On Friday 23rd, an understrength St Patricks team secured third place in the South West League with a tight one point victory over a hard working Cargin team from Toomebridge. Cargin started the stronger scoring a goal and two points before Peter O’ Neill scored a point from a tight angle. Luke O’Neill took a pointed free. Cargin replied with a point, and followed this with 1-1 to put St Pats in real difficulties. However, the ‘old heads’ dug in to swing the game back to the Lisburn boys. From a kick out St Pats moved forward and a shot was blocked for a 45. Conor Flynn sent in a high ball which rebounded to Luke O’Neill who hammered it to the net. This was followed by a 3 pointer from Mark Walsh again driving the ball high into the net. Half Time: Cargin 2-3 St Pats 2-2.
The second half was a tense affair with St Pats defending stoutly with Mark Chernak, Ryan Mc Fall, Mark Boylan and Martin Beeton working well to keep Cargin at bay. Despite this Cargin scored an equaliser. St Pats were under pressure and needed to hit the ball more directly to O’Neill in full forward. Luke O’Neill took a point,followed by Conor O’Doherty from a free, the match was level again! In their final attack, the ball broke in the 20 metre. line to Luke O’Neill who drove the ball over to take the lead again. Cargin threw everyone forward and had two chances to draw level but didn’t take them. St Patricks won with the narrowest of margins 2-5 to 2-4, (11 points to 10). Scorers: L O’Neill 1-3 M Walsh 1-0 C O’Doherty 0-1 P O Neill O-1. An excellent result for the team, which reflected a superb team effort. This is the first time this squad of players have progressed to the Cup Semi-Finals.
