Brave St Columba's, Glenties go down by minimum to Bailieborough in Arthurs final

St Columba's, Glenties suffered a one-point defeat at the hands of Bailieborough CS in the final of the Arthurs Cup at Templeport.

ST COLUMBA'S, GLENTIES 0-6
BAILIEBOROUGH CS 1-4

In difficult conditions the pitch became greasy but both sides battled hard from start to finish. There was little between the sides with both scoring one point against the elements, while the winners sealed the win in a three minute period at the start of the second quarter.

The Glenties College had the initiative in the final quarter but just couldn't create the openings despite having plenty of possession.

St Columba's had to play against the wind in the first half and the last 10 minutes of the half, against the rain as well.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the opening minutes with the first score not coming until the 12th minute, Shane Sweeney availing of a slip up in the Bailieborough defence.

The Cavan college had difficulty finding the range but they found a purple patch from the 19th to 21st minute, hitting 1-2. Barry Cahill converted a free and immediately they were on the attack again with corner forward Cormac O'Reilly squeezing home a goal at the post, despite being fouled at the time.

A minute later Andrew Hill made it 1-2 to 0-1 for Bailieborough CS.
St Columba's had a couple of half-chances for goals with one shot dragged wide but the thought they got their second point on 26 minutes through a Darragh Hennigan free. But while it went up on the scoreboard, it was taken down again at the break. It seems the umpires had differed but it wasn't registered with the referee.

And that point was to prove crucial at the end.

In added time at the end of the first half Lee Browne converted a free to leave it St Columba's, Glenties 0-1, Bailieborough CS 1-3 at the break.

Six minutes into the new half Conor Sweeney cut the lead to four points and when Eoghan McNelis won a free Kyle McHugh left three in it after 42 minutes.

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The Cavan boys got their only point of the half two minutes later when substitute Noel McIntyre saw his goalbound effort deflected over the bar by Cian McConnell. They could have sealed the win on 46 minutes when Andrew Hill was clean through but pulled his effort wide.

Then in the final quarter St Columba's dominated and hit three points, but they just couldn't get on terms.

Oran Doherty got a point and Tiarnan Ward came and hit two great frees. They had chances but it was a night for defences and both sets were outstanding.

For St Columba's, Josh Malley and Finnbarr Roarty were outstanding at the centre of defence; the midfield pair of Oran Doherty and Darragh Hennigan gave everything while up front Shane Sweeney and Danny Brown were prominent.

ST COLUMBA'S, GLENTIES: Cian McConnell; Maitiu Clerkin, Josh Malley, Conan Brannigan; Cian Sweeney, Finnbarr Roarty, Conor Gildea; Oran Doherty (0-1), Darragh Hennigan; Eoghan McNelis, Kyle McHugh (0-1,f), Thomas McDevitt; Shane Sweeney (0-1), Aaron Cunningham, Danny Brown. Subs: Conor Sweeney (0-1) for McHugh; Max Campbell for McNelis; Tiarnan Ward for A Cunningham.

BAILIEBOROUGH CS: Liam Bell; Conor Monaghan, Kenzie McCabe, Darren Clarke; Darragh Keegan, Aidan Clarke, Jody McPhillips; Michael Morrissey, Kyle McCabe; Barry Cahill, Andrew Hill, Conor McIntyre; Warren Cooney, Lee Browne, Cormac O'Reilly. Subs: Fintan O'Connor for Hill; Noel McIntyre (0-1) for C McIntyre.

REFEREE: Martin Conroy (Tyrone)

St Columba's, Glenties before the Arthurs Cup final Picture: Thomas Gallagher