DANSKE BANK MacLarnon Cup

Can St Michael’s follow example of St Paul’s Bessbrook?

March 28, 2013

Noonan Cup semi-final

St Michael’s Lurgan v St Attracta’s Tubbercurry

Derrylin, Saturday, 2pm

Deja-vu!  Three years ago when St Michael’s Lurgan last collected the MacLarnon Cup, they met St Attracta’s Tubbercurry in the All-Ireland semi-final in Tempo.

That game finished in a 6-11 to 4-16 scoreline after extra-time – no evidence there of the Donegal blanket-defence!

St Attracta’s have won 3 Connacht crowns in the last 4 seasons, but have yet to land the Noonan Cup.

They are still capable of stacking up impressive score-lines, evidenced by the 3-15 to 1-5 defeat of St Joseph’s from Galway city in their recent semi-final.

But their defence conceded 1-14 when they defeated St Aloysius Athlone in the final with a 3-9 blast.

Coached by Sligo senior player Colm McGee, the school competes at Grade A level in the lower age-groups and that experience has helped them to the Connacht league and championship double this year.

Most of the clubs in south Sligo are represented in the team as well as Niall Murphy and Diarmuid Clarke from Charlestown in neighbouring Mayo.

St Michael’s Lurgan also reach across the county line with Aghagallon players Oisin Lenehan and Ruairí Loughran teaming up with what is essentially a team from the town’s three clubs, St Peter’s, Clann Éireann and Clann na nGael.

Full-forward Loughran and All-star midfielder Lenehan played a huge part in St Michael’s claiming their seventh MacLarnon title almost a fortnight ago.

Loughran’s 48^th minute goal opened up a gap between them and St Louis Kilkeel for the first time, while Lenehan had an excellent hour in the middle, holding off several players to strike a much-needed first half point.

Also impressive was centre-half back Shea Heffron, also a current Colleges’ All-star, and lively corner-forward James McDade who burst through for two solo points – one in each half.

While there is individual talent in the Lurgan team and they are working hard as a team, they don’t look as capable overall as the team that won the title three years ago.  It is difficult seeing them scoring anything like 4-16 – but they are unlikely to conceded big scores either.

St Attracta’s look to be the more experienced group, and have remained at Grade B level in search of an All-Ireland.

Stephen Connolly and Kenneth Gavigan are the main score-takers and they shift between the half-forward line, in which they are selected, often ending up as the two-man full-forward line.

David Wilson’s defensive lay-out could be the key to Lurgan’s chances.  If the influence of this pair can be curtailed – and the Aghagallon pair step up to the mark once more – Lurgan can keep their season going for another week or two.