Sport

On this Day in the Irish News: April 26 1997

Captain Paul McGurk was proving to be a Godsend to St Patrick's, Dungannon in April 1997
Captain Paul McGurk was proving to be a Godsend to St Patrick's, Dungannon in April 1997 Captain Paul McGurk was proving to be a Godsend to St Patrick's, Dungannon in April 1997

ST PATRICK’S Academy, Dungannon will have to produce more of their “frightening” football if they are to outgun St Gerald’s Castlebar in tomorrow’s Hogan Cup decider at Croke Park.

For most of the season, joint-manager Martin O’Farrell feared their best work was going to be left on the school training pitch that stands yards from Dungannon’s British Army base.

But two weeks ago, the St Patrick’s forwards finally opened up to rip apart a Colaiste Criost Ri a side which has been tipped by the southern media to lift the Colleges A crown this year.

“Down on that pitch, I’ve seen those fellows produce football that would frighten you. But for most of this season, the ball wasn’t running for them. It was bouncing away from hands in crucial moments and their true ability wasn’t being shown. But then...”

O’Farrell doesn’t need to say any more. A gesticulating nod of the head indicated how the nerves of the Ulster campaign turned into an arrogant swagger against the Munster Champions.

Yet O’Farrell has guarded against over-confidence since Tullamore. He’s been around long enough to realise that a few headlines in the press can cause young heads to swell outrageously out of proportion.

But it’s not just been the players themselves. The other pupils and even some of the staff have possibly been getting a little ahead of themselves in the past fortnight with talk of aftermatch celebrations and the like.

However, his captain Paul McGurk is a godsend. A youngster who can be relied on to keep matters low-key. McGurk has been described by one scribe as the best defender to emerge from the colleges scene in Ulster in a decade.

In this instance, O’Farrell isn’t bothered by the plaudits already been heaped on the 18-year-old, such in the skipper’s focus.

The Dungannon jointmanager wasn’t surprised by the three goal haul of fullforward Richard Thornton in the semi-finals.

“Richard played senior football for my own club Coalisland last year. Anything he achieves as far as I’m concerned isn’t a surprise.”

MICKEY Donnelly does not want his name listed among a history of failures at Solitude.

The Reds skipper, who plays to win at all costs, leads Cliftonville into the final game of the 1996/97 league campaign this afternoon, knowing that defeat could land the club in the relegation play-offs against Bangor or Omagh from the First Division.

Ards, bottom of the Premier League must beat Glentoran at the Oval to have any chance of staying up, but it’s what happens at Solitude when Glenavon visit, that really matters.

Donnelly and Cliftonville may well have booked their place in the Bass Irish Cup Final but today provides the biggest game in Cliftonville’s history.

“Last week when we beat Ards, I thought to myself before the game, I have been at Cliftonville for some time but this is my biggest game ever,” said Donnelly.

“Now I’m facing the most important 90 minutes of my career and the most vital game for the future of the club. People don’t always remember winners of the league cup or the County Antrim Shield, they remember league form, champions and losers.

“I don’t want to be part of a Cliftonville team remembered as the side that failed and I know the whole team feel the same.”

MONSIGNOR Denis Faul yesterday called on Northern Ireland Railways to provide a cheaper service for GAA fans travelling to big matches in Dublin.

The principal of St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon, which is competing in the Hogan Cup final at Croke Park, said the current £18.50 fare contrasts starkly with the rates paid by rugby supporters, whose games are largely held on Saturdays.

And Faul also called on the GAA to ask for clarification from NIR on its pricing structure.

“Northern Ireland Railways is simply not catering for the GAA supporters, in fact it is penalising them. This is very unfair and very bad business,” said Mgr Faul.