A STRONG opening quarter paved the way for Dean Maguirc’s success over Buncrana in this Danske Bank Gerry Brown Cup final at Sigerson Park in Strabane yesterday afternoon.
The Tyrone lads raced into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead by the 13th minute and indeed they could have been further in front. Midfielder and captain Micheal McCann fired wide with a goal chance after only 25 seconds, while Zak Devine was denied by a fine save from keeper Darragh Doherty.
Lorcan McGarrity and McCann both notched early points before defender Cahir McAnespie showed great composure to fire the ball to the top left hand corner of the net. Full-forward Jamie McDaid then opened Scoil Mhuire’s account after taking a good catch before frees from Kevin Jordan and Caolan McColgan reduced the deficit further.
Dean Maguirc kicked seven first half wides, but with McCann and Sean Conneely on top in midfield they continued to press. James Donaghy and Oisin McGurk both pointed before Doherty came to his side’s rescue again to thwart McGarrity. The Donegal lads could have had a goal on the stroke of half-time, but Oisin Crawford shot wide as the winners turned around 1-4 to 0-3 in front.
Impressive centre half-back Patrick Quinn added to Dean Maguirc’s advantage on the restart before Conneely found the side-netting. Oran Toal and McGarrity tagged on points but it took a great interception from Conor Cuddy to deny Lee Barr a Buncrana goal.
Toal knocked over a long range free before Buncrana were unlucky not to get a goal when Barr struck the woodwork. To their credit, Scoil Mhuire never gave up and after McColgan had opened their second half account from a free the same player hit a superb point from play.
It was only academic at that stage though as Dean Maguirc ensured the title stayed in Tyrone for another 12 months following St Joseph’s, Donaghmore’s success last year.
