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Holy Trinity Into MacRory Cup Quarter Final

Saturday 07.01.2023
Team Talk Mag
Football


 

Holy Trinity Cookstown 2-8 St Patricks Cavan 1-7

Second half goals from Brian Hampsey and Michael McElhatton ensured Holy Trinity qualified for last 8 of the MacRory Cup. A hard fought victory over St Patricks Cavan at Paddy Cullen Park, with the result in doubt right until the end.

With the benefit of a difficult cross field breeze, Holy Trinity started the game on the front foot. Captain Ruairi McHugh opening the scoring with a confident strike from the right wing. Conan Devlin doubling the lead in the 6th minute.

Both sides adopted a defensive approach, with forward units finding space at a premium. This was a physical encounter with plenty of big hits and tackles in a game well refereed by Barry Cassidy.

The Cavan team were beginning to gain a foothold in the contest. Frees were converted by Galligan and Keaney to level the scores, sandwiched a St Pats goal chance as Niall Crowe’s shot was dragged wide after receiving a Keaney pass. This was the visitor’s best period and they edged ahead when Oliver McCrystal kicked an excellent point, the kicker had begun the move by securing the kick out.

A second Conan Devlin point tied the game, before points from Michael McElhatton from a mark and Hugh J Cunningham free extended Holy Trinity’s lead. As the half drew to a conclusion the dangerous Niall Crowe halved the deficit before a long range Cormac Devlin score sent Cookstown into the break with a 6-4 advantage.

On the restart Ryan Quinn was unlucky not to extend Holy Trinity’s lead as his shot hit both post and bar before dropping to safety. At the other end full forward Can Keaney kicked his second before a Cunningham free restored the 2 point advantage. The influence of Conor Devlin was growing and in the 42nd minute he charged through the middle, riding a tackle he fed Cormac Devlin, who in turn passed to centre back Brian Hampsey. Hampsey showed plenty of composure to fire past the keeper. This seemed like the pivotal moment in the tight contest and when Jack Martin converted a free Cookstown’s passage to the next round looked secured.

To their credit Cavan kept pushing, as the game entered its final ten minutes. Ruairi Dillon saved from Costello before Keaney scored from the resultant 45. Cookstown spurned a couple of opportunities for points before Crowe received Tully’s long ball to release Keaney who gave Dillon no chance and suddenly with five minutes remaining the deficit was down to two points. Dillon punched a Tully point shot clear. The game was now in injury time and Harry Boylan reduced the deficit to the minimum when he scored from a mark.

As Cavan pressed the kick out, Cookstown secured possession and attacked in numbers. Conan Devlin had options either side and opted for Michael McElhatton. Turning down the point McElhatton stepped inside his marker to coolly slot past the reaches of keeper and defenders.

Holy Trinity will be well aware that an improved performance is required in the next round against St Patrick’s Maghera next weekend at a Derry venue. The meeting will revive memories of last year’s titanic battle between the sides in Ardboe which saw the Tyrone side emerged victorious.

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