Danske Bank Leonard Cup, Semi-Final
St. Mary’s CBGS 2-14-4-13 St. Pat’s Maghera (AET)
Kevin Herron reports from the Dub
Pics from Bert Trowlen
St. Pat’s Maghera finished strongly in the second period of extra time to claim a spot in the Danske Bank Leonard Cup Final after defeating St. Mary’s CBGS 4-13-2-14 at the Dub on Friday afternoon.
Matthew O’Neill’s late goal looked to have seen St. Mary’s complete a superb second half comeback in normal time, but Aodhan McCloskey kept his cool at the other end and drew the teams level at 2-11-3-08 to force extra time.
Three scores in succession from Joseph Conway and Ronan O’Loughlin (2) had Maghera in the ascendancy during the second period of extra time but it wasn’t until O’Loughlin added his third goal of the afternoon that the game was put to bed as St. Mary’s were unable to lift themselves for the second time in a thrilling and energy zapping semi-final encounter.
St. Pat’s were quickest off the mark in the early stages and had established a two-point lead before St. Mary responded through free-taker Padraig Kelly.
Kelly tied things up with a fantastic point from play and then moved his side in front for the first time shortly after.
The games opening goal fell to Maghera when Ronan O’Loughlin took possession and fired low past Dylan Hand to give his side a 1-2-0-3 lead.
O’Loughlin added a point from play in the aftermath with Kelly replying from the placed ball. Playing against the wind St. Mary’s would have been hopeful of taking a four-point deficit at the interval, but Maghera tagged on further scores before the break.
O’Loughlin shot over a fantastic curling shot from play, Sionan McCormack added another and on the stroke of half time O’Loughlin flashed home his second goal of the half to ensure his side held a healthy 2-5-0-4 advantage at the midway point.
Maghera extended their advantage after the break with O’Loughlin clipping over a free, but St. Mary’s began to make inroads with Padraig Kelly sending over two points from play between a converted free.
Both sides free-takers traded further placed balls in the aftermath and another two Kelly frees in quick succession had St. Mary’s within three=points with 12 minutes remaining (2-7-0-10).
With little over seven minutes remaining St. Mary’s tied things up when Matthew O’Neill was placed to divert a shot low to the Maghera net and restore parity.
Talisman O’Loughlin edged Maghea back in front from a converted free- it was cancelled out less than two minutes later though when substitute Daire Gault flicked a shot over as things remained a knife-edge.
St. Mary’s looked to have stolen things a minute into added time when the ball was passed across goal and Matthew O’Neil steadied himself and rifled to the net to put his side 2-11-2-08 ahead.
There was to be one last twist however as Aodhan McCloskey ran clear of the St. Mary’s defence deep into added time and showed no signs of pressure as he powered a shot past Dylan Hand to make it 2-11-3-8 and ensure extra time would be required.
Extra time:
The first period of extra time was a cautious affair and yielded a score a piece from either side with Matthew O’Neill’s third minute score cancelled out by a Harry McCloskey shot that dropped over to ensure things were delicately poised with the second period to play.
Maghera stole an early march in the second period with Joseph Conway finding time and space and shoot his side ahead for the first time since the 55th minute.
Then Ronan O’Loughlin clipped over back-to-back scores in the space of 60-seconds to make a weary St. Mary’s task a little bit tougher.
Padraig Kelly reduced arrears with a converted free but the next score would prove the games winning in the 80th minute when Ronan O’Loughlin bore down on goal and his shot squeezed away from Dylan Hand- despite the keepers best effort and trickled over the line.
A point from Ryan Murphy in the aftermath put six between the sides with St. Mary’s late penalty was in vein in any instance- Padraig Kelly’s attempt rose over and the final whistle immediately sounded from referee Lorenzo McMullan as Maghera jubilantly celebrated after an outstanding afternoon of hurling.
They now met St Louis’ Ballymena in the decider with Maghera hoping to clinch their second Ulster Colleges honour at this year group – having tasted success in the Thompson Final back in Year 8.
