Danske Bank MacRory Cup
Wednesday 27th Nov 10.45am in Donaghmore :
St Ronan’s Lurgan 5-9 St Mary’s Magherafelt 2-11
TWO opportunistic goals at the death from Cian Ferguson gave St Ronan’s Lurgan both points in this Group C Danske Bank MacRory Cup in Donaghmore, a result that looked unlikely at half-time when they trailed by six points after a poor enough first half.
However the result is unlikely to see them avoid an elimination play-off in the middle of January, unless St Patrick’s Armagh suffer a defeat of more than eleven points in the final group game with Omagh CBS.
St Mary’s Magherafelt made the early running, Conor Kelly opening their account with a point. Although Antóin McParland banged in a Lurgan goal in the 10th minute, St Mary’s stuck to their task and a series of points from Aidan McCluskey and Caolan Crozier put them ahead as the half progressed.
Then just before half time Sean Duffin got on the end of a move that began in the St Mary’s defence and he netted for an interval lead of 1-8 to 1-2.
But the Convent didn’t push on. Instead St Ronan’s upped the game helped by a goal from half time sub Aaron Sheehan.
Ronan Kalla’s goal kept St Mary’s in front, but a goal from James McCormick and a free from Cian France levelled the game with time running out.
Then Ferguson produced his little bit of magic and St Ronan’s were over the line.
St Ronan’s : Cian Ferguson (2-1), James McCormack (1-3), Antoin McParland (1-1), Aaron Sheehan (1-0), Cian France (0-3, 0-2 frees), Oran McCafferty (0-1),
St Mary’s : Sean Duffin (1-0), Ronan Kalla (1-0), Caolán Crozier (0-4, 0-3 frees), Aidan McCluskey (0-3, 0-1 free), Conor Kelly (0-1), Conleth Mallon (0-1), Niall Bateson (0-1), Jon McAllister (0-1)
