Comer returns from injury to fire Annaghdown to safety

St Michael’s 2-15

The desire of the parish is wonderful ammunition and on Sunday in Tuam Stadium, Annaghdown looked like they were destined for the drop as the winners of this relegation semi-final were guaranteed survival and Norman O’Brien's charges looked in trouble early in the second-half.

Trailing by seven points, there didn’t really look to be any way back, but when Damien Comer fired over two two-pointers in quick succession to close the margin, the comeback was underway. As St Michael’s faltered and struggled to find an answer, Annaghdown had their dander up and outscoring the city side by 1-6 to 0-2 in the closing minutes, it allowed them turn the outcome in their favour.

Having trailed for almost all the game and levelling matters for the first time on 58 minutes, there was a tale of good fortune about their second goal that put them ahead and ultimately preserved their senior status.

In the process it sent St Michael’s into a relegation final against Bearna Na Forbacha in Tuam next week, with the losers of that dropping down to the Intermediate grade.

With neither side having achieved a victory in their three group games, there was little form to indicate which way this contest would go, but the sight of Comer doing the warm-up for Annaghdown indicated that their main man was togging out for his first game of the championship.

It was an indication of their intention to get their best players on the park, with the return of Diarmuid Kilcommins from injury also a huge boost.

While it was the city side who had the advantage of the moderate wind blowing, it was Annaghdown who started with the greater intent and after early sparring it was Comer who set up Conor Quinn for the opening score of the contest.

Moments later, when a Quinn delivery was launched in around the square, it was Comer who connected with his fist, but his powerful effort came back off the crossbar.

Gradually St Michael's began to find their feet and after Dave Cunnane was fouled in the square, Gary Higgins stroked home the resulting penalty with power and accuracy. Higgins is a neat Gaelic footballer, and certainly proved to be their main marksman and through the course of the half, he was unerring with three long-range frees which all turned out to be two pointers.

Despite playing second fiddle, Annaghdown kept ticking off scores as they kept the city side in sight. Comer sauntered mainly between the half and inside-forward line, with marker Cathal Meagher generally in his shadow and he also scored an opening half point.

The busy Frankie Burke was as usual the main contributor to his side’s scoreline, as he started with a two pointer, before converting two frees and adding one from open play.

Pictured: Annaghdown's Damien Comer eyes-up the posts in Saturday's win over St Michael's in Tuam Stadium. Photos: David Cunniffe.