06 March 2009
Mac Rory Cup Semi Final, Omagh CBS (Tyrone) v St Mary's Belfast (Antrim)
St Mary’s Grammar school, Belfast went into the Semi Final of the Mac Rory Cup as huge underdogs to favourites, Omagh CBS. The game appeared to be turning out the way many people thought it would have, with Omagh racing into an early two point lead. However, St Mary’s were not over awed and clawed back with two scores of their own. Omagh then again ploughed on to go 6-2 ahead, with Tyrone minor star Peter Harte to the fore. St Mary’s missed two great goal chances during this period of the game, the best chance coming to Michael Armstrong who failed to finish a one on one situation, though credit had to be given to the Omagh Goalkeeper for a great stop. Coming up to half time both times tacked on two points each to leave the half time score line, Omagh CBS 8 – St Mary’s CBS 4. The main players in the first half were Omagh’s Sean Warnock, Peter Harte and Aodhan O'Donnell, best for St Mary’s were Christopher McGuinness, Dermot McVeigh and Desy McClean.
The second half began with Omagh adding to their four point lead with a free from Peter Harte. Omagh then came up with what has to be said, a lucky goal after the ball bounced around the box for a while, it was punched to the net by full forward Colm Hicks. St Mary’s quickly replied with a point in their own to leave the score 1-9 to 0-5. The game at this stage looked over for the City boys, but with great hunger and passion displayed they fought themselves back into the game. St Mary’s went on to add 1-2 without reply through McVeigh, Lynch and a well taken goal from Armstrong. However, just as it looked St Mary’s were going to push on for the lead, they were dealt a disastrous blow, when full back Stephen Shannon conceded a penalty for an off the ball incident which resulted in the full forward on the ground. Peter Harte dispatched the resultant penalty to leave five points between the teams, 2-9 to 1-7. Once again however, the Scoil Mhuire boys showed that they weren’t going to lie down and accept defeat as they added another to points to leave one score between the teams, through two Dermot McVeigh points.
With the game entering injury time, and St Marys appearing to be on top, with the majority of possession and what seemed to be the greater fitness levels, they were awarded a penalty for an Omagh foul in the box. McVeigh, who had a super game, will be unfortunately remembered for his injury time penalty miss. Omagh CBS move on the St Patrick’s day final against fellow Tyrone team St Patrick’s Dungannon, who are the current holders. For St Mary’s, it leaves these brave young many with terrible memories on what could have been the perfect return to top flight colleges football, though they can hold their heads high as they have had a great season and were a great ambassador for Antrim football and one that every Antrim supporter should be very proud of. With a lot of both teams players available again next year, they have to be two of the favourites for the competition.
