St Pat’s retain title for 14th time

St Patrick's Maghera 1-12
Omagh CBS 1-8

St Pat's Maghera retained the Ulster Colleges SF MacRory Cup with three points to spare over a gallant Omagh CBS at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh yesterday.

A strong start to the second half proved to be the difference between the sides as the Derry school claimed the title for the 14th time.

It was Omagh CBS who led 1-5 to 0-6 at the break after an end-to-end first half. The holders could have had a goal in the first attack of the game but Danny Tallon shot wide. Seán McGale and Jack Doherty then exchanged points.

Conor Cassidy put the Derry lads in front but moments later full forward Conan McElduff levelled. In the 12th minute Omagh CBS led when McGale played in McElduff who finished past keeper Ciarán McCloy.

A Tallon brace helped draw the holders level by the 26th minute. But the Tyrone lads were finishing the half the stronger with Aidan McSorley knocking over a well taken point.

The holders came out for the second half with all guns blazing and five points in a row gave them a lead that they were never to lose, Paul Gunning and Caolan McNeill among the scorers.

James Darcy had an Omagh point but then came the crucial score of the contest when Tallon scored a goal. There was no way back for Omagh.

ST PAT’S MAGHERA : C McCloy; P McNeil, OHegarty, C McNeill (0-1) ; C O’Doherty, P Hagan (0-1) , C Mulholland, C Glass, C Cassidy (0-1) , J Doherty (0-1) , P McAtamney (0-1, free) , M McGrath, P Gunning (0-2) , D Tallon (1-2) , C Convery (0-3, 0-1 free) . Subs: B Cassidy for Gunning, L O’Hara for Hagan.

OMAGH CBS : P O’Neill (0-1, 45) ; C McQuaid, C McCann, D Mullan; R Samir, S McGale (0-1) , E Murray; J Darcy (0-2) , B McDonnell; A McSorley (0-1) , J Colton, R McHugh (0-1) ; M Coreless, C McElduff (1-1) , G Slane (0-1, free) . Subs: O McGinn for McGale, P Teague for McHugh, P McGirr for McSorley, A Fullerton for McGirr.

Referee: C Branagan (Down).