Danske Bank Brock Shield Final
Rathmore 1-08-3-07 St Marys CBGS
By Kevin Herron, photos from Bert Trowlen
St. Marys clinched the Danske Bank Brock Shield with a 3-07-1-08 win over Rathmore at the home of their South Belfast counterparts.
Rathmore goalkeeper Conor Sheridan was in inspired form throughout, making a smart stop early on, though Finn Smyth palmed the loose ball home to give his side an early advantage.
James Brownlee replied for the hosts, however they soon found themselves deep in arrears. Conan Mulligan swung over his sides first point of the afternoon and a quickfire double of goals left Rathmore with a mountain to climb.
St. Mary’s second goal came after an impressively worked team move that concluded with Phelan McCann slotting home and Finn Smyth soon bagged his second of the afternoon to give his side a 3-01-0-01 lead.
Successive frees from James Morrisey and Aodhan O’Hanlon cut the deficit and they were much needed scores for the hosts.
They would fall further behind at the interval though, Padraic Kelly hit back-to-back points. The first from play and the second a free off the deck, with Phelan McCann adding to his earlier goal to ensure his side were 3-04-0-03 ahead at the midway point in the decider.
St. Mary’s extended their lead upon the resumption through an angled point from Shea McGarry. That would the visitors last for a while as Rathmore hit a purple patch and gave themselves a lifeline.
James Morrisey added to his first half free with another from range and Aodhan O’Hanlon doubled his account from the same scenario.
O’Hanlon produced an excellent individual point and Patrick Hamill landed a fantastic score from range and their comeback was very much on when James Morrisey forced the ball home after St. Mary’s had initially cleared their lines.
Four points separated the sides (3-05-1-07) with Rathmore in the ascendancy, though points from Padraig Kelly and namesake Jack afforded their side slightly more breathing space.
Eoghan McGrady could only muster up a point for Rathmore late-on as St. Mary’s hung on for victory to clinch the Brock Shield.
