South Antrim, McDermott Cup Final
Rossa 2-15-3-07 St Johns
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Una
Rossa clinched the South Antrim McDermott Cup with a 2-15-3-07 win over St Johns in the Final at Pairc Naomh Una on Thursday evening.
James Aughey had the Shaws Road side off the mark inside of the opening 60-seconds and it took the Johnnies until the 8th minute to reply from a super Finn Thompson attempt the dropped over.
Domhnall O’Neill’s resulting kick out was then hovered up by David Hand and he shot to the net to give St Johns the advantage for the first time.
In response Daire Cunningham popped over and Liam Carr then drew a fine save from Johnnies keeper Matthew Leydon.
A converted Finn Thompson free restored his sides goal lead, but midway through the half Rossa restored parity with a goal of their own.
A ball out of defence found James Aughey and his slipped pass inside was gathered by Ruairi McDonagh to slid home and make it 1-2 apiece.
The sides traded scores until first half injury time, Rossa twice forged ahead through a McDongah point from play and a converted free- on both occasions the Johnnies hit back.
First when David Hand converted a close range free and then Finn Thompson landed his third score of the half with an angled attempt that crashed off the large post and dropped over.
It was Rossa who held a slender advantage at the break as McDonagh kicked his fourth score in succession, sweeping a shot over to give his side a 1-5-1-4 lead at the interval.
St Johns made a fast start to the second half and regained the lead when Jonathan Gallagher withstood a few heavy hits and blasted to the net to make it 2-4-1-5.
They were unable to build on it though and Rossa edged back in front in the 38th minute as Matthew Leydon failed to keep out a thumping effort from Daire Cunningham.
Rory Grant doubled the lead shortly afterwards and he was involved in the next score, taking a pass from Daire Morgan and laying it off for James Aughey to pop over.
Rossa opened up a four point advantage thanks to a further Ruairi McDonagh score, with Declan Creggan halting momentum with a much needed score for his side.
The Johnnies would have the chance to level in the 48th minute, Finn Thompson dropped a free into the square and Joe Hand was felled in the opinion of referee Joe Sloan- who signalled for a penalty.
Fra McCrudden seized responsibility and made no mistake with a powerful low finish that tied the game up a 3-5-2-8.
Rory Grant nudged Rossa back in front at the other end and James Aughey then finished off a patient move across the field.
The deficit was reduced to the bare minimum through a converted Thompson free and the sides traded further points through Grant (free) and James Wilson’s high shot that split the posts.
An angled point from Dara Boylan gave Rossa a two-point cushion and a minute into added time a second converted Grant free had put his side a point closer to victory.
St Johns desperately pushed for a levelling goal, but Rossa stood firm with a two-pointed free from Ruairi McDonagh closing the game out and ensuring the Shaws Road outfit ran out 2-15-3-07 winners and claimed the silverware at the conclusion.
