Danske Bank Arthurs Cup final
St Columba’s, Stranorlar 2-15 Holy Cross, Strabane 3-9
ST Columba’s and Holy Cross played out a thrilling Danske Bank Arthurs’ Cup final in Celtic Park yesterday, with the Donegal side only managing to pull away with three late points to claim the prize.
Oisin Gallen was their star man. Originally selected at midfield the Stranorlar team captain was switched with centre-forward Rory Dalton immediately after the throw-in and he went on to shoot a fantastic 1-11, just five points of which came from placed balls.
Oisin was well supported by John Moore, Aaron Gillooley and Darragh McMenamin in defence and the rest of the forwards played him into possession in good positions throughout the game.
Strabane had good spells in the game as well with Oisin Dooher, Tom Mullan and Niall McGinley pushing forward and Paul Farrell and Ruairi White strong at the back.
Stranorlar, playing into the breeze, had an excellent start with Gallen shooting the opening four points. However, once Niall McGinley opened Holy Trinity’s account from a free in the 14th minute, the Strabane side settled and took the lead with a goal from Adam Edwards in the 18th minute.
That strike was the difference between the sides at the break on a 1-6 to 0-6 scoreline, but with Strabane facing the breeze now.
They opened well with a point from McGinley, but St Columba’s hit three points in succession (two from Gallen and the other from Alex McGeehan) before a remarkable five-minute spell in the game.
Gallen found the back of the net in the 38th minute to put Stranorlar ahead and from a poor short kick-out they increased that lead with Conor Bonner taking advantage to shoot low to the net.
The next kick-out went better for Strabane and the ball was moved quickly up the field for a wonder goal from midfielder Tom Mullen, who dribbled soccer-style around three defenders before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.
Two minutes later, Strabane took the lead again when Sean Maxwell found the net only for Gallen to tap over a point and level the game at 2-10 to 3-7.
Over the course of the next 10 minutes the teams traded two points each. However, Stranorlar, with two points from Gallen and another from attacking half-back John Moore, opened a gap close to the end and it was enough for them to see out the game.
