St Michael’s get the better of An Spidéal rivals again

St Michael’s 2-9

An Spidéal 0-12

Pádraic Ó Ciardha at Pearse Stadium

FOR the third time in as many years, St Michael’s were just able to hold off An Spidéal as the city side survived a remarkable comeback from their opponents. Only a kick of a ball has separated the sides in each of those three matches, but St Michael’s have a knack of coming out on the right side of those tight contests.

Well-timed goals have been crucial to those successes and that was the case again last Saturday. An Spidéal trailed by seven points with 20 minutes remaining but they took full advantage when St Michael’s were reduced to 14 men after Joseph McNicholl was black carded and roared back into the contest.

The Connemara side were back level by the 47th minute and looked to have all the momentum, but a goal from St Michael’s Brian Harlowe ten minutes from time knocked the stuffing out of An Spidéal and St Michael’s had the guile and experience to see out the contest.

While An Spidéal were scintillating during their comeback run, hitting seven unanswered points in as many minutes, they struggled for long spells outside of that. When both sides were playing with their full complement, St Michael’s outscored their opponents 2-8 to 0-4, and probably deserved to take full points from the game.

A full-forward line of Eddie Hoare, Gary Higgins and Darragh O’Malley, the latter duo both graduates from last year’s county title winning minor side, provided St Michael’s an excellent focal point in attack and the trio were crucial in building the lead that would prove so crucial later in the game.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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