Red High are edged out in final at death

Red High are edged out in final at death

21 December 2016

HEARTBREAK for the Red High as they came up agonisingly short in the Rannafast Shield final at Queen’s playing fields on Thursday night.

A single point was the difference between the sides at the end of a thrilling contest which was ultimately decided by St Patrick’s failing to make the most of their chances.

The story of the game was that the South Derry school took their scores, while Downpatrick were wasteful, particularly during the opening half when it took them 17 minutes before Tom Smyth opened their scoring with a point.

By that stage, St Mary’s had scored a goal and three points, the goal from Sean Graham opening their account in the sixth minute.

The teams traded points before Paudie Mitchell rippled the Red High net with a fine goal in the 20th minute.

Although, Downpatrick hit back with a goal from Oran Bolton, St Mary’s finished the half strongly with a Graham point and they led 2-5 to 1-2 at half time.

That lead stretched on the restart when Ben McErlain got in behind the Downpatrick defence to score a third St Mary’s goal.

However, from that point until the end, it was backs-against-the-wall stuff for Magherafelt as the Red High roared back into contention.

They hit five points in a row — three of them from Daniel McKibben — before a goal from substitute Jarlath 

Lennon narrowed the gap to the minimum.

Kealan Friel pointed a vital free for St Mary’s in response. Although McKibben also pointed, he missed a late free to equalise and St Mary’s held on to take the title.

St Patrick’s scorers: Oran Bolton (1-0), Jarlath Lennon (1-0), Daniel McKibben (0-4, 0-3 frees), Tom Smyth (0-2), Peter McMullan (0-1), Tim Prentor (0-1).

St Mary’s scorers: Paudie Mitchell (1-2, 0-1 free), Sean Graham (1-1), Ben McErlain (1-0), Kealan Friel (0-3, 0-1 free).

St Patrick’s, Downpatrick 2-8

St Mary’s, Magherafelt 3-6

RANNAFAST SHIELD FINAL