St Paul’s JH School win McDevitt Cup

Ulster Bank McDevitt Cup Final:
St Paul’s JH School 5-8 Abbey Vocational School (Donegal) 3-10

Brewster Park in Enniskillen once again proved to be a popular venue for the Under 14 footballers of St Paul’s Junior High School where they collected the school’s third Ulster Bank McDevitt Cup, as it was at the same ground they had last lifted the trophy back in 2001. This time their opponents were Donegal Champions, Abbey Vocational School, Donegal and in an enthralling contest, the Armagh Champions emerged as three point victors. The first McDevitt Cup win had come two years earlier, while the school’s first Ulster title had been won back in 1968 under the guidance of the then Head of PE, Mr Harry Hoy.It was perfect timing on behalf of the team as it was the perfect way to celebrate the school’s Golden Jubilee.

They won because of their better team play and a tremendous capacity for work, but they also had the benefit of a perfect start!

Fifty seconds had gone on the clock when centre half Cormac Sheehy had the ball in the back of the Donegal net, a minute later Barry McCambridge had added a point, and when Shane Lavery swooped for his side’s second goal in the seventh minute, a rout looked on the cards.

However, that was dispelled very quickly as Abbey centre half  forward Jack Keaney, who finished with a personal tally of 2-7, got his sides’s opening point and moments later had the ball in the back of the Lurgan net. The St Paul’s defence soon settled and superbly marshalled by full back, Tiarnan O’Neill, who along with Rory Shine and Jack Lenehan kept a vice like grip on the Abbey forwards, the Armagh champions seized the initiative again. Sheehy collected his second goal, Conor Turbitt and Shea Geraghty collected points and St Paul’s went in at the break leading by 3-3 to 1-4.

Three quick points on the restart from McCambridge, fellow midfielder, Emmet Reid and a free from Odhran Magee confirmed the Lurgan side’s superiority and even though Keeney added two points to the Donegal total, they still lokked in control. This appeared to be confirmed when Sheehy slammed to the net for his hat trick, but suddenly the Donegal side found their range again. Four quick points were added and when a goal went in courtesy of a Keeney free, St Paul’s were rocked back on their heels. However, Magee settled them with a point and when Shane Lavery was brought down as he bore down on goals, captain McCambridge slammed the resultant penalty to the net!

Although Shaun Meehan raced through for another Abbey goal in the dying minutes, referee Martin McErlane blew the whistle to herald ecstatic scenes from the team and their supporters.