Coláiste Cholmcille into Markey Cup semi-final after win over Strabane

Coláiste Cholmcille of Ballyshannon are into the semi-final of the Markey Cup after an extra-time win over Holy Cross, Strabane on Monday in Castlederg.

Coláiste Cholmcille 1-15
Holy Cross, Strabane 3-4
(after extra-time)

In a tight contest with Holy Cross, Strabane, which was all square at full-time (1-10 to 3-4), Coláiste Cholmcille hit five points in extra-time to clinch their semi-final spot.

Kyle McNulty opened the scoring with a point on the 6th minute, after a solo run through the Strabane defence. Holy Cross hit back with a point from Josh Gallagher on eight minutes and shortly after took the lead with a goal to rock the Ernesiders.  Anton Govorov and Jack Gallagher took two good points from play on 14 and 17 minutes.  Jack Gallagher scored the first free of the game for the Ballyshannon school on the 25th minute and won the resulting kick out to point from play to take the lead. Strabane’s Adam Hegarty scored their first free of the game after 27 minutes.  The last score of the half was a long range free kick from Gallagher which was not dealt with by the Tyrone defence and found its way to the net, giving a half time score of CCBS 1-5 Holy Cross 1-2. 

Donegal have an opportunity to be braver - Brendan Devenney

Brendan Devenney believes the recent upheaval Donegal have endured both on and off the pitch means they have a chance to use the NFL as an opportunity to move things in a different direction

After four  minutes of the restart the game was level, when Joe Bishop found the net after a quick turn.  There was a good response from Coláiste with a piercing solo run from Shane Delahunty who passed to Gero Gilmartin to point on 36 minutes.  The kick out was won by Eoghan Kelly who found Anton Govorov, who pointed.  Govorov added another to restore the three point lead.

There was no time to relax as Strabane drew level on the 39th minute with their third goal.  Gero Gilmartin then played as a sweeper in the Donegal team’s defence which coincided with there being no more goal opportunities for Strabane.  However Holy Cross did take the lead, when Adan Hegarty pointed on 44 minutes. 

Jack Gallagher scored a free on the 46th minute and two minutes later a well taken point from out near the sideline with his right foot.  This was to be the last score for Ballyshannon in normal time and they looked to be holding out for a one point win.  Conor Langan had other ideas on the 57th minute with a fine point from play.  

The captains with referee Stephen McNamee before the game

This meant extra-time for the second year in-a-row at this same stage between these same two teams.  Last year it went to a penalty shoot-out with Coláiste Cholmcille winning. There was to be no penalties this year as CCBS took control in extra-time.  Captain Ryan Barret won the throw-in and found Jack Gallagher who won a mark to score.  Gallagher added a free  and  Kyle McNulty pointed just before the break and added two more in the second half of extra-time to seal the win.

Coláiste Cholmcille will play either Bailieborough or Keady in the semi-final, which will be fixed for early next week.  

CCBS: Aaron Cullen; Pauric Daly, Aidan Sweeny, James S Gallagher; Ronan Maher, Eoghan Kelly, Shane Delahunty; Aongas Sweeney, Ryan Barrett (c); James P Gallagher, Kyle McNulty, Anton Govorov; Ted O'Donnell, Jack Gallagher, Gero Gilmartin. Subs: Lee Smyth for Pauric Daly (30); Barry Campbell for Ted O'Donnell (40); James Monaghan for James P Gallagher (45). 

Holy Cross: Ronan Ward; Cahir Grimley, James Thompson, Ronan McLaughlin; Conall Flanagan, Deane Bradley, Shea Collins; Joe Bishop, Cealef McMenamin; Josh Gallagher, Gavin Molloy, Aidan Hegarty; Eoin Haire, Conor Langan, Ben Arnold.

Referee: Stephen McNamee (Tyrone).