O’Hanrahan’s 2-18
St Andrew’s 3-10
By Darragh Bermingham
THE Blues needed a great goal from Danny Thompson in extra time to see off their stubborn opponents despite St Andrew’s having a man sent off midway through the second half on Sunday evening.
The Bagenalstown side started the game well, catching the Blues’ defence unawares to score 1-1 through Andrew Beaton and Craig Doyle. Thompson and Joe Lee replied shortly after. Lee Walker and Joe Lee then equalised.
O’Hanrahan’s Simon Doyle began to dominate in midfield and with 10 minutes left in the first half, he climbed high to claim the ball and set up Ray Walker for a point. Andrew’s responded, Beaton getting his second goal after a scramble in the Blues’ area. Andrew’s attacked again and it was Alan Beaton who hit the back of the net and the Bagenalstown men were six clear.
The Blues then conjured up a perfect response. Walker found Lee who hit it on the half volley past the goalkeeper. Thompson (2) and Ray Walker added another three points before the break to level the score at half time: 1-9 to 3-3.
Neither team scored for the first 15 minutes of the second half, Shane Clark of St Andrew’s breaking the deadlock. With the sides trading scores, the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate when St Andrew’s Brian Murphy dragged down Thompson out wide and the referee brandished a second yellow followed by a red. Andrew’s defended admirably and the Blues could only manage two points through Lee Walker before scores from Andrew Beaton (2) ensured extra time would be needed to separate the teams.
If anyone thought that Andrew’s would tire with a man short, they were mistaken. John Doyle scored three great points to give the Bagenalstown men the lead before Thompson (2) and Lee Walker responded. Despite the dogged determination of St Andrew’s, the game was all over when Lee Walker split the defence with a pass into Thompson who slotted home to seal victory.
O’ Hanrahan’s: Jessie Shaw; Paul Condron, Pat Fagan, Eddie Davis; Niall Davis, Graham Power, Eddie Brady; Colin Nolan, Simon Doyle; Danny Thompson (1-7), Ray Walker (0-2), Joe Lee (1-1); Mark Davis (0-2); Kevin Power, Lee Walker (0-6).
St Andrew’s: Pa Coady; Darren Crooks, Robert Thompson, Martin Cummins; Shane Clarke (0-1), Alan Corcoran, Brian Murphy; John Doyle (0-3), Craig Doyle (0-1); Philip Manning, Alan Beaton (1-1), Paddy Kavanagh; Declan Salter, Andrew Beaton (2-3); Liam Galway (0-1). Subs: Conor Murphy for D Salter (58mins)
