Danske Bank Rafferty Cup final: St Malachy's, Castlewellan 1-16 St Patrick’s, Armagh 2-7
SHEA Croskery’s soccer-style goal five minutes from full-time that eventually settled this Danske Bank Rafferty Cup final at the Queen’s Arena in favour of St Malachy’s, Castlewellan.
They always had the upper hand over St Patrick’s Armagh, but just couldn’t shake them off until Croskery dribbled in from 30 metres and cracked the ball home from close range.
Luke Savage turned in a Player of the Match performance for St Malachy’s, ably supported by Liatroim pair Eoghan O’Hare and Conor McAnulty in defence. Their midfield in general controlled the area, although Conor Toner also had his moments.
However, up front Castlewellan had plenty of options with some excellent scores from Brendan McKay and also from Matthew Carvill and Justin Clarke after the pair switched positions.
While Armagh chased the game from the start, they were still in with a shout going into the last few minutes due to the contributions of Conor Gormley, Niall Boyle, Dillon Horsfield, Arran McGahan and substitute James Birt.
St Malachy’s opened strongly with points from McKay, Clarke (2) and defender Luke Savage to move four ahead before Tom Weir got Armagh off the mark in the 12th minute.
Castlewellan pulled away though and after 26 minutes led by 0-7 to 0-2, only to be hit with a goal from Michael McGleenan and point from Ruairi McDonald right on the break. Those scores, however, seemed to galvanise St Malachy’s for the second half and they opened with three quick points, a free from Sheelan Johnston and super long-range scores from Brendan McKay and Matthew Carvill.
Although McDonald and impressive substitute James Birt hit back for St Patrick’s, Castlewellan fired another three points in quick succession to move into a 0-13 to 1-5 lead with ten minutes remaining. They were then hit by a point from Birt, followed quickly by a goal from Arron McGahan and suddenly the game was back in the melting pot.
St Malachy’s, though, responded brilliantly with two fine points from Matthew Carvill followed by Croskery’s goal and the Rafferty Cup was heading to the ‘Town’ for the first time.
