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Tue 11th May 2010
BT Ulster Colleges Nannery Cup Final
(U13.5 B Football)
St Patrick’s Maghera 4-12
St Patrick’s Dungannon 1-03
St Patrick’s Maghera earn convincing victory
St Patrick’s Maghera were comprehensive winners of the Ulster Colleges Nannery Cup at Lissan on Friday past when they over ran opponents St Patrick’s Dungannon with an excellent display of scoring power which helped the Derry boys dominate for long stretches of the game and certainly helped make up for defeat in last year’s final. Lissan GAA pitch was an excellent setting and the game was only moments old when Maghera captain Ruairi O’Connell opened the scoring with he smashed the ball to the Dungannon net and the Kilrea lad would go on to have an excellent game at number ten alongside the equally impressive David Johnston at centre half forward. Dungannon did manage to reply with a goal of their own and the first quarter remained close on the scoreboard although Maghera were enjoying much more possession despite playing against the wind. Declan McCusker, Ryan McKenna and Emmett Donaghy formed a very effective half back line for the winners and this helped Cathair McCann and Eamon Magill at midfield continually push Maghera forward – the flow of possession and hard running of Fionntan McGilligan and John Walsh creating space for livewire corner forward Michael Clarke. Clarke’s 1-3 in the second quarter put Maghera firmly in control of the game with Dungannon managing only two points in reply – a short period of pressure floundering on the the work rate of the Maghera defence where the half backs had excellent support from withdrawn half forward Pauric McMullan and the very tenacious Ruairi Ballard and Conal O’Doibhlinn while Shea Stuart was well in control at full back giving good protection to the reliable Jamie O’Kane in goals. Dungannon’s inability to breakthrough the Maghera defence was further punished before half time when the hardworking John Walsh at full forward smashed a third Maghera goal to the net for a convincing 3-05 to 1-02 half time lead.
Dungannon’s poor first half showing brought a more determined third quarter performance as they sought to eat into the Maghera lead. Clarke though opened the scoring for Maghera and, now facing the breeze, Dungannon struggled to get through the Maghera defence despite having the better of the play for a ten minute period. The winners though were always in control and O’Kane’s goal was rarely troubled as their defence and midfield kept Dungannon at arm’s reach throughout that spell of dominance. As the game moved into the final quarter so Maghera began to break out of defensive mode with Clarke again and David Johnston opening a scoring salvo which would soon put the game well beyond the Tyrone school. Fionntan McGilligan’s hard working hour was rewarded when he touched a long ball to the net and corner forward Clarke had the final words for Maghera when he lifted over two further points to finish with a personal tally of 1-7.
The Maghera success was a real team effort, based on hard work and good support for each other all over the field and on this showing they were very worthy champions – the cup presented to team captain Ruairi O’Connell by competition co-ordinator Martin McConnell.
St Patrick’s Maghera: Jamie O’Kane (Lavey),Ruairi Ballard (Dungiven), Shea Stuart (Bellaghy), Conal Ó Doibhlinn (Moneyglass), Declan McCusker (Glen), Ryan McKenna (Glenullin), Emmett Donaghy (Kilrea), Eamon Magill (Lavey), Cathair McCann (Cargin), Ruairi O’Connell (Kilrea, 1-1, capt), David Johnston (Cargin,0-1), Pauric McMullan (Slaughtneil), Fionntan McGilligan (Dungiven, 1-1), John Walsh (Swatragh, 1-1), Michael Clarke (Cargin 1-7)
Substitutes:
Jonathan McGuckin (Cargin,0-1) for Cathair McCann
Eoin McGonagle (Dungiven) for Pauric McMullan
Conor Granleese (Dungiven) for David Johnston
Paul McGilligan(Dungiven), Seamas Gribbin (Swatragh), Ciaran Bradley (Slaughtneil), Aedan McGrellis (Bannagher), Ruairi McGurk (Lavey), Thomas Cavanagh (Glen), Donal Purvis (Slaughtneil), Mark Doole (Glen), Jordan Shivers (Castledawson), Brendan Shivers (Lavey),
Submitted by: Paul Hughes
