St.Vincents played their third and final round robin match of this years junior football championship behind closed doors in Donore on Friday evening. Slane were the opposition and with both teams still in contention to qualify this was always going to be a tight affair. 

Slane were first on the front foot and after a good interception by Conor White Slane recycled the ball to point from play. A minute later St.Vincents broke out of defence and a long ball in found Paddy Arnold unmarked inside but his palmed effort went over the bar. In the 4th minute a good exchange of passes put Nigy Hand through and he slotted over from play. The resultant kickout went over the sideline at halfway and St.Vincents quickly worked the ball in for Patrick McGill to point from play. Bob Tallon won a mark for the next kickout and the ball was worked back to McGill to point from a tight angle. 

St.Vincents were on a roll now but they were hit by a sucker punch in the 8th minute when slane’s corner forward was fouled in the area. Their centre forward neatly put away the penalty to level the match. It took the Vincents a while to recover from this and eventually another point from play for McGill in the 16th minute signalled the first water break.  St.Vincents 0-5 Slane 1-1.

After the restart Arnold was fouled on the 21 metre line and Nigy Hand converted the free. St.Vincents won the kickout at midfield and the ball was worked to Arnold who crossed for Ryan Hand to point from play. 

St.Vincents were now three ahead but would go twelve minutes before scoring again. Slane pointed a free on 21 minutes and after winning the kickout their midfielder kicked a long range point. An excellent intervention by goalkeeper Evan Connor prevented Slane from taking the lead on 28 minutes while another great block by Conor White created an opportunity for Ryan Hand to point from play in the last minute of the half. 

Half time Vincents 0-8 Slane 1-3.

The opening exchanges of the second half were poor. St.Vincents enjoyed a lot of possession but created very little scoring chances. The only score from play came from Jack Byrne while Slane missed a close range free and scored a free on 42 minutes. By the second water break the sun had disappeared down behind Newgrange and the flood lights were required. Despite the Vincents dominating possession this game was very much in the balance with only two points separating the teams. 

St. Vincents defence sniffed out a few good attacks by Slane and after Nigy Hand converted a free on 49 minutes the turning point came two minutes later. A good run by Paddy Arnold put substitute Eoghan Corry through and after riding three or four tackles he scrambled the ball to the net. 

Slane were going short with all their kick outs and Nigy Hand robbed the next one, beared down on goal and was pulled down on the 14 meter line. He duly converted the free and suddenly the Vincents were seven ahead. 

In the 54th minute Leo Corry started and finished a move down the wing with a fine point from play to cap an excellent performance. Substitute Robbie Lynch scored from play on 55 minutes while Slane concluded the scoring with a point from play two minutes from time. 

St.Vincents advance to the semi final in three weeks time with plenty to work on. Leo Corry was man of the match at wingback with honourable mention going to Evan Connor, Ryan Hand, Arnold and McGill. 

St.Vincents: 1. Evan Connor 2. Ciaran Brangan 3. Davy Tallon 4. Conor White 5. Conor Harford 6. Niall Tallon 7. Leo Corry (0-1) 8. Bob Tallon 9. Ryan Hand (0-2) 10. Jack Byrne (0-1) 11. Tommy Fields 12. Paddy Arnold (0-1) 13. Patrick McGill (0-3) 14. Eric Callagahan 15. Nigy Hand (0-4 3f). Subs Gary Tuite for White. Eoghan Corry (1-0) for McGill. Robbie Lynch (0-1) for Callahan. Stefan O’Neill for Arnold. John Corry for D. Tallon. 

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