Danske Bank MacRory Cup quarter-final: Omagh CBS 1-16 St Colman's, Newry 1-9
Omagh CBS are into the Danske Bank MacRory Cup semi finals but they had to pull out all the stops to finally break the resistance of St Colman’s Newry at the Dub in a contest that required extra time to decide.
It as the Tyrone school who needed a late equaliser in normal time via man of the match Oisin Gormley and they never looked back after that as they restricted their opponents to just one point.
It was level pegging at the break 1-4 apiece after a half that saw both sides enjoy periods of dominance. The Tyrone School enjoyed a dream start when a flowing move involving Oisin Gormley, Conor Owens and Conor McGillion ended with Patrick McCann coolly slotting low past keeper Patrick McAteer in the 3rd minute.
A minute later they almost got in for another goal only this time Caolan Donnelly saw his effort brilliantly blocked by St Colman's defender Harry Magill.
Dara Hayes then offloaded for Conor Colton to point as Omagh continued to make all the early running. Dara Quinn then opened the Newry side’s account from a free in the 13th minute that went over via the post.
A Michael Murdock free reduced the deficit but Omagh had the final say before the first water break when McCann was on target from a mark. On the restart Eoin McElholm landed a quality score but St Colman's then clicked into action.
They put pressure on the Omagh kick-out with midfielder Senan Carr taking a couple of great catches before a great ball from Aaron O’Neill saw Caolan Finnegan take a mark which he converted.
From the next kick out St Colman's drew level when a flowing move saw Finnegan crash the ball to the back of the net past keeper Conor McAneney. St Colman's now had their tails up and a Dara Quinn free edged them in front for the first time before Conor McGillion had the final say of the half.
McCann put Omagh in front in the opening attack of the second half but a brace of frees from Quinn saw the lead change hands once again. A great run from centre half back Sean O’Donnell saw him level matters before impressive midfielder Oisin Gormley put Omagh back in front.
Wing half back Eoin McKee then got Colman’s first point from play straight after the second water break before Callum O’Neill cut in from the left wing to hit a peach of a score. Omagh looked to be in trouble but Gormley came to the fore again with an inspirational score.
In the closing stages of normal time Omagh looked the likely winners but they missed a few frees and right at the end substitute Callum Daly hit the post with a great chance to win it.
O’Donnell had an outstanding point at the beginning of extra time and the winners kicked on with Gormley and McGillion (2) adding to their tally as they led 1-12 to 1-9 at the end of the opening period, Finnegan the St Colman's marksman.
McElholm, defender Jared Brogan and substitute Charlie Donnelly (2) tagged on four unanswered points after the break as they safely made it through to the semi finals.
Omagh CBS scorers: P McCann 1-2 (0-1 mark), O Gormley 0-3, C McGillion 0-3, S O’Donnell 0-2, E McElholm 0-2 (0-1 free), C Donnelly 0-2, C Colton 0-1, J Brogan 0-1
St Colman’s scorers: C Finnegan 1-2 (0-1 mark), D Quinn 0-4 frees, E McKee 0-1, C O’Neill 0-1, M Murdock 0-1 free