St Joseph’s take Mallon Cup in thriller

June 12, 2017

Danske Bank Mallon Cup final

St Joseph’s Coalisland 5-8 Coláiste Feirste 3-10

This was a most entertaining Danske Bank Mallon Cup yesterday afternoon with the result in doubt right up to the last kick of the game.

Indeed there was drama in the last few minutes with Coláiste Feirste sub goalie Conor Ó Baoill saving a penalty from Ciaran Corr only for Coalisland sub Shea Canavan to get a pass from the kick-out to slot home the decisive fifth goal.

Indeed Canavan added a point from the subsequent kick-out – 1-1 scored within 40 seconds of entering the fray – a real impact sub.

In the final analysis those scores were the difference between two really committed teams prepared to slug it out over the hour.

Máirtín Mac Con Uladh was an immense presence for Coláiste Feirste with Eoin Ó Connghaile and Oisín Ó Coinn excellent at the back, while Conor Talbot, Seamus McGrath, Mícheál Robinson and Shea Hamilton impressed for Coalisland.

St Joseph’s faced the strong breeze during the first half, but looked good when only down by 2-6 to 2-3 at the break, Ciaran Corr’s second in the 23rd minute after a lovely pass from Leonardo Manout the pick of the four goals, while Conor Mac Láithimh responded almost immediately.

Shea Hamilton’s goal on the re-start suggested that the Tyrone boys had their tails up, but Colaiste Feirste dug in and a goal from Mánús Mac Maoláin edged them ahead again at 3-7 to 3-6.

Back came Coalisland with a goal from midfielder Michael Robinson before the penalty drama and then Canavan’s strike to seal the deal despite late points from Mac Con Uladh.

St Joseph’s : R Coney, S Hughes, J Canavan capt., D Fee, B Hughes, G Cushnahan, D Donnelly, M Robinson 1-4, C Corr 2-2, R Quinn, C Talbot, R Donnelly, L Menout, S Hamilton 1-1, S McGrath

Subs : C Burke for L Menout, S Canavan 1-1 for B Hughes, C McCabe for R Quinn

Coláiste Feriste : P Mac Giolla Fionntáin, S Ó Néill, O Ó Choinn, E Ó Connghaile, T Mac Ionnrachtaigh, C Ó Cearnaigh, C Altimas, M Mac Con Uladh 0-5, C Mac Dónaill, P Mac Aoidh-Báicéir 0-1, C Mac Láithimh 1-2, M Mac Maoláin 1-2, D Mac Crabhagáin, L Mac Philib, C De Brún

Subs : M MacGettigan for C Altimas, C Ó Baoill for P Mac Giolla Fhionntáin

Jack Canavan captain of Danske Bank Mallon Cup winners St Joseph’s Coalisland receives the cup from Ulster Schools’ co-ordinator Tommy Rodgers