O’Kane goal seals Markey win for St Columb’s

Danske Bank Markey Cup quarter-final:
St Columb’s Derry 1-10 Loreto Milford 0-5
A GOAL as the clock slipped into added time from defender Tiarnán O’Kane sealed victory for St Columb’s Derry in this Danske Bank Markey Cup quarter-final in Newtowncunningham yesterday.
Although there was little between the teams in terms of possession, this was a disappointing game with plenty of stoppages and a red card just before the break for Milford defender Ross Cullen.
At that point St Columb’s led by 0-6 to 0-2, all the Derry scores coming from player of the match Fergal Mortimer with two frees in reply from Johnny McGroddy. The game already seemed to be slipping away from the Donegal side although Conor Black drew a brilliant save from Matthew Stephenson early in the half.
St Columb’s added to their interval lead with points from Jude óg Moore and James Lynch as goal chances were wasted during the third quarter; Loreto’s Ronan Gallagher had a shot blocked by Shane McElhinney while Ryan Graham did well to deny Claudy’s Tiarnan O’Kane at the other end.
However O’Kane was breaking at every opportunity and he got on the end of a fine team move in the 59th minute to smash home from close range and ice a cake that was already baked by the City side.
St Columb’s now meet the winners from Tuesday’s tie between another Donegal side, Coláiste na Carraige and Virginia College Cavan.
St Columb’s : M Stephenson; P Nelis, C McLaughlin, M Lynch; T O’Kane (1-0), S McElhinney, E Cassidy; C Mooney, J McAleer; S Brown, F Mortimer (0-7, 3f), J Lynch (0-2); C McMonagle, J óg Moore (0-1), R Brown.
Subs: C O’Connor for Mooney (b c), J McLaughlin for Cassidy (32), C Concannon for McMonagle (59), N Biggs for Brown (60).
Loreto : R Graham; D Dorrian, B McGettigan, P McGinty; C Coll, C Gallagher, R Cullen; R O’Donnell, E Cullen; C Black, J McGroddy (0-4, 3f), A Reid; K McFadden, S McDaid, C Moore (0-1).
Subs: R Gallagher for Reid (34), S Black for McGettigan (36), A McElwaine for McFadden (60), M McBride for Black (64).
Referee: Paul Quigley (Derry)