Danske Bank Markey Cup final St Malachy’s, Castlewellan 2-12 Holy Cross, Strabane 1-13
ST Malachy’s, Castlewellan scored three points in time added on to lift the Markey Cup in Dunmoyle yesterday.
This was a hugely entertaining encounter and St Malachy’s enjoyed a great start when full-forward Eoghan Travers blasted to the net. However, Holy Cross then assumed control, Conor Langan, Aidan Hegarty and Oisin Kelly all landing points, before a high ball in from Langan came off defender Shea Baker for a goal.
Another superb long-range Langan free left the Tyrone side 1-6 to 1-1 in front by the 19th minute.
Holy Cross, though, were to add just another point in the opening period as St Malachy’s played some superb football to hit back. Taidhg O’Hanlon, Ross Green and the impressive Ruairi Madine all hit points before the latter nipped in to palm to the net for a 2-6 to 1-7 interval lead.
By the fifth minute of the second half, the lead had changed hands again, with the superb Langan scoring from play as well as from a free and Dara Dooher also on target.
A free from midfielder Chris Kelly McEvoy levelled matters and that set the tone for the remainder of the game as it ebbed and flowed.
Twice Holy Cross edged in front through a brace of frees from Corin McConnell, but on both occasions St Malachy’s responded via Green and McEvoy.
Castlewellan were looking the stronger side at this stage and it took a goal-line clearance from defender Ronan McLaughlin as well as a save from keeper Ronan Ward to keep them at bay.
With four minutes of normal time left to play a Langan free put his side back in front but it proved to be their last score of the game. O’Hanlon fisted the equaliser and after James Savage had put Castlewellan in front, a McEvoy free was the insurance score.
St Malachy’s R Madine 1-3 (0-1m); E Travers 1-0; T O’Hanlon & C McEvoy (0-2f) 0-3 each; R Green 0-2; J Savage 0-1
Holy Cross C Langan 1-6 (0-4f); C McConnell 0-3 (0-2f); A Hegarty, J Gallagher, O Kelly & D Dooher 0-1 each