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Academy Require Penalties To See Off Carrick
Saturday 13.01.2024
St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon 2-10 2-10 Patrician Hgh School Carrickmacross (AET)
Academy won 8-7 on penalties
When Conall Sheehy despatched Luke Neeson’s pass to the net in the tenth minute to give Dungannon Academy a five point advantage, no one in the large attendance in Galbally could have envisaged the drama which was to ensue.
Carrickmacross had Packie Burke Doogan on the sideline following a sixth minute black card and rather than force their advantage, Dungannon failed to score again until first half injury time. Tomas Quinn began the Monaghan school’s revival with a 17th minute point and when no one tracked full back Niall Meehan he gratefully accepted a pass to slam to the net, tying the game in the 25th minute.
Sean Hughes who had a mixed afternoon from placed balls, converted a late free to give Dungannon a slender lead at half time.
Dungannon suffered a blow on the restart when Sean Hughes picked up a black card. Patrician seized the initiative with a brace of points from Cian Rafferty and an Eoghan Farrelly score saw the Carrickmacross side take the lead for the first time.
Both sides were guilty of wayward shooting but when Farrelly finished to the net with five remaining, Dungannon hopes of this year’s MacRory cup looked over. Credit Dungannon’s character. Liam McGeary found the net in the 59th and Sean Hughes showed nerves of steel to convert a free deep into injury time to force extra time.
The Academy had the better of the opening period leading 3-2 at half time but Carrickmacross shaded the second period and when Tomas Quinn kicked his second point Patrician looked like they had done enough to book their place in the last four. Once again Dungannon’s resolve was tested and they produced the goods when they were needed most. Finn Spence claimed and converted a mark to send the game to penalties.
We witnessed an exhibition of penalties although Dungannon missed their first, substitute keeper Ronan Donnelly pulled off a fantastic save to deny Patrician’s third kick. The drama intensified with every kick until Patrician shot wide from the 18th kick and the Academy were through on an 8-7 scoreline.
St Patrick’s Academy will now face St Joseph’s Donaghmore in a mouth watering local derby for a place in the final. For the second year in succession three schools from Tyrone have reached the final four in the competition.
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