Write a commentThe first ever St Colman's College Hurling team to reach and Ulster Final went one better and won their first ever BT Ulster Colleges’ competition in the Mc Farland Cup.
The Newry school defeated St Patrick’s Academy Downpatrick on a scoreline of 3-6 to 2-10.
This team, therefore, will go up on the famous College wall as the first Hurling team to do so. The team in blue were up against it from the off as Red High had quality throughout their team, littered with players from hurling strongholds such as Ballygalget, Portaferry and Kilclief.
The magnificent Captain, Pearse Óg Mc Crickard a son of former Down hurler Pearse Mc Crickard lifted the trophy on behalf of the College, this victory adding to the lad’s Corn na nÓg medal he won with the footballers last year.
It is a poignant victory for a College, which is steeped in Gaelic Football tradition and in many ways is defined by their successes on the Gaelic Football playing field. This win caps off a great sporting year for the College and comes hot on the heels of MacRory and Hogan Cup victories.
Downpatrick got a good start with a quick goal and a point from their target man Sean Hardy. However St Colman’s captain Pearse óg McCrickard’s influence grew as the half progressed and he pointed on five occasions with Kyle Kane adding a sixth for the Newry side.
Daithi Sands however fired in a Downpatrick goal and they held a 2-2 to 0-6 advantage at the break.
1-1 from impressive midfielder Robert Ellis on the restart put St Colman’s ahead and they maintained their lead throughout the second half with Michael Jordan firing home a second goal from ten yards.
After McCrickard had added 2 frees, St Colman’s led 2-10 to 2-4, but Downpatrick hit back with a beautiful strike to the top-corner from Oisín McManus 5 minutes from time.
Sean Hardy added a point and the crossbar came to St Colman’s rescue in the dying seconds as Downpatrick pushed for a winner.
That winner didn’t come however and St Colman’s, who created football history earlier this year by retaining the Hogan Cup, now have broken new ground with a first ever Ulster Colleges’ hurling crown.
Many players on both sides impressed - Michael Lennon, Declan Rooney, Michael Doran, Tony Dinsmore, Robert Ellis, Kyle Kane, and Pearse Óg McCrickard for St Colman’s and Conan Hynds, Conail Fay, Jake Carville, Cormac Coulter, Daithi Sands, Oisin McManus, Sean Hardy for the Red High – indicating that both schools will make a big contribution to the game in years to come.
St Colman’s : Michael Lennon, Declan Rooney, Michael Doran, Joseph Cunningham, Niall Daly, Conall McNally, Tony Dinsmore, Robert Ellis 1-1, Kyle Kane 0-2, Niall McGreevey, Stephen McKey, Patrick Scullion, Tiarnán McCavanagh, Michael Jordan 1-0, Pearse Óg McCrickard capt 0-7.
Sub : Callum Campbell for N McGreevey.
St Patrick’s : Conan Hynds, Louis McMullan, Conail Fay, Jamie Doran, Niall Smyth, Jake Carville, Pearse Laverty, Cormac Coulter, PJ Davidson, Daithi Sands 1-0, Oisin McManus capt. 1-2, Danny Murray, Declan Merron, Sean Hardy 1-3, Marc Fisher.
Subs : Sean Og O’Rourke for D Merron.
Ref : Frank McDonald (Crossmaglen)
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
