FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament at St Pauls
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 0-09-1-08 Four Masters
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pol
DARRAGH Griffin’s palmed goal at the beginning of the second half ensured that Four Masters retained the Jimmy McConville Cup after a fantastic spectacle saw the holders run out 1-08-0-09 winners over Magherafelt at the Shaws Road venue on New Year’s Day.
The sides cancelled each other out in the opening half with Griffin’s goal giving his side the advantage for the first time and it was one they didn’t relinquish as they became the first team since Glen to successfully defend their crown and followed in the footsteps of fellow Donegal side Killybegs- who won back-to-back honours in the 1980s.
Both sides made a late change as Darragh Griffin replaced Thomas Lenehan for Four Masters and Michael McKenna came in for Caolan Higgins for Magherafelt.
Magherafelt were ahead inside of a minute when Conall Higgins guided a pass low into the path of Cahair Spiers and he laid off to Jude Beattie to pop over.
Spiers swung over a free to extend his sides lead and their third score came from an advanced mark after Lorcan Higgins chipped a ball into Kian Maynes- who claimed the mark- and converted.
It took until the 13th minute for the holders to get off and running on the scoreboard. Oisin Doherty slipped a ball into the path of Tiarnan McBride, under pressure McBride popped the ball out to Conor Gallagher McCahill to drop over an angled score.
A converted 45’ from Magherafelt keeper Karl Campbell restored his sides three-point advantage, but Four Masters got to grips with things as the half progressed.
Conor Gallagher McCahill swung over a close-range free and a Tómas Carr kicked a magnificent 45’ against the wind on the 23rd minute.
They had the chance to claim the opening goal when Kevin Muldoon burst forward and laid off to Tómas Carr, he in turn found McCahill to send a low attempt across the face of goal and wide.
Just before the break Four Masters restored parity, Carr popped the ball into the path of Callum McCrea and his quick lay-off allowed Oisin Doherty to blast over and make it 0-04 apiece at the interval.
The opening score arrived four minutes into the second period, and it would prove decisive at the conclusion.
Tómas Carr kicked a ball into the forward line that Tiarnan McBride got a flick to and the outstretched palm of Darragh Griffin guided the ball beyond the reach of Karl Campbell and into the net to make it 1-04-0-04.
A super point followed from Conor Gallagher McCahill but Lorcan Higgins weaved his way forward and landed a fantastic reply to lift Magherafelt.
Two scores inside a minute before the midway point in the half strengthened Four Masters grip, Turlough Carr fed brother Tómas to clip over and after McCahill was hauled down- Oisin Doherty converted the free.
Points were exchanged between Rory Small and Turlough Carr as the gap remained at five with less than 10-minutes remaining.
Magherafelt rallied with Conall Higgins swinging a shot over following a move involving Rory Small and Cahair Spiers and he then kicked a magnificent angled free to leave a goal in things with four minutes left.
The Derry side sensed a chance of an equaliser after Lorcan Higgins intercepted a wayward pass by Theo Colhoun and played a one-two with Ronan Ferris before a heavy hit from Eoghan O’Neill brought the chance to a conclusion, with Conall Higgins converting the free and reducing arrears in the process.
The much-needed goal that Magherafelt sought wouldn’t arrive in the closing stages and both sides lost men in added time.
Theo Colhoun rose highest to claim goalkeeper Lewis McCaughan’s kick-out and he slipped a pass to Kevin Muldoon- who was taken out by substitute Michael Lavery, and he received a black card for his troubles.
The subsequent free clipped the large post from McCahill’s effort and Turlough Carr was then black-carded for a pull-down as Magherafelt attempted to break-out of defence.
There was still enough time for Magherafelt to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat, but Kian Maynes late shot was deflected over and referee Colm McDonald’s final whistle brought proceedings to an end as Four Masters celebrated back-to-back triumphs in the competition
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt: K Campbell (0-1 45’), T Cartin, Z Gavigan, R Conway, M McKenna, R Small (0-1), C Kerr, J Beattie (0-1), C Spiers (0-1), C Leacock, E Spiers, L Higgins (0-1), K Maynes (0-1m), C Higgins (0-3, 0-2f), M Higgins. Subs: M Lavery for M Higgins (28), R Ferris for E Spiers (51).
Four Masters: L McCaughan, K Muldoon, D McGinty, E O’Neill. C Gavigan, C McCrea, A Quinn, Tómas Carr (0-2,0-1 45’), T Colhoun, P McGonagle, Turlough Carr (0-1), D Griffin (1-0), C Gallagher McCahill (0-3, 0-1f), T McBride, O Doherty (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: A McHugh for D Griffin (52).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)
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