St Mark’s take first O’Doherty title

March 03, 2016

Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup final

St Mark’s Warrenpoint 6-9 Rathmore Grammar 0-9

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The ability of St Mark’s Warrenpoint to find the net was a key factor in their victory yesterday over Rathmore Grammar in Newry to collect the Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup for the first time.

St Mark’s were very sharp up front from the start and they led 2-4 to 0-6 at the turnover with goals from Tiarnan Rush and Paddy Smyth.

Rathmore however competed well with Daire Matthews and Matthew Hamill prominent and two points each from Malachi Doherty, Ethan Carleton and Lorcan Heenan kept them in touch.

After the break they twice reduced the difference to three points, but the turning point came in the 42nd minute when a promising Rathmore attack was repelled by goalie Dean Toner and St Mark’s broke downfield for Tiarnan Rush to shoot to the net.

Rush completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot soon after and St Mark’s eased home with further goals from Paddy Smyth and midfielder CJ Barr.

Warrenpoint now go through to an All-Ireland semi-final against the Connacht champions next weekend.

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St. Marks: Dean Toner, Chris Killen, Caolán Fitzpatrick, Mark Doyle, Cathal Fegan, Sheá Fitzpatrick, John McKernan, CJ Barr (1.00), Conor Lowry, Shane Annett, Ciarán Tinnelly (0.01), Aaron Magee (1.02), Paddy Smyth(1.02), Conor Owens (1.00) and Tiarnán Rushe (2.04).

Subs: Jack Grant (c) for Cathal Fegan, Jamie O’Connor for Paddy Smyth, Ryan Caulfield for Mark Doyle, Thomas Travers, Tomás Gordon, Darragh Connell, Patrick Brannigan, Conaill Gallagher, Michael McNally, Darragh Murdock, Michael McKey, Joe Murphy and Shane O’Hare.

Rathmore Grammar : D McKernan, D McGarvey, S Moran, M Campbell, D Larkin, M Hamill, M O’Hanlon, C Turley, C Daykin, M Cummings, D Matthews 0-1, M Doherty 0-2, E Carleton 0-4, L Heenan 0-2, P Lavery.

Subs: A Finnegan for P Lavery, C McManus for L Heenan, D Nelson for M Doherty, L Mulvenna for M Campbell, G Donnelly for D Larkin.

Referee : P Falloon (Down)