McGilly happy with more bite as St Mary’s turn tables on Belfast rivals

ST Mary’s manager Gavin McGilly gave his side a “bye ball” for their slowness out of the blocks in Sunday’s win over Belfast rivals in the Sigerson Cup opener.

After trailing by two points at half-time, the ‘Ranch’ pulled themselves back on level terms before Niall McKenna – who kicked 0-7 in all – helped them on the way to a 1-16 to 1-9 victory.

They bagged their goal with the last play after McKenna gave a return pass to Sean Rock who tucked to the net.

It booked St Mary’s spot in the winners’ pot against TUD who were winners against University of Galway in their Round One encounter.

“You sort of see we’ve been out of action for a wee while,” McGilly said of the St Mary’s first half performance.

With the snow and ice, it was a fourth time of asking for the fixture after Wednesday, Friday and Saturday attempts were parked.

“Nobody’s been able to really do anything and you can see that in our skills and decisionmaking,” said McGilly who pointed to his defence not being switched on when Luke Donnelly took a quick free to make Ryan McQuillan’s goal that helped Queen’s lead 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.

“It was not like us but I suppose it took us a half an hour to get them alive and awake and into Sigerson Cup football.”

Points from McKenna and substitute Caolan Reavey – with his first touch – helped St Mary’s back on level terms before they made a push for the finish line.

Sean Rock and Declan Loye hoovered up vital breaks from the Queen’s kick-out to help swing the momentum.

“I think there was a bit more bite about us all over the pitch in that second half,” McGilly expanded.

“It’s not like us to be as rusty but definitely those were big moments (breaking balls) to set the tone then for the rest of the team. We grew into the second half and played a bit of good football there at times too.”

While they did begin to control the middle third, St Mary’s missed chances to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Dara Mooney was also denied a goal by an instinctive double save from Queen’s ‘keeper Oran McGrath with a helping hand from Lorcan McBride.

It wasn’t until a 49th McKenna point – after another McGrath save – that St Mary’s got their noses in front for the first time.

“You’re thinking to yourself, I hope this doesn’t come back to bite us,” McGilly summed up, “but they stuck at it and kept playing away. We got our noses in front but didn’t look back.”

St Mary’s face TUD in their next outing. The sides met last season with two late ‘Ranch’ goals not enough after trailing by 11 points before going down 2-11 to 2-7.

“They were a big physical team and to go down there (Dublin),” McGilly said of their tough assignment.

“I think they’ve added a few players to that list, so we’re under no illusions that they’re going to be a tight nut to crack.

“We’ll hold no fear. For me, it’s a game of football, go out and play and express yourselves and see where that takes you.”