Football

Ronan Molloy leads St Joseph's, Donaghmore into MacLarnon Cup final battle

St Joseph’s, Donaghmore captain Ronan Molloy (centre) has led by example in the Tyrone school’s path to Friday night’s MacLarnon Cup final at the Dub, posting 0-5 twice in victories over St Mary’s, Belfast and St Louis’, Ballymena respectively
St Joseph’s, Donaghmore captain Ronan Molloy (centre) has led by example in the Tyrone school’s path to Friday night’s MacLarnon Cup final at the Dub, posting 0-5 twice in victories over St Mary’s, Belfast and St Louis’, Ball St Joseph’s, Donaghmore captain Ronan Molloy (centre) has led by example in the Tyrone school’s path to Friday night’s MacLarnon Cup final at the Dub, posting 0-5 twice in victories over St Mary’s, Belfast and St Louis’, Ballymena respectively

IT'S a novel pairing in the MacLarnon Cup final tomorrow night at the Dub when St Joseph’s, Donaghmore and Rathmore, Belfast go head-to-head in what should be a

keenly-contested encounter.

The Tyrone school are new at this higher grade but despite that they have produced impressive displays in the knock-out stages of the competition with comfortable wins over both St Mary’s, Belfast and St Louis’, Ballymena.

Ronan Molloy is the captain of the St Joseph’s side and he has certainly led by example – scoring 0-5 in each of those games.

It may be a step into the unknown for the Donaghmore school, but Molloy is relishing the prospect of leading his side out on such a big occasion.

“When I started playing schools football a few years ago we were playing in ‘D’ competitions so we have come a long way in a short space of time,” he said.

“Its massive around the school at the minute, everybody is behind us and hopefully we can deliver on the big day.

“Everybody on our side have played in big games before and at the end of the day its just another game.

“Playing at the Dub will be unreal because it’s a superb venue and the ideal location for the final and the fact that it is under lights should only add to the occasion and hopefully we can deliver a performance.”

Rathmore will no doubt prove to be their toughest test to date.

The fact that they have had more experience at this grade will be an advantage for the Antrim lads, but Molloy is only worried about getting a performance from his team.

“If that happens, hopefully the result will take care of itself.

“That is all that we have heard from people, that we haven’t been tested yet, but we can’t do anything about that all we can do is play the team who are in front of us and try our best,” he adds.

“We had a decent performance in the semi-final against St Louis’, Ballymena when a couple of the Rathmore managers were there watching us so they have one up on us in that regard.

“We haven’t come up against them before in games at any level, but no doubt our management team will have their homework done on them.

“There is never an easy game when you get to a final and they are there on merit as well.

“As a school they have more experience than us of playing in a ‘B’ competition and that, no doubt, is very helpful.

“At the end of the day we haven’t got that experience, but this group of players can do nothing about that.

“All we can do is go out and do our best and hopefully play the football that we are capable off on the night.”