Santos win marred by O'Reilly leg break

Editorial Department • Published 18 Feb 2010 10:28 0 Comments

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Stephen Clarke in action for Enniskillen Santos on Saturday during their 3-0 win over Strathroy Harps that put them second in the league.

Enniskillen Santos 3; Strathroy Harps 0;

Joe Keenan's Enniskillen Santos climbed back up to second in the table with a fine performance against Strathroy Harps on Saturday although the victory was marred by a nasty injury sustained to Santos player Donal O'Reilly.

O'Reilly broke his leg after going into a tackle although it must be said that there was no finger pointed at the Strathroy player with Keenan stating that it was simply an accident.

It was a terrific first half display by Santos in which they bagged all three of their goals before O'Reilly suffered his injury at the end of the half.

The second half then saw the sides go through the motions as Santos comfortably saw out the game to take the points.

"It was the best I've seen from us in a long time. The hunger and desire was there on Saturday and it had been missing," said Keenan. "My big question is can we keep this form going into Saturday's big game against Ballinamallard."

On the injury, the Santos manager stated: "It was a bad injury for Donal but I have to say that there was nothing bad about the tackle. And I would give Strathroy great credit for the way they conducted themselves regarding the injury."

Santos started the game well with Christopher Hannon having two good chances from deliveries from the left by Conor Tummon, and with 12 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead. Eugene Gilloway played a good ball to Stephen Clarke and he flicked it on to Jamie Murphy who sent a half volley to the bottom corner for 1-0.

And soon after Santos doubled their lead as Tummon came in from the left to set up Jason Keenan to slot home from the edge of the box although prior to this Strathroy went close to equalising with Santos goalkeeper Gary Ramsey saving from Tony Quinn.

Ten minutes before the break the home side registered their third of the contest with Murphy knocking in his second of the day. Nicky Dunbar cut out an attack in the centre of the Santos defence and he quickly sent Murphy away. The striker sprinted clear from just inside the Strathroy half and kept his calm to tuck the ball away for 3-0.

The injury to O'Reilly arrived soon after and the score remained the same to the break.

Ramsey was forced into another fine save, pushing a Darren Teague effort on to the cross bar before the ball was cleared away from danger, early in the second half and with the injury having put a dampner on matters the game pettered out as Santos climbed above Fintona and Enniskillen Town in the table.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 18 Feb 10

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