St Eunan's College dig deep to defeat Downpatrick in Rafferty Cup quarter-final

St Eunan’s College Letterkenny came through in extra-time in the quarter-final of the U-16½B Rafferty Cup against St Patrick’s Grammar School Downpatrick.

St Eunan’s College 2-13 St Patrick’s Grammar School Downpatrick 2-10 (After extra-time)

A game that had everything that's good about Gaelic football played on an excellent pitch in St Marys GAA grounds at Banagher, Co Derry needed extra time to separate both teams.

A fast-flowing first 10 minutes had both teams level with Cathal Doherty on the end of a fast-flowing move up the centre of the pitch to score a goal for St Eunan's College, placing the ball in the corner of the net.

This early lead was cancelled out quickly with a St Patrick’s half-forward latching onto a flick-on from a long kick-out, resulting in a goal with the St Eunan’s goalkeeper having no chance.

On the 14th and 16th minute St Patrick’s grammar cut through the defence to score two well-taken points from play.

The St Eunan’s response was swift with Ryan Bradley playing a one-two with Evan Hickey to reduce the margin to a single point. Pauric Devine won the resulting kick-out and gave the ball off to Mark Collum who beat his man to pop the ball over the bar.

St Patrick’s Grammar played a long ball into the St Eunan’s square with the full forward flicking the ball over the bar. An excellent save by AJ Curran in the St Eunan’s goal resulted in a well-worked move with Mark Galvin combining with Callum McGilloway and Evan Daly before sending a high ball into the square, Matthew Enright rose highest to score an important goal before half time. The half-time score 2-2 to 1-3 in favour of St Eunan’s College.

Two early points for St Patrick’s was followed with a score from Mark Collumb from a free after Cormac Cassidy was fouled. McGilloway gets on the end of a sweeping move to score an excellent point for St Eunan’s. Shea Boyle points with his first touch from a tight angle to give Eunan’s a healthy lead once again.

This lead was cancelled out with a fortunate goal for the County Down team after a mix-up in the St Eunan’s defence. Their confidence was high and two further points followed before Marck Collumb responded with a well-taken point from 40 metres out.

With the St Eunan’s team working hard to win the ball, Ronan O Donnell’s pace was causing problems and he cut through to score an important equaliser just before the final whistle leaving the score 2-7 apiece.

With St Eunan’s players winning their individual battles all over the pitch as extra-time started, two well taken scores from Evan Hickey in the first period gave them a cushion. Two points without reply from the county Down men meant it was all even again early in the second period.

Winning the midfield battles resulted in Pauric Devine combining with Mark Galvin to score off his left foot, with Ryan Bradley sending Cathal Doherty through to fist over the bar.

That man again Ronan O’Donnell had the final say as he combined with Conor McGrenra to slot over the final score, leaving St Eunans College three points ahead at the final whistle. Manager David O’Herlihy will be happy with the spirit shown knowing they have a semi-final against St Pius Magherfelt to prepare for.

St Eunan’s College scorers: Cathal Doherty 1-1; Matthew Enright 1-0; Mark Collumb 0-3; Evan Hickey, Callum McGilloway, Ronan O’Donnell 0-2; Ryan Bradley, Pauric Devine, Shea Boyle 0-1.

St Eunan’s College: A.J. Curran; Caolan Mc Garrigle, Yuval Dudon, Liam McGinley; Nathan Grant, Cormac Cassidy, Pauric Devine; Ryan Bradley, Cathal Doherty; Evan Daly, Mark Collum, Mark, Galvin; Evan Hickey, Matthew Enright, Callum McGilloway. Subs: Ronan O’Donnell, Conor McGrenra, Jack Murphy, Shea Boyle.