OLV 3 (N.Stapleton, A.Stanley, D. Byrne) St Maelruans 2

OLV cemented (at least) a play off spot for league runners-up when they gave St Maelruans a lesson in total football at Markeivizc park on a balmy Thursday evening.  There was a mighy battle in the early stages and all things were equal with the game ebbing and flowing from end to end.

St Maelruans were first to cut their teeth midway through the first half after a through ball toward the corner of the box seen the away team take the lead from a nicely placed shot 0-1.  OLV had chances and as the first half continued a kick out from goalkeeper Dave Kelly was headed on through the middle and Noel Stapleton who ran on to the ball, lobbed brilliantly to make it a well deserved 1-1.  The battle intensified and any of the two teams could have went ahead before the break however, it was the St Maelruans keeper who had to make a goal-line save to stop OLV from taking the lead before the half.

Manager John Lowndes made three substitutions at the half and as the second half got underway St Maelruans must have wondered what had hit them, as OLV pummeled their goal and had them under immense pressure from the start.  It wasn't long before OLV turned the game in their favour and Anto Stanley, once again, got his name on the score sheet with his well deserved strike, 2-1 OLV.  As OLV dominated and toyed with their counterparts, all that was missing was the insurance of another goal to complete the victory.

OLV had spurned several chances and were overwhelmingly superior to St Maelruans who by now looked completely out of their depth.  Sure enough as the half grew into the latter stages, Deco Byrne fired home from close range to make it 3-1 and surely seal a comprehensive victory.  There was time for St Maelruans to score in the dying minutes and it finished 3-2.  It has to be said that 3-2 does not reflect the dominance of OLV, especially their second half display.

The OLV defence and goalkeeper had a massive day in terms of keeping St Maelruans limited to just a few chances,  the midfield were creators of so much that was good it is hard to recap, the strike force did a fantastic job on the day and it has to be said that the substitutes made a huge difference with some truly brilliant performances.

Each member of OLV deserves the plaudits of any critic and it seems only fair that each one is mentioned for the part they played on the day,  Dave Kelly, Neil Ferry, Martin Dunican, James Coates, Dave Kavanagh, Anto Stanley, Phil Lowndes, Pat Heary, Gordon Farrell, Noel Stapleton, Derek Dunne, Deco Byrne, Rory Keogh, Alan Short, Ian Clifford, Kevin Hope and Manager John Lowndes.  Well done to all!