Fine margins cost St Peter’s as they fall just short of knock-out stages
Ger Robinson's side fell just two points short of qualifying and had a late goal chance blocked off the line.
St Peter’s 3-3-7 (22)
Gaeil Colmcille 0-1-7 (9)
St Peter’s came agonisingly close to reaching the knock-out stages of the SFC but just fell short on score difference after they comfortably got the better of Gaeil Colmcille in Trim on Sunday. Ger Robinson stepped down as St Peter's manager after the match.
With 10 minutes to go, it looked unlikely that the Dunboyne side would be able to win by the 15-point margin needed to quailfy, in fact at that stage, even though they trailed by five, Gaeil Colmcille, still had a better chance to qualify, given that they just needed to win the game.
Two goals, both in the 51st minute, gave St Peter’s hope as that put 11 points between the sides. St Peter’s were given another boost when Gaeil Colmcille’s Adam Donnelly was given his marching orders after he reacted poorly to being fouled.
Craig Lowndes and St Peter’s had a clear penalty shout disallowed after the officials came to the conclusion that Lowndes was initially fouled outside the area. It would turn out to be a massive decision in the grand scheme of things as two Robbie McCarthy frees left St Peter’s two points short of their target.
With the last kick of the game, Michael Murphy's shot on goal was stopped on the line by Rian Early and that block single-handedly ended Ger Robinson’s side's hopes of reaching the quarter-final.
St Peter’s knew they had to rack up a big score to give them a chance and they certainly started with that in mind with three two-pointers in the opening 10 minutes. McCarthy kicked off proceedings with a well-struck two-pointer, Murphy grabbed the second before McCarthy kicked a monster score from about 5 meters behind the Gaeil Colmcille ‘45’.
Gaeil Colmcille finally settled into the contest with two points from Jordan Muldoon and Andrew Gormley. Against the run of play, St Peter’s went up the field and Donal Lenihan set up Jack Donnelly who, despite the fact he was unbalanced and under pressure, managed to find the top right corner of the net with a bullet shot.
It was the Kells side that finished the half strongest and scores from Seamus Mattimoe, Barry Farrelly and a brace from Gormley left three between the sides. James Dillon had to come to St Peter’s rescue twice in the closing stages of the first-half to deny Gormley and Ryan Farnham. Those brace of Dillon saves kept St Peter’s in front at half-time on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-6.
The second-half got off to a slow start and between the 30th and 50th minute, St Peter’s outscored Gaeil Colmcille 0-4 to 0-2. Barry Farrelly’s two-point free was the highlight of this brief lull as both sides appeared to be resigned to their fate.
Two St Peter’s goals in quick succession, one from McCarthy and the other from substitute Fergal Watters inspired confidence into St Peter’s. Then came Lowndes' penalty claim which appeared to be inside the large rectangle, but after consultation with his umpires, referee Patrick Coyle came to the conclusion that the initial contact was outside the penalty area.
McCarthy slotted over the resulting free and after Gormley hit Gaeil Colmcille’s final point, McCarthy responded with two more frees in quick succession to leave St Peter’s 13 points ahead, two short of their desired target that would see them qualify. With the last kick of the game, Michael Murphy’s effort on goal was incredibly blocked on the line by Rian Early and the final whistle sealed St Peter’s fate.
St Peter’s - James Dillon; Sean Ryan, Seamus Lavin, Jack Scannell; Craig Lowndes, Shane McEntee, Mark Furlong; Cathal Melia, Jack Donnelly (1-0); Stuart Lowndes, Robbie McCarthy (1-8, four frees, one two-point free), Michael Murphy (0-2 one two point); Jason Gleeson (0-2), Donal Lenihan, David McEntee (0-1). Subs - Luke Carolan for Meila, Cian Smith for S Lowndes both 42m, Fergal Watters (1-0) for Donnelly 46m, Ciaran McCarrick for Scannell 49m.
Gaeil Colmcille - Barry Farrelly (0-3, one free, one two-point free); Adam Donnelly, Rian Early, Adam Muldoon; Jonny Quigley, Jordan Muldoon (0-1), John Gormley; Liam Ferguson, Seamus Mattimoe (0-1); Ryan Farnham, Ajay Tormey, Barry Tormay; Andrew Gormley (0-4 three frees), Brian Hanlon, Oisin Reilly. Subs - Evan Sheridan for Farnham, Aaron Browne for B Tormay both 41m, Shane Calleghen for J Muldoon 44m, Liam Devine for Hanlon 49m, Dan Farrelly for A Tormay 61m.
Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).