Fleming punches Limavady into final

Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup semi final

St.Mary’s, Limavady 2-7 Magh Ene, Bundoran 1-9

St Mary’s Limavady have a late point from Oisin Fleming to thank for reaching the Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup final after a super contest with Magh Ene, Bundoran in Burt yesterday.

Paddy O’Kane’s high free into the area in front of the goal was punched over by Fleming in the 58^th minute and, despite two late scoring attempts from Bundoran, Limavady coach and Slaughtneil hero from Saturday Chrissy McKaigue has another final to look forward to.

Schools’ All-star Callum Brown had been the hero of their one-point quarter-final win over Ballybay CS, but the Wolfhounds’ midfielder was well-shepherded by Matthew Duffy and other players who dropped in to shield him.

In Brown’s absence, Paddy O’Kane again stepped up to the mark to lead the attack, while Liam McGuinness and Martin McGonigle were stars in other areas of the pitch.

Bundoran may feel that this one got away from them, despite the best efforts of Duffy, Cian Brennan and Cian McEniff. They allowed a gap to open during the third quarter and also wasted several chances of scores when the come-back was in full swing.

Limavady kept things very tight during the first half and trailed by a single point at the turnover, 0-4 to 0-3, Paddy O’Kane scoring all three points, while Niall Carr shot two in reply for Bundoran.

O’Kane’s goal, a handpass to the net in the 33^rd minute, put Limavady in front and points from O’Kane and Callum Brown followed with McEniff pulling one back for Bundoran.

Then, when Callum Brown was upended in the 39^th minute, Sean Butcher despatched the penalty kick to put St Mary’s 2-5 to 0-5 ahead and it increased the urgency in the south Donegal side.

They laid siege to Limavady’s defence and a goal from Timmy Govorov closed the gap. Points followed from McEniff, Cillian McGloin, Oisin Walsh and Brian McHenry to tie the game at 2-6 to 1-9.

But there was a sting in the tail for Bundoran with Fleming’s late punch and it’s Limavady who progress to a final against the winners from St Mary’s Clady and Aquinas Grammar, a game postponed until next Tuesday afternoon.

St Mary’s : L Wilson, L McGuiness, H McLaughlin, B O’Brien, T Woods, S McPoyle, S Butcher 1-0 pen, M McGonigle, M Creane, F Curley, P O’Kane 1-5, 0-3 frees, M Quigley, O Fleming 0-1, Callum Brown 0-1, A McGuinness

Subs: A Duddy for F Curley, E McDermott for H McLaughlin

Magh Ene : K Mulhern, J Stewart, M Duffy, CJ McManus, O Walsh 0-1, P Murphy, B McHenry 0-2, C McGloin 0-1, C McEniff 0-3 frees, T Govorov 1-0, L Towey, C Brennan, R Brennan, N Carr 0-2, C McCloone.

Subs : D McGloin for C McCloone, A Gallagher for R Brennan.