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Wed 21st Oct 2009
MacRory Cup - Omagh CBS V St. Colmans Newry
Venue: Pearse Og’s Armagh
Date: Saturday 17th October 2009
The MacRory Cup campaign commenced with a repeat of the 5th Year Rannafast final of two years ago, which St Colman’s of Newry edged by the minimum margin. On a foggy and dewy morning at Pearse Óg Park, Omagh were much the more efficient of the two teams. Two early points from midfielder Conan Grugan inside the first five minutes ensured Omagh were on the front foot from the start although St. Colman’s were guilty of squandering two gilt edged chances at the other end. Omagh’s impressive midfield pairing of Sean Warnock and Conan Grugan dominated their sector and stylish points from Wing Forward Niall Donaghy and Centre Forward Thomas Canavan added to Omagh’s tally. Niall Sludden and debutant Cahir Mc Cullagh were tenacious in defence as well as offering an attacking force. St. Colmans looked dangerous on the attack, especially with Down County Minors Niall McParland, Caolan Mooney and Chris Clarke supporting through the middle third. Omagh seemed to have a wider spread of options available in their movements up the pitch opening up a first quarter lead of four points. The orchestration of full forward Ross Mc Garry co-ordinated all of St Colman’s best work as they rallied but Omagh deserved their two point half time advantage of 0-8 to 0-6.
HT: Omagh CBS 0-8 V 0-6 St. Colmans Newry
The second half saw the Violet Hill College coming out of the blocks much faster than Omagh and were deservedly level within a few minutes of the restart through two good points from the marauding Caolan Mooney. The game entered a helter skelter period of Omagh edging in front to be reined in again by a spirited Newry side. St. Colman’s were proving to be more economical with their percentage of possession as well as more clinical in front of goal, especially with free kicks. Omagh were guilty of overplaying the ball in the middle third when breaking from defence on numerous occasions which accounted for many turnover scores. However, two points with three minutes remaining minutes from time opened up the largest margin since half time. Indeed Omagh managed to waste several good chances at this juncture, allowing St Colman’s to narrow the margin only to the minimum deep into injury time.
FT: Omagh CBS 0-15 V 0-14 St Colmans Newry
Submitted by: Noel Donnelly
