BT Rannafast Cup Quarter Final 2007
St. Patrick's, Downpatrick 0-10 Omagh CBS 1-10

St. Peter’s, Lurgan, 03/11/07

The Red High suffered a heartbreaking last gasp defeat to Omagh CBS in a thrilling quarter final game in Lurgan. Going into the game as massive underdogs, they nearly pulled off a shock win against thus far undefeated Omagh. This Omagh team have never lost a game in College’s “A” football, claiming titles from 1st year right through, but they were made to battle all the way by a fired up Red High outfit.

The Downpatrick lads needed a good start but they didn’t get it. Danny Morgan opened the scoring with a free kick but Omagh responed in emphatic fashion. Roared on by midfielder and dangerman, Conan Grugan they raced into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead with 15 minutes on the clock. The goal and two points coming from Grugan. With the alarm bells ringing and far too much possession being give away, the Red High management team of Declan Morgan and Joe McCann, changed formation and went for broke. This had the desired effect as Aiden O’Neill added 2 quick points of his left foot, Chris Clarke tagged on a point and Danny Morgan added another to leave the half time score at 1-6 to 0-5 to Omagh. The Downpatrick lads had now finished the half the stronger and were beginning to dominate the game.

The second half started well for Omagh who added on 2 quick scores from Grugan to lead by 6 points but the Red High responded with points of their own from Rory King, Clarke (2), and Danny Savage to bring the gap back to 2 points. Both teams were really going for it, and the tackling and pressure games of both teams was first class. Omagh were just managing to hold off the Downpatrick revival, and with time running out cam the defining moment of the game. With Chris Clarke switched to full forward in search of game winning goal in injury time, the ball was launched in. Clarke with the help of Monan, engineered a goal chance but the Omagh keeper brought of an unbelievable save to push the ball wide. From the resultant 45’, Omagh worked the ball to Grugan who sailed over a point to make the gap 3 points and with that the final whistle sounded. It was heartbreak for the Down lads who had defied the odds all year and nearly pulled off the shock of the year. Great credit to Omagh on holding out, but the Red High will feel that the best team lost on the day. There were heroes all over the park on the day on what was truly a powerful team performance.

The team can take great heart out of this campaign which has seen wins over St. Colman’s, Enniskillen, and Maghera and almost toppling the team that couldn’t be beaten. This campaign has given the school the impetus it needed to push up to MacRory next year where they have shown that they can most certainly hold their own.

Team line up as follows:
Martin O’Boyle
Connor Corrigan
Fintan Kelly
Paul Ward
Stephen Henry
Sean O'Rourke
Rauri Boyle
Issac McCauley
Aidan O'Neill
Danny Savage
Chris Clarke
Michael Monan
Rory King
Danny Morgan
Matthew Carson

Subs:
Paul Kelly for M.Carson
Jonny Potter
David Gilmore
Ryan Slavin for A O’Neill
Chris Maginn