Wins For Killeeshil and Magherafelt in Paul Mc Girr

Saturday 05.11.2016

 

There were wins today in the Paul Mc Girr Tournament for Killeeshil and Magherafelt over Crosserlough and Clann Eireann respectively in a great afternoon of football.

The Tyrone champions were pushed all the way by Crosserlough before emerging four point winners after extra time on a final score of 6-18 to 6-14 while Magherafelt finished 0-12 to 0-09 victors over Clann Eireann in a high quality game between two top quality sides.

Killeeshil looked to be on their way to a straight forward win when they opened up a 2-5 to 0-2 lead ten minutes into the first half of their quarter final with Crosserlough. Cormac Donaghy scored one goal and set up another for Jason Doyle as the St Mary’s started brightly.

However Crosserlough soon got to the pace of the game and although Tomas Hoy bagged a third Killeeshil goal in the 15^th minute, majors from Nathan Galligan and Emmett Boylan helped the Cavan side reach the break trailing 3-8 to 2-6.

Seven minutes into the second half the gap was down to a single point when Peter Smith converted a penalty for the Cavan champions. It was very much game on but Killeeshil responded in the best possible manner when Cormac Donaghy hit the net with his team’s fourth goal.

However there was to be no relaxation for Killeeshil as Crosserlough continued to pile forward and create scores. A 53^rd minute point from Emmett Boylan left three between the teams. Jason Doyle plundered another point for Killeeshil but the game was turned on its head as the wind and rain arrived with a vengeance causing mayhem in the St Mary’s rearguard. A high ball into the square bounced off team captain Matthew Mc Cusker and ended in the net to narrow the gap to the bare minimum.

Once more Killeeshil responded positively and fine points from Niall Loughran and Tomas Hoy put three between the teams once more. With time almost up Crosserlough took the game to extra time with another Peter Smith goal as the game finished Killeeshil 4-14, Crosserlough 5-11.

Extra time took a lot out of both sides and scores were hard to come by. Patrick Lynch pointed to put the Cavan lads in front before another Cormac Donaghy major swung the game in favour of the Tyrone side. A brace of late points from Crosserlough once again tied the game as the half time whistle in extra time sounded.

Just when it seemed that fatigue could determine the outcome of the game a couple of moments of class from Tomas Hoy finally swung the game in favour of the Tyrone champions and Killeeshil deservedly made it through to the last four on a final score of 6-18 to 6-14.

The second quarter final of the day produced some fabulous football with some of the best u-16 footballers in Ulster on show.

Cormac Murphy, Caolan Coyle, Peter Tohill and Ben Mc Erlain were outstanding for Magherafelt as they booked their place in the semi final with a three point victory over a highly talented and well coached Clan Eireann out-fit. Oscar Mc Keagney, Tiernan Kelly, Jack Conlon and Michael O’Shea all produced superb displays that pushed the O’Donovan Rossa lads all the way in a game that was excellently refereed by Brian Mc Callion.

Man of the match Murphy wore the number three on his back but along with Caolan Coyle, he covered every inch of Gardrum Park top scoring with 0-5 from his team’s total of twelve points. A special mention also for Magherafelt keeper Shea Murray who made two superb saves over the course of the game.

Following this display it is likely the Derry champions will be installed now as the new favourites to lift the coveted title.