Hurling & Camogie

First-half goal blitz sets up St Patrick’s, Dungiven for Casement Shield final win over St Columb’s, Derry

The city side were always playing catch-up after conceding three goals in the third quarter of this game

St Patricks College, Dungiven celebrate after beating St Columb's College, Derry in the Casement Shield Final at Owenbeg on  Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
St Patricks, Dungiven celebrate with the Casement Shield (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

Danske Bank Casement Shield final

St Patrick’s, Dungiven 4-14 St Columb’s, Derry 1-9

THREE goals in the final seven minutes of the first half opened a gap between these teams at Celtic Park on Monday night and St Patrick’s, Dungiven were able to stretch that gap late in the second half to seal victory and a spot in next month’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Up until Ciarán Henry hit the net in the 23rd minute, however, St Columb’s, Derry were the dominant team, with Cathal McNicholl (two) and Feargal Cutliffe putting them into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

They could have been further ahead, but were wasteful with their shooting, although the same was true of St Patrick’s for a period.

After Henry goaled, Dungiven found their range and Aodhán McVey pointed ahead of a goal from Kevin McCaul, who had come in as a sub a few minutes earlier.

St Patricks College Dungiven Kevin McCaul pressures Fergal Cutliffe of St Columb's College Derry in the Casement Shield Final played at Owenbeg on Monday 27th January 2025. Picture Margaret McLaughlin
Kevin McCaul of St Patrick's puts pressure on Fergal Cutliffe of St Columb's. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Paddy Higgins added a second goal in the final minute of the half, but there was still enough time for Cathal McNicholl to fire over his third point, leaving St Columb’s trailing by 3-3 to 0-4 at the break.

There was only a Corey McVey point over the opening 10 minutes of the second half, before the teams shared four points in three minutes. Aodhán McVey’s point made it 3-7 to 0-6 with 15 minutes left.

Cathal McNicholl and Jude Bryson then closed the gap for St Columb’s and sub Somhairle McFadden goaled with his first touch. Another point from McNicholl and it was 3-9 to 1-9 and there was a glimmer of hope for the City side.

However, St Patrick’s finished strongly with a goal and six points, the goal coming from sub Tronhan Lynch, who was only on the pitch 90 seconds.

Dungiven in particular got a huge lift from their bench, with Kevin McCaul in the running for the player-of-the-match award along with city forward Cathal McNicholl and St Patrick’s team-mates, Aodhán McVey, goalie Pádraig Campbell and Pearse Murphy, the latter holding St Columb’s semi-final hero Jude Bryson to two points.

St Patrick’s K McCaul 1-3, C Henry, P Higgins and T Lynch 1-0 each. R McGilligan 0-5, A McVey, C McLaughlin and C McVey 0-2 each

St Columb’s S McFadden 1-0, C McNicholl 0-5, J Bryson 0-2, F Cutliffe and E O’Kane 0-1 each