DANSKE BANK Corn na nOg

Corn Na nOg Cup Final: Match Review

September 15, 2012

St. Patricks Academy, Dungannon 2-7 V St. Patricks college, Maghera 0-9

Academy Grab Corn na nÓg Title St Patrick’s Dungannon did just enough in an exciting and evenly matched final in Castledawson on Saturday 25th February to collect the BT Corn na nÓg Cup.

Maghera will look back on their list of wides, particularly during the first half when they were assisted by the breeze, while a 37th minute penalty was also a turning point. Maghera captain, Micheal Mullan stepped up to the responsibility, but his shot came back off a post to safety and the Academy grew in confidence.

The excellent Ryan Coleman, the Academy target-man, tapped over their fifth point from a free soon after, to leave them just two in arrears, and then Cormac O’Hagan burst through the centre from midfield to fire to the net. Although Maghera regained the lead with points from sub Fergal Higgins and Darragh McPeake, Coleman and Mark Quinn responded with points. Then, in the last action of a thrilling game, Mark Donnelly forced home a goal to make it safe for the Academy.

Maghera had been the dominant force during the opening period with Mark McClenaghan, Michael Mullan, Conor Glass, Se Downey and Paddy Turner all prominent and they took a 0-4 to 0-1 lead with points from McClenaghan (2), Shane McGuigan and Gearoid McLaughlin. Coleman was the key player for the Academy with all of their four first half points, but their defence held tight under the pressure and remained so during the second.