Hogan / MacRory Cup 2023 / 2024

🏆HOGAN / MACRORY CUP  FIXTURES / RESULTS 🏆

Masita All-Ireland Post Primary GAA 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 Final

⬛️🟩Mounthawk Mercy v ⬜🟥 CBS Omagh 

📆 Saturday 16th March 2024
📌 Pairc an Chrócaigh
⏰ 3pm

Click For Match Tickets

The game will be broadcast live on TG4 television.  DO NOT CLICK ANY OTHER LINKS

Masita All-Ireland Post Primary GAA 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 Semi-Final

St Gerald’s College 0-9  v CBS Omagh 1-14

📅Sunday February 25
⏰ 2pm
📍 Ballyshannon, Official Donegal GAA

 

MacRory Cup Final: Omagh CBS 1-18 St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon 1-12

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REPORTS 📖

HIGH scoring and some high drama as Omagh CBS remained High Kings of Ulster Colleges football with this ultimately convincing win over their Tyrone rivals.

It may have been a freakish goal from midfielder Charlie Donnelly which decisively swung this game in the Brothers’ favour but the Hogan Cup-holders were the better side over the hour.

Indeed there was an element of fortune to Dungannon’s goal too, which revived this contest in the final quarter, but the Academy will rue not converting more of their goal chances before the break.

So Omagh are champions again in the centenary campaign of MacRory Cup football, as they were for the first time when the competition celebrated its half-century in 1974.

The only unbeaten side remaining this season, they rarely looked like losing that record, with their defiant defence, marshalled by ‘man of the match’ Brian Gallagher at full-back, making a series of blocks and interceptions to restrict the Academy. The Dromore clubman also forayed forward to score a point in each half.

Omagh’s forwards did take some time to function, notably Ruairi McCullagh, a star last year for Omagh, who started unsurely with a couple of wides, and the Academy twice took the lead, but the Loughmacrory lad did open his account in the 10th minute, followed by a great score from his colleague Niall McCarney.

While Omagh had six starters from last season’s successes, Dungannon were still deprived of an important injured duo, namely captain Fiachra Nelis and Sheehan Fay.

Even so, they posed problems – unfortunately for the Academy they missed the first of several goal chances, when full-forward Finn Spence caught a wayward shot from stand-in skipper Sean Hughes and evaded the goalkeeper but then shot high and wide of the nets.

Minutes later the same Dungannon pair combined, this time deliberately, Hughes finding Spence, but Omagh goalkeeper Oisin Watson denied the Clarke’s clubman.

The third wasted goal opportunity came to Lorcan Hegarty, who was found in room on the left but screwed his shot across the face of goal.

In contrast, McCullagh had set his sights right and began to find room away from the attentions of Luke Neeson, converting a mark, and Jack Law fired in a shot which Naoise Quinn tipped over his bar.

Quality scores from Davin McKeown and Hughes kept Dungannon in close contention, but McCullagh then added two more points from play to give Omagh a 0-9 to 0-6 half-time lead.

They quickly built on that, opening up a five-point gap, before wing-back Conor Holmes, son of school principal and former Tyrone star Collie, pounced to palm the ball to the net after the Omagh keeper couldn’t hold onto a fisted effort from Luke Neeson.

When Holmes reduced the gap to the minimum after taking a catch on the run it seemed that the momentum had swung, but Omagh responded like champions.

That man Gallagher stepped forward to put them back in front and although Dungannon levelled through Hughes and impressive centre back Matthew Quinn it was Omagh who took control of the closing stages.

Liam Og Mossey had an excellent second half and the Gortin lad scored a point and a mark – either side of that Donnelly goal.

The Trillick midfielder’s shot seemed to be heading just over the bar but, with the bright sun in Naoise Quinn’s eyes, the ball dropped into the net.

Suddenly five down again, 1-15 to 1-10, Dungannon still showed spirit and grabbed scores, but couldn’t get the goal they needed to really threaten, with substitute Ross Daly’s added time shot stopped on the line by Blaine Lynch.

West proved best in the end in this all-Tyrone contest, and Omagh must now take on the best of the west when they face the Connacht champions St Gerard’s, Castlebar on the All-Ireland stage.

Omagh CBS: O Watson; B Lynch, B Gallagher (0-2), S McCann; N Farry, C Daly (capt.), M Corcoran; E Donaghy (0-1), C Donnelly (1-2); O Teague, R McCullagh (0-6, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), J Law (0-1); N McCarney (0-1), P Dillon (0-1), L Og Mossey (0-4, 0-1 mark).

Substitutes: A McGurren for Dillon (48); J Edgar for Teague (57); M Howe for McCarney (59)

St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon: N Quinn; O O’Neill, C Morgan; L Neeson, M Quinn (0-1), P McGeary, C Holmes (1-1); S Hughes (capt.) (0-4, 0-3 frees), D O’Neill; L Hegarty, C Sheehy (0-1), D McKeown (0-3); C McCool (0-1), F Spence, L McGeary.

Substitutes: D Devlin for Hegarty (h-t); J Mulgrew (0-1) for D O’Neill (41); R Daly for P McGeary (60); P McLernon for McCool (60).

Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).

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OMAGH sights were always set on going back-to-back, admitted manager Diarmaid McNulty, despite the proverbial target being on their backs.

For the first time in the west Tyrone school’s history they retained the MacRory Cup, in its centenary campaign too – having also won for the first time on another auspicious occasion, as the gleeful Gortin man pointed out:

“It is unbelievable. Our first one was 50 years ago. To win it at the 50 and 100 is special. We did talk about that in September, I’ll not lie. We said we are going to put Callum Daly up the steps and said ‘What were you going to do in order to do that?’

“I was so, so proud of them today. The target was on our backs all year, everybody knew we were the champions and everybody was giving their best game against us.

Dungannon did threaten to become the top team in Tyrone as well as in Ulster, with both colleges on five titles before this final, drawing level in the 50th minute, but Omagh ultimately had the superior scoring power, reeling off 1-5 to the Academy’s 0-2 in that closing period.

Ruairi McCullagh top-scored with 0-6, despite some surprising misses from the Loughmacrory lad, but McNulty had high praise for him, comparing him to a current Galway senior star:

“Ruairi McCullagh is like Shane Walsh, he can kick with both feet. He is an exceptional talent, and I trust him wholeheartedly. You probably heard me shouting at him a couple of times, but that was just to relax.”

Omagh can certainly do that now, with McNulty looking forward to marking the historic occasion in style: “I can’t wait. We’ll enjoy tonight – the school have a function set up for the boys. It is important to celebrate. I think sometimes in the GAA we don’t celebrate enough, it is ‘move on to the next thing’.

“It is important to celebrate tonight. We’ll recover tomorrow and train Wednesday and Friday. By that point, hopefully I’ll have enough information to start feeding into the boys.”

Dungannon boss Ciaran Gourley could have moaned about the absence of injured captain Fiachra Nelis – and also Sheehan Fay – but he accepted that Omagh merited their victory, saying:

“On reflection, looking at the chances they created in the second half, they missed a lot and still scored a lot – they were the better team. We just have to accept that.”

The Academy had three good first half goal chances but took none if them, but Gourley remained philosophical: “If we had have taken some of those chances, yes, it might have made a difference, but we didn’t – that’s just the way football goes.

“Omagh had openings too, they missed a lot of points; Ruairi McCullagh probably won’t miss as many again as he did today, and he still scored a lot. He’s a major threat for them, we struggled at times to contain him.

“Omagh were just that bit more clinical, the scoring chances we had, we didn’t convert enough.”

By Kenny Archer published in The Irish News February 11, 2024

Final
Omagh CBS 1-18  V St Patrick’s Academy 1-12
Sunday 11th February
3pm   BOX-IT Athletic Grounds Armagh
Referee: Paul Faloon

Streamed live on BBC

These games will be all ticket fixtures, Tickets can be purchased from: Click For Tickets

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As part of our centenary celebrations this year and in the build-up to the Danske Bank MacRory cup final in the Athletic Grounds on Sunday 11th February, Ulster Schools GAA will be hosting a talk night on Thursday 8th February in Aonach Mhacha.

There will be 2 speakers on the night:

(1) Aidan Walshe, author of the acclaimed ‘History of the MacRory Cup’, who will speak on various aspects of this iconic competition.

(2) Damian Woods who will deliver a talk on the life of Cardinal MacRory. Please contact carly.mcclean.ulster@gaa.ie for more info on tickets.

 

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Semi-finals
St Mary’s, Magherafelt 0-12 v Omagh CBS 2-7 Friday 26th January 2024 in Coalisland 7:30pm
St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 1-11 v St Patrick’s, Dungannon 1-12 Saturday 27th January 2024 in Carrickmore 2.00pm

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REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup semi-final
St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 1-11 v St Patrick’s, Dungannon 1-12

(report to follow)

Danske Bank MacRory Cup semi-final
Omagh 2-7 St Mary’s, Magherfelt 0-12

HOLDERS Omagh CBS withstood a superb second half revival from St Mary’s, Magherafelt at Coalisland on Friday night to book their place in the final of the Danske Bank MacRory Cup.

The Derry lads had trailed by five points at the break but with Eamon Young, Conall Higgins and James Sargent to the fore they dominated the third quarter to really make a game of it. Omagh struggled to get a foothold in the game again with Magherafelt defender Charlie Curley spurning the opportunity to send the contest to extra time when he sent wide with the last kick of the game.

St Mary’s, Magherafelt fightback falls short as Omagh CBS make consecutive MacRory finals
The holders led by double scores at the break thanks to two well taken goals. Their first major arrived as early as the 6th minute when Liam Og Mossey was in the right place at the right time to finish from close range after Magherafelt keeper Karl Campbell had denied Paudie Dillon.

St Marys opened their account with a point from Charlie Mulholland before Conall Higgins converted a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Dillon converted a mark before midfielder Charlie Donnelly landed a brilliant point from distance for the holders to leave three between them again at the end of the opening quarter.

St Marys midfielder James Sargent then charged through the middle of the Omagh defence to fire over a quality score to keep his side in touch. Magherafelt were experiencing great difficulty in trying to break down a well organised Omagh defence with team Captain Callum Daly to the fore at centre half back.

In the 21st minute hesitancy in the Magherafelt defence was punished when wing half back Mark Corcoran steered the ball first time past Campbell after the Omagh player had brilliantly adjusted his feet. Luke Grant responded for St Mary’s with a point and after Ruairi McCullagh and Patrick Birt had exchanged frees midfielder Eoin Donaghy had the final say of the half with a fisted effort.

Whatever was said to Magherafelt in the changing rooms at halftime certainly had the desired affect as they reappeared with all guns blazing. Higgins knocked over a free and straight from the kickout Upung showed blistering pace to run through and split the posts.

Young then tagged on an unbelievable point after going past three or four challenges to cut the gap to two just five minutes in. It was all Magherafelt at this stage with Birt unlucky to hit the post with a goal chance while Omagh defender Blaine Lynch cleared one off the line.

Omagh were in trouble but they got two crucial scores from Dillon and Donaghy. Mossey then added another point to leave four between the sides but that proved to be their last score in the 52nd minute. Young hit another brace of points either side of a hood save from St Marys keeper Campbell to deny sub Mattie Howe. Magherafelt substitute Michael Higgins hit a great score from the right wing but Omagh did enough to just hold on.

Published in The Irish News January 26, 2024

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Quarter-finals (Tuesday January 9 – Sunday, January 14)
QF1 St Patrick’s, Maghera 1-4 v St Mary’s, Magherafelt 1-6 – Friday 12th at 7.30pm  in Owenbeg (streamed)
QF2 St Patrick’s, Dungannon 2-10 (8-7 on Penalties)  v Patrician, Carrickmacross 2-10 – Saturday 13th 2.00pm in Galbally
QF3 St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 5-12 v Abbey CBS, Newry 1-6 Thursday 11th at 7.30pm Coalisland
QF4 Omagh CBS 1-14 v Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 3-7– Friday 12th at 7:30 in Healy Park

 

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REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup Quarter-finals

St Patrick’s, Dungannon 2-10 Patrician, Carrickmacross 2-10 (after extra-time, Dungannon won 8-7 on pens)

THERE was high drama at Pearse Park in Galbally on Saturday afternoon as St Patrick’s Academy secured the last semi-final spot in this season’s Danske Bank MacRory Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Patrician High, Carrickmacross.

Dungannon looked to be on their way out of the competition in normal time after kicking 13 wides and trailing by five points with five minutes to play. They had enjoyed a great start to the contest hitting 1-2 without reply in the opening 10 minutes but over the next 45 minutes they added only one point.

During that time the Monaghan lads were superb and looked as though they had done enough to win, but credit to the winners who showed character to not only force extra-time but penalties as well.

Points from Sean Hughes and Finn Spence either side of a well-taken Conall Sheehy goal had Dungannon in the driving seat, especially after key Carrickmacross defender Pakie Doogan was black-carded.

It was the Monaghan lads who lifted their game and after Tomas Quinn had opened their account in the 17th minute they drew level thanks to a point from Conall Marry and a goal from Niall Meehan, all three scorers defenders. Hughes had the final say of the half from a free to leave it 1-3 to 1-2.

The first half may have been a slow-burner but that could not be said about the remainder of the contest.

Dungannon lost Hughes to an early black card and when he returned they were behind for the first time following points from Eoghan Farrelly and Cian Rafferty(2).

Hughes came back on and immediately set up Liam McGeary for a point but referee Enda Mallon disallowed it after saying he hadn’t signalled for the player to rejoin the action.

With five minutes to go, a flowing Carrickmacross move sliced open the Dungannon defence for Doogan to square for Farrelly to palm in from close range.

It looked to be the decisive score but Dungannon had other ideas. McGeary bagged a 58th-minute goal before Hughes scored from play and a free to level matters.

Three minutes into injury-time a Matthew Carolan free looked to have won it for Carrickmacross but there was still time for Hughes to hold his nerve and convert a long-range free to send the game to extra-time.

In the first period of extra-time, Carolan and Conor Holmes swapped points before Hughes and Spence put Dungannon two clear. A long-range Carolan free reduced the deficit to the minimum before Farrelly sent over the equaliser from a mark early in the second period.

Wing half-back Quinn got forward for his second point to edge the Monaghan school in front and as both sides missed chances the tension grew.

With time almost up, a fine Matthew Quinn pass saw Spence take a mark and coolly convert it to send it to a penalty shoot-out.

Both sides converted four of their five penalties to take it to sudden death and after the Academy made it four from four in sudden death, Carrickmacross missed their ninth spot kick.

Dungannon S Hughes 0-6 (0-5f); F Spence 0-3 (0-2m); C Sheehy & L McGeary 1-0 each; C Holmes 0-1

Carrickmacross E Farrelly 1-2 (0-1m); M Carolan 0-3 f; N Meehan 1-0; C Rafferty (0-1 x 45) & T Quinn 0-2 each; C Marry 0-1

By Kevin Kelly Published in the Irish News January 13, 2024

St Patrick’s, Maghera 1-4 St Mary’s, Magherafelt 1-6

Watching Friday evening MacRory Cup quarter final at Owenbeg you could not help but admire the quality of players on show, two neighbouring schools, many of whom were members of the Derry team who won last year’s All Ireland Minor title, battling it out in a top class game of football.  Click For Full Report

Omagh CBS 1-14 Our Lady’s, Castleblaney 3-7

HOLDERS Omagh CBS survived a big scare at O’Neills Healy Park on Friday night as they withstood a brilliant comeback from Our Lady’s, Castleblayney to set up a Danske Bank MacRory Cup semi-final date with St Mary’s, Magherafelt.

The Tyrone lads dominated proceedings in the first half on their way to a 1-7 to 0-3 interval advantage and going into the final quarter they had increased their lead to eight points. That’s when the Monaghan lads really made a game of it, with Max McGinnity to the fore with two goals, leaving the holders on tenterhooks.

Oisin Teague, Ruairi McCullagh and Liam Og Mossey had early Omagh points before a 10th-minute shot from McCullagh deceived keeper Jamie Mooney to sail all the way to the net. Bobby McCaul and McGinnity had Castleblaney points, with Eoin Donaghy and McCullagh responding for Omagh.

McCullagh hit a trio of points on the restart, with Paudie Dillion getting a brace, Castleblayney replying with a McCaul major.

Omagh still looked the better side and with the scoreboard reading 1-12 to 1-4 at the three-quarter mark they appeared to be in the comfort zone.

That’s when Castleblayney went for broke as they threw off the shackles to play direct football to find a way back into contention. McGinnity scored from a free as well as from play before substitute Lorcan Mone found the net in the 52nd minute to make it game on again.

Charlie Donnelly hit a much-needed point for Omagh but they were rocked in the final minute of normal time when McGinnity goaled.

Only the minimum now separated the sides and that is the way it stayed after respective sharp-shooters McCullagh and McGinnity had exchanged injury-time points.

Omagh scorers R McCullagh 1-6, P Dillon 0-3, O Teague 0-1, L Og Mossey 0-1, J Law 0-1, E Donaghy 0-1, C Donnelly 0-1

Castleblayney scorers M McGinnity 1-5, B McCaul 1-2, L Mone 1-0

By Kevin Kelly published in The Irish News January 12, 2024

 

Danske Bank MacRory Cup quarter-finals (Friday, 7.30pm)

Omagh CBS v Our Lady’s, Castleblayney (O’Neills Healy Park)

St Patrick’s, Maghera v St Mary’s, Magherafelt (Owenbeg)

THE winners from Friday evening’s quarter-finals are set to meet in the semi-finals at the end of the month.

It is widely expected that Omagh CBS and St Patrick’s, Maghera will make that fixture and such expectation will suit both Our Lady’s, Castleblayney and St Mary’s, Magherafelt just nicely.

The Derry supporters will flock in their thousands to Owenbeg to see the Maghera v Magherafelt derby.

There was a fair few in Rossa Park last Saturday to watch the Convent overcome St Patrick’s, Cavan in a play-off that never reached any great heights.

St Mary’s were always in charge. Their defence held a tight rein with Rory Small’s and Ben McLarnon’s bursts forward creating the openings for scoring opportunities.

James Sargent and Cathair McBride were in control at centre-field, while Conall Higgins and Pearse O’Neill kept the scoreboard ticking over. Having to play 40 minutes without Eamonn Young was not a handicap.

The proximity of that fixture should aid Magherafelt’s preparation, compared to Maghera’s last competitive outing in mid-November.

St Patrick’s easily accounted for St Macartan’s and Abbey CBS in those opening two games, meaning that their third tie was a dead-rubber and that allowed them to give game-time to a number of the wider panel.

The result was a narrow defeat; it allowed management to assess their bench but was of little use otherwise in sorting out how they will set up for the business end of the competition.

You would expect to see a team similar to the opening game against the Sem and that would mean captain Fionn McEldowney at the heart of the defence with a licence to attack, while still managing to filter back.

Ciarán Chambers will probably end up top point-scorer, while Antain Donnelly and Johnny McGuckian will provide the links and still chip in with scores.

With more from the All-Ireland winning team than St Mary’s, Maghera rightly go into the game as favourites, but they will be aware that they can take nothing for granted, as was demonstrated last season against Holy Trinity.

What applies to Maghera could also be said of Omagh CBS, who have more than half of last year’s Hogan Cup winning side on board.

They went through the group stages unbeaten, winning every game with ease and have done nothing to suggest that they are not capable of retaining their provincial title, at least. Complacency is their only enemy.

Our Lady’s were decidedly lucky to make it through Saturday’s play-off with St Colman’s.

There are decent players in their team like Max McGinty, Dara McMahon and Jamie Mooney, but they will need to produce a performance that is above the sum of the parts if they are to better the scoring of Charlie Donnelly, Liam Óg Mossey and Ruairí McCullagh.

St Patrick’s, Dungannon v Patrician, Carrickmacross (Saturday, Galbally, 2pm)

THE only quarter-final tie to take place in natural light has the potential to cause an upset.

Somehow, Patrician always seem to come up with a big performance when least expected.

Last year, they ran Omagh close in a semi-final. Last Saturday, they were poor enough for most of the first half and deserved to be 1-4 to 0-1 down in their derby with the Sem.

Yet, within 10 minutes of the re-start they were in control of the tie after hitting the net four times.

A fifth goal at the death meant that they won by 5-3 to 1-8 against a team that was considered an outside bet to maybe reach a final.

Carrickmacross’s tactic of defending in numbers and breaking at pace was crucial to the turnaround with Tomás Quinn and Packie Doogan the key players.

Ciarán Gourley will have noted that aspect of their play and you would expect the Academy to close out those quick breaks.

The Academy are a little under the radar in the sense that most of the focus until this stage seems to be on Maghera and Omagh.

They had their group won after two games and experimented with their bench in the third with the result that they suffered defeat.

The gap between those two competitive games at the start of the group and Saturday should be Gourley’s only real concern, although they faltered for periods against St Mary’s, Magherafelt and were lucky to come out on top with a couple of late scores.

On balance though, if both teams play to their potential, you would expect the scoring returns of Sean Hughes, Fiachra Nelis and Liam McGeary to outgun whatever Conor Meehan, Matthew Carolan and David McNally deliver – unless they hit another goal burst like last Saturday.

By Seamas McAleenan Published in The Irish News January 11, 2024

 

Danske Bank MacRory Cup quarter-final

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 5-12 Abbey CBS 1-6

AN historic Danske Bank MacRory Cup campaign for St Joseph’s, Donaghmore continued at Father Campbell Park in Coalisland last night as they eased into the last four at the expense of Abeey CBS after an outstanding display of attacking football.

It was a contest that the winners were always in control of as they set up a semi-final meeting with either St Patrick’s, Dungannon or Patrician High, Carrickmacross.

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore storm into MacRory Cup semi-finals with huge win over Abbey
The damage was done in a 20-minute blitz in the first half as they simply tore their opponents apart, finding the net four times as they established a commanding 4-7 to 0-3 interval advantage.

St Joseph’s got off to a dream start when Joey Clarke fed Darragh Donaghy, who finished in style to the net after only 45 seconds.

Conall McGeough responded with a brace of points for Abbey but they were to score just once more in the half as the Tyrone school dominated.

Points from Noah Grimes, Donnacha O’Neill, Eoghan O ‘Neill, Joseph Corrigan and Donaghy extended the winners’ advantage, with Abbey’s sole response coming from Aron Maginess.

The second quarter was all Donaghmore with Mattie McNally blasting to the net before a superb finish from defender Clarke.

Abbey CBS were reeling and great approach play from Grimes saw him tee up Donnacha O’Neill for a late fisted major before Leo Hughes rounded off the scoring with a point.

The winners picked up were they had left off on the restart when wing half-back Jamie McCarthy cut through to finish goal number five.

Finn Donnelly forced home an Abbey CBS goal but it was only a consolation score as Donaghmore continued to dominate.

Corrigan converted a trio of points with Jude McNally completing the scoring after a very impressive display that included stand-out performances in defence from James Rafferty and Clarke.

By Kevin Kelly Published in The Irish News January 11, 2024

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Play-offs ( Wednesday, January 3 – Saturday, January 6)

Playoff 1 St Macartan’s, Monaghan 1-8 v Patrician, Carrickmacross  5-3

Playoff 2 St. Ronan’s, Lurgan 2-8 v Abbey CBS, Newry 2-9

Playoff 3 St Mary’s, Magherafelt 0-11 v St Patrick’s, Cavan 0-6

Playoff 4 Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 1-11 v St Colman’s, Newry 0-12

REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup Play-offs

St Mary’s, Magherafelt 0-11 St Patrick’s, Cavan 0-6

DESPITE losing Éamon Young to a second yellow card as early as the 21st minute of this Danske Bank MacRory Cup play-off game in Rossa Park, Magherafelt, the home side, St Mary’s, went on to ease their way into a quarter-final derby with St Patrick’s, Maghera.

St Mary’s were 0-4 to 0-1 up when Young saw red, but they stretched that lead to 0-7 to 0-1 by half-time by staying on the attack and not allowing Cavan anywhere near the shooting range.

Cavan probably had two half-chances for goals, one early in the game, but it wasn’t until the second half that they took on players and pushed into areas where they could threaten scores.

However, by then it was too late and every time they hit the target, St Mary’s hit back within a minute or two with a point to maintain their advantage.

Conall Higgins opened the scoring from a free in the fifth minute and then pointed from a mark a minute later.

Another minute and Pearse O’Neill opened his account with a point from the left wing after good work from Rory Small.

Cavan didn’t get their first score until 14 minutes in when Darragh Noonan popped over after a goal chance had been closed out. But Cathair McBride fisted another Magherafelt score before Young was sent off.

St Mary’s quickly doubled their lead with frees from O’Neill and Higgins before midfielder James Sargent fired over from distance.

Two Darragh Noonan frees were the only scores of the third quarter, but Higgins responded after another good run from Small.

The exchanges livened up a little towards the end, but St Mary’s pushed on to a comfortable win and have their sights set on Maghera in Owenbeg on Friday evening.

St Mary’s C Higgins 0-5 (0-3f); P O’Neill 0-4 (0-1f); C McBride & J Sargent 0-1 each

St Patrick’s D Noonan 0-5 (0-4f); B Tully 0-1

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 1-11 St Colman’s, Newry 0-12

THERE was high drama at the end of this game in Castleblayney on Saturday afternoon as Our Lady’s held on to defeat St Colman’s in a keenly contested encounter.

With the game in the final minute of the four additional minutes that were allotted, the Newry lads were awarded a penalty and the chance to bring the contest to extra-time but Dara Mussen sent his spot-kick over the bar.

St Colman’s were the livelier of the two sides in the opening 10 minutes and that was reflected on the scoreboard as they picked their opponents off on the counter-attack to land four unanswered points through Mussen (2), Ryan Duffy and Corey Clerkin.

The rest of the half, though, belonged to Castleblayney as they outscored their opponents 0-9 to 0-1 to the break. Max McGinnity converted five frees with Conor Burns, Mattie Duffy, Bobby McCaul and Evan Treanor on target from play.

Three minutes into the second half, McCaul finished off a flowing move to the net and Our Lady’s looked to be well on their way to the last eight.

To their credit, though, Colman’s hit back with points from Mussen, Aaron Haughey and Patrick Woods to leave them only three behind, despite having Ross Marsden red-carded in the 47th minute.

Carrickmacross lifted the siege with excellent points from ‘keeper Jamie Mooney and Canice Murphy but scores from Mussen and Clerkin left the outcome in doubt until that penalty miss with the last kick.

Our Lady’s M McGinnity 0-5f; B McCaul 1-1; C Burns, M Duffy, E Treanor, J Mooney & C Murphy 0-1 each

St Colman’s D Mussen 0-7 (0-3f, 0-1 pen); C Clerkin 0-2, R Duffy, A Haughey & P Woods 0-1 each

Patrician, Carrickmacross 5-3 St Macartan’s, Monaghan 1-8

THIS local derby turned completely on its head 10 minutes either side of half-time at Gavin Duffy Park on Saturday afternoon when Patrician High hit four goals to help them see off the challenge of St Macartan’s.

By the 22nd minute, St Macartan’s looked to be in complete control of things as they held a 1-4 to 0-1 advantage and were full value for it.

The towering Ethan Ballnetine palmed in a 17th-minute goal to go with his brace of points in the opening quarter with Eoin O’Hanlon and Tom Doherty also on target.

By that stage, all Carrickmacross had to show for their efforts was a long-range Matthew Carolan free but when Luke Povall found the net just before the break it gave them an undoubted lift as they only trailed by three.

Conor Jones split the posts within 20 seconds of the restart and the floodgates opened as defender Conor Meehan had a brace of goals and Carolan also found the net.

Carrickmacross’s tactic of defending in numbers and breaking at pace were crucial in them turning things around, with half-back duo Tomas Quinn and Pakie Doogan to the fore. David Duffy finally opened a shell-shocked Macartans’ second-half account with Sean Og McElwain adding a brace of frees, but Patrician ran out deserving winners with Darren McNally palming to the net in the final attack.

Patrician C Meehan 2-0; M Carolan 1-1 (0-1f); L Povall & D McNally 1-0 each; C Jones & C Burns (f) 0-1 each

St Macartan’s E Ballnetine 1-3 (0-2×45); S Og McElwain 0-2f; E O’Hanlon, T Doherty (m) & D Duffy 0-1 each

St Ronan’s, Lurgan 2-8 Abbey CBS, Newry 2-9

SUB Darragh Saul was the Abbey CBS hero as he held his nerve to convert a free with the last kick of the game to beat St Ronan’s, Lurgan at St Paul’s in Lurgan on Friday evening.

St Ronan’s enjoyed a good start to the contest with early goals from Maitiua McGibbon and Jack Laverygiving them a 2-2 to 0-5 half-time lead.

The second half proved to be a thrill-a-minute as two goals from Conall McGeough saw the lead change hands.

It was anybody’s game and with the contest in the 68th minute it looked set for extra-time until that last-gasp free sent Abbey CBS into the last eight, where they will meet St Joseph’s, Donaghmore.

Quarter-finals (January 9-14)

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore v Abbey CBS, Newry

St Patrick’s, Maghera v St Mary’s, Magherafelt

Omagh CBS v Our Lady’s, Castleblayney

Patrician, Carrickmacross v St Patrick’s, Dungannon

By Seamas McAleenan and Kevin Kelly Published in The Irish News January 05, 2024

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MacRory Cup Tables

Group A	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
St Patricks’, Maghera	3	2	0	1	49	33	4
St. Macartans, Monaghan	3	1	1	1	42	45	3
Abbey CBS, Newry	3	1	1	1	33	46	3
St. Patrick’s, Armagh	3	1	0	2	36	36	2

 

Group B	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
St. Patrick’s, Dungannon	3	2	0	1	45	41	4
St. Mary’s, Magherafelt	3	2	0	1	40	34	4
St. Colman’s, Newry	3	1	1	1	29	27	3
St. Michael’s, Enniskillen	3	0	1	2	29	41	1

 

Group C	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
St. Joseph’s, Donnegmore	3	2	0	1	40	37	4
Our Ladys, Castleblayney	3	2	0	1	47	45	4
St. Patrick’s, Cavan	3	1	1	2	37	38	3
Holy Trinity, Cookstown	3	0	1	2	36	40	1

 

Group D	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Omagh CBS	3	3	0	0	43	22	6
St. Ronan’s, Lurgan	3	1	1	1	36	42	3
Patrician, Carrickmacross	3	1	0	2	30	34	2
St. Paul’s, Bessbrook	3	0	0	2	38	54	1

 

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REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup Round Three

Group A

St Patrick’s, Armagh 1-8 St Patrick’s, Maghera 1-6

A STRONG 10-minute spell saw St Patrick’s, Armagh on their way to victory in this final group game in their own backyard at Pearse Óg. A 40th-minute goal from Daniel Cullen shot Armagh into a 1-7 to 1-1 lead against St Patrick’s, Maghera, who rested a host of players with top spot and a seeded quarter-final spot, already secured.

The Derry side rallied late on but were unable to engineer the second goal they needed to back up wins over St Macartan’s, Monaghan and Abbey.

It was Maghera who owned the ball for the opening 10 minutes but didn’t have the guile to break down an Armagh team already out of the competition. It was the home side who notched the first score, the first of five from Pauric O’Keefe. His second, a sweet score from the wing, doubled their lead before Maghera opened their account with a 19th-minute Rory McGonigle free.

Che McCloskey then broke the line to tee up Sean Boyd for a Maghera goal four minutes later and they led at the break, 1-1 to 0-3.

John Joe Hughes set the Armagh tone with a score early in the second half and their more direct approach was asking questions of Maghera.

Three O’Keefe frees added to the Armagh tally before Cullen’s dipped shop nestled in the top corner of Odhran McElhinney’s net. Rhys Creaney popped the final Armagh score – again after a high ball into their attack – of the game in the 43rd minute before the Maghera revival.

Darach McGonigle and substitute Turlough McHugh cut the margin to four points but the visitors needed a goal.

Shea Birt had a half-chance denied by goalkeeper Damien Adam before the Maghera goalmouth scramble was blocked.

Birt and Boyd notched late sores but it was Armagh who held on for the win.

Armagh P O’Keefe 0-5 (4f), D Cullen 1-0, JJ Hughes, P Hendron and R Creaney 0-1 each
Maghera S Boyd 1-1 (1f), R McGonigle 0-2f, D McGonigle, T McHugh and S Birt 0-1 each

 

IN Wednesday night’s (06/12) MacRory Cup action, Conal McGeough’s late, late goal rescued a draw for Abbey (2-7 to 1-10) in a tough battle against Monaghan side St Macartan’s.

McGeough rattled the net in a low-scoring first half, which the Newry side led 1-3 to 0-3.

Macartan’s pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining to lead by two points and they looked odds-on to see the game out before McGeough completed his brace for a share of the spoils. Abbey have won, lost and now drawn games in their first three rounds of the campaign.

A few miles down the road in Burren, St Colman’s were 2-6 to 1-5 victors in their game against St Patrick’s, Dungannon. It’s the Violet Hill side’s first win of the competition this season, having also drawn and lost in their last two rounds. St Patrick’s, Armagh and St Michael’s, Enniskillen are eliminated from the competition after finishing bottom of their respective groups.

Group C

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 1-12 Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 2-8

TEN minutes into the second half in Galbally yesterday, Our Lady’s looked set to make it three wins from three when they led by six points, but St Joseph’s showed tremendous character to mount a fightback to win it in injury-time.

The Tyrone school began the brighter of the two sides and they led 0-3 to 0-1 after a dozen minutes thanks to scores from Donnacha O’Neill, Joseph Corrigan and centre half-back Jude McNally.

As the half wore on, though, the Monaghan lads fought back with Max McGinnity to the fore. He hit a trio of points to help bring the sides level and two minutes before the break Charlie McQuillan found the net at the second attempt to leave Castleblayney leading 1-5 to 0-5.

Tiernan Buckley and Darragh Donaghy exchanged points on the restart before a fisted effort from McGinnity took a deflection on its way to the net.

St Joseph’s, though, responded in kind with a well-taken Donaghy goal and from there until the final whistle it was end to end.

With Conor O’Neill working hard in midfield, the Tyrone lads reduced the deficit to the minimum thanks to points from Donnacha O’Neill and Noah Grimes.

McGinnity and Donaghy traded points before ’Blayney keeper Jamie Mooney made an outstanding double save to deny Grimes and Corrigan.

An outstanding Grimes point brought the sides level in the 53rd minute only for McGinnity to convert a free moments later.

In the final minute, a long-range Donaghy free brought the sides level again and there was still time for Corrigan to win it from a placed ball in injury-time.

Donaghmore D Donaghy 1-4 (0-1f); D O’Neill, J Corrigan (2f) & N Grimes 0-2 (1f) 0-2 each; J McNally & E O’Neill 0-1 each
Castleblayney M McGinnity 1-6 (0-4f, 0-1m); C McQuillan 1-0; M Duffy & T Buckley 0-1 each

Holy Trinity Cookstown 1-7 V St. Patrick’s, Cavan 0-10

With eleven minutes left to play in Roslea on Thursday evening Holy Trinity looked set to secure the win that they needed to reach the MacRory Cup playoffs but St.Pats Cavan hit the last four points of the game to secure a 0-10 to 1-7 and progress in the competition instead.

Holy Trinity shaded the first half 0-6 to 0-5 thanks to.points from Conor Mallon, Shea McCann, Michael McElhatton Liam Lawn and Conor Devlin, Darragh Noonan with a brace for Cavan.
Finn Buckley and Lawn traded early second half points before McElhatton converted a 43rd minute penalty to leave it 1-7 to 0-6. The Tyrone school failed to trouble the umpires again however and points from Sean McFaul, Luke Maguire and a Noonan brace saw it end 0-10 to 1-7. This result means that St.Josephs Donaghmore top their group and secure an automatic quarter final slot in their debut season in the competition.

Group D

St Ronan’s, Lurgan 1-10 St Paul’s, Bessbrook 1-10

AN injury-time point from St Paul’s, Bessbrook captain Aidan Lynch in Pearse Óg, Armagh wasn’t enough to keep his team in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup, although after 54 minutes they looked on course to send their north Armagh neighbours St Ronan’s, Lurgan out of action before the Christmas break.

St Paul’s started the game well with points from Shea Loughran and Fearghal Boylan (two) to put them 0-3 to 0-1 up after 12 minutes.

However, St Ronan’s fired over four of the five points scored in the second quarter, including two from James Austin.

Lurgan went 0-6 to 0-4 ahead at the start of the second half with a third point from Tom Lavery, before the game seemed to swing away from them.

A goal from Alan Reavey, two points from Boylan and one each from David Crilly, Shane McCabe and Loughran put Bessbrook 1-9 to 0-6 ahead with 50 minutes gone.

Máitiú McGibbon started the Lurgan claw back with a point before Cohen Henderson and McGibbon closed the gap to a goal as added time beckoned.

James Austin then hit a levelling goal right on 60 minutes and a minute later Caomhán Toland edged them ahead only for Lynch’s late score to deny St Ronan’s outright victory.

The journey has ended for another year for St Paul’s, as it did earlier in the week for St Patrick’s, Armagh; St Michael’s, Enniskillen and Holy Trinity, Cookstown.

Meanwhile, St Ronan’s would seem to be lined up to play Abbey CBS in the first week of January unless Patrician, Carrickmacross can upset the form-book against Omagh CBS in Garvaghey on Saturday.

With just that one game remaining, the pathway to the final is clear for almost all the 12 remaining teams.

Only a win for Patrician will upset the finishing order in Group D. Having beaten both St Paul’s and St Ronan’s fairly comfortably, the holders have to be fancied to get at least the draw they need to top the group and avoid a play-off in the first week of January.

St Ronan’s J Austin 1-2, T Lavery 0-3, M McGibbon 0-2, R McAlinden, C Henderson and C Toland 0-1 each.
St Paul’s A Reavey 1-0, F Boylan 0-4, S Loughran 0-2, B Watters, D Crilly, S McCabe and A Lynch 0-1 each

Omagh CBS 0-8 Patrician High Carrickmacross 0-3

Holders Omagh CBS booked their place in the Quarter Final of this season’s MacRory Cup when they made it three wins out of three with victory over Patrician High Carrickmacross at Garvaghey on Saturday afternoon.

Weather conditions were far from ideal but it was a case of job done for “the Brothers”. Omagh CBS led 0-4 to 0-2 at the break with Callum Daly, Liam Og Mossey, Ruairi McCullagh and Charlie Donnelly their marksmen, Conor Burns and Niall Meehan the marksmen for the Monaghan lads.
Constant rain meant the second half was never going to be a classic and at the three Quarter mark both sides has only tagged on a point each through Mattie Howe and Fergal McEnaney. With Daly to the fore in defence Patrician High failed to score again although it was only in the last five minutes that Omagh made sure of victory with points from Donnelly, Paudi Dillon and McCullagh.

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RESULTS
ROUND 3
St. Patrick’s, Armagh 1-8  V St Patrick’s, Maghera 1-6
Abbey CBS 2-7   V St. Macartan’s, Monaghan 1-10
St Joseph’s Donaghmore 1-12  V Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 2-8
St Marys Magherafelt 3-5  V St. Michael’s, Enniskillen 0-7
St. Colmans, Newry 2-6 V St. Patrick’s, Dungannon 1-5
Patrician High, Crrickmacross 0-3 V Omagh CBS 0-8
Holy Trinity Cookstown 1-7 V St. Patrick’s, Cavan 0-10
St. Pauls, Bessbrook 1-10  v St. Ronan’s, Lurgan 1-10

 

FIXTURES
ROUND 3

🟩🟥 St Patrick’s, Armagh V 🟦⬜️ St Patrick’s, Maghera
📆 Friday 1st December 2023
📌 @PearseOgArmagh
⏰ 2pm

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REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup Round Two

Group A

St Patrick’s, Armagh 2-6 St Macartan’s, Monaghan 1-10
ST Macartan’s Monaghan had built up a head of steam before Donncha Gribbin from St Patrick’s Armagh picked up a red card in the 40th minute of this Group A game in the Box-It Athletic Grounds exactly 100 years on from the very first game in the competition between the same two schools.

After that card, Armagh were the team in the ascendancy and St Macartan’s only managed one further score deep in injury time, a free from Sean óg McIlwaine, that effectively won the game.

There was plenty of ceremony before Paul Faloon got the game under way with GAA President Larry McCarthy in attendance and meeting the teams on the pitch. But once the actual play began, the Sem dominated and McIlwaine picked off the opening two points.

Turlough Muldoon temporarily stemmed that progress with a breakaway goal for Armagh in the ninth minute, but the Sem responded quickly with Caolán Tracey setting up Ethan Ballentine for a point.

Monaghan were 0-6 to 1-1 ahead when John McCrystal stuck out a boot at a loose ball and put it in the Armagh net after 22 minutes. With each side scoring a point before the break, St Macartan’s went in with a five points’ lead.

That stretched with points from David Duffy and McIlwaine before Gribbin picked up the red card for something that took place well off the ball.

Armagh simply upped their game and Dara McCloskey quickly hit back with a goal and a point inside 60 seconds. Although Monaghan wasted a goal chance at the other end, they found it difficult to deal with the energy in the Armagh team and points from Pádraig O’Keefe and Dara McCloskey levelled matters a minute into added time.

McIlwaine responded with his side’s first point in 27 minutes but there was still time for a couple of Armagh pot-shots at an equaliser. They were wayward however and the Sem reversed the result of that very first game on November 21st 1923 when Armagh won by 3-3 to 2-2.

St Patrick’s D McCloskey 1-3 (0-2f); T Muldoon 1-0; S Kelly, R Nugent & P O’Keefe 0-1 each
St Macartan’s S Óg McIlwaine 0-5 (0-3f); J McCrystal 1-0; T Mallon 0-3 (0-2f), E Ballentine & D Duffy 0-1 each

Abbey CBS 0-6 St Patrick’s, Maghera 2-14

ST PATRICK’S, Maghera consolidated their position at the top of Group A with a comfortable victory over Abbey CBS in Ardboe yesterday.

Abbey’s Harry Lynch and Rory Powell responded to each of Maghera’s opening scores, but the Derry boys kicked on with five of the other six points in the half to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

Ciarán Chambers hit five of those from frees, another from open play and Eoin Mulholland was the only other Maghera scorer before the break.

Donagh Murdock landed a free for Abbey on the re-start, but it was a very short respite. By the time James O’Hanlon raised the next flag for the Newry school, Maghera were 1-11 to 0-5 ahead.

Cillian Moore punched the goal in the 41st minute and there was a second in the 58th minute, this time a well-worked team effort that Antain Donnelly got on the end of and finished smartly to the net.

Maghera now face bottom team St Patrick’s, Armagh in their final group game, while Abbey will take on St Macartan’s, Monaghan.

Abbey CBS H Lynch 0-2 (0-1f), D Murdock (f), R Powell, D Saul & J O’Hanlon 0-1 each
St Patrick’s C Moore & A Donnelly 1-1 each; C Chambers 0-9 (0-7f), E Mulholland 0-2, S Birt 0-1

Group B

St Patrick’s, Dungannon 0-16 St Michael’s, Enniskillen 1-8

ST Patrick’s made it back-to-back wins as they proved too strong for St Michael’s at Clogher on Saturday.

The Tyrone school were always in control and a late Enniskillen goal only served to put a slightly better look on the scoreboard.

Mattie McDermott had opened the scoring for St Michael’s in the second minute but that was to prove to be the only occasion that they would have their noses in front.

Midfielder Sean Hughes scored from a free as well as from play, with Finn Spence and Liam McGeary also on target to leave the Academy 0-4 to 0-1 to the good after a dozen minutes.

Shaun McCarron and Hughes exchanged points before Dungannon defender Luke Neeson came to his side’s rescue to deflect a goalbound effort by James Corry over the bar.

Hughes fired over from long range and added a free as well, with McGeary also splitting the posts with the only response from Enniskillen coming from a McDermott placed ball to leave it 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

Enniskillen had the opening score in the second half as well through Conor O’Hanlon but the Academy hit back to move further in front thanks to efforts from McGeary (2) and Hughes.

Cathcart and O’Hanlon then registered to leave it 0-11 to 0-7 as for the second game running the Academy finished out in style.

Spence, Conall Sheehy (2) and Hughes all scored and while Corry did find the net for the only goal of the game it came too late.

St Patrick’s S Hughes 0-7 (0-5f); L McGeary 0-4; F Spence & C Sheehy 0-2 each; P McGeary 0-1
St Michael’s J Corry 1-1; C O’Hanlon 0-3 (0-2f); M McDermott 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1m); S McCarron & D Cathcart 0-1 each

 

Group C

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 4-6 Holy Trinity, Cookstown 1-14
OUR Lady’s picked up their second win in a dramatic game at Garvaghey that saw two of their players red-carded. Holy Trinity also had a played black-carded at a crucial stage of the game.

Cookstown looked the more comfortable team in the opening half and points from Ryan Nugent, Conor Devlin and Shea Lawn saw them lead by 0-3 to 0-2.

Then, right before half-time came the fireworks. Goals from Dara McMahon and Canice Murphy were offset by the dismissal of a ’Blayney midfielder with a straight red.

Nevertheless, Our Lady’s started the second half well and a goal from Max McGinnity moved them into a lead of eight points after 40 minutes.

Michael McElhatton got Holy Trinity going again with a fisted goal that was soon cancelled by Tadhg Hegarty.

A second red card for Castleblayney, this time the goalkeeper, and a few frees from McElhatton saw the gap between the teams close and with five minutes left it was down to a point.

’Blayney broke, however, and full-forward Senan Hegarty grabbed a vital point. At the other end, Eoin Long managed just one point in reply, meaning that the beaten finalists of the past two years must beat St Patrick’s, Cavan in their final group game to stay in the competition.

Our Lady’s M McGinnity 1-3; D McMahon 1-2; C Murphy 1-0 & T Hegarty 1-0 each; S Hanratty 0-1
Holy Trinity M McElhatton 1-5; L Lawn & S Lawn 0-2 each; E Long, C Mullan, J Concannon, R Nugent & C Devlin 0-1 each

 

St Patrick’s, Cavan 1-10 St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 1-9
St Patrick’s, Cavan got their first points of the campaign with this slender win in Clones yesterday.

The Tyrone lads led by two at the break and when Darragh Donaghy found the net they looked set for back-to-back wins in their debut season.

But, an opportunist goal from Conor Sharpe put the Cavan lads in front and they held on.

Donaghmore had led 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time and although Sharpe reduced the deficit Darragh Donaghy produced a clinical finish to extend that lead.

Cavan, chipped away at it, though, and Sharpe’s goal with 10 minutes today put them back in front.

Darragh Noonan and Joseph Corrigan swapped points before a Noah Grimes free reduced the deficit to the minimum but the Tyrone side ran out of time.

St Patrick’s C Sharpe 1-4; D Noonan 0-4 (0-2f); S Shiels & C McCrystal 0-1 each
St Joseph’s J Corrigan 0-3 (0-1f); D Donaghy 1-0; N Grimes (1f) & C O’Neill (2f) 0-2 each; D O’Neill & M Coyle 0-1 each

Group D

Omagh CBS 0-21 St Ronan’s, Lurgan 1-10
FOR the second game running, holders Omagh CBS produced a fine second-half display to make it two wins from two at the expense of a battling St Ronan’s, Lurgan side in Augher yesterday afternoon.

It was point for point in a first half that saw the Lurgan side have their noses in front on six occasions.

Omagh, though, edged the first half 0-7 to 0-6 and when they hit five of the opening six scores in the second half they looked to be well on top.

A James Austin goal left it game on again but the winners sensed the danger to dominate the final quarter to secure a deserved victory.

Wing-back Jack Lavery had a brace of points with Austin and Maitiu McGibbon also on target as St Ronan’s gave as good as they got in the opening period.

Centre half-forward Ruairi McCullagh led by example for Omagh with 0-4, with Mattie Howe and defender Sean McCann also scoring.

McCullagh opened the second-half scoring before Omagh CBS midfielder Charlie Donnelly came into his own with a hat-trick of points in a five-minute spell.

Austin and McGibbon responded for the Lurgan boys either side of a Niall McCarney free, before Tom Lavery placed Austin for a well-taken 44th-minute goal.

That left the scoreboard reading 0-12 to 1-8 but from there until the final whistle there was only one team in it as Omagh put their foot on the gas.

Liam Óg Mossey, Donnelly, McCullagh and McCarney all split the posts and while Austin and substitute Conan Moore responded for St Ronan’s it was clear that the holders had the bit between their teeth.

In the last five minutes they closed the game out in style with McCullagh taking his personal haul to 0-8 either side of efforts from Howe and Conal Martin.

Omagh R McCullagh 0-8 (0-6f); C Donnelly 0-4; M Howe, L Mossey (1m) & N McCarney (1f) 0-2 each; E Donaghy, S McCann & C Martin 0-1 each
St Ronan’s J Austin 1-3 (0-2f); M McGibbon 0-3 (0-2f); J Lavery 0-2; J McCooey & C Moore 0-1 each

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RESULTS
ROUND 2
St Marys Magherafelt 1-5 V St. Colmans, Newry 0-6
Holy Trinity Cookstown 1-13 V Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 4-5
Omagh CBS 0-21 V St. Ronan’s, Lurgan 1-11
St. Patrick’s, Cavan 1-10  V St Joseph’s Donaghmore 1-9
St. Michael’s, Enniskillen 1-8 V St. Patrick’s, Dungannon 0-16
St Patrick’s, Maghera 2-14 V Abbey CBS 0-6

St. Patrick’s, Armagh 2-6  St. Macartans, Monaghan 1-10
Watch game at

 

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FIXTURES
ROUND 2
🟩🟥St. Patrick’s, Armagh V ⬛️🟨 St. Macartans, Monaghan  Centenary Match!
📆 Tuesday 21st November 2023
📌BOX-IT Athletic Grounds Armagh
⏰ 6pm
Tickets

⬜️🟦 @St Marys Magherafelt V 🟦⬜️ St. Colmans, Newry
📆 Thursday 23rd November
📌 @QueensSport
⏰ 1:30pm

🟩⬛️ Holy Trinity Cookstown V 🟦⬜️ Our Lady’s, Castleblayney

📆 Friday 24th November 2023
📌TBC
⏰ 1pm

🟥⬜️ Omagh CBS V 🟥🟩St. Ronan’s, Lurgan
📆 Friday 24th November 2023
📌@AnEochair Augher
⏰ 2pm

⬜️🟦 St. Patrick’s, Cavan V 🟩🟨 St Joseph’s Donaghmore
📆 Friday 24th November 2023
📌@ClonesGAA
⏰ 2pm

🟦🟨Patrician, Carrickmacross V 🟥⬜️ St. Paul’s, Bessbrook
📆 Friday 24th November 2023
📌Magheracloone
⏰ 5:30pm

🟦🟥 St. Michael’s, Enniskillen V 🟥⬜️ St. Patrick’s, Dungannon
📆 Saturday 25th November 2023
📌TBC
⏰ 2:30pm

🟦⬜️ St Patrick’s, Maghera V ⬛️🟨🟥Abbey CBS, Newry
📆 Sunday 25t November 2023
📌Ardboe
⏰Throw in 11am

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REPORTS 📖

Danske Bank MacRory Cup round one

Group A

Abbey CBS, Newry 3-5 St Patrick’s, Armagh 0-13
TWO goals at the start of the second half killed off the challenge of St Patrick’s, Armagh in Páirc Esler on Wednesday evening.

Up until then, they were in with a chance of getting something from this game, but Rory Powell’s goal in the 45th minute, followed four minutes later by a third Abbey goal from Conall McGeough, opened a gap in the scoreboard that they didn’t have time to close.

That goal made it 3-5 to 0-7 and although Armagh launched a grandstand finish with the last six points, they were still a point short when the final whistle blew.

Armagh went 0-2 to 0-1 ahead early in the game but Harry Lynch’s goal in the 12th minute edged Abbey CBS into the lead for the first time. Points from Nathan Horsfield, Pauric O’Keefe and corner-back Paul Hendron drew the teams level, but Daragh Saul’s late score put Abbey in with a 1-3 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Powell and McClosley traded frees during the third quarter. Then McGeough’s point was followed by those goals and Abbey were in the driving seat on the scoreboard.

Armagh refused to lie down and chipped away at the lead with two points from McCloskey and one each from subs John Joe Hughes and Jack Daly and Donnacha Gribben closed it further as injury-time beckoned. But they could only manage a second score from Hendron as Abbey held out for victory.

Scorers
Abbey R Powell 1-2 (0-1f); C McGeough 1-1; H Lynch 1-0; D Saul 0-2 (0-1f)
St Patrick’s D McCloskey 0-5 (0-3f); P O’Keefe (1f) & P Hendron 0-2 each; N Horsfield, JJ Hughes, D Gribben & J Daly 0-1 each

St Patrick’s, Maghera 3-11 St Macartan’s, Monaghan 2-10
THE opening game of this year’s MacRory Cup saw two sides with aspirations of challenging at the business end meet in Stewartstown.

Having contested the 2022 Rannafast final, this eagerly awaited opener, certainly delivered. Maghera deserved their victory but St Macartan’s will take plenty of positives from the game.

The opening quarter saw the sides share eight points, Tommy Mallen opened the scoring for the Monaghan lads, before a trio of Ciaran Chambers points, two from placed balls, saw St Pat’s take the lead.

Sean Og McElwain, a free from Mallen and a David Duffy point restored the lead for the Sem, as both sides mirrored each other with packed defences and breaking at pace.

Joe Dillon, a member of a hugely impressive Maghera half-back line, levelled matters with a fine long-range point before the accurate Mallen converted a free to edge his side back in front with 16 minutes played.

The first goal arrived minutes later. An attempted point effort from Mulholland dropped short and midfielder Dara McPeake beat keeper Shane Clerkin to the punch to fist to the net, to regain Maghera’s lead.

Half-backs Henry Kelly and Shea Birt both kicked points for their teams before Kearns reduced the deficit to the minimum.

Maghera then struck for a second goal just before half-time, patient play from captain Fionn McEldowney releasing his full-back Bobby Butcher to fire home.

Crucially, Maghera started the second half better as points from Chambers, O’Neill and Birt extended the lead to seven. Killian Kearns volleyed home in the 42nd minute to renew hope for the SEM but Chambers kicked his sixth with 12 minutes remaining.

Credit Macartan’s they continued to fight and a strong finish produced a McElwain goal and Daniel Duffy almost set up a grandstand finish but his effort struck the crossbar as the game entered stoppage time.

The final play of the game saw Clerkin foul Chambers but the keeper redeemed himself with an excellent double save from a Chambers penalty.

Group B

St Patricks, Dungannon 4-9 St Mary’s, Magherafelt 2-12

ST Patrick’s, Dungannon produced an unbelievable comeback at Stewartstown to pip St Mary’s, Magherafelt in their opening game.

Trailing by five points and also a man down they hit 2-2 without reply to stun their opponents and take the spoils.

Magherafelt had led by three points at the interval and when they doubled that advantage within five minutes of the restart they looked in a very strong position.

And, when the Academy had midfielder Dillon O’Neill dismissed at the end of the third quarter there looked like only one outcome.

Pearse and Dillon O’Neill swapped early points before Patrick Birt palmed in a 13th-minute goal for St Mary’s. Dungannon, though, responded with two majors of their own from Fiacra Nelis and Sean Hughes to get their noses in front.

But, it was Magherafelt who closed out the half on top with points from Rory Small and Dara McKenna coming either side of a Small goal to leave it 2-5 to 2-2.

A brace of points from O’Neill was followed by one from Small as St Mary’s picked up were they had left off on the restart.

Hughes and Liam McGeary responded for Dungannon before Birt had a brace for the Derry lads.

When O’Neill converted a 54th-minute free it was 2-12 to 2-7 but Magherafelt failed to score again.

Conor Holmes began the Dungannon comeback with a point before midfielder Hughes got his second goal of the game in the 58th minute.

The same player then added a free to level matters but the drama wasn’t finished as the game went into injury-time, with centre half-forward Matthew Quinn proving to be the match-winner with Dungannon’s fourth goal.

Scorers
Dungannon S Hughes 2-3 (3F), L McGeary 0-4 (1M), F Nelis 1-0, M Quinn 1-0, Dillon O’Neill 0-1, C Holmes 0-1
Magherafelt P O’Neill 0-5(2F), P Birt 1-2, R Small 1-2, J Sargant 0-1, D McKenna 0-1, C Higgins 0-1

St Colman’s, Newry 1-8 St Michael’s, Enniskillen 1-8

THE Duffy brothers combined to grab a draw for St Colman’s, Newry in the dying seconds of this tie in Clones.

With seven minutes left, St Michael’s looked comfortable as Michael Burns’ point gave them a lead of 1-8 to 0-6. Dara Mussen pointed twice to narrow the gap but time was running out on Newry.

However, they turned over possession and Eoin Duffy was hauled down in the goal area for a penalty that his brother Ryan despatched to break Enniskillen hearts.

St Michael’s had dominated for most of the game. They led by 1-4 to a single point from Duffy after 20 minutes. Sean Corry was the goalscorer and Mattie McDermott made it 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

The teams exchanged two points each during the opening 20 minutes of the second half with Tiarnán Swift, Rees Love, Steven O’Brien and Sean Corry keeping Enniskillen in command.

However, those two late points from Mussen brought his tally to six and left St Colman’s in with a chance that they duly took when they got the quick break.

Scorers
St Colman’s D Mussen 0-6; R Duffy 1-1; A Garvey 0-1
St Michael’s S Corry 1-0; C O’Hanlon 0-3; M McDermott 0-2; D Cathcart, R Love & M Burns 0-1

Group C

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore 1-10 Holy Trinity, Cookstown 1-7
HISTORY was made at Pearse Park in Galbally when St Joseph’s, Donaghmore played their first-ever game in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup and they made it a winning start with a three-point success over Tyrone rivals Holy Trinity, Cookstown.

Last season’s MacLarnon and All Ireland champions were full value for their victory against a school who have appeared in the last two MacRory finals. The game was played before a bumper crowd in difficult weather conditions with fog making it hard for both sets of players.

Conor O’Neill wrote himself into the history books with Donaghmore’s first-ever score at this level.

It was a cagey start from both sides as they appeared nervous, with Michael McElhatton on target for Holy Trinity.

Donaghmore, though, were the better side and efforts from O’Neill and Mattie McNally left them four clear at the break.

Holy Trinity halved the deficit on the restart but that was as good as it got for last year’s runners-up.

St Joseph’s defended in numbers and attacked at pace and it bore dividends. O’ Neill was on target again before they effectively won the game when wing-back McNally got on the end of a high ball into the danger area to finish to the net.

Noah Grimes added a point as the winners moved half-a-dozen clear.

To their credit, Holy Trinity battled to the final whistle and they got their reward with a McElhatton goal but time was against them.

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 2-10 St Patrick’s, Cavan 2-8

A GOAL from Max McGinty 10 minutes from time was the key score that saw Our Lady’s, Castleblayney start their Danske Bank MacRory Cup campaign with a win.

St Patrick’s were the livelier team in the early part of the game and they were value for the 1-4 to 0-3 lead they built up after 18 minutes.

Conor Sharpe scored the Cavan goal, while Daragh Noonan and Ben Tully were on target with points.

Castleblayney’s opening three scores all came from Max McGinty.

Jamie Casey then had to be sharp to deny a second Cavan goal in the 20th minute and a couple of minutes later Canice Murphy scrambled a goal at the other end.

Just before the half-time whistle, Jamie Mooney cut in from the right wing to kick the lead point for Castleblayney.

The second half began with McGinty and Ben Tully exchanging frees before Cavan struck for a goal through Darragh Noonan to put them 2-6 to 1-8 up.

Our Lady’s then intercepted a kick-out and McGinty was on hand to finish to the net. With Senan Hanratty adding a point, ‘Blayney were now three up, 2-9 to 2-6, with 10 minutes left.

Although Cavan replied with points from Conor Tynan and Josh Shehu, McGinty scored his fifth point on a quick break to seal the victory.

Both teams are in action again next Friday, with Cavan taking on Donaghmore and Castleblayney up against Holy Trinity.

Scorers
Castleblayney M McGinty 1-5, C Murphy 1-0, J Mooney 0-2, E Treanor, D McMahon and S Hanratty 0-1 each
Cavan D Noonan 1-3, C Sharpe 1-0, B Tully 0-2, J Dugdale, C Tynan and J Shehu 0-1 each

Group D

St Paul’s, Bessbrook 0-9 Omagh CBS 2-16

Holders Omagh CBS made a confident start to the defence of their title with a comfortable win over St, Pauls Bessbrook at St Paul’s in Lurgan on Wednesday.

With five starters from last season’s Hogan Cup success, the Tyrone school turned on the style after the break following a close first half.

Ruairi McCullagh, Charlie Donnelly, Niall McCarney and Liam Og Mossey were all on target as they greeted the short whistle 0-7 to 0-5 in front.

They will feel that they should have been further in front as they kicked a few wides as well as dropping five efforts short.

A battling Bessbrook side kept in touch, with full-forward Fergal Boylan kicking three marks off either foot.

Omagh were more clinical after the break and they put the game to bed within 10 minutes. Donnelly and Paudi Dillion both pointed before full-forward Dillon capitalised on a poor kick-out to send to the net.

Sixty seconds later the same player scored another major to end the game as a contest.

To their credit, Bessbrook kept battling away with Boylan taking a fine effort from play, but Omagh had upped the tempo a notch or two. Dillon scored again before impressive centre half-forward McCullagh raised four white flags in a row.

Eoghan McKeever and Boylan responded for St Paul’s but it was the holders who closed out the game on top.

Mattie Howe came off the bench to register while right at the end impressive centre half-back Callum Daly hit a superb point to complete the scoring.

Scorers
St Paul’s F Boylan 0-6 (0-5m); K Rogley, E Kane (f) & E McKeever 0-1 each
Omagh P Dillon 2-2; R McCullagh 0-6 (1f, 1m); C Donnelly 0-3; N McCarney 0-2; L Og Mossey, M Howe & C Daly 0-1 each

 

St Ronan’s, Lurgan 2-4 Patrician, Carrickmacross 0-8

PATRICIAN, Carrickmacross will feel that this game in St Paul’s, Lurgan on Wednesday night was one that got away from them.

With 56 minutes gone they held a 0-8 to 1-3 lead. St Ronan’s closed the gap with a point from James McStay and then in the final minute of ordinary time sub Euan McAreavey was taken down for a penalty which another sub, Cohen Henderson, fired to the net.

To rub salt into the Carrick wounds, James McCooe pointed a very late free.

In a way, though Patrician, were the authors of their own misfortune. They failed to score in the last quarter and the goal for St Ronan’s in the first half came about after a turnover caught their goalie upfield and James Austin found an empty net from 40 metres out.

That came in the 23rd minute after Patrician had established a lead of 0-5 to 0-3 with two points each from Matthew Carlin and Conor Burns. It could have been even worse for them as they were caught a second time, but James McCooe’s effort to emulate Austin came off a post.

Although St Ronan’s led at the break by 1-3 to 0-5, Patrician hit three points in the third quarter through Carlin (two) and Tony Marry, while keeping the home side scoreless until the 58th minute.

The late blast of 1-2 made it seem like a smash-and-grab win but St Ronan’s were never too far off the pace of the game.

Scorers
St Ronan’s J Austin 1-1; C Henderson 1-0; J McCooe 0-2; M McGibbin & C Moore 0-1 each
Patrician M Carlin 0-4; C Burns 0-2; T Quinn & T Marry 0-1 each

With thanks to Séamas McAleenan and Kevin Kelly

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RESULTS
ROUND 1
St Patrick’s, Maghera 3-11  St. Macartans, Monaghan 2-10
St. Colmans, Newry 1-8 V  St. Michael’s, Enniskillen 1-8
Omagh CBS 2-16 V St. Paul’s, Bessbrook 0-9
Patrician, Carrickmacross 0-8  V St. Ronan’s, Lurgan 2-5
Abbey CBS, Newry 3-5  V  St. Patrick’s, Armagh 0-13
Holy Trinity Cookstown 1-7 V St Joseph’s Donaghmore 1-10
St. Patrick’s, Dungannon 4-9  V St. Mary’s, Magherafelt 2-12
Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 2-10  V St. Patrick’s, Cavan 2-8

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FIXTURES
ROUND 1

🟩⬛️ Holy Trinity Cookstown V 🟩🟨 St Joseph’s Donaghmore
📆 Friday 17th November
📌 Galbally
⏰ 3pm

🟦🟨 Patrician, Carrickmacross V 🟥⬜️ St. Ronan’s, Lurgan
📆 Wednesday 15th November
📌 St Pauls Lurgan
⏰ 7pm

⬛️🟨🟥Abbey CBS, Newry V 🟩🟥 St. Patrick’s, Armagh
📆 Wednesday 15th November
📌 Pairc Esler
⏰ 7pm

🟥⬜️ St. Paul’s, Bessbrook V 🟥⬜️  Omagh CBS
📆 Wednesday 15th November
📌 St Pauls Lurgan
⏰ 4pm

🟦⬜️ St Patrick’s, Maghera V ⬛️🟨St. Macartans, Monaghan
📆 Friday 10th November
📌Stewartstown
⏰2pm

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