Danske Bank Pat King Cup final
St Joseph’s, Newry v St Colm’s, Draperstown (Wednesday, the Dub, 12.30pm)
ALTHOUGH defeated by Gaelcholáiste, Dhoire in the groups stages, St Colm’s of Draperstown have still managed to reach the final of the Pat King Cup.
They had narrow wins over Pobalscoil Chloich Chonaola, Falcarragh in the quarter-final and then Largy College, Monaghan in the semi-final a couple of weeks ago to set up this decider with St Joseph’s, Newry.
The latter are unbeaten in the competition, with knock-out wins over Coláiste Oriall and then holders Gaelcholáiste, Dhoire in last week’s semi-final. That proved a titanic struggle and ended 0-6 to 0-5 in their favour.
All the clubs in the Newry area are represented in the team, as well as Saval and even Forkhill.
Shamrocks defenders Charlie Phelan and Alex Heaney have given Ballyholland goalkeeper DJ Franks plenty of cover and the Harps are well represented further afield with Tyler Dunlop and Kristian Morgan shining as the competition has developed.
St Colm’s are drawn from just two clubs – Ballinascreen and Desertmartin – with ’Screen goalkeeper Diarmuid O’Neill, a recent Ulster Schools’ player-of-the-month. He is fronted by capable defenders in Adrian Martin, Patrick McDaid and Ryan McCullagh.
The midfield pairing of James Walls and Derry county minor Paul McNicholl are key players for them, while Fintan Quinn, Liam McKenna and Patrick Higgins have bagged quite a few decisive scores along the way to the final, notably in the semi-final when Higgins hit four points and Quinn three in a 0-13 to 1-6 victory.
Both teams are well organised, something you would expect from coaches like Ciarán Meenagh and Steven Poacher.
There won’t be too much between the teams at the end.
Danske Bank Rafferty Cup final
St Pius X, Magherafelt 0-9 Abbey VS, Donegal 1-5
A SUPERB last-minute point from centre half-back Cody Rocks sealed Rafferty Cup honours for St Pius X in a dramatic final at Celtic Park yesterday.
Abbey raced into an early two-point lead, wing-back Patrick Craig striking a fantastic outside-of-the-boot point from range before Tomas Carr added a free.
On 13 minutes, St Pius X got off the mark courtesy of a free from full-forward Daultagh Donnelly, but this was cancelled out two minutes later by Conor McCahill (free).
St Pius X responded again with a well-taken score from Kian Maynes and the Magherafelt school grew into the game significantly from here despite being unable to take their opportunities.
On 25 minutes, they were presented with a goal chance. Ronan Conway fisted the ball into the path of Ronan Lennox but his effort was hit straight at Lewis McCaughan.
From this save, Abbey counter-attacked at pace and Josh Cullen took a fine score.
The opening half’s final score came from the Magherafelt men with Callum Leacock striking a fantastic 45’ over the black spot to leave his side a point in arrears at the break.
The second half was a slow-burner. On 40 minutes, St Pius X levelled the contest for the first time with Leacock again finding the target.
Five minutes later, the Donegal Town men got a much-needed score from Conal Flannery and their hopes were raised further on 50 minutes when St Pius were reduced to 14 men, corner-forward Kian Maynes seeing the line.
This didn’t appear to affect the Derry men, however, as they went on to kick the game’s next three scores.
Leacock kicked his third with a good free before sub Cathal Scullion saw his effort hit off the post and land over the bar. Finally, Ronan Conway found the target after a swift attacking move to put St Pius X two ahead with three minutes remaining.
Straight from the kick-out, however, Abbey found the back of the net, with the rapid Conor McCahill, running through on goal and burying the ball into the net.
St Pius X replied superbly, however. Michael Conlon struck over a 62nd-minute free to level and a minute later they took the lead, a fantastic effort from range from Rocks falling just over the bar.
St Pius C Leacock 0-3 (0-1f,0-1 45’); D Donnelly (f), C Rocks, C Scullion, K Maynes, R Conway & M Conlon 0-1 each
Abbey VS C McCahill 1-1 (0-1f); J Cullen, T Carr (f), P Craig & C Flannery 0-1 each
