Danske Bank Kirk Cup final
La Salle Belfast 2-11 St Patrick’s Downpatrick 0-13
THREE outstanding saves from La Salle’s Oisín McLaren earned him the Player of the Match award yesterday at the Dub, but more importantly it held off a gallant St Patrick’s Downpatrick side for the West Belfast school to go one better than last season and lift the Danske Bank Kirk Cup.
It was an evenly contested final from start to finish with Aaron Anderson’s goal in the 9th minute giving La Salle the edge at the break, 1-4 to 0-6. Cathal Moreland landed three of the Red High points but his team also missed a few openings that might have had them ahead.
Daire Melady pointed on the re-start and Kevin Mullan and half-time sub Sean Smith stretched La Salle’s lead to four points ten minutes into the second half.
However Red High captain Niall McAufield got his side going again with a point and they drew level with two further scores from Moreland and Aodan Young.
The turning point in the game came when Seán óg McLaren won and converted a 50th minute penalty. Moreland immediately replied with his sixth point, but La Salle sensed victory and late points from James McDonnell (free) and twice from Mc Laren saw them over the line.
La Salle: S óg McLaren 1-3, 1-0 pen, A Anderson 1-0, J McDonnell 0-4, 2 frees, S Smith 0-2, D Melady and K Mullan 0-1 each
St Patrick’s: C Moreland 0-6, 5 frees, A Young and D McAleenan 0-2 each, M Mageean, A Birt and N McAufield 0-1 each.
St Patrick’s: Shea Dorrian, Ryan Tolan, Jerome Bell, Nathan Clarke, Cian Maginn, Marc Mageean, Brendan Barry, Niall McAufield capt, Patrick Sharvin, Cathal Moreland, Artie Birt, Aodan Young, Killian Swail, Josh Fitzsimons, Finn McCann.
Subs used: Ryan McElroy, Dylan McAleenan, Cormac McEvoy (blood sub)
La Salle: Oisin McLaren, Tiernan Lee, Connlai Mervyn, Dillon Donnelly, Daire Melady, Luke Braniff, Kevin McArdle, Odhrán Donnelly, James McDonnell, Kevin Mullan, Seán óg McLaren, Pádraig Keenan, Dylan Fagan, Aaron Anderson, Paul Austin.
Sub: Sean Smyth, Ronan Smyth