Loreto CS take on Rathmore GS with MacLarnon final spot on the line

Dave Butler says his Loreto Community School side go into Friday’s MacLarnon Cup decider with Belfast’s Rathmore Grammar School determined to create their own small piece of history. 

Having dug so deep to edge out St Pius X College of Magherafelt in the last eight on a difference of 3-9 to 2-9, boss Butler says tails are certainly up this week ahead of that semi-final tangle in Owenbeg (throw-in, 2pm). 

“It’s only our second time reaching this stage of the competition - we’re fairly new to it,” said Butler. “It’s great for all the young lads involved. They’ve put in so much effort, ever since they first met up back in September. 

“It’s great to see that endevour repaid with a spot in the semi-final earned. And there is an opportunity now, on Friday, to move all that along one step further. If the lads can produce their absolute best on the day they’ll be there or thereabouts.

“Getting them together has taken a huge effort. They, as well as their parents, have been central to all of that. Facility wise, in the school, we have no lights. So we’ve had to go early morning and late afternoon trying to beat the winter darkness. 

“We’ve been in at weekends well. So the buy-in from friends and families in all of that has also been really galvanising in its own way. The local clubs from which we pull from, they have been brilliant with their facilities also. 

“We simply wouldn’t be at this point without that help and, of course, the manner in which management in the school has also facilitated all of that. For all of those people, as much as for ourselves, we’d love to give them the big day out now if we were fortunate enough to do the business on Friday”.

Loreto will be more than familiar with their Belfast opposition having crossed swords with them earlier on in the campaign during the group stages. 

Having seen off the likes of Red High, Downpatrick and St Louis, Ballymena there, Loreto suffered a loss to Rathmore just prior to the Christmas break. Still, as Butler explains, he doesn’t see that clash having any real bearing on either sides’ preparations this time out. 

“Yeah - they got the better of us that day. They were very impressive. I think there were four or five points in it in the end. We certainly aren’t under any illusions in relation to the task in front of us. But this is a completely new game, with much different stakes. 

“Owenbeg, it’s a great facility. So we really hope now anyone that is about or has the spare time, that they come up and cheer them on. Speaking to the lads this week, the reality is we’re now representing Donegal at this level also”.  

Loreto Community School, Milford: Killian Hagan (Milford), Thomas Cannon (Termon), Johnny McCallum (Milford), Eoin Gallagher (Termon), Oisín Kelly (Termon), Anthony Curran (Milford), Cormac Brady (Termon), JP Gallagher (Gael Fhánada), Eoghan Quinn (Termon), Cormac Gallagher (Termon), Patrick McDaid (Termon), Rory McGrenra (Termon), John James Sweeney (Termon), Oisín Scanlon (St Eunan’s), Cian McMenamin (Termon), Eoghan Scott (Glenswilly), Oisin McHugh (Milford), Caolan Curran (Termon), Callum Cullen (Downings), Oran Gallagher (Termon), Diarmuid Coyle (Milford), Peter McCleary (Milford), Thomas Roache (St Eunan’s), Milo McLaughlin (Milford), Alex Gerwatowski (Downings), Óran McMenamin (Termon), Shaun Coffey (Milford), Ódhrán Doherty (Milford), Finnian Coll (Milford), Darren McAteer (Gael Fhánada), Daithí McGroddy (Downings), Dylan McGlone (Downings), Ciaran McCormick (Termon), Elijah McGinley (Glenswilly), James McAteer (Gael Fhánada), Evan Keown (Termon), Alan McCarron (Termon)