Coláiste Chomcille bow out of Markey Cup after conceding three goals in opening quarter

The concession of three goals in the opening 13 minutes was too much for Coláiste Cholmcille in their Markey Cup semi-final against Virginia at a cold Tyrone Centre of Excellence in Garvaghey.

Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon 1-7
Virginia College, Cavan 3-6

The Cavan side couldn't have got a better start with two goals in six minutes and a third on 13 minutes, before the Ballyshannon boys finally got up and running.

Virginia were worthy winners, having dominated the aerial battles throughout but it must be added that the absence of last year's county minor goalkeeper, Aaron Cullen, from the Ballyshannon side was a big factor.

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His deputy Eoghan Furey did very well but Cullen's ability to find players with kick-outs and generally marshalling of the defence was a missing cog.

It was a disastrous start for the Ballyshannon boys conceding a soft goal after five minutes. A free landed in front of the their goal and they allowed full-forward Cillian McCabe acres of space to win and lay off to Dean McCabe to fire home from close range.

It got worse a minute later when a penalty was awarded after Oisin Donoghue was fouled as he went for goal and from the spot Cillian McCabe made no mistake.

Coláiste Cholmcille just couldn't make headway past midfield, despite having the advantage of the breeze and they were hit with a third goal on 13 minutes when Dean McCabe fired home.

The Ballyshannon boys finally got into gear in the second quarter and after a number of wides Damian Weber got them on the board from a forward mark. Shane Delahunty added a second a minute later while Cillian McCabe had a goal chance for Virginia.

Coláiste Cholmcille finished the half really well with Weber converting a free on 25 minutes and a great ball from Martin McGarrigle was well judged by Ryan Barrett and he got in to fire to the net.

In added time Jack Gallagher added a point to leave just two between them at the break - Coláiste Cholmcille 1-4, Virginia College 3-0.

The Ballyshannon boys had a great chance inside two minutes but were turned over and Virginia got a somewhat soft free for Turlough Farrelly to point. Cillian McCabe added another to stretch the lead to four after three minutes of the new half.

But Coláiste hit back with Weber winning a free for Martin McGarrigle to point and another free from McGarrigle on 46 minutes had the margin down to two once more.

But an inability to retain possession was their downfall as Virginia hit two points in a minute from Farrelly and Matthew Smith. James Gallagher replied for Coláiste on 48 minutes but that would be their last score.

Virginia closed out the game with two points from the impressive Ryan Tobin and Eoghan Furey made a great save from Dean McCabe to deny them a fourth goal. Near the end Damian Weber had an effort for goal blocked.

Coláiste Cholmcille had good performances from Eoghan Kelly, Shane Delahunty, Jack Gallagher, Martin McGarrigle and the full-forward trio of Weber, Kyle McNulty and Ryan Barrett.

COLÁISTE CHOLMCILLE, BALLYSHANNON: Eoghan Furey; Aidan Sweeney, Ryan Keenaghan, Pauric Daly; Darragh Flood-Dolan, Eoghan Kelly, Mitchell McLaughlin; James P Gallagher (0-1), Matt Gillespie; Shane Delahunty (0-1), Jack Gallagher (0-1), Martin McGarrigle (0-2,2f); Damian Weber (0-2,f,fm), Kyle McNulty, Ryan Barrett (1-0). Subs: Anton Goverov for McLaughlin; Gero Gilmartin for Delahunty. Rest of panel: Aaron Cullen, Conor Foy, Thomas Winters, David Roper, Aongas Sweeney, Michael Doogan, Kevin McNelis-Lee, Fionn Gallagher, Drew Heatley-Ryan, Jame McGee Gilmore.

VIRGINIA COLLEGE: Oisin Rourke; Martin Corney, Adam McKenna, Patrick Lynch; Pauric Morgan, Nathan Levy Valensi, Josh Husband; Shane Keenan, Turlough Farrelly (0-2,1f); Niall Magee, Matthew Smith (0-1), Oisin Donoghue; Dean McCabe, Cillian McCabe (1-1,pen), Glen Ryan McCann. Subs: Luke Gillick, Ryan Tobin (0-2,1f).

REFEREE: Niall McKenna (Monaghan)