2024 Rannafast Cup final
Omagh CBS 0-10 Abbey CBS 0-9
Omagh CBS justified their favourites tag but they were taken right to the well by a superb Abbey CBS side in the final of the Danske Bank Rannafast Cup at O’Neill Park in Dungannon tonight.
In doing so they created their own piece of History as they became the first team from the School to win Dalton, Corn na Og, Oisin McGrath and Rannafast titles.
Abbey though more than played their part in a cracking encounter from start to finish. The Down lads took the field in Trillick jersies, a lovely tribute to the late Jody Gormley who had been manager of this group of players throughout their School careers, and they certainly did his memory proud.
From the first whistle they fought tigerishly for every ball and they knocked a free scoring Omagh side out of their stride and it took a brilliant injury time point from Captain Diarmuid Martin to win it for Omagh.
It was Omagh who opened the scoring through Peter Colton but Abbey corner forward Ryan O’Hare levelled matters. The Tyrone School then moved two clear thanks to efforts from Martin and Kieran McDonagh.
Abbey though we’re giving as good as they got and they levelled through Oisin Byrne and Odhran Reel but had keeper Brodie McGreevey to thank for a superb save to deny Cathal Farley. As the half wore on Abbey were the better side and they deservedly led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break after points from Reel and Conall Gallagher.
Omagh came out for the second half with all guns blazing and within three minutes they were level after both Colton and McDonagh had raised white flags. Abbey though we’re going nowhere with Caolan McEntee outstanding in midfield and two frees from Reel gave them back their two point cushion by the three quarter mark.
Martin then landed an inspirational score from out on the left wing before substitute Aodhan Corry equalised. With tensions high Peter Garrity edged Omagh in front with six minutes to go with a terrific score.
Cathal Cunningham was denied an Omagh goal with another fabulous McGreevey save and there was still plenty of late drama to come. Two minutes into injury time midfielder McEntee hit an outstanding equaliser after going past four or five challenges and we looked set for extra time.
Garrity though won possession from the next kickout and when he was fouled around the middle he sent the free long were Martin won possession to land a glorious winner.