Local schools in cup derby

Local schools in cup derby

23 January 2019

TWO local schools go head-to-head on Friday in a bid to reach the MacLarnon Cup semi-finals.

All eyes will be focused on the highly-anticipated quarter-final clash between St Patrick’s High School, Downpatrick, and St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, on at St Colman’s Park, Drumaness.

This encounter will serve as a nice aperitif for Down’s opening game in Division 3 of the NFL when they face Laios at Pairc Esler on Saturday night with supporters banking on a new era of hope under manager Paddy Tally.

The county stars of the future will strut their stuff on Friday when the rival schools, both former All-Ireland winners at U-18 level, clash for the third time in three years.

St Patrick’s would appear on paper to have the stronger panel, which includes several Down Minors from last season and players who should make an impact for James McCartan this year.

However, never write off a team from St Malachy’s as they thrive on adversity and being tagged underdogs as they have proved so often in the past.

St Patrick’s really have a star-studded squad. Led by Downpatrick’s Ronan Murphy, who has held down a regular starting place in the RGU team that plays in Division 1 of the ACFL, the Red High didn’t start their campaign that well.

A 2-9 to 1-11 defeat in the first group game to Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock, put the dampners on the school’s high expectations.

However, much improved performances followed with a 5-13 to 1-6 win over St. Patrick’s, Keady and a 3-13 to 2-9 win over St. Louis’, Ballymena, sending the Red High to the top of their group.

The squad is built around a strong, solid team ethic with a number of players proving to be extremely versatile in a number of positions.  

Notable players thus far have been dual stars Tim Prenter and Ciaran Watson, who have both picked up Ulster Schools’ GAA Hurling All Stars this year. 

Ballygalget clubman Watson also made history by becoming the first winning captain of the An Dun Mageean Cup side last November and Prenter, who plays hurling for Ballygalget and football for Downpatrick, was a member of the Down senior hurling side that won the McGurk Cup last week.

Niall Laverty, from Saul, was a key player in his club’s senior side that secured the All County Division 3 title in 2018.

Ruairi O’Hare, also from Saul, is a talented soccer player, turning out for Linfield Swifts and Northern Ireland Schoolboys — he was in the Northern Ireland Schoolboys team that took on Australia last night.

Tom Smyth, Brandon Boyd and Peter McMullan were in last year’s county minor squad and in Eoin Rooney, Ryan Wynn, Drew Barnes, Tom Savage, Oran Cunningham, Jack Harbinson, Ruairi Quinn and Aodhan Harney they have a group of highly-talented and motivated players.

St Malachy’s also a possess a number of players who have excelled for their clubs and they will look to Dromara’s Brendan McKey, a Schools’ All Star 

winner, Liatroim’s Conor McAnuty and Kilcoo’s Shealan Johnston. 

This is only St Malachy’s third year playing in the MacLarnon Cup and they have reached the quarter-finals on merit.

They started with draws against Inis Eoghain and SS Castleblayney before beating St Pius X, Magherafelt.

They were beaten by a good Cathair Dhoire outft, but had done enough to progress to the last eight.

St Malachy’s will rely on Kilcoo’s Jamie McKee in goal and he will have support from defenders Tyrone Fegan, Jonathan McVeigh, Gareth Fitzpatrick, Conor McAnulty, Eoin McCrickard and Tiarnan Fettes. 

This unit give few scores away and they love nothing better than ruining reputations.

Brendan McKey and Daire McVeigh should man the midfield berths and they will keep Ryan O’Higgins, Caolan Burns, Anthony Morgan, Daniel McKibben, Matthew Carvill, and the extremely dangerous Shealan Johnston supplied with decent ball. 

Johnston is St Malachy’s attacking jewel in the crown and he will keep the Red High defenders on their toes, but getting scores will be another matter.

St Patrick’s squad: Ronan Murphy (RGU), Ryan Wynn (RGU), Eoin Rooney (RGU), Tom Smyth (RGU), Ruairi Quinn (RGU), Tim Prenter (RGU), Drew Barnes (RGU), Tom Savage (RGU), Oran Cunningham (RGU), Tony Carson (RGU),  Jack Harbinson (Bryansford), Conor Murray (Bryansford), Peter McMullan (Loughinisland), Brandon Boyd (Loughinisland), Tom McDonald (Loughinisland), Dara McDonald (Loughinisland), Peter Kearney (Loughinisland), Ciaran Watson (Ballygalget), Niall Laverty (Saul), Ruairi O’Hare (Saul), Aodhan Harney (Saul), Ronan Conor (Saul), Dermot Donaldson (Carryduff), Lorcan Guiness (Carryduff), Eoin Maginn (Castlewellan), Tomas Fettes (Kilcoo), Paul Tempany (Bright), Rory Mullan (Darragh Cross), Caolan Murray (St John’s).

St Malachy’s squad: Jamie McKee (Kilcoo), Tyrone Fegan (Glasdrumman), Jonathan McVeigh (Longstone), Gareth Fitzpatrick (Longstone), Conor McAnulty (Liatroim), Eoin McCrickard (Liatroim), Tiernan Fettes (Kilcoo), Daire McVeigh (Castlewellan), Brendan McKey (Dromara), Anthony Morgan (Kilcoo), Ryan O’Higgins (Bryansford), Daniel McKibben (Bryansford), Mathew Carvill (Liatroim), Shealan Johnston (Kilcoo), Caolan Burns (St John’s), Sean Og McCusker (Kilcoo), Jervis Og McCaul (Newry Shamrocks), Luke Clarke (Kilcoo), Eoin McEvoy (Dromara), Joseph O’Boyle (Castlewellan), Patrick Kelly-McEvoy (Liatroim), Shea Croskery (Aughlisnafin).