St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel 0-08

St. Colman’s College, Newry 1-05

The much awaited first meeting of the ‘David and Goliath’of Ulsters Colleges Gaelic football lived up to all the hype at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. From the moment these two proud schools were paired together at the draw, a number of interesting aspects to this game were always going to add to the occaision. Apart from being the first encounter between the pair, the game was also pitting together colleagues from the Down Minor All-Ireland winning squad, as well as clubmates from around the county. However, equally interesting would be the men in the hot seats in each camp, Cathal Murray, former St. Louis manager, now holding the reins at his ‘alma mater’- St. Colmans, and St. Louis manager Steven McVeigh, who has worked closely alongside his old friend both at St. Louis and with St. Peter’s Warrenpoint.

In front of a large bustling hoard of eager spectators, estimated at around 3,500, both teams commenced battle with some exchanges that were not for those faint of heart. With St. Colman,s midfield pairing of Colm Carty and Conor McConville, spoiling the highly rated Peter Fitzpatrick and his Ballymartin clubmate John Fitzpatrick, it was obvious the the Kilkeel school as in for a rough ride. After early missed opportunities from Gary Boyle and Luke Toner, it was Conor Og O’Hagan who opened the scoring for the Newry school. Indeed the young Clonduff ‘blue’, was very lively giving Ryan Sloan a lot to think about. However, it was’nt long before Steven McVeigh and Niall McAleenan were dealing with this threat, replacing young Sloan with Bryansford’s Stephen Rafferty.

St. Louis hit back with a well taken point from a free taken by Luke Toner. Soon after, the Kilkeel school took the lead as Fergal Doyle found the roaming Martin Clarke, who cut through the Newry defence to blast the ball over the bar from close range. However, for all who witnessed the move a goal really should have been the outcome.

Despite riding some heavy tackles, Martin Clarke proved a thorn in the Newry defence as he notched up another three impressive points during a period in which the Kilkeel school were playing some very attractive football. However, in the Newry attack, chances were being spurned as potential scores, especially from the boots of Gary Boyle with missed ‘free-kick’s’. An anxious moment for St. Louis came when Colm Watters unleashed a fierce shot towards the Kilkeel goal, but a fine save from Gavin Joyce ensured the danger would pass. The presence of Down Minor star Hugh Magee, Gerard McCartan and Fergal Doyle in the Kilkeel defence were containing the St. Colman’s attack well, but Kevin Quinn from Atticall was standing tall amongst his more illustrious colleagues.

Cathal Murray obviously knew the threat that the Kilkeel attack would pose, and had his defence well set out for the task. However, St. Colman’s corner back Gerry McEntee was being given a torrid time by the up and coming young An Riocht player Christopher Killen, but this game was always going to be tight with any mistakes in both defences being cleared up by hard-working colleagues.

After misses from Colm Carty and Niall McDonald, St. Colman’s eventually found their way through the Kilkeel defence with a well taken point from Colm Watters. The Newry school were determined th finish the half on a high, with Gery Boyle eventually finding the mark only to find his effort cancelled out by a great solo effort from St. Louis wing-half back, Fergal Doyle. The first half came to close with some exciting exchanges, especially around the middle of the park, an area where the Newry school were on top, leaving the half-time score St. Louis 0-5, St. Colman’s 0-3.

If the first half proved to be a physical affair, it was only a taste of what was to come. Such was the level of committment, that few spells of open, free flowing football was allowed to develop. St. Colman’s contineued to spoil at midfield, but the Newry school loked more lively up front. Gary Boyle opened the scoring, leaving only a point between the sides, whilst energetic play from Christopher Killen and Christopher Morgan continued to cause problems for the Newry defence.

However, the game was pushed to a new level with a long ball from Gary Boyle over the Kilkeel defence which found Conor Og O’Hagan who calmly slotted the ball past the out-stretched Gavin Joyce to give St. Colman’s a two point lead. This was the moment that really tested the character of the Kilkeel team. Instead of collapsing the St. Louis team sprung into life and took the challenge back to the St. Colman’s team. Points from Luke Toner and Martin Clarke, brought the sides level. No-one in St. Patrick’s Park would be leaving this game early, such was the intensity of this contest.

As the game entered the final ten minutes Cathal Murray brought on Burren’s Christopher Carroll for his clubmate Ryan McGovern with immediate effect, as he slotted over a fantastic free, and with scores in short supply many thought that this effort may prove to be the winning score. However, the cool head of Luke Toner came into play as he equalised with a well take point from a free.

With Armagh referee, Jimmy McKee, playing a staggering nine minutes of injury time, this game would literally be won on a simple kick of the ball. It looked like the game would be won by the Kilkeel side as St. Louis pinned the Newry side back into their own half. However, St. Louis could not find that elusive killer touch as numerous chances went begging. Firstly, a ball lead off to Gary Trainor resulted in a great block from Gareth Small, but two further opportunities were uncaany to say the least. After some great approach play Christopher Morgan unleashed a high shot towards the St. Colman’s goals, only to find his shot coming off the top of the post. In the dying seconds the referee had no option but to award St. Louis a free in a very scorable position. Up stepped Luke Toner, who with a clean scoring record all day agonised as he watch his effort go narrowly wide, to leave the scores level St. Louis 0-8 St. Colman’s 1-5.

So a draw was the inevitable outcome, given the nip and tuck nature of this game. Both teams played with great comittment and plenty of passion which enthralled the large gathering. With the replay down for 1 pm at the same venue, many will return to see Part 2 of this exciting contest between Down’s finest. St. Louis will be looking to get more football out of their illustrious Down Minor stars, Martin Clarke, Gerard McCartan and Peter Fitzpatrick, whilst St. Colman’s will look to improving their accuracy infront of the gaols.

A semi-final tie against St. Michael’s Grammar School, Enniskillen, whoc ousted the holders Omagh CBS in contentious circumstances on Saturday. The other semi-final sees the Abbey CBS, Newry take on the competition favourites St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherfelt. It would seem that the competition in general is hard to call, with this all Down Quarter-final proving to be no exception.

St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel;

G Joyce, R Sloan, H Magee, A Sloan, F Doyle 0-1, K Quinn, G McCartan, J Fitzpatrick, P Fitzpatrick, C Killen, M Clarke 0-4, L Toner 0-3, C Morgan, G Trainor, P Burke.

Subs; S Rafferty for R Sloan, S Cousins for G Trainor

St. Colman’s College, Newry;

C Boyce, D Kearney, C Murtagh, G McEntee, C Casey, G Small, M McCartan, C Carty, C McConville, C Watters 0-1, N McDonald, R Watt, R McGovern, G Boyle 0-2, C Og O’Hagan 1-1.

Subs C Carroll 0-1 for R McGovern, D O’Connell for G Boyle.