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The 2007 Ulster
Bank Ulster Vocational schools
Arthurs Cup Final at St Tiernachs
Park Clones will be remembered as
one of the best Schools Finals seen
for years. St Columbans Kilkeel with
a population of 290 pupils took on
the mighty St Pauls Bessbrook with
1500 pupils in what was billed as
the David v Goliath clash.
It was the
favourites St Pauls who settled
early into their stride racing into
a 2 point lead to lead in the game.
L. Lennon and S. Matthews pointing
after only a few mins. It took St
Columbans 11 minutes to settle and
it was from a free from C Doyle. Two
superb points from D Doyle one from
his right and one from his left put
St Columbans in front again though
it was St Pauls who hit back going
5-3 up with 5 minutes to play in the
1st half with a superb
point from Tombo Hughes. St
columbans responded with the move of
the match, Poland played a lovely
pass to Doyle who in turn fed
Flanagan who powered to the net to
leave the half time score 1-03 to
0-06.
The second half
was a game of cat and mouse, both
teams playing a sweeper and scores
hard to come by, it was point for
point until the last 7 mins when M
Ireland free and an inspirational
score from their joint capt C Poland
put St Columbans 2 ahead and within
touching distance of their first
Ulster Title since 1991. St Pauls
though to their credit never gave in
and 4mins into added time cut the
deficit to 1. A tense couple of mins
followed with O Hare, Higgins and
man of the match Gartland resisting
everything C King and Tombo Hughes
in the St Pauls attack could throw
at them.
At the final
whistle there were emotional scenes
as St Columbans picked up only their
2nd ever Ulster Title
against all odds.
Coach Steven
Poacher was quick to praise the
players after it… “These players
have given absolutely everything all
year. From September right through
till now they v been training hard 3
times a week, they even gave up
their Christmas to train and most of
their Saturdays, its not just a
victory for them, it’s a victory for
the staff, the school and all of
Mourne who are represented here
today in one way or another. Today
was all about what we v talked about
all year the “Mourne Spirit”. They
deserve this today no question about
it.
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