Semi-Final defeat
MacRory Cup Semi-Final
St Patrick's Maghera 0-10 St Colman's Newry 0-8
Morgan Athletic Grounds,Armagh
St Colman's Newry's two year reign as MacRory Champions ended last Friday night in Armagh as they lost in a hard fought encounter against old adversaries, St. Pat's Maghera.
The Derry lads fully deserved their victory in a contest were they played the final quarter with only fourteen men, missed a penalty and kicked a total of ten wides over the course of the hour.
St Colman's struggled to get into the game and it was St Patrick's who led 0-5 to 0-2 at the break although they should have been further in front. Neil McNicholl, Stephen O'Hara, Conor Murphy and James Kearney were their marksmen with the holders responding through Patrick O'Hagan and Aaron Morgan.
Centre half forward Niall Hollywood reduced the deficit on the restart but Murphy quickly cancelled that score out. In the 37th minute Maghera were awarded a penalty after a foul on McNicholl but O'Hara blazed the spot kick over the bar.
It was a let off for St Colman's and when half back Miceal O'Hare weighed in with two excellent points it looked as though the game was going to turn in their favour. They received a further boost in the 42nd minute when Maghera had their captain Conor McAtamney sent off for a second yellow card offence.
TheDerrylads rallied though and a brilliant score from corner back Oisin Hegarty was followed by one from an acute angle from Ryan Dougan to put them four in front again. St Colman's had keeper Michael Cunningham to thank for a superb save to deny O'Hara before a Morgan free left just a score between the sides.
The champions were finishing the game strongly with the extra man and in the final minute of normal time they carved open the Maghera defence only for keeper Sean McNicholl to make an outstanding save to thwartHollywood.
The champions were piling on the pressure and in added time Joe McDermott, Morgan and Ryan Johnston combined to put Dara Noonan in but he blasted over the bar when he had an opportunity to send the game into extra time. That proved to be their last chance and a delighted St Patrick's Maghera greeted the final whistle moments later.
St Colman's Newry – M Cunningham, D Branagan, M Finnegan, A McKernan, M O'Hare [0-2], J McDermott, P Lively,A Morgan[0-3], R Johnston, K Rice, N Hollywood [0-1], P O'Hagan [0-1], D Noonan [0-1], J Fegan, J Haughey.
Sub – T Mulholland for Fegan
Referee – M Higgins, Fermanagh
A big thanks to all players involved, and indeed Mr Murray, Mr Mussen and Mr McEvoy for the huge time and effort that they put in all year.
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