Ulster final heartbreak for Abbey Vocational School as St Pius, Magherafelt prevail

A superb last-minute point from centre-half back Cody Rocks sealed victory for St Pius X College in a dramatic Under 16.5 Danske Bank Rafferty Cup final at Celtic Park on Tuesday afternoon. 

Abbey Vocational School: 1-5 St Pius X College, Magherafelt: 0-9

Abbey started the brighter of the two sides and raced into an early two-point lead. On five minutes, wing-back Patrick Craig struck over a fantastic outside of the boot shot from range to get the scoreboard ticking. 

Just a minute later the advantage was doubled with Tomas Carr kicking over a well-hit free. On 13 minutes, the Magherafelt lads got themselves off the mark courtesy of a free from full-forward Daultagh Donnelly to half the deficit. 

This was canceled out two minutes later however, as Conor McCahill slotted over a free of his own for the Abbey to restore their two-point lead. 

St Pius X responded again although, this time through a well-taken score from Kian Maynes. 

The Derry school grew into the game significantly from here but were unable to take their opportunities on a number of occasions, missing five shots in a row. 

On 25 minutes, St Pius X were presented with a goal chance after Ronan Conway fisted the ball into the path of Ronan Lennox but his effort was hit straight at Lewis McCaughan. 

From this save, Abbey counter-attacked at pace and found the white flag courtesy of a fine score from Josh Cullen. 

The opening half’s final score came from the Magherafelt men with Callum Leacock striking a fantastic 45’ over the black spot to leave his side a point in arrears at the break. 

The second stanza was a slow burner with both sides knowing the prize at stake. On 40 minutes, St Pius X leveled the contest for the first time with Callum Leacock again finding the target. 

Five minutes later, the Donegal Town men got a much-needed score with Conal Flannery kicking over the bar for his side to regain the lead. 

On 50 minutes, St Pius were reduced to 14 men with the referee dismissing corner-forward Kian Maynes. This didn’t appear to affect the Derry men however as they went on to kick the games next three scores. 

Callum Leacock kicked his third of the afternoon with a good free before substitute Cathal Scullion saw his effort hit off the post and land over the bar. Finally, Ronan Conway found the target after a swift attacking move to put St Pius X two ahead with three minutes remaining. 

Straight from the kick out however, Abbey found the back of the net. Tomas Carr superbly fielded McCaughan’s kick and played the ball into the path of the rapid Conor McCahill. McCahill ran through on goal and buried the ball into the net to the Abbey faithful's delight. 

St Pius X replied superbly however. Michael Conlon struck over a 62nd-minute free to level the game once again. A minute later, the Magherafelt men found the lead. A fantastic effort from range from centre-half back Cody Rocks fell just over the bar. 

The Referee soon called an end to proceedings to the St Pius X college’s delight. 

Abbey Vocational School scorers: Conor McCahill 1-1,0-1f, Josh Cullen 0-1, Tomas Carr 0-1,0-1f, Patrick Craig 0-1, Conal Flannery 0-1. 

St Pius X scorers: Callum Leacock 0-3 0-1f,0-1 45’, Daultagh Donnelly 0-1,0-1f, Cody Rocks 0-1, Cathal Scullion 0-1, Kian Maynes 0-1, Ronan Conway 0-1, Michael Conlon 0-1. 

Abbey Vocational School: Lewis McCaughan; Darragh Reilly, Aidan Quinn, Oisin Ebbs; Patrick Craig, Patrick McGonagle, Eoghan O’Neill; Conal Flannery, Tomas Carr; Josh Cullen, Eoghan Gallagher, Jack Bennett; Conor McCahill, Thomas Lenehan, Dylan Doherty. 

Subs: Gethin Mosby for Craig (HT). 

St Pius College: Connor Johnston; Niall Quinn, Darragh Jackson, Finn Grimes; Emmett Spiers, Cody Rocks, Dylan Devlin; Ethan Martin, Ronan Conway; Callum Leacock, Ronan Lennox, Michael Conlon; Eoghan Musgrave, Daultagh Connolly, Kian Maynes. 

Subs: Cathal Scullion for Musgrave (35).