider. The Lurgan men will take on Sarsfields in two weeks’ time when the Atty Hearty Cup will be up for grabs.
St Paul’s shot out of the traps with the first three scores from Niall McCrory, Andrew Murnin and David Magill. Shane O’Neill’s hit a purple patch of their own and grabbed the game’s first goal when David McCabe tucked away a penalty after Caolan O’Hare was followed.
Odhran Doherty fired over a two-pointer while Aodhan Conlon got his name on the scoresheet. The lead changed hands again however when the Lurgan folk kicked six scores on the trot.
Antoin McParland (3), Ryan Lawless, Niall McParland and Murnin all split the posts. Two on the bounce from O’Hare brough Shane’s back in touch before McCabe beautifully slipped the ball into the bottom corner.
The St Paul’s response was rapid as at the other end, Niall McParland belted hit shot into the top corner of the net. Conlon (two-pointer) and O’Hare added to their tallies while Murnin claimed the final score of the half with Shane O’Neill’s in front 2-8 to 1-10 at half time.
Second half
St Paul’s made a magical start to the second period when McParland played Murnin through for their second major. Ruairi O’Brien tagged one back at the other end while county colleagues Murnin and Grag McCabe exchanged efforts.
Two from Ryan Lawless and a fourth of the day for Antoin McParland opened up a four-point deficit. O’Brien fired over a free before St Paul’s were reduced to 14 men for a ten minute period, with Craig Robinson picking up a black card.
O’Brien nailed a two-pointer but a fifth for Murnin kicked St Paul’s ahead. That changed in the next play when Conlon finished Greg McCabe’s good work when he hammered home a third Shane O’Neill’s three-pointer.
O’Brien converted another from the dead ball but scores from Antoin McPartland and Magill tied things up. In the end, it was Murnin who had the final say and he fisted over what proved to be the winning score.