St Columba’s, Glenties knocked out of Markey Cup by St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley

St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley are through to the Markey Cup final after victory over St Columba’s, Glenties at the Melvin Sports Complex, Strabane.

The game was moved from the Donegal GAA Centre, Convoy because of an unplayable pitch and the 4G surface was fine only that it was not lined for the 40m scoring arc, which made it difficult for the referee.

In the end the Ballygawley side were worthy winners, thanks in the main to their star forward Shea McDermott, who was unplayable at times. However, he is lucky to be playing in the final as he was involved in an incident near the end of the game which for a brief moment threatened to develop with more players getting involved. Thankfully, calm was restored.

The big turning point of the contest came in the opening two minutes of the second half when McDermott, moved into full-forward, struck for 1-3, a point followed by a goal and then a two point free.

It moved St Ciaran’s seven points clear after they were just a point up at the break, 1-7 to 1-6. St Columba’s were never able to bridge the gap even though they did have goal chances in the final six or seven minutes.

Jamie Byrne had the opening point of the contest for the Glenties school but Shea McDermott quickly underlined his quality with the equaliser and Matthew Hughes pushed them ahead.

But St Columba’s struck for the first goal with Odhran Bonner firing home after a rebound came to him. Stephen McDevitt added a quick point for a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

But McDermott had Ballygawley level with a free and a two point free on 12 minutes. Shane Sweeney, with two quick points, pushed St Columba’s clear again but St Ciaran’s began to exert pressure and they got a goal from Marcus McLaughlin and further points from Miceal Mullin and McLaughlin had them 1-7 to 1- ahead as the half-time break drew near.

St Columba’s got back on track with a two pointer from Gavin Sweeney to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

It was then that McDermott struck as St Ciaran’s dominated the third quarter. Shane Sweeney had a two pointer but by the 46th minute St Ciaran’s had pushed ahead by 2-15 to 1-8 with further points from Conan Canavan (2), Conor Quinn, Marcus McLaughlin and Callam McWilliam.

Shane Sweeney and Daithi Molloy had points for the Glenties boys but McDermott struck for another at the other end.

A second St Columba’s goal from Gavin Sweeney gave the Glenties boys hope and they could have had another as Sweeney had an effort blocked and Logan Melly struck the crossbar. They also had the ball in the net but the effort was disallowed as it was a fist pass which didn’t get another touch.

Niall McKenna and Marcus McLaughlin eased Ballygawley eight clear again but a third goal from Gavin Sweeney cut the margin as St Columba’s threw everything at the Ballygawley goal. Shane Sweeney hit a post but they just didn’t recover from the third quarter scoring burst from St Ciaran’s.

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St Columba’s scorers: Gavin Sweeney 2-2,1tp; Shane Sweeney 0-5,1tp; Odhran Bonner 1-0; Jamie Byrne, Daithi Molloy, Stephen McDevitt 0-1 each.

St Ciaran’s scorers: Shea McDermott 1-8,2tpf,1f; Marcus McLaughlin 1-3; Conan Canavan 0-2,tp; Matthew Hughes, Miceal Mullin, Niall McKenna, Callum McWilliam, Conor Quinn 0-1 each.

St Columba’s, Glenties: Cian McConnell; Oisin Breslin, Niall Roarty, Adam McGill; Leon McDyer, Jack Elliott, Shane Sweeney; Daithi Molloy, Jamie Byrne; Odhran Bonner, Niall Boyle, Daniel Breslin; Conor Farrelly, Gavin Sweeney, Stephen McDevitt.

Subs: Logan Melly for McDevitt; Patrick Gallagher for McDyer; Seamus Boyle for Breslin.

St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley: Dara O’Neill; Oran McGeary, Odhran Callaghan, James Boyle; Elliot Kerr, Miceal Mullin, Callam McWilliam; Darren McAnespie, Matthew Hughes; Conor Quinn, Shea McDermott, Jude Curran; Conan Canavan, Michael McDermott, Marcus McLaughlin.

Subs: Niall McKenna, Jack Kelly.

Referee: Gavin Hegarty (Derry)