Danske Bank Nolan Cup final
Edmund Rice, Glengormley 1-11 Shimna College, Newcastle 2-7
EDMUND Rice College, Glengormley built on their success in last year’s Danske Bank Barnageeha Cup by collecting the school’s first Ulster senior football title yesterday in Ballymacnab.
In a tense final 10 minutes, they held their shape well to collect the Danske Bank Nolan Cup at the expense of first-time finalists Shimna College.
In hindsight, the game was probably won and lost during the opening half. Shimna College played with the aid of the strong breeze but trailed by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.
Ryan Kelly was the key player for Edmund Rice during that period picking off their first four points, with David Alfred adding a fifth just before half-time. However, their defence was superb as well, led by Malachi McGibbon and Martin Fitzsimons.
Shimna upped their game during the second half to keep in touch, with Chris Barbour and Shea McLaughlin always prominent.
However, they couldn’t get ahead of the north Belfast side with Kelly clipping over points to keep Glengormley ahead.
A goal from Joseph Hale closed the gap to a point at the three-quarter mark, but David Alfred fired home a response in the 50th minute to put Edmund Rice four up.
Within two minutes a sweeping move from Shimna saw Shea McLaughlin goal and just a point separated the teams with 10 minutes of playing time left.
However Edmund Rice closed ranks with sub James McAllister excellent as a sweeper and they held out for a famous victory.
SCORERS
Edmund Rice R Kelly 0-7; D Alfred 1-1; O McKenna 0-2; C Curran 0-1
Shimna J Hale 1-1; S McLaughlin 1-0; C Simmons 0-3; C O’Hare 0-2; C King 0-1
