MacRory Cup








High class Cavan get campaign off to a fast start

ST PATRICK’S, Cavan recorded a comfortable win in the opening game in Section A of the MacRory Cup in Drumquin on Monday. They got the perfect start when an effort at a point dropped short in the fifth minute and Cillian Moran punch it to the Letterkenny net. St Eunan’s fell into deeper trouble when Cormac Callaghan grabbed a second goal after 15 minutes, although they managed to create their own goal chance a few minutes later only for Adam Gaynor to pull off a fine save and deny them. Behind 2-7 to 0-3 at the break, the only way was up for the Donegal boys in the second half and indeed they played a lot better, helped by a goal from Jamie McAuley in the 42nd minute. However, they never looked like closing the gap especially with Cian Keaney taking three excellent marks and delivering scores from each. Keaney, Cormac Galligan, Callaghan, Moran and Ollie McCrystal were dominant for Cavan while Eoin Doherty in defence, Daithi Gildea, Bryan Drumm and Gareth Callaghan were the pick of St Eunan’s crop. The first round of fixtures continues on Tuesday with St Ronan’s, Lurgan facing last season’s MacLarnon Cup champions Patrician, Carrickmacross in Section B (Middletown, 1pm) The Monaghan school reached the All-Ireland final with that team, but only four remain to mount a MacRory challenge – goalkeeper Oran Finnegan, Darragh Mee, Kian Duffy and Conor McEnaney. Duffy and team captain Fionan Carolan have been prominent with their clubs over the autumn period. St Ronan’s can look to Armagh minors this year and last including Ethan McKenna, Rogan McVeigh, Aidan Cassidy and Eoin Lennon, while team captain Padraig Gowdy has represented Antrim at underage level. The Lurgan school are probably slight favourites.

By Seamas McAleenan