By Andrew Atkinson

According to legend St Patrick banished every snake from Ireland, and March 17 marks the anniversary of his death – St Patrick’s Day – the religious feast held in his honour.

St Patrick performed a miracle, banishing all venomous snakes from Ireland almost 1,500 years ago.

The Irish patron saint would have been welcome at Noarlunga Oval in Adelaide’s south, when a snake stopped play- during a football match!

The South Adelaide Panthers versus North Adelaide Roosters SANFL pre-season game was halted – after a snake was spotted.

“Someone yelled out ‘snake’ – I was talking to our players and one said he almost trod on it,” said Panthers CEO Neill Sharpe.

South Adelaide’s Football Manager Warren Ploenges said: “All of a sudden play stopped, and players looked confused.

“We didn’t realise that it was a snake – until all the players came in to take half-time.

“The snake seemed quite comfortable. I don’t know whether it wanted to hang around – and play – but it wasn’t going anywhere.”

The game was halted, and half-time taken early, as the snake continued to slither across the ground, before a snake-catcher was called to retrieve it.

CD Montesinos – ‘Monte’ are hissing their way to promotion topping the Valencia 2nd Regional G14.

Snakes have been seen in and around the vicinity of the Municipality stadium in Los Montesinos, where Monte play their home fixtures.