Ulster Colleges Football – Danske Bank Rannafast Cup
Cathair Bhéal Feirste 1-16 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 2-14
A goal in the fifth minute of added time game Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock a one point win over luckless Cathair Bhéal Feirste in Thursday’s Rannafast Cup round 2 game at Woodlands. The competition’s new boys appeared to have the game wrapped up when they led by a goal after 63 minutes but Knock midfielder James McQuillan pulled a point back to cut the gap to two. It looked like Cathair Bhéal Feirste had done enough, but Knock were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes and up stepped corner forward Joe Murchan to take the spot kick. Cathair Bhéal Feirste goalkeeper Conor Sheridan made a great save to block Murchin’s shot but the ball bounced away from the keeper’s grasp and Murchin followed in to drive the ball high into the net and seal the win.
The opening quarter was evenly contested and after Niall Farry put Knock ahead Cathair Bhéal Feirste came back with three in a row, one from Laydon O’Neill and two from the excellent Aodhan O’Hanlon. Knock’s Colm Kane and Cathair Bhéal Feirste’s Harry Feeney exchanged to keep the gap at two, but Knock began to gain the upper hand and they hit five in a row to lead by three, only to be pegged back to two just on half time.
O’Neill closed the gap to two with a point in the first minute of the second half but Knock raced up the field from the kick-out and Oran Mills set up Dara Murphy for his side’s second goal. Aodhan O’Hanlon responded for the Belfast boys but when Knock came back with two more quick points from McQuillan and Mills Cathair Bhéal Feirste had a mountain to climb. To their credit they responded well and with O’Hanlon leading the line they hit back with four in a row, three of them from O’Hanlon and one from centre back Faolan McKee. Kane and Farry eased the pressure for Knock with points in the 44th and 45th minutes but O’Hanlon sent over another point and substitutes Eoin Morgan and Johnny Higgins followed suit, and when midfielder Carson got through for a goal the Belfast boys seemed set for their first victory.
However it was not to be and Joe Murchan’s late goal gave Knock the win and denied the Cathair Bhéal Feirste their first win.
Cathair Bhéal Feirste
Conor Sherridan, Ollie Gregory, Cormac Mallon, Oisin McKenna, Harry Feeney, Caolan McKee, Senan McMahon, Liam Carson, Laydon O’Neill, Patrick McAteer, Daniel Doran, Nathan Burns, Aodhan O’Hanlon, Ronan Niblock, Rory Magee.
Subs used – Eoin Morgan, Johnny Higgins.
Referee – Brendan Toland
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