Danske Bank MacRory Cup semi-final
Omagh 2-7 St Mary’s, Magherfelt 0-12
HOLDERS Omagh CBS withstood a superb second half revival from St Mary’s, Magherafelt at Coalisland on Friday night to book their place in the final of the Danske Bank MacRory Cup.
The Derry lads had trailed by five points at the break but with Eamon Young, Conall Higgins and James Sargent to the fore they dominated the third quarter to really make a game of it. Omagh struggled to get a foothold in the game again with Magherafelt defender Charlie Curley spurning the opportunity to send the contest to extra time when he sent wide with the last kick of the game.
The holders led by double scores at the break thanks to two well taken goals. Their first major arrived as early as the 6th minute when Liam Og Mossey was in the right place at the right time to finish from close range after Magherafelt keeper Karl Campbell had denied Paudie Dillon.
St Marys opened their account with a point from Charlie Mulholland before Conall Higgins converted a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Dillon converted a mark before midfielder Charlie Donnelly landed a brilliant point from distance for the holders to leave three between them again at the end of the opening quarter.
St Marys midfielder James Sargent then charged through the middle of the Omagh defence to fire over a quality score to keep his side in touch. Magherafelt were experiencing great difficulty in trying to break down a well organised Omagh defence with team Captain Callum Daly to the fore at centre half back.
In the 21st minute hesitancy in the Magherafelt defence was punished when wing half back Mark Corcoran steered the ball first time past Campbell after the Omagh player had brilliantly adjusted his feet. Luke Grant responded for St Mary’s with a point and after Ruairi McCullagh and Patrick Birt had exchanged frees midfielder Eoin Donaghy had the final say of the half with a fisted effort.
Whatever was said to Magherafelt in the changing rooms at halftime certainly had the desired affect as they reappeared with all guns blazing. Higgins knocked over a free and straight from the kickout Upung showed blistering pace to run through and split the posts.
Young then tagged on an unbelievable point after going past three or four challenges to cut the gap to two just five minutes in. It was all Magherafelt at this stage with Birt unlucky to hit the post with a goal chance while Omagh defender Blaine Lynch cleared one off the line.
Omagh were in trouble but they got two crucial scores from Dillon and Donaghy. Mossey then added another point to leave four between the sides but that proved to be their last score in the 52nd minute. Young hit another brace of points either side of a hood save from St Marys keeper Campbell to deny sub Mattie Howe. Magherafelt substitute Michael Higgins hit a great score from the right wing but Omagh did enough to just hold on.