Red High have second bite at cup semi-final

Red High have second bite at cup semi-final

29 February 2012

A LATE point by St Patrick’s midfielder Cathail Arnold set up a MacLarnon Cup replay tomorrow night with St Columb’s College, Derry, at the Queen’s University sports complex at the Dub in Belfast.

In an evenly contested game last Thursday, a draw was a good result. Both sides had chances throughout the hour to put the game beyond doubt, but poor finishing and a brilliant double save by St. Columb’s ‘keeper, Michael Lynch, minutes into the second half was one of the many highlights of the game.

St. Patrick’s keeper Joe McClements also brought off two great saves from Michael Sweeney and James McClay.

Rory Mullan and Cathail Arnold, at midfield for the Downpatrick school, had a great tussle with the St. Columb’s pair of Michael Brennan and Michael Sweeney while Sean O’Reilly, (inset) Conor McGrady and Shane Murray were prominent in the St. Patrick’s attack.

However, both defences were on top throughout with Rory Wells, Anthony Doherty and Paul Gilchrist strong for St. Patrick’s while Shane O’Connor, Barry Carton and Ryan McCloskey gave a way few chances in the St. Columb’s defence.

The Derry College had in corner forward James McClay an alert attacker, ably assisted by Eoin Devine and Ryan Moore.

St. Columb’s pointed in the opening minute through James McClay, but they did not score again for 20 minutes. St. Patrick’s had two points from Conor McGrady and one from Rory Mullan. Twice, points were exchanged as St. Patrick’s led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half Rory Mullan increased the Red High’s lead with a point.

St. Columb’s moved up a gear and were level midway through the half with two points from Eoin Devine and one from a Ryan Moore free.

Rory Mullan and James McClay exchanged points before the alert McClay shot St. Columb’s ahead with six minutes left. A minute later Cathail Arnold levelled to send the game to a replay.

St. Columb’s: M. Lynch, E. McBride, S. O’Connor, A. Hargan, R. McCloskey, B. Carton, A. McCloskey, Michael Brennan, M. Sweeney, C. Watson, R. Moore (0-2, 0-1 free), T. McCrossan, Mark Brennan, E. Devine (0-2), J. McClay (0-4, 0-1 free). Subs: S. Morahan for McCloskey, M. McKillion for McCrossan.

St. Patrick’s: J. McClements, P. Cochrane, P. Gilchrist, D. Turley, R. Wells, A. Doherty, D. McCarron, R. Mullan (0-3), C. Arnold (0-2), S. Murray (0-1), S. O’Reilly, J. O’Hare, P. Martin, C. McGrady (0-2), M. Hardy. Subs: S. Cochrane for McCarron, S. Morgan for O’Hare.

St. Patrick’s, Downpatrick 0-8

St. Columb’s, Derry 0-8

MACLARNON CUP SEMI-FINAL