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The first men’s soccer team fielded by St. Nathy’s in many years got off to an unfortunate but very exciting start as the lads narrowly lost out to St. Muredach’s.  However, they  secured an essential point against St. Louis’ C.S. Kiltimagh. 

The game against Ballina was a rollercoaster which eventually ended 5-4 to the Ballina school.

However, the game against St. Louis, which saw St.  Nathy’s secure their first point of the season proved even  more exciting. 

 

The first half started brightly for St. Nathy’s as they dominated the opening exchanges. However, they were hit with a sucker punch on 5 minutes when  a speculative shot by St Louis took a deflection,  spun off the St. Nathy’s crossbar and provided an easy tap in for an alert St. Louis striker to give the Kiltimagh school the lead.

 

Undaunted,  St. Nathy’s dominated  large parts of the remainder of the half without being able to find the all important break- through.

 

The second half continued in the same vein with St. Nathy’s on top  but St Louis very dangerous on the break.  On 56 minutes Ballaghaderreen keeper Harry Naylor made a stunning full-length save to keep his side in the game. Shortly afterwards, following a period of sustained pressure from the away team, St. Nathy’s got their deserved equaliser. A perfectly flighted Conor Moriarty corner kick was expertly headed home at the back post by Dean Casey. Surprisingly, the game went into a bit of a lull thereafter  with chances at a premium at both ends. It seemed to be drifting towards a one-all as  the 90th minute approached. However, as the referee signalled 6 minutes of additional time, nobody would have guessed the excitement that lay in store. Almost immediately St. Nathy’s scored a lovely goal through Conor Walsh to give them the lead for the first time. The celebrations were short-lived however as St. Louis levelled almost immediately, when a dangerous cross from the left was unfortunately headed into his own net by a St. Nathy’s player.. Things went from bad to worse for the away team as St. Louis regained the lead with only moments left on the clock.  These lads never gave up though and straight from the kick-off, the ball was launched into the Kiltimagh box, where the inrushing Conor Walsh capped a “Man – of – match” display to send a looping header over the stranded home keeper and send St. Nathy’s team and coaches into raptures. The final whistle sounded immediately, signalling a pulsating finish to a thoroughly entertaining game.

 

Thank you so much to Johnny Grennan who has sponsored another kit for the soccer squads of St. Nathy’s. He is an invaluable sponsor and we are so grateful for how generous he has been to us!