Ballyshannon take first Markey Cup title
Danske Bank Markey Cup final
Coláiste Cholmchille Ballyshannon 4-11 Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick 0-12
Despite losing Matthew McClay in the third minute and then Dylan Gallagher after 18 minutes, both to black cards, Coláiste Cholmchille Ballyshannon went on to win their first Danske Bank Markey Cup in Irvinestown yesterday.
However Gallagher’s replacement Seamus Keogh, the Irish U-15 soccer captain, rose to the occasion, scoring a point soon after he entered the game, carrying the ball well against the breeze during the second half and setting up both the goals in the last few minutes to kill off Carrick’s challenge.
There was an 11 points winning margin – but Ballyshannon rode their luck with Coláiste na Carraige hitting the post on two occasions in the opening half and denied on several other occasions by the brilliance of goalie Sean Taylor. Spare a thought for Aaron Doherty who hit the target on ten occasions and ended up on the losing team.
Lanty Molloy and Fionn Gallagher also played well – but it was a day on which everything went right for Ballyshannon and they will represent Ulster in the All-Ireland series next week.
Coláiste Cholmcille led 2-6 to 0-4 at the break after playing with the wind and not putting one shot wide, while Carrick moved the ball well but failed in front of the posts.
It was 0-2 to 0-1 when Shane McGrath set Jakeb Machunik up for the first goal and the second goal, a high punt into the goalmouth that Dylan Gallagher got his hand to in the 10th minute, made the score 2-2 to 0-1.
Aaron Doherty responded to bring his tally to four points but Ballyshannon finished the half well with points from Dean Carroll (2) and Seamus Keogh.
Early in the second half the brilliant Doherty hit three points and Lanty Molloy another as Carrick looked to be closing in.
However, points from Carroll, Jason Granaghan and Conall Sweeny opened the gap to 2-10 to 0-8 as Carrick wasted openings for a badly needed goal.
Then in the final minutes Seamus Keogh set up goals for Oisin Rooney and Conall Sweeny to kill off the game.
Coláiste Cholmchille : Sean Taylor; Cian McGloin, Jason Granaghan (0-1), Caolan Drummond; Conall Sweeny (1-1), Robbie Ryan, Ryan McKenna; Matthew McClay, Dean Carroll (0-5,2f); Jackeb Machunik (1-0), Shane McGrath, Michael McKenna (0-2); Dylan Gallagher (1-0), Oisin Rooney (1-0), Nathan Boyle (0-1). Subs., Shane Gillespie for McClay bcard; Seamus Keogh (0-1) for D Galolagher bcard.
Coláiste na Carraige: Colm Garvey; Jordan Burns, Paddy McShane, Pauric McShane; Cormac O Leime, Fionn Gallagher, Aaron Doherty (0-10,5f); Brian O’Donnell, Oran Doogan; Lanty Molloy (0-1), Kenny Doogan, Shane Gillespie; Tadhg McGinley, David Love, Ryan O’Donnell. Subs., Gary Molloy for Love; Ronan Gillespie (0-1) for R O’Donnell.
Referee: Joe Corcoran (Fermanagh)
