Final replay Match Report - Bank of Ireland MacRory Cup Final Replay 2005

Mourne Spirit Triumphs as St Louis Lose out on MacRory Title

St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel 0-11
Omagh CBS 2-09

There are certain occasions win the real winners come away from finals without any silverware. The real winners of this MacRory Cup Final replay, were the men from St. Louis Grammar School. Although the MacRory Cup made its way to the heart of Tyrone, the ‘Convent boys’ displayed all that was good about Gaelic football, great skills, super fitness, spirit, commitment and good honest play, well within the rules of the game. Their approach to this game was to play the same brand of total football that has been their trademark throughout the year, but unfortunately the greater strength in depth within the ranks of the forty Omagh CBS proved to be their downfall in the end.

Omagh approached the game with an obvious tactic- that is to stop Kilkeel playing football. It is a negative way to win a game, not pretty to watch, but unfortunately, for the Mourne boys, an effective means to an end. The constant undue attention issued to Kilkeel midfielder Joseph Ireland was a central ploy to upsetting the man-of –the match from the drawn game. If this approach was devised on a training pitch, then Colleges football was dealt an unsavoury blow. However, Joseph Ireland, to his credit continued to play, as did his Mourne team-mates, in a way that brought prides to the hearts of the large contingent which followed St. Louis.

With over a week to prepare their charges, Manager Cathal Murray and his assistant Steven McVeigh, ensured that the Kilkeel lads would not allow the occasion to get to them as perhaps it had in the opening half of the first game. From the whistle St. Louis took control of the game with a blistering display which knocked the wind out of the Omagh sails. An early point, after a determined run from Joseph Ireland, settled the Kilkeel team almost immediately. Along with James Colgan dominating in the midfield area, things were looking decidedly bright for the Down school. Martin Clarke, operating at his more familiar position of centre-half forward stretched the lead with a delicate fisted point. The huge St. Louis support were ecstatic when full-forward Peter Fitzpatrick, slotted over a third, as Omagh struggled to get to grips with the game.

However, when even a small bit of luck is on your side it can prove decisive. With virtually their first attack, the ball broke down to Stephen Donaghy who after a series of turns, managed to get a half blocked shot in, which crept past Collie Curran, into the corner of the Kilkeel goals. This one moment probably lost the game for St. Louis as all the good work of the opening five minutes came crashing down upon them. Although Richard Annett restored the St. Louis lead with a fine point from a free kick after a foul on Christopher Morgan, the Tyrone school now had a basis upon which to build. Another point from Stephen Donaghy, this time from a free, ensured that Omagh would keep in touch as their confidence grew.

It was apparent that both management teams had been busy on their respective drawing boards since the first game as a number of positional changes appeared. The swapping of corner-back Hugh Gallagher and wing forward Conal McCullagh appeared to be strange, but as Hugh Gallagher dropped back into a defensive role, behind the midfield, the wisdom was well founder as the threat of the middle Kilkeel pathway became more subdued. However, the inclusion of Cathal McCarron in place of Sean O’Neill at full-forward proved more effective as full back Luke Howard had his hands full containing this new threat.

A strong feature of the first game was the mobility of the Tyrone captain Ronan McRory, but a rejuvenated Eamon McConville ensured that this battle would go his way this time. Indeed Eamon put in a hour he could be very proud of, as he covered his defensive duties and help his midfield colleagues set up attacks. The energetic Joseph Ireland re-established the Kilkeel lead, but this was short lived, as Conor O’Donnell, whose speed was causing havoc amongst the Kilkeel defence, levelled the game once again. This tit-for-tat pattern was proving very exciting for the big crowd at Casement Park, but it was also very frustrating for the management of both teams, as no-one could gain a firm grip on this pulsating contest.

A feature of this game was the amount of strong tackling from the Omagh defence, which did unsettle the Kilkeel forward line. However, the strength of the tackling of Rory McManus was good pay back. Corner forwards James Cunningham and Christopher Morgan were doing fairly well picking up the odd ball, it was obvious that the Kilkeel score would be coming along that central route-way, where St. Louis were at their strongest.

St. Louis captain, James Colgan, was having another fine game as he reasserted the Kilkeel lead with a well taken point from his fist. However, the usually accurate Martin Clarke, saw his shot on the next attack drift agonisingly wide. Omagh rallied as often before and counterattacked in increasing numbers. A wide from the boot of half back Niall Cassidy, was quickly followed up with an excellent point from a forty-five taken back the impressive Dean O’Neill.

However, in the Kilkeel half back line Eamon McConville was playing an inspirational game. With good support from his Rostrevor colleague Gerard McCartan, he collected a ball on his own forty-five and powered his way forward to score a fine point. However, with Fergal Doyle struggling to keep pace with the slick Stephen Donaghy and Hugh Magee playing a cat and mouse game with Kevin Gallagher, the Kilkeel defence were always going to struggle. It was this loose marking and soft fouls, allowed Omagh to cancel out the Kilkeel lead as a point from a free by Kevin Gallagher levelled the tie again. The kick out which followed also fell fortunately to the Omagh midfielder who was surprised but also delighted to see his long return kick sail between the St. Louis posts, to give the Tyrone side the lead as the end of the half drew closer. St. Louis levelled the game with a free from Ritchie Annett following a foul on Martin Clarke. There was still time for St. Louis to finish the half in front, but an effort from a forty-five from Martin Clarke drifting wide of the target. This last piece of action brought to an end a half which was exhilarating to watch, but somewhat frustrating from a Kilkeel perspective. The half-time score read St. Louis 0-8, Omagh CBS 1-5.

As both squads departed to the dressing room for a well earned breather, Omagh had reason to be happier. The Tyrone school had caused Kilkeel plenty of problems with their mobility up front and were surely content with the missed opportunities created by the Mourne attack. From a Kilkeel perspective their strength was always centred around their Diamond of Eamon McConville, Joseph Ireland, James Colgan and Martin Clarke. However, Cathal Murray was more concerned about input of his wing and corner men whose impact in the first half was very limited.

The second half started well for St. Louis, as their midfield pair quickly imposed their control on the game. However, it was obvious that the Tyrone pair were out to stop them, especially Joseph Ireland at all costs. A series of off the ball incidents were specifically designed to upset the big Bryansford lad, but to his credit Ireland refused to allow himself to be riled and continue with his own game.

Omagh had set up a very defensive formation by withdrawing their half forward line into defence, thus minimising the room available to the Kilkeel attack. Peter Fitzpatrick and Ritchie Annett continuously switched positions to good effect, but they were quickly swamped by the congested traffic around the. From this congestion it was inevitable that frees would be conceded by Omagh, and it was from one of these that Martin Clarke re-established the Kilkeel lead. Omagh, with Dean O’Neill and Brendan Martin in fine form in the half-back line St. Louis were struggling to make the penetrating breakthrough that was required.

Omagh were very swift on the counterattack. More fine running from Conor O’Donnell saw him notch up his second point to level the scores again. It was clear that Paul Sherry,who had recently recovered from injury was struggling and he was replaced with Luke Byrne from Bryansford, as Hugh Magee switched corners to pick up the impressive O’Donnell.

However, the crucial period of the game saw misfortune fall on St. Louis and lady luck shine on Omagh. A fine pick up from James Cunningham, who in turn found his An Riocht colleague Martin Clarke came to little as a snatched attempt from the young Colleges All-Star drifted agonisingly wide of the posts. With Omagh by-passing the strength of Colgan and Ireland in the middle and utilising the acres of space in their attack, gaps appeared with were exploited magnificently. It was from one of these counterattacks that Cahir Tierney found himself being set up by Conor O’Donnell to blast past a helpless Collie Curran from close range. This was quickly followed with a point from a free kick taken well by Stephen Donaghy.

These scores left Kilkeel with a mountain to climb in the last quarter. The awesome Kilkeel spirit which we witnessed in the draw game was still there. Luke Howard made an inspired run out of defence, Fergal Doyle, Eamon McConville and Gerard McCartan continued relentlessly to find a breakthrough, but St. Louis could only muster points on the board from a free from Martin Clarke and one from a forty-five from the same player. Luke Toner from Castlewellan was introduced for James Cunningham in an attempt to open up the Omagh defence, but with practically thirteen men behind the ball the task was becoming increasingly difficult. Omagh continued to assert their control over the game with two late points from frees from the trusted boot of Stephen Donaghy, who had amassed a match winning 1-4 for the afternoon.

With less than ten minutes left in the game, Kilkeel introduced the tall figure of Kevin Quinn for his Attical colleague Christopher Morgan. Quinn immediately moved the edge of the square where he quickly made his presence felt. One more moment of controversy was to fall the way of Omagh as Kevin Quinn rose to latch on to a through ball from Peter Fitzpatrick. His magnificent catch saw the Omagh defence panic and Kilkeel had a strong penalty appeal turned down.

As Omagh scrambled the ball away to safety it became apparent that this was not going to be St. Louis’ day, as the game entered its closing minutes. St. Louis simply could not break through the packed Omagh defence and allowed themselves to be caught on the break.

As referee Mickey Convery signalled the end of the match the jubilation of the Omagh squad stood in marked contrast to the dejected figures from Kilkeel. As Cathal Murray and Steven McVeigh gathered up their troops, they were immediately told to keep their head held high, they had won over the hearts and minds of the people from Mourne and beyond, with their exciting brand of pure football. Sportingly, this ‘Band of Brothers’ as they affectionately call themselves, applauded the Omagh captain Ronan McRory as he lifted the MaCrory cup to take it back to Omagh for the first time in 31 years. They also listened to Ulster Colleges President, Brother Ennis, praise the Kilkeel lads on their marvellous contribution to the MacRory Cup competition this year. They had received fitting tributes in the build up to this game from many notable figures including Martin McHugh and the great Sean O’Neill, who enthusiastically suggested that Down football has a promising future with the emerging talents from the Kilkeel ranks.

The fairy-tale journey of the St. Louis first ever MacRory Cup campaign was a truly spectacular journey of raw passion, inspirational commitment and the emergence of some fantastic talent on to the Colleges Gaelic football scene. It was not only quality of their football that impressed but also the honourable, honest approach to the pure brand of football, sadly lacking in many prestigious competitions, the proved refreshing to connoisseurs of the game. St. Louis also provided younger players with a number of role models as to how the game should be played, with Cathal Murray and Steven McVeigh emphasising only the positives aspects of the game of the training fields of the ‘Convent’.

There is little doubt that as players of the calibre of Luke Howard, Eamon McConville, James Colgan, Ritchie Annett and Joseph Ireland move on from St. Louis, they will find further success with their respective Universities and in the red and black of Down. Joseph Ireland already has a date with the Down Under 21’s in their semi-final tie with Fermanagh to look forward to, whilst James Colgan, Martin Clarke, Paul Sherry, will surely be joined by the younger rising stars of this campaign Hugh Magee, Luke Byrne, Fergal Doyle, Gerard McCartan, Peter Fitzpatrick, Luke Toner, Christopher Morgan and Kevin Quinn for possible inclusion in the ranks of the Down Minor panel this summer.

But for now, as the dust settles on this marvellous campaign the proud folk from the Mournes and St. Louis can sit back and reflect on a fantastic achievement in putting the name of St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel firmly on the Ulster Colleges map. There may not be a cup to celebrate at the Newry Road school, sometimes success can be measured by other means, just ask the Longstone, An Riocht, Glasdrumman, Attical, Ballymartin, Bryansford, Rostrevor, and Castlewellan gaels, amongst other Down gaels as the stood shoulder to shoulder in the stands, applauding the St. Louis lads as they left Casement Park, if this venture was a success. They resounding response would be yes, they enjoyed every minute as did the players and coaches, gaining many admirers and friends along the way, - well done to all!

St. Louis Team;
Colm Curran (Bryansford), Paul Sherry (An Riocht), Luke Howard (Bryansford), Hugh Magee (Longstone), Fergal Doyle (An Riocht), Eamon McConville (Rostrevor) 0-1, Gerard McCartan (Rostrevor), Joseph Ireland (Bryansford) 0-2, James Colgan (An Riocht) Captain 0-1, James Cunningham (An Riocht), Martin Clarke (An Riocht) 0-4 (2 frees), Peter Fitzpatrick (Ballymartin) 0-1, Christopher Morgan (Attical), Ritchie Annett (An Riocht) 0-2 both frees), Rory McManus (Ballymartin).
Subs; Luke Byrne (Bryansford) for Paul Sherry- 43 mins, Luke Toner (Castlewellan) for James Cunningham- 45 mins, Kevin Quinn (Attical) for Christopher Morgan- 54 mins, Mark Rafferty (Bryansford), Patrick Smyth (Longstone), Paul Curran (Bryansford), John Fitzpatrick (Ballymartin), Andrew Sloan (Attical) and David Morgan (Bryansford).
Kevin Keenan (An Riocht) injured.

Manager/Coach; Cathal Murray (Clonduff)
Assistant Coach; Steven McVeigh (Warrenpoint)

Omagh CBS;
Kerill Winters, Gareth Haughey, John Cassidy, Joseph Kelly, Dean O’Neill (0-1), Brendan Martin, Niall Cassidy, Sean O’Neill (0-1), Cahir Tierney (1-0), Hugh Gallagher, Ronan McRory, Stephen Donaghy (1-4) (4 frees), Kevin Gallagher (0-1 a free), Cathal McCarron, Conor O’Donnell (0-2)

Manager/Coach; Kieran Donnelly (Brokeborough)
Assistant Coach; Brother Ennis (Omagh)

Final replay gallery

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