St Paul’s Bessbrook defeated Abbey CBGS to reach the last four of the Danske Bank Ulster Colleges MacRory Cup.
Played at Páirc Esler in Newry, Abbey were the better of the teams in the opening exchanges as they kicked three points without reply, but St Paul’s went on to dominate the half from here on, and went in leading at half time 1-03 to 0-03.
Abbey’s three scores came in the first twelve minutes of the game and they led by two points mainly because of the wayward shooting of the St Paul’s forwards.
St Paul’s only got back on course when a long ball from the marauding Gregory McCabe was knocked down by Caolan McCullough for Ciaran O’Hanlon to toe-poke the ball into the net.
O’Hanlon scored all 1-03 for St Paul’s in the opening half, but it was the composure of Eoghan Burns, the prompting of McCabe and the general strength of the defence that had the south Armagh boys in control.
Abbey dominated the opening fourteen minutes of the second half and narrowed the gap to a single point, 1-04 to 0-06, with scores from Conal Gallagher, Conor Martin and free-taker Callum Comiskey.
However after the dismissal of Oisin McCabe for a second yellow, St Paul’s again took control and finished the stronger of the teams and recorded a five point victory.
St Paul’s now await the winners of St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon, and St Macartan’s College, Monaghan, who play each other in the last of the quarter finals on Wednesday night at the Athletic grounds in Armagh.
The semi-final will be played on the weekend of the 22/23 February.
Highlights from the quarter-final:
Post-match interview with team coach, John Rafferty. (Courtesy of Jerome Quinn)
Post-match interview with from St Paul’s captain Ciaron O’Hanlon. (Courtesy of Jerome Quinn)
5 comments
A great win boys, well done!! All the best in the semi final.
by Kathy Branagan on 11/02/2013 at 5:12 pm #
Sorry couldnt make it lads.. wish i was with yous to celebrate. hopefully see you in the showers after the semi final 😉 love raymond xxx naomh pol abu
by raymond carroll on 12/02/2013 at 11:15 am #
Fantastic victory. A superb performance from all the players on the night. Well done John, Martin and the rest of the lads. If we can keep producing performances like this who knows where this team could finish up. Congratulations to the supporters! They were a credit to the school.
by Paddy Mc Avoy on 12/02/2013 at 12:18 pm #
As a past pupil I was very proud to watch St Paul’s win in such a committed and disclipined manner. A credit to your mentors,your school and yourselves.
by Christopher Mccann on 13/02/2013 at 5:35 pm #
Well done! I was so proud to be a past pupil of St. Paul’s.. As Hector would say keep her lit!
by Eamon quinn on 14/02/2013 at 10:08 pm #