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11 Mar 2006, 11:30
Venue: Newtownhamilton
It took extra-time to settle an absorbing Bank
of Ireland MacLarnon Cup semi-final in Newtownhamilton on Saturday morning.
In the end Downpatrick just had the edge up
front on their Donegal opponents and they sealed passage to their first final
since 2001 with a goal from midfielder Conor Maginn five minutes from the end.
It was the first time that there was any
distance between the teams and an exhausted Letterkenny couldn't muster a
response and Jason Harris added an insurance point as time ran out on the
Donegal boys.
Maginn was one of several Downpatrick players
to impress. His midfield partner Jamie O'Reilly - grandson of the former Down
hurling manager Jimmy - center-half back Timmy Hanna and the target man up front
Paul McComiskey were others to trouble a resolute Letterkenny who had upped
their quarter-final performance by quite some distance. The Red High however,
were creating a lot of chances but couldn't convert them. Over the course of the
game, Downpatrick hit the post several times, while the Letterkenny keeper made
a host of good saves. Downpatrick finished the contest with 16 wides.
St. Eunan's dominated the first half and led
by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break with points from Caolán McFadden (2), Michael Murphy
(2), Dónal Gallagher and Paul Thornton.
Downpatrick came back into the frame during
the second half with McComiskey firing over from allangles and they took the
lead in the 53rd minute.
St. Eunan's struggled after Rónán McLaughlin
retired injured but they did conjure up a late point from Seán Hueston to force
extra time. The teams were locked on 10 points each at half time in extra time,
but Maginn's goal made all the difference and it's the Red High that heads for
the final against La Salle - a game rumored to be a double-header Casement Park
on March 25th with the Corn na nÓg final replay.
St. Patrick's Downpatrick : Kieran Gordon,
Michael Rooney, David Turley, Paddy McAuley, David McAuley, Timmy Hanna, Michael
Breen, Conor Maginn 1-0, Jamie O'Reilly 0-3, Damien Turley, Cahal Crilly 0-1,
Ben O'Reilly, Stevie Galbraith, Conor Heath 0-1, Paul McComiskey 0-6. Subs :
Jason Harris 0-1 for Damien Turley, Conor Killen for Conor Heath, Paul Rooney
for Timmy Hanna.
St. Eunan's : John Carr, Rónán McLaughlin,
Seán Crossan, Ruairí McDaid, Mark McGowan, Paul Thornton 0-1, James McDaid,
Michael Murphy 0-5, Ross Wherity, Ciarán McCarron, Anton McFadden, Christy
Connaghaton, Dónal Gallagher 0-1, Jack O'Doherty, Caolán McFadden 0-2. Subs :
Ollie Doherty for D Gallagher, Alan Cavannagh for R McLaughlin, Seán Hueston 0-1
for J O'Doherty. |
