Southern Gaels 2-21
St. Vincents 2-16
Southern Gaels battled hardest in the tough conditions on Saturday afternoon and reaped the rewards over the sixty minutes.
Playing with the wind in the opening half, St Vincents started the stronger and took advantage of the weather leading by five points at the interval on a score line of 0-12 points to 0-7.
That battling first half was the foundation for the victory for Gaels as they kept their opposition to a respectable score line and stayed within touching distance.
St Vincents started the second half positively extending their lead to six points. However, that lead was to be reeled in swiftly with the elements aiding the Gaels. Calum Devaney took a great goal, numerous points being added to take the lead and when Evan Farrell scored the second goal, the game was never in doubt, the determination of this young group was shown as they never allowed St Vincent’s to settle on the ball.
St Vincents scored two late consolation goals, but the Gaels were full value for the five-point winning margin, turning around the same deficit at half time, scoring an impressive 2-14 in the second half.
Best for the Gaels were Cian McCarthy and Diarmaid Murtagh in defence, in midfield Cian Geary and in the forwards Sean Murphy and Paidi Ó Leochain.
Southern Gaels: Conn O’ Hara, Cian Ó Suilleabhain, Paul Hogan, Andrew Ruane, Ryan Fallon, Cian McCarthy (0-4 ), Diarmaid Murtagh, Tadhg Baker (0-2 ), Cian Geary (0-4 ), Paidí Ó Leochain (0-2 ), Evan Farrell, Capt. (1-0 ), Eoin Hardiman (0-2 ), Calum Devaney (1-2 ), Seán Murphy (0-5 ), Alex Devaney and Ruairí Ó Duibhir.