Sambete goal key to Cavan reaching Rannafast decider
Danske Bank Rannafast Cup semi-final
St Patrick’s Cavan 2-7 St Colman’s Newry 1-9
As had happened in the quarter-final last week against the other Newry school, Abbey CBS, Chris Sambete’s fisted goal in the 41st minute had a big part to play in St Patrick’s Cavan returning to the Danske Bank Rannafast Cup final edging out St Colman’s by 2-7 to 1-9 in Culloville.
Overall both sets of defences were excellent and any scores were well-earned against Cavan’s Paul McCabe, Daragh McGoldrick and Shane Halton and from Rowan Tomilty, Laurence Brannigan and Dan McCarthy.
St Colman’s drew first blood with points each from Cian McLaughlin and Andrew Gilmore. Those scores were cancelled however by the opening goal, Jack Treanor sprinting through to shoot to the corner of the net in the sixth mintue.
St Colman’s responded with the next two points, both McLaughlin frees, and went three points up when Andrew Gilmore finished a good team move with a 21st minute goal. However Daryl McGurn and Oisin Brady closed the gap to 1-5 to 1-4 at the break.
The teams exchanged points on the re-start before Chris Sambete finished a move that involved Fiontann O’Reilly, Jack Treanor and Oisin Brady by punching home from close range to open up a three points lead for St Patrick’s.
St Colman’s fought back with points from Gilmore and McLaughlin – but could not get closer than a point at any stage in the final 20 minutes.
After Michael Veale had pointed in the 54th minute, Gilmore hit back with a point, but there was no more scoring in the last five minutes and four of extra time as Cavan held out to face St Michael’s Enniskillen in the final at the weekend.
St Patrick’s : Jack Treanor 1-1, Christ Sambete 1-0, Darragh McGurn 0-3, 0-2 frees, Michael Veale 0-1, Fionntán O’Reilly 0-1, Oisin Brady 0-1.
St Colman’s : Andrew Gilmore 1-4, 0-1 free, Cian McLaughlin 0-4, 0-3 frees, Adam Crimmons 0-1
