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St Ronan's win Masita Hogan Cup title

Rioghan Meehan impressed for St Ronans at Croke Park.

Rioghan Meehan impressed for St Ronans at Croke Park.

Masita Hogan Cup Final

St Ronan's, Lurgan 1-10 Rice College, Westport 1-9

By Kevin Egan at Croke Park

St. Ronan’s College of Lurgan may be in existence for just three years, but this afternoon they achieved a feat that they share with less than 30 other schools all across Ireland – they added their name to the roll of honour for the prestigious Hogan Cup.

Sarsfields player Oisín Smyth was the hero for the Armagh school with a sensational point off the outside of the boot to give his team their last and most decisive lead of the day over Rice College of Westport, but it wasn’t until referee Brendan Cawley sounded his final whistle that the players and supporters of these two sides could finally draw breath, following an enthralling, evenly matched contest at Croke Park.

Both these schools made history in 2018 by winning their first ever provincial titles, but it was the Armagh side, who came into the final as favourites after knocking out Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, one of two Kerry schools that shared the last four titles between them.

There was nothing to call between these sides on the field however and it was Rice College who took a 1-5 to 0-6 lead into the dressing rooms at the interval.

Oisin Smyth put the MacRory Cup winners into an early lead but in the sixth minute a Rice College “45” was flicked to the net from close range by midfielder Patrick Chambers to put the Mayo students into a commanding position.

Stephen Loftus then added a point from a free but then St. Ronan’s began to grow in confidence in front of the passionate crowd of supporters that packed into the lower deck of the Hogan Stand.

Eoin McConville knocked over two “45s”, the second of which came after a brilliant save from Westport keeper Cian Kennedy denied Ruairi McConville a goal, one of two stunning saves in the half from the Westport club man.

The sides traded scores with the tie very much in the balance before the West Mayo school finished the first half strongly, taking their two-point lead through a superb point from centre half forward Mark Moran and another from a Stephen Loftus free. 

Loftus pushed the Connacht champions three in front on the restart, but Smyth kept the Armagh school in touch with his third of the afternoon. St. Ronan’s then spurned their third goal chance of the day, midfielder Jack Lenehan blasting the ball wide after powering through on goal with a strong run.

The Rice College goal was living a charmed life, but that wasn’t to last as St. Ronan’s finally made the breakthrough they craved in the 39th minute. A flowing move broke down close to goal but sharp reflexes from Tiernan Kelly enabled the Clann Éireann man to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

A Lambert free levelled matters but back came St.Ronan’s with Adam Loughran edging them back in front, and the tie remained finely poised right up until the end.

Loftus equalised before Mark Moran gave Westport the lead, and some nervousness crept into the St. Ronan’s play as they missed a number of chances before Loughran drew them level again in the 52nd minute.

The winner came 60 seconds later with Smyth landing an outstanding effort with the outside of his boot. Westport had a great chance to send the game to extra time but Lambert missed his free kick, the last dramatic act in a memorable showpiece occasion for Post Primary Schools football.  

**Scorers for St. Ronan’s, Lurgan: **Oisín Smyth 0-4, Tiernan Kelly 1-0, Eoin McConville 0-3 (2fs, 1 45), Adam Loughran 0-2, Rioghan Meehan 0-1.

**Scorers for Rice College, Westport: **Stephen Loftus 0-4 (4fs), Patrick Chambers 1-0, Pat Lambert 0-2 (1f), Mark Moran 0-2, Keith Joyce 0-1.

St. Ronan’s, Lurgan: Luke Mulholland; Eoin McCluskey, Aidan Mulholland, Jack Haddock; Aaron McCreanor, Jamie Lamont, Jamie Haughey; Jack Lenehan, Tiernan Kelly; Oisín Smyth, Adam Loughran, Rioghan Meehan; Ruairí McConville, Leo Monteiro, Eoin McConville.

Subs: Mark McAfee for R McConville, Josh Megoran for McCreanor.

Rice College, Westport: Cian Kennedy; Luke Dawson, Rory Brickenden, Ray Walsh; Jack Carney, Eoghan McLaughlin, Michael Brady; Fintan McManamon, Patrick Chambers; Keith Joyce, Mark Moran, Luke Tunney; Stephen Loftus, Pat Lambert, Cillian Heaney.

Subs: Conor Calvey for Loftus, John McGlynn for Brady.

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).