Danske Bank Ulster Schools GAA MacRory Cup Final

ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE ENNISKILLEN 0-16 OMAGH CBS 2-6

By Michael Devlin at Athletic Grounds

The margin in the end was just four points, but the manner of St Michael’s victory was much more convincing.

The Enniskillen boys led from start to finish, were undoubtedly the better team through this afternoon’s MacRory Cup final, with wing-forward Darragh MacBrien delivering a shining performance with eight points, six from play.

For Omagh CBS, it was a day to forget. Their attack malfunctioned, their starting forward line only managing two points from play, and across the pitch they were unable to match the work rate of a much hungrier Fermanagh side.

St Michael’s were streets ahead of their Tyrone counterparts in the first half, with half forward duo Mac Brien and Michael Glynn providing nine points of their 0-11 total at the break.

The pair registered Enniskillen’s opening scores as they raced into an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, Simon Garrity pointing for Omagh.

CBS full forward Mark Hayes powered his way in from the left to fist over in the ninth minute, but Enniskillen stretched out their lead again with Glynn landing a left foot effort.

The Derrygonnelly man was involved again when he collected an intricate Conor Love pass inside the box, only to be upended by Antoin Fox. He lost his footing as he struck the penalty however and the spot kick floated over the bar.

A long-range Daniel Fullerton free was a rare moment of quality from Omagh in the 16th minute, but it was to be their last score of the half as Enniskillen moved up a gear. MacBrien added a point from a free before the same player raced through the heart of the CBS defence to clip over a score.

Centre-back Josh Largo-Ellis was the next man on the scoresheet with a looping shot that bounced over Oran Grimes’ crossbar, and St Michael’s tagged on three more points before halftime through MacBrien, Pol McKervey and Glynn to lead by eight.

Omagh needed something to ignite a fightback, and 1-3 in succession brought them back into contention. Sean McDonagh and Cormac McBride tagged on two quick points before a footblock on Simon Garrity’s effort on goal was rewarded with a penalty by referee Barry Cassidy, and Fullerton coolly slotted home.

A badly needed Garvan Quigley point in the 46th minute stopped the rot, followed up by two MacBrien efforts and a fine score by Conor Love, and once again Enniksillen were back in command with a nine-point lead.

Omagh though weren’t throwing in the towel just yet, and they struck for their second goal through McDonagh, but determined defending from Enniskillen and some fine fetches at midfield from captain Brandon Horan maintained Enniskillen’s firm grip on the game.

That man McBrien fired over his eight of the day from a free kick to cap a stellar personal performance, and a thoroughly impressive team display from St Michael’s.

Scorers for St Michael’s: Darragh MacBrien 0-8 (2f), Michael Glynn 0-4 (0-1 pen), Josh Largo-Ellis 0-1, Pol McKervey 0-1, Garvan Quigley 0-1, Conor Love 0-1

Scorers for Omagh CBS: Sean McDonagh 1-2, Daniel Fullerton 1-1 ( 1-0 pen 1f), Simon Garrity, Mark Hayes, Cormac McBride 0-1.

ST MICHAEL’S: Sean McNally; Luke Flanagan, Garrett Cavanagh, Josh Horan; Aichlinn O Cathain, Josh Largo-Ellis, Ronan McHugh; Brandon Horan, Joe McDade; Caolan Duffy, Michael Glynn, Darragh Mac Brien; Pol McKervey, Conor Love, Tom Keenan. Subs: Garvan Quigley for T. Keenan (38), Rian McGovern for P. McKervey (43)

OMAGH CBS: Oran Grimes, Cormac McBride, Antoin Fox, Ronan Hollywood; Tom Donaghy, Lorcan McBride, Rory Kennedy; Liam Gray, Aaron Montgomery; Simon Garrity, Daniel Fullerton, Eoin Montgomery; Rory Donnelly, Mark Hayes, Aodhan McConnell. Subs: Sean McDonagh for R. Donnelly (23), Brian Conway for E. Montgomery (52).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)