McCormick Cup (Final)
St Patrick’s Lisburn 1-15 Casement’s Portglenone 1-07
St Patrick’s Lisburn claimed another piece of silverware for the year when they added the McCormick cup to the Junior championship crown when they proved too strong for Casement’s in an enjoyable encounter under the lights at Cloney on Sunday evening.
The Lisburn men suffered relegation from the second grade this season but after a positive championship campaign and success on the South West trail Niall Ward’s charges underlined current wellbeing and the promise of a quick return to division 2 next season.
The Lisburn men were first to give employment to the scoreboard attendant at Cloney and following a foul on Denver Taggart Eoin Fay stepped forward to steer the resultant award between the posts.
Casement’s with the reserve championship stowed away, were quick to reply as mid fielder Oisin Doherty concluded an eye catching approach before sending confidently between the posts to draw level.
Lisburn were quick to regain advantage as Niall Ward, again on the cusp of a fine personal showing came forward from the back to send Eoin Fay in to raise white and when he provided the same service for Josh Mc Mullan the full forwards lay off opened the way for Mark Torbitt to follow suit.
Lisburn had started well and looked well up for this one following a reversal in last week’s Ulster assignment when they lost out to Armagh representatives Collegeland O’ Rahilly’s but Casement’s were just a point in arrears at the end of the opening quarter when Niall Kelly hoisted back to back white flags.
The Full forward was not hard pressed to despatch a 30 metre free between the posts following an indiscretion on the incoming Peter Duffin and then again from 50 metres when Stephen Kelly was upended in progress.
Having seen their advantage reduced to the bare minimum St Patrick’s, with the ever busy Niall ward pulling the strings combining with full forward Josh Mc Mullan they assumed control.
Francis Mc Meel punished an indiscretion on the impressive McMullan by sending between the posts and when Denver Taggart added a couple more and Niall Ward followed suit the reigning Junior champs were in control.
Niall Kelly did add a point to the Casement’s total in the 25th minute but St Patrick’s were set to complete the opening period on the positive and after Niall Ward linked with Josh Mc Mullan to open the way for Ben Mc Mullan to split the posts the strong running Eoin Fay added another to ensure a healthy 0-09 to 0-04 interval advantage.
Having concluded the opening period on the positive Lisburn started the second in similar fashion with the strong running wing half back Eoin Fay striding forward to add a 32nd minute point before both Francis Mc Meel and Denver Taggart followed suit.
The St Patrick’s men had nipped away to a snug looking 0-12 to 0-05 advantage and they were in control.
Casement’s did hint at recovery when replacement Michael Donnelly added a 42nd minute point but although the substitute followed with another a few minutes later St. Patrick’s replied through Rory Kennedy and Mark Chemek at the other end to extend the Lisburn lead to 0-14 to 0-06 at the end of the third quarter.
Casement’s tried to respond but St Patrick’s were calling most of the shots.
Rory Kennedy and Conor Dixon were both denied by the woodwork when both, in turn came close to finding the net in the 47th minute.
A James Mc Lernon point offered some hopes of a late comeback to the Casement’s but such was soon negated at the other end when Conor Dixon pointed at the other end and followed with a goal shortly after and the die was well cast.
Rory Kennedy and Francis Mc Meel conspired in excellence to open the way for Dixon to the target and when he finished in style to the corner of the net the end was in sight and the Junior champs had moved 1-15 to 0-07 ahead with the long blast imminent.
Casement’s responded and a late combination involving replacements BJ Donnelly and Dan O’ Boyle saw the former finish to the back of the net but it proved to be too little too late as the long blast quickly followed and the silverware was Lisburn bound as they breasted the winning line full value for a 1-15 to 1-07 win.
South West chairman, Jim McGrath presents the McCormack Cup to St. Patrick’s captain, Ben McMullan
St Patrick’s Lisburn: Peter O’ Neill, Shane Mc Evoy, Jack Mc Mullan, Colm Burns, Mark Torbitt (0-01), Tigheaman O’ Meallaigh, Eoin fay (0-04), Sionnan O’ Suilleabhan , Thomas fay, Ben Mc Mullan (0-02), Mark Chernak (0-01), Denver Mc Taggart (0-01), Francis Mc Meel (0-02), Josh Mc Mullan (0-01), Niall Ward (0-O1).
Subs
Ray Kennedy for T Fay
Conor Dixon (1-01) for S O’ Suilleabhan
Daniel Cartland for E Fay
Peter Casey (0-01) for D Taggart
Casement’s: Brian Mc Manus, Adrian Mc Keever, Declan Dobbin, Chris Convery, Conor Magee, Paddy Carey, Declan Mc Erlean, Stephen Kelly, Oisin Doherty (0-01), Eamon Kelly, Eoin Doherty (0-01), Mark Graham, Niall Kelly (0-02), Donal Murphy, Peter Duffin
Subs
Tony Convery for P Duffin
Michael Donnelly (0-02) for D Murphy
BJ Donnelly for E Kelly
Adrian Carey for E Doherty
James Mc Lernon (0-01) for C Convery
Daniel O’ Boyle (1-00) for O Doherty
Referee Jarlath O’ Donnell (Glenravel)
