Academy book semi spot
Danske Bank MacRory Cup quarter-final
St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon 3-12 St Mary’s Magherafelt 1-9
IN the end it turned out to be comfortable enough for St Patrick’s Academy as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Danske Bank MacRory Cup in the Loup last night.
But this game probably turned on a high tackle by St Mary’s Magherafelt captain Aidan McCluskey on Academy defender Adam Toner in the 45th minute that referee Kevin Faloon deemed dangerous enough to merit a straight red card.
At that point the game was tied at 1-8 each. Over the course of the last quarter the Academy pulled away, using the extra player well and a 49th minute goal opened a significant gap.
Up until the red card it was a good end to end game of possession football that delivered a number of excellent scores.
Luke Donnelly was super up front for Dungannon. He opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a free on his way to a six points’ total, his two from play the highlight.
Eunan McIhennon was equally effective for the Convent with three excellent points, all from distance, while others to impress included Scott McCann and Shea Daly for the Academy and Magherafelt’s Finn Diamond.
The teams were level at 0-2 each after ten minutes, before the Academy shot ahead profiting from misdirected kick-outs from the Convent. Shane Donnelly pointed and then Scott McCann picked up a short kick-out and chipped in a goal.
But the Convent were back level within five minutes with Eunan Quinn’s high ball punched to the net by Kevin McNicholl.
From then until the break it was score for score with the Academy 1-6 to 1-5 ahead at the turnover.
Luke Donnelly took a pass from Shea Daly to put them two up on the re-start, but points each from Ronan McKenna (free), Michael O’Neill and Eunan Quinn tied the game before the red card.
Five minutes later and the game was beyond Magherafelt with Sean McLaughlin coming in from the left wing to hit their net. Ger Teague added a great point before a quick move involving Paddy Kearney and Eoghan Donnelly ended with a goal for Sean Cowan.
Oisin McHugh iced the cake with a beauty off the outside of the left foot to set up either a derby semi with Holy Trinity Cookstown or a clash with Maghera who sent them out the exit door last year.
St Patrick’s : F Coney, A Toner, C Skeffington, G Teague (0-1), S McLaughlin (1-0), O McHugh (0-1), P Kearney, S Daly, N McMurray, M O’Neill (0-2), S McCann (1-1), S Donnelly (0-1), S Cowan (1-0), R McHugh, L Donnelly (0-6, 0-4 frees).
Subs : R Carmichael for N McMurray (HT), E Donnelly for R McHugh (HT), S Glackin for M O’Neill (57), D Sheehan for L Donnelly (60)
St Mary’s : P McKinney; F Diamond (0-1), M McNeill, S McSorley; A McCluskey, E McEvoy, C Mallon, E McElhennon (0-3), C Fowler, E Quinn, R McKenna (0-3 frees), D Higgins, C Johnston (0-1) K McNicholl (1-0) S Duffin.
Subs : R McEldowney for S Duffin (36), C Ormsby for K McNicholl (48), J McVey for C Fowler (56), R Walls for C Mallon (57)
Referee : K Faloon (Armagh)
