Masita Hogan Cup Semi-Final

St. Michael’s Enniskillen 2-13 St. Colman’s College, Claremorris 1-10

By Conor McKenna at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

St. Michael’s Enniskillen advanced to the final of the Hogan Cup, after a six point victory over St. Colman’s College, Claremorris.

St. Michael’s led from start to finish and were easy on the eye, playing an attractive brand of football throughout the game.

This was in complete contrast to the style that the Fermanagh senior side currently operate with, as St. Michael’s went out to attack and were lucky to be blessed with some fantastic forwards such as Darragh Mac Brien, Micheal Glynn and Conor Love.

St. Michael’s hit quick ball into the full forward line and it was all to easy for the forwards to score, as the Fermanagh school scored two goals inside the opening two minutes.

It was St. Michael’s who opened the scoring courtesy of a place ball from Darragh Mac Brien, before an effort from Conor Love.

The Ulster college then found the net for the games opening goal, with Caolan Duffy beating the goalkeeper with a neat shot. St. Michael’s had a second goal shortly after, with Conor Love winning the ball ahead of Justin Commons, beating his marker and finishing past Darragh Fallon.

Two further scores followed to open up a 10 point lead and at this stage it looked like a one sided game was on the cards. St. Colman’s had other ideas, however, and a 14th minute free from full forward Conor McGuinness opened the Mayo school’s account.

Mac Brien responded with a point for St. Michael’s but it was all Claremorris up until the interval, with St. Colman’s registering the next five points.

A potential game-changer arrived just before half time, when Pol McKervey’s shot was cleared off the line and a devastating St. Colman’s counter attack resulted in Enda Hession finishing to the back of the net.

St Michael’s held a 2-5 to 1-6 lead at the break that was just about deserved on the balance of play, with all to play for in the second half.

A free from McGuinness opened the second half scoring, as his side managed to reduce a 10 point deficit down to a single point, but that was as good as it got for St. Colman’s, as Mac Brien responded with a well-taken attempt.

Conor Love’s shot was superbly saved by Fallon in the Claremorris goalmouth, but Love added a point shortly after to stretch his sides lead to three.

St. Michael’s pushed on for a six point victory and this was an impressive performance.

Scorers for St Michael’s Enniskillen: Micheal Glynn 0-5 (3fs), Conor Love 1-2, Caolan Duffy 1-1, Darragh Mac Brien 0-4 (2fs), Josh Largo-Ellis 0-1.

Scorers for St. Colman’s College, Claremorris: Conor McGuinness 0-5 (5fs), Enda Hession 1-0, Matt Saunders 0-1, Ethan Henry 0-1 (45”), Niall Treacy 0-1, Padraig Cummins 0-1, James Jennings 0-1 (1f).

ST MICHAEL’S ENNISKILLEN: 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: Rian Mc Govern for Pol Mc Kervey (h-t), Garvan Quigley for Tom Keenan (43), Glenn Treacy for Josh Horan (48, B/C), Conor Mc Aloon for Mc Govern (57), Nathan McAdam for Mc Aloon (60, B/C).

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE, CLAREMORRIS: Darragh Fallon; Conrad Dixon, Justin Commons, Luke Gallagher; Ethan Henry, Liam Og Horkan, Padraig Cummins; Cillian Golding, Sean Keane; Matt Saunders, Enda Hession, Niall Treacy; James Jennings, Conor McGuinness, Steven Nyland.

Subs: Aaron Hughes for Matt Saunders (57), Cian Naughton for Justin Commons (60, B/C).

REFEREE: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).