ULSTER SFC First Round St Gall's (Antrim) 0-12 Mayobridge (Down) 2-05:REIGNING Ulster champions St Gall's are still in the hunt for the Seamus McFerran cup, but they were the fright of their lives at Páirc Esler before holding out for a single point win.
The Down champions came out a transformed side in the second half, and St Galls, who had dominated the first half so comprehensively, were hanging on at the last.
Mayobridge got off to a dream start. Eoghan Woods knocked the ball down from the throw-in, Michael Walsh delivered an impeccable pass to Benny Coulter who bore down on goal and unselfishly passed to Ronan Sexton who shot to the net.
St Galls owned the ball but kicked four wides before Karl Stewart opened their account with a pointed free after 13 minutes. Ten minutes later they had scored six unanswered points.
Mayobridge were transformed in the second half and within six minutes were 2-03 to 0-7 ahead.
Three unanswered points in the final quarter from CJ McGourty (2) and Kevin McGourty put the Antrim champions back in front.
SCORERS:St Galls: C McGourty 0-5, K Stewart 0-2, S Kelly, A Healy, T O'Neill, K Niblock, K McGourty 0-1 each.
Mayobridge:R Sexton 1-1, B Coulter 1-1, N Sexton 0-3.
