Danske Bank MacNamee Cup final:
St Patrick’s, Maghera 2-12 St Killian’s, Garron Tower 0-6
A TOUR-DE-FORCE from St Patrick’s, Maghera midfielder Jody McDermott wrestled the MacNamee Cup off a determined St Killian’s side in Ballymena on Friday.
The towering midfielder hit 1-8, many of them from long-distance frees and acute angles to help his side eventually pull away from the Tower boys. He was the real difference between the sides but he was well supported in midfield by Shea McKenna, with Thomas O’Neill and Raymond Dillon anchoring a good defensive unit.
St Killian’s contributed well to a highly skilful and enjoyable game of hurling and were well served by Odhran Gillan, Aidan McSparran and Colm McKeegan in defence. Further afield Niall McGarrell and Padraig McKillop contributed well.
McDermott scored the opening three points, two from frees, before six minutes were on the clock. But St Killian’s worked their way into the game and were level after 15 minutes with points from Conor McAuley, Joshua Schnell and a huge effort from Colm McKeegan.
Shea McKenna hit two points in a minute and although Padraig McKillop scored a good reply for St Killian’s, Maghera led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break. McDermott and McKillop swopped frees on the restart, before Maghera pulled clear with three points in a row. When Peter McCullagh fired to the net ten minutes from time the Cup was on its way to Derry.
McDermott confirmed that by firing a 30 metre free to the corner of the net five minutes later.
MATCH STATS
St Patrick’s: E Scullion, C Mullan, T O’Neill, J Friel, D McGill, R Dillon, S McLaughlin, S McKenna (0-2), J McDermott (1-8, 1-6 frees), C Murtagh (0-2), C O’Kane, C Downey, C Murray, P McCullagh (1-0), N Duggan; Subs: C McCloskey for C Murray (40).
St Killian’s: J McNaughton, F McCormick, O Gillan, J Leech, Aidan McSparron, C McKeegan (0-2, 0-1 free), C Lennon, N McGarrell, S McKenna, D Kearney, P McKillop (0-2, 0-1 free), J Schnell (0-1), P McIlwaine, S McIntosh, C McAuley (0-1); Subs: JV Morgan for J Schnell (ht), B O’Connor for C McAuley (40), Archie McSparran for J Leech (48).
Referee: B Toland (Lámh Dhearg).
