St Peter’s Lurgan advance in Ulster

St Peter’s pulled off a thrilling second-half comeback at Kingspan Park to defeat Butlersbridge 2-10 to 3-5 and secure their place in the Ulster Intermediate Football Championship semi-finals.

The Armagh champions, despite missing their captain and leading marksman Niall McConville, completely turned the tide in the second period, powered by crucial goals.

Back on the Ulster circuit for the first time since 2018, they started the brighter of the two teams hitting the opening scores through Conan Moore and a Ruairi McDonald ‘45.

However, the Cavan champions’ clinical execution in front of goal completely turned the tide. Cathal Leddy reacted quickest to a short-dropping ball to poke it home and Caoimhin 0’Reilly then capitalised on the momentum with a second major just before the break leaving the visitors trailing 0-4 to 2-3.

St Peter’s re-entered the pitch with massive intensity, a fisted Conal Wilson point triggered the comeback and a superb goal from Ruairi McDonald had the Armagh side back ahead.

The game then swung back and forth in dramatic fashion before a long, searching ball from Feargal Flanagan ended up in the back of the net for Butlersbridge’s third goal and a three-point lead.

St Peter’s responded fiercely when Callum McKerr drilled home their second major, reclaiming a lead they would not surrender.

Minutes later Cillian Murphy was shown a black card, leaving them down to 14-men for a critical ten-minute window.

Late points from Wilson and McKerr, who tipped a penalty over the bar, ensured the Lurgan men held on despite a late consolation point from the opposition’s Jack Graham.

St Peter’s - Jack Mulgrew, Glen Flanagan, Sean O’Neill, Fionbarr McKee, Oisin Haughey (0-1), Conal Wilson (0-3), Caolan Campbell, Aaron Findon, Barry Creaney, Callum McKerr (1-1), Ryan Kelly, Ruairi McDonald (1-3), Patrick McGibbon, Harry Fearon, Conan Moore (0-2).,Subs - Conor Clarke for Fionbarr McKee, James Moore for Ryan Kelly, Ciaran Mc Cavigan for Patrick McGibbon.