Corn na nÓg Final Preview
Corn na nÓg Final Preview:
This Friday (7th Dec), at 6pm in Emyvale, Co.Monaghan, the footballers of
St.Colman’s College will take on Omagh CBS in the final of the Corn na nÓg Cup. A
repeat of the last year’s D’Alton Cup final between the same two sets of players,
this match promises to be real festive cracker!
Both teams arrive at the final undefeated all year. With the Tyrone outfit
having defeated St Mary’s Magherafelt and Abbey CBS en route to the final,
Colman’s had to endure an extra-time thriller against old rivals Maghera in the
quarters before overcoming a stubborn Monaghan outfit at the semi-final stage.
With an equal representation form both Down andArmagh, St.Colman’s have
already tested victory with their D’Alton Cup win last year. Omagh will be hell
bent on revenge and the game could well be decided by which team makes the
least amount of errors.
The College, Captained by Crossmaglen’s Riain O’Neill at number 11, have
pace and quality all over the field. Along with Saval’s Ciaran Bagnall,
Mark Braniff from Dromara and Evin Crummie of, they have a very strong and
experienced middle quartet.
Colmans’ defence has been consistently excellent all year, with many of their
victories based on their ability to limit the opposition attack.. Directed by
Michael Nugent form Culloville, it is marshalled by a full back line of Peter Fegan,
Ruairi Byrne and Killeavy’s Conor O’Neill – who will have their hands full with
an Omagh attack that has been very prolific in this years’ competition. Half-backs
James McKee and Gareth McMillan from Ballyholland provide the springboard
for many of the College attacks.
In an attack that has only played in patches all year, the College can call on the
pace and power of Glenn duo Jack McCartan and Jarlath McConaghey while the
Culloville pairing of Ryan Garvey and Mathew McCreesh have provided big game
performances when needed the most in the previous rounds of the competition.
Mayobridge ace Aaron Gribben makes up the remainder of a potentially
explosive forward line. St. Colman’s have played well in patches this year,
showing an ability to up their performances when it matters most.
In this final however, they will all have to up their performances if they wish to
overcome an Omagh team who have very efficiently disposed of all opposition
and seem like a group on a mission.
Path to the final:
Michael Nugent (Culloville), Peter Fegan (Burren), Ruairi Bryne (Glenn), Conor
O’Neill (Killeavy), Gareth McMillan (Ballyholland), Mark Braniff (Dromara),
James McKee (EireÓg)Ciaran Bagnall (Saval), Evin Crummie (Ballyhegan), Jarlath
McConaghey (Glenn), Riain O’Neill (C - Crossmaglen), Ryan Garvey (Culloville)
Aaron Gribben (Mayobridge), Mathew McCreesh (Culloville), Jack McCartan
(Glenn)
Subs: Paul Hadden (Newry Bosco), Sean McCarthy (Clann Éireann) , Callum
Gribben (Mayobridge),
Adam O’Connor (Clann Éireann), Reece Martin (Newry Mitchels), Ross Carr
(Clonduff), Mark Magill (Mullaghbawn), Iarlath Ward (Liatrion Fontenoys),
Ben McConville (Clonduff), Conor Woods (Clonduff) , Conor Tierney
(Mullaghbawn), John Ferrick (Rostrevor), Gavin McParland (Glenn), Cian
McConville(Crossmaglen), Matthew Girvan (Shane O'Neills), Emmet Osborne
(Shane O’Neills) Conor Quinn (Rostrevor), Lyndon Brown (Clonduff), Ryan
Mathews (Clonduff).
Coaches: Kevin Franklin, Rónán McMahon (both Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint.)