St Colman’s retain Hogan Cup

St Colman’s Newry retained the Hogan Cup title with a 2-10 to 0-15 triumph over St Jarlath’s Tuam at Croke Park.

The holders’ goals came early on with Jack Haughey netting after an error by keeper James Healy and Jerome Johnston also goaling on 12 minutes.

However, three points apiece from Shane Walsh and Sean Silke cut Colman’s lead to 2-4 to 0-8 at the break.

Jarlath’s bossed the third quarter to move 0-14 to 2-6 ahead but Colman’s hit four of the last five scores to win.

The victory gave Colman’s their first ever back-to-back triumphs in the competition and brought their overall haul of Hogan Cup to eight – five behind Jarlath’s leading tally of 13 titles.

It was certainly a thrilling match at Croke Park although the adult ticket prices of 20 Euro for the occasion caused a few raised eyebrows in certain quarters before the start.

Keeper Healy’s unfortunate howler as he allowed Haughey’s shot from 25 yards to slip through his fingers left Colman’s 1-1 to 0-0 ahead.

Adrian Varley then opened the Tuam’s school account but Colman’s looked on their way to a conclusive victory when Johnston walked the ball into the net in the 12th minute after fielding a long ball from Colman Doyle.

However, Jarlath’s outscored Colman’s by six points to two in the 15 minutes before the break.

Silke notched three of Jarlath’s scores and should have had a goal as he blasted over the bar from close range in the 28th minute after only having Matthew McNeice to beat.

Jarlath’s continued to dominate possession in the third quarter as they maintained a stranglehold in the middle third of the field.

Walsh’s fourth point of the day left the sides level by the 35th minute and while a Jerome Johnston point restored Colman’s lead, Jarlath’s hit four of the next five scores – including three Walsh points – as they moved into a 0-14 to 2-6 advantage.

Indeed, Jarlath’s 14th point could have been a goal but Walsh blasted inches over the bar when a pass to an unmarked team-mate may have represented the better option.

However after being outplayed for over 30 minutes, Colman’s summoned up huge reserves of spirit to regain control in the closing 15 minutes of action.

Two Mooney frees had the sides level by the 50th minute and further Colman’s scores followed from Jerome Johnston and Shane McArdle in the 53rd and 57th minutes.

Two points down, Jarlath’s produced some frantic attacking in injury-time but they could only muster a single point from Walsh.

It was hard luck on a Jarlath’s side that probably didn’t deserve to lose and goalkeeper Healy was predictably distraught at the final whistle.

Report: bbc.co.uk/ni