Ulster Colleges success for Tullylish Boys

08 March 2010

Tullylish were well represented on the St Colmans team that won the Corn na nÓg on Saturday. Congratulations to Aidan McKernan, Conor Magee and Michael Moore. Find match report below: ST PATRICK’S MAGHERA 0-16 ST COLMAN’S NEWRY 1-14 In a thrilling game of end to end football, played on a superb Derrytresk pitch last Saturday morning, St. Colmans.etched out a very hard earned win over reigning Champions and long time Ulster Colleges’ rivals St. Patricks Maghera. Having been undefeated all season, and coming off the back of commanding wins over St McCartans Monaghan and local side Abbey CBS in the semi and quarter-finals respectively, the College went into the match as slight favourites St Colmans started very nervously, however, and allowed their Derry opponents to get the upper hand in the opening stages – Maghera opening up a deserving 4 point at half time The College were finding it difficult to escape the close marking, however they did manage to muster scores from Patrick O’Hagan, Barney Doyle and the impressive Ryan Devlin (2). They did have an opportunity to close the gap just before the break but a fine save from Maghera keeper Ciaran McCloy denied Clonduffs’ Patrick O’Hagan a certain goal. Some stern words from managers Kevin Franklin and Ronan Mcmahon at the interval resulted in a much more focused and determined Newry side coming out in the second half. St Colman’s had the advantage of a slight breeze and opened brightly with 2 points from lively corner forward Pearse Óg McCrickard. However Ruairi McElwee pointed 3 frees from and Conor Convery scored another to see the Derry team 5 points ahead as the second half reached its midway point. Newry Mitchels’ Sean Tierney and McElwee exchanged pointed frees before an incisive run and wonderful goal from Tierney brought St Colman’s back into the match. Maghera stretched their lead before points from Pearse Óg McCrickard and classy half-back Aidan McKiernan drew St Colman’s level for the first time in the game. Just as Colmans had clawed themselves level wing back Johnny Brown received a second yellow card and was dismissed with ten minutes to go. This seemed to galvanise the Voilet Hill boys, however. The withdrawal of Captain Jack Haughey to the half forward line left an ocean of space for Devlin and McCrickard on the edge of the square and the excellent Clonduff duo of Rory McQuaid and Conall Brown pushed up from defence, confusing Maghera who didn’t know where to put their extra man and allowing Colmans to really push forward in the last few minutes. McElwee did point twice more for St Patrick’s- the second opportunity was really a goal chance- but Patrick O’Hagan was able to capatilise on some great tackling and pressure form midfielders Cormac McKay and Conor Magee to send over points in the 25th, 29th and 31st minutes, ensuring St Colman’s were one point up at the final whistle. The large contingent of College supporters were delighted to see Captain Jack Haughey be presented with the cup and extend their record as the most successful school in Ulster in this competition. Liam McAleavey (Clonduff), Liam Hynes (Drumgath), Rory McQuiad (Clonduff), Liam McGreevey (Clonduff), Aidan McKiernan (Tullylish),n Conal Brown (Clonduff), Johnny Brown (Newry Shamrocks), Conor Magee (Tullylish), Cormac Mc Kay (Burren), Sean Tierney (Newry Mitchels), Partick O’Hagan (Clonduff), Barney Doyle (Newry Bosco), Ryan Devlin (Kilcoo),Jack Haughey ( Newry Shamrocks), PearseÓg McCrickard (Liatriom Fontenoys) Subs – Rossa McCartan(Castlewellan) , Conor Gilmore (St Johns) , Patrick Gallagher (Castlewellan) , Shane Morgan (Kilcoo) , Shay Carroll (Carrickcruppen) , Mark Devlin ( Clonduff) , Conor Wallace (Newry Bosco) , Declan Gribben (Clonduff) , Steven McConville (Clonduff ) , Oisin O’Neill (Crossmaglen) , Michael Moore (Tullylish) , James Rowland (Rostrevor) , Paraic Keating (Silverbridge) Coaches Kevin Franklin Ronan McMahon (both St.Peters Warrenpoint) SCORERS: ST COLMAN’S : Sean Tierney 1-02; Patrick O’Hagan 0-04; Pearse McCrickard 0-03; Ryan Devlin 0-02; Conor Magee, Aidan McKiernan and Barney Doyle 0-01 each