Danske Bank Mageean Cup
Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 3-14 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 1-12
AFTER the disappointment of losing last Friday evening’s first ever game in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire bounced back to record their first victory when they beat Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock in Kevin Lynch Park on Tuesday afternoon.
In contrast to the St Louis tie when they only arrived at the pace of the game coming into half-time, Gaelcholáiste had a much better start – helped immensely by a goal from Jude Ó Conaire in the 10th minute. Although Knock struck for a goal in injury time to go ahead at the break, the Dungiven school’s second goal in the 37th minute put them ahead again and this time they didn’t let the lead slip.
Dylan Ó hÉireamhóinn and Liam Blaney had swopped points before the Ó Conaire goal opened a gap on the score-board that remained until added time in the first half. Liam Blaney (two), Marc Guest, Frank Kane and Joe Braiff responded to points from Peadar Pio Ó Duibhne, Ciarán Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, Daire Ó Lochlainn and Ó Conaire.
Right at the start of that added time Dara Pucci grabbed a goal for Knock to put them ahead by 1-6 to 1-5. The half ended with four more scores, two points for each team, to leave Knock holding a slender lead on the whistle.
Ó Conaire levelled the tie on the re-start, but the ever-dangerous Pucci hit back with a point. The next score, a goal from Emmett óg McKeever in the 37th minute, lifted the Derry side into the lead and, despite a seventh point in reply from Liam Blaney, the home team had their tails up.
Gaelcholáiste chipped over another couple of points, through Jude Ó Conaire and a free from Cian Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, before Ó Conaire’s second goal in the 49th minute made it 3-10 to 1-11.
Pucci responded immediately but Gaelcholáiste finished strongly with four points in a row from Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, Aidan Ó Ceallaigh, Finbarr Ó Muirí and player of the match Ó Conaire. Needless to say, there was a little celebration at the final whistle.
The next game in the group is this afternoon (today – report to follow) in Rossa Park with St Mary’s CBGS taking on group leaders St Louis Ballymena while the final group A game is also at Rossa Park next Tuesday between St Mary’s and Gaelcholáiste.
At the moment St Louis have two wins from two starts with Gaelcholáiste and Knock both on one win each.
Gaelcholáiste: J Ó Conaire 2-4, E óg McKeever 1-1, C Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide and D Ó hÉireamhóinn 0-2 each (1f each), PP Ó Duibhne, C Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, D Ó Lochlainn, A Ó Ceallaigh and F Ó Muirí 0-1 each.
OL&SPK: D Pucci 1-2, L Blaney 0-7 (3 fs), F Kane, J Braniff and M Guest 0-1 each
Gaelcholáiste: Caoimhín Ó hÉireamhóin, Seamus Mac Con Midhe, Lorcán Ó Muirí, Déaglán Ó Ceallaigh, Cathal Ó Mianáin, Daire Ó Lochlainn, Ger Ó Diolúin, Daire Ó Daimhín, Peadar Pio Ó Duibhne, Cian Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, Emmet Óg Mac Íomhair, Dylan Ó hÉireamhóin, Jude Ó Conaire, Ciarán Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, Finbar Ó Muirí
Subs: Oisín Mag Uiginn for D Ó hÉireamhóinn, Aidan Ó Ceallaigh for C Ó Muirí-MacUilliam
Knock: Cillian Ennis, Ronan Breen, Joe Dynes, Thomas McCusker, Manus Gilmore, Marc Gues, Conor Boyle, Joe Braniff, Luke Doran, Ronan Donnelly, Liam Blaney, Frank Kane, Sean McCollam, Shane O’Connell, Dara Pucci.