For the first time in the forty-six year history of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, the senior footballers are BT Colleges Mac Larnon Cup Champions after a thrilling victory over St Columb’s College, Derry at the Morgan Athletic Grounds in Armagh on 19th March.
St Paul’s Bessbrook 1-10 St Columb’s Derry 0-6
St Paul’s Bessbrook made up for the disappointment of losing in last sesaon’s final when they were worthy winners over St Columb’s Derry in the BT Mac Larnon Cup final at the Morgan Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
The Derry lads began the brighter with the wind at their backs and centre half back Emmett McBride and James McClay both converting frees before Ciaron O’Hanlon palmed in a Bessbrook goal in the tenth minute.
A superb free from distance from McBride reduced the deficit to the minimum before midfielder and team captain Michael Murphy responded for St Paul’s. It was McBride though who had the final say of the opening half from a “45” to leave it 1-3 to 0-5 at the break.
In the third quarter, full forward O’Hanlon had a Bessbrook brace before James McClay got St Columb’s only score of the second period. The Derry lads had their chances though but great defending as well as a superb save from keeper Blaine Hughes kept them at bay.
In the closing stages the Armagh lads pulled away with substitute Jemar Hall hitting a superb brace and Sloan hitting another couple as well as they lifted the title and ensured their place in the All Ireland semi final.
St Paul’s Bessbrook – B Hughes, C McCooey, C Moley, S Lavelle, F Burns, P Campbell, A McKay, M Murphy [0-1], E Burns, C Mackin, C Sloan [0-4], G McCabe, C McCullough, C O’Hanlon [1-3], R McCabe.
Subs – C Nugent for McCabe, J Cosgrave for Lavelle, J Hall [0-2] for McCullough, A Nugent for F Burns, M Feehan for Mackin
St Columb’s Derry – M Lynch, B Carton, S O’Connor, A Hargan, R McCloskey, E McBride [0-3], M McCallion, M Brennan, M Sweeney, C Watson, E Devine, R Moore, S Morahan, M Brennan [0-1], J McClay [0-2].
Subs – S Morahan for McCallion, D Watson for C Watson
Referee – P Coyle – Tyrone
‘Kings of Ulster’ – St Paul’s Bessbrook from Jerome Quinn on Vimeo.
19 comments
Well Done All of the st pauls lads!!x 🙂 😀
by Aoife on 19/03/2012 at 5:38 pm #
Congratulations boys! Well done you did st Paul’s proud!!
by Eimear Donnelly on 19/03/2012 at 5:58 pm #
Well done to all involved in today’s ulster final. Very proud to be part of St. Paul’s today. The boys were brilliant. Here’s to the next round
by Freda Mackin on 19/03/2012 at 6:38 pm #
Well done to each and every one of you. You should be very proud of what you have achieved. A fantastic game played at top speed. Today St Paul’s came of age. The sky is the limit!
by Oliver Mooney on 19/03/2012 at 7:19 pm #
So glad to have been there to witness this magnificent win! Well done to all involved. You all deserved this and I felt especially proud of my old Year Group!
Bravo!!!
by Mary Mc Mahon on 19/03/2012 at 7:24 pm #
Fr Bradley, the last Parish Priest of Lower Killeavy and former Chair of Governors of St Paul’s sends his congratulations to everyone involved with the MacLarnon victory and to the whole St Paul’s community.
Mr Jim Keenan, ex St Paul’s teacher also sends his congratulations to Mr Rafferty, Mr O’Rourke and the victorious St Paul’s team on winning the MacLarnon Cup
by Oliver Mooney on 19/03/2012 at 7:26 pm #
Well done to Marty, John and all the lads. A fantastic achievement today. Particularly proud of the Year 13 boys!
by Christine fearon on 19/03/2012 at 7:55 pm #
What a fantastic win!- Congratulations to the panel of players and staff involved in today’s momentous occasion!!
by Noella Murray on 19/03/2012 at 8:06 pm #
Fantastic result, this team and their mentors have made History in St. Paul’s!
by John Campbell on 19/03/2012 at 8:52 pm #
looks like use didnt need me afterall!!!! go on st puals ya boy ya
by kevin mckevitt on 20/03/2012 at 10:15 am #
Got to hand it to you boys you played a stormer yesterday so proud to be part of the St Paul’s school you have conquered and made history bring it on for Saturday – boys you can do it :):)
by aine gregory on 20/03/2012 at 11:20 am #
Can’t get over this our school being Ulster Champions hopefully the lads can push onto the All Ireland fingers crossed. If I stay on next year we can be in the same position. Makes me proud to say I go to Saint Pauls 😀
by Micheal McGrory on 20/03/2012 at 3:13 pm #
An amazing achievement! Well done to Martin, John and all the boys, particularly the Dromintee lads :-). You are all a credit to the school, especially to overcome last year’s defeat, shows real strength of character. Michael, the team are lucky to have such a fantastic captain, well done. Comhghairdeas libh a bhuachaillí. Ardscoil Naomh Pól abú!
by Ciara McCoy on 20/03/2012 at 9:35 pm #
Heartiest conratulations to all at St.Pauls, from St.Mary’s CBS. A great performance in the best traditions of our association and games. To the players, everyone of you played with the fearlessness of youth and the composure of champions, you will hold a special place in the history of your school. To the management team of John and Martin, I offer sincere personal congratulations, such victories are forged far from crowds and camera’s in the dark evenings and cold mornings of hard work. Your individual achievements in your own careers are there for all to see but I’m sure a special satisfaction is felt in passing the knowledge, skill and experience on to these boys.Well done
by Paddy Linden on 21/03/2012 at 11:03 am #
Mrs Mc Mahon and I had a marvelous day in celebrating your success. Well done boys.
by Mrs O' Hare on 21/03/2012 at 1:41 pm #
So proud of all the boys, the match was class from what I remember. pics look fab 😛
by Saoirse Gregory on 22/03/2012 at 3:07 pm #
well done lads what a game you’s played All-ireland is next bring it home 😛
by paudie mc donnell on 22/03/2012 at 5:25 pm #
Delighted for the team, management and the school. its been a while coming but hard work and determination are always rewarded in the end.
Congratulations lad
Micheal Mallie
San Mateo CA
by Micheal Mallie on 22/03/2012 at 7:22 pm #
Well done lads! So proud of each and everyone of you. Did the school proud and yourselves proud. Great environment to be in and it’s really brought the school closer together 🙂 proud to be part of the school xxxO’
by Aimee Morgan on 24/03/2012 at 3:41 pm #