DANSKE BANK Hogan Cup

Shackles off Maghera for Hogan?

March 28, 2013

Hogan Cup semi-final :

Saturday 30th March 3pm in Brewester Park, Enniskillen

St Patrick’s, Maghera v St Gerald’s, Castlebar.

A decade without a MacRory title was a long time in the history of St Patrick’s Maghera.  But this year they had a team strongly fancied to bridge the gap – a feat they managed Monday week ago, but only just!

Had it not been for an excellent stop from Ciaran McCloy near the end and the fact that the St Paul’s Bessbrook comeback got into gear just a little too late, that gap without the company of the MacRory may have widened just another year.

McCloy was required at the death to hold back St Colman’s in the semi-final and the team also struggled to see off Enniskillen in the quarter-final.

It is a widely-held view that this St Patrick’s team has still not truly expressed themselves in a knock-out game this year – yet they find themselves just 2 hours away from the school’s fifth Hogan Cup title.

Without doubt they have a very strong panel of players.  For example, Paul Gunning and Neil McNicholl both started the 2012 MacRory final as forwards.  But neither got even a run as sub in this year’s final.  Indeed Gunning still has to make an appearance of any description in the knock-out stages of the competition.

McCloy has been very safe in goals, with five Watty Grahm’s team-mates starting the MacRory decider in his defence including youngster Conor Glass and captain Conor Carville.

The midfield of Swatragh’s James Kearney and Bellaghy’s Peter Cassidy was impressive in Armagh, while Stephen O’Hara at full-forward has the potential to kill off teams at this level in the mode of Michael Murphy at senior championship level.

Cormac O’Doherty picked up the Iggy Jones Player of the MacRory final, while Danny Tallon and Gerald Bradley have had consistent performances through the MacRory.

Opponents St Gerald’s Castlebar were, like the MacRory champions, a strong tip for the Connacht title this season – but they needed a late rally to see them through against the holders and 12 times Hogan champions St Jarlath’s Tuam.

They outplayed Tuam in the opening half and led by just a point at the break, 0-5 to 1-1.  Midway through the second half, St Jarlath’s had a player red-carded, and St Gerald’s deployed centre-back Michael Hall as the extra player.

Although Tuam went ahead 5 minutes from time, late scores from Adam Murphy, sub Jamie Lydon and a huge free from full-back Mark McHugh saw the Mayo team collect their 5^th Connacht crown.

Hall and McHugh were impressive on the day – as was James Durcan who landed 5 points, 3 from frees.

However Maghera look to be the stronger team and, with the MacRory monkey off their back, they can start translating that talent into match-winning performances.

Not so many years ago, Loughgiel couldn’t win an Antrim title.  They were not overly impressive in the game that eventually delivered the Volunteer Cup.  After that breakthrough, they played with more confidence.  So can Maghera.

In the other semi-final, Colm O’Rourke’s St Patrick’s Navan play Corca Duibhne from the Kerry Gaeltacht.  St Michael’s Enniskillen defeated the latter on their way to last year’s final.