20/10/2026
Saints Stage Late Comeback to Secure Three Points Against Granagh
The Saints welcomed Granagh United to Ashford on a lovely, crisp morning for their latest league fixture, with the home side producing a fantastic late comeback to turn a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 victory.
St Ita’s almost got off to the perfect start in the opening minute when Callum Donoghue curled an effort towards goal, only for the ball to drift just wide of the far post. The early opportunity failed to spark either side into life, however, as both teams struggled to retain possession for any meaningful period, with much of the play taking place in the middle third.
Granagh registered the first effort on target in the 19th minute, but Ethan dealt comfortably with a tame shot. From his resulting kick-out, the Saints quickly moved up the pitch, allowing Alan Fitzpatrick to register Ita’s first effort on target, although his shot was straight at a relieved Aaron Deane in the Granagh goal.
As the half progressed, both sides began to create more opportunities. Granagh caused problems down the left flank, keeping the Saints’ defence busy, and one dangerous effort beat the advancing Ethan, only for Micheal Nolan to produce an excellent clearance to safety. At the other end, Callum was unlucky not to get on the end of a ball over the top just after the half-hour mark, with Deane getting there first. Neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval, and the teams went in level at 0-0.
Half-time: St Ita’s 0-0 Granagh United
Granagh started the second half brightly and tested the Saints’ defence early on, but a perfectly timed tackle from Eamon inside the penalty area s***fed out the danger. The respite was short-lived, though, as the visitors took the lead in the 47th minute.
A long free-kick from halfway was not dealt with by the Saints’ defence, allowing Colm Noonan to get a snap-shot away from the loose ball. Ethan produced an excellent reaction save, but Daniel Shelton was quickest to react, poking the rebound home from six yards to put Granagh 1-0 ahead.
The visitors’ celebrations were soon interrupted when, from another Granagh long free-kick, Alan Fitzpatrick nodded the ball into Oisin Collins, who returned it to Fitzpatrick, allowing him to release Damien Brouder through on goal. As Brouder approached the edge of the area, Conor Clifford brought him down, leaving referee Pat King with little option but to produce a red card.
With Granagh reduced to ten men, the Saints had an immediate opportunity to capitalise. Callum’s effort from the resulting free-kick whizzed narrowly past the outside of the post, before he tested Deane again in the 54th minute, forcing another save from the Granagh goalkeeper.
Despite being a man down, Granagh remained dangerous on the counterattack, and Ethan had to be quick off his line on the hour mark to s***f out a promising attack. A minute later, the Saints came agonisingly close to an equaliser. Micheal Nolan controlled a cross from the left and was about to pull the trigger when a Granagh defender got a toe to the ball, diverting it behind for a corner. Nolan came close again from the resulting set piece, but his header was cleared off the line.
Ciaran Dore, who had only recently entered the action, brought another fine save from Deane in the 62nd minute following good work down the left wing. The Saints were now piling on the pressure, and Oisin Collins delivered a dangerous cross in the 65th minute that was inches away from Callum’s outstretched foot.
Granagh’s final effort on target came in the 69th minute when an indirect free-kick was awarded on the edge of the Saints’ penalty area for dissent. Ethan was equal to the challenge, making another good save before quickly releasing Callum on the counterattack. His first attempt was blocked by a desperate sliding challenge from Colm Noonan, while his second required another smart save from Deane.
The equaliser felt increasingly inevitable, and it finally arrived in the 80th minute. Alan Fitzpatrick showed great strength to outmuscle his marker on the right-hand byline before delivering a perfect cross into the area. Callum met it with a deft side-footed finish, leaving Deane with no chance and bringing the Saints deservedly level.
As the old saying goes, goals are like buses: you can wait ages for one, and then two arrive almost together. Just three minutes after drawing level, the Saints completed the turnaround to take the lead. Daragh Lane made excellent progress from left-back before delivering a superb cross along the 18-yard line. Alan Fitzpatrick arrived to stroke the ball home, and although Deane managed to get his fingertips to the effort, the power behind the shot ensured the ball found the net.
With Granagh now chasing the game, the Saints put the result beyond doubt three minutes later. Damien Brouder launched a free-kick from halfway, which Ciaran Dore knocked back across the area towards the far post. William Quaid was waiting to meet it, and his looping effort sailed beyond the desperate dive of Deane to make it 3-1.
Granagh managed one final attempt to threaten the Saints’ goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but Jack Breenan rose well to head the ball behind to safety, ensuring the visitors had no late way back into the contest.
From trailing midway through the second half to scoring three unanswered goals in the closing stages, the Saints showed tremendous character, patience and determination to secure all three points. With Granagh down to ten men, St Ita’s made their numerical advantage count, continuing to press until the breakthrough came and then finishing the game strongly.
Full-time: St Ita’s 3-1 Granagh United
⚽ Scorers: Callum Donoghue, Alan Fitzpatrick, William Quaid
