The Official Ulster Colleges GAA Website - Sponsored by BT
Fri 26th Mar 2010
Hogan Cup semi-final, Saturday 2pm in Pearse Park Longford :
St Colman’s Newry v. St Gerald’s Castlebar
Rarely has a MacRory Cup title for St Colman’s Newry been greeted with the enthusiasm that was shown on St Patrick’s Day in Casement Park.
A 12 year wait was simply too long for the school and their supporters spilled on to the pitch with gusto to greet their team.
Their performance over the previous hour had been marked with many handling mistakes and turnover ball, nerves perhaps playing their part. Still they were the deserving winners and dominated Omagh in most positions.
A fortnight earlier they had sent the other Tyrone side, holders St Patrick’s Academy, packing with another performance that was dominant yet also error-ridden, this time in terms of shooting.
Those were areas where Cathal Murray and his management team can focus – but the confidence gained from ending a 12 year wait could well be channelled into this SATURDAY’s Hogan Cup semi-final against a St Gerald’s Castlebar side that also had a touch of the jitters when they ended a 13 year wait for the Connacht title a fortnight ago.
They were comfortable winners over Summerhill College Sligo – so comfortable that the management team made the mistake of sending on six substitutes near the end. Summerhill refused to look for a replay though and St Gerald’s were free to pursue the Hogan.
They led by 1-8 to 0-0 at half-time in that game. Players like Danny Kirby, Danny Geraghty and Fergal Durcan gave St Gerald’s the platform around the middle of the park and their captain Cillian O’Connor at centre-half forward turned possession into hard cash, eventually contributing 9 points, 8 from frees.
St Colman’s are fairly disciplined in defence and seldom give away unnecessary fouls, although the goals they conceeded in the last two games have come off silly errors.
Conor Gough gave an inspired performance at midfield in the MacRory decider alongside captain Niall McParland and this partnership should be a match for the St Gerald’s pair.
Full-forward Jerome Johnston picked off 5 great points in the MacRory decider, while the diminutive Colin Stevenson and Tony McGreevey were the shooting stars of the semi-final.
Caolan Mooney and Chris Clarke are very strong in possession in the half-forward line, while there should be increased participation for Ross McGarry and the option of Shay McCartan, who made a big impact when introduced.
The “College” also should be able to re-focus after winning a long-sought after goal in extending their MacRory title haul to 18.
They sit in second spot with 6 titles on the Hogan winners’ list behind St Jarlath’s Tuam and will travel to Pearse Park Longford with confidence – a confidence derived from their current form and also their rich Hogan tradition.
Another traditional power St Brendan’s Killarney beat St Patrick’s Navan in the first semi-final last weekend and will no doubt run their eye over this game. They should take most interest in St Colman’s
St Colman’s (probable) : M McNeice, S McGreevy, N Donnelly, R Lively, R Johnston, P Hillen, P Lively, N McParland capt., C Gough, D O’Hare, C Clarke, C Mooney, C Stevenson, J Johnston, T McGreevy.
Subs : J McAleavey, E Magee, S McCartan, K Haughey, E Lynch, M Garvey, R McGarry, D Sherry, C O’Neill, D O’Higgins, P Carty, J McNally, S O’Hare, P Matthews, S McArdle, K O’Hagan, P Casey, N Smyth, C Curran, JJ McLoughlin.
St Gerald’s (probable) : F Walsh, J Cotter, N McCarney, J Redmond, M Regan, D Geraghty, J McHale, D Kirby, C Mulgrew, F Durkin, C O’Connor, T Gibbons, D Stenson, C Costello, C O’Shea.
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
