Danske Bank Kirk Cup final
St Malachy’s Belfast 2-19 St Patrick’s Keady 3-14
Pics by Matthew McAllister – Ulster Schools GAA
A brilliant second half which saw them come back from two goals behind to win in the end by two points saw St Malachy’s Belfast clinch the Danske Bank Kirk Cup for the first time at Stewartstown on Tuesday afternoon against St Patrick’s Keady.
Corner forward Shea Bell, who slotted over 10 points over the hour (6 from frees and 4 from play) plus left half back Harry Feeney who accounted for 2-2 were the heroes of the hour for the Antrim Road boys as they upset the odds to take the honours.
The Belfast school held the upper hand during the first 20 minutes and led by 0-5 to 0-4 Bell accounting for 3 of his team’s total but the Armagh boys hit back with a goal from James Hamilton and they held the upper hand during the remainder of the half. Two points from Conor McKeever, plus one apiece from Cayden Feeney and Shea McNaughton saw them stretch their advantage to three and when Sé O’Connell fired home a goal in added time the Keady school were in a very strong position going in at the break. (2-08 – 0-08)
The gap was out to seven not long after the restart James Hamilton grabbed their third goal and the Belfast boys had to be thankful to Bell for keeping them in touch. The smart money would certainly have been on Keady at this stage but St Malachy’s dug deep and points from Bell and Brennan proved to be the first steps in their comeback. Things really swung in St Malachy’s direction when Harry Feeney hit two goals, one on either side of a Bell point, to tie the scores with just ten minutes left on the clock.
Sé O’Connell put Keady back ahead but St Malachy’s were not to be denied and three points from Bell started the run which saw them home.
St Malachy’s: H Feeney 2-2, S Bell 0-10, 6fs, R Ó Scanaill 0-3, O Brennan 0-2, C Carabine and D Keenan 0-1 each
St Patrick’s: J Hamilton 2-2, S McConnell 1-1, 0-1f, C McKeever 0-4, C Feeney 0-3, 2fs, C Baxter 0-2, S McNaugthon and L Beagan 0-1 each
Sean McGourty of Ulster Schools GAA presents the Kirk Cup to St Malachy’s captain Conor McCusker after his team’s comeback win over St Pat’s Keady.
