By Kevin Herron
St. Mary’s CBGS year eight footballers completed an Ulster Colleges double on Friday afternoon as they emerged victorious from the year eight blitz at Woodlands.
Having won the Oisin McGrath Shield with victory over Our Lady and St Pat’s Knock back in February at the same venue – the young simmerians made the short trip to Woodlands in confident mood of adding their second silverware of the year.
In their way stood St Pauls, Bessbrook, St Louis’ Ballymena and St Puis Magherafelt in the group stage.
Wins over Bessbrook and Ballymena secured a semi-final berth for St. Mary’s ahead of a top of the table clash with St Puis.
The Magherafelt side emerged victorious and that meant that St. Mary’s would face St. Malachy’s Castlewellan in the semi-final.
The opening half of the semi-final proved to be a goalfest as Shea Burns hit the net early on to give his side the lead, only for Castlewellan to hit back at the other end.
Further goals from Niall May and Dylan Stitt gave their side breathing space and Dylan Rodgers then pointed from a free shortly after to make it 3-01-1-00.
St. Malachy’s responded before the break with a second goal and a point to ensure just a goal separated the sides at the midway point (3-01-2-01).
The second period was a tight and tense affair as both sides attacked with menace – there was only to be one score and it fell to the Glen Road men as Dylan Stitt’s second goal of the contest ensured his side ran out 4-01-2-01 winners.
The other semi-final saw St Puis’ Magherafelt run out winners over Holy Trinity Cookstown and the old adversities would clash for the days silverware.
In low scoring encounter and competitive encounter; goals from Niall May and Shea Burns would ultimately separate the sides.
St Puis played their part with two excellent points and Ciaran Rodgers-Duffy converted two-frees as St. Mary’s CBGS ran out 2-02-0-02 winners to claim the Ulster Colleges blitz and make it a historic double.
Special mentions on the day go to Corey Darragh who performed excellently in his midfield role – while Aaron Mackle, Odhran Quinn and Setanta McDonald also impressed. Ultimately a team effort has saw this side succeed this season and there is much anticipation in the school to see how this squad competes with the best in the coming years.