Danske Bank Markey Cup semi-final
St Columb’s Derry 3-5 St Mark’s Warrenpoint 2-7
By Séamas McAleenan
ST MARK’S WARRENPOINT were seconds away from following neighbours St Malachy’s Castlewellan to the Danske Bank Markey Cup final in last Wednesday’s (15 January) semi-final at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena, Cookstown.
They had led St Columb’s Derry from the start of the game and at one stage were eight points up. However, the Derry city side edged their way back into the contest during the final ten minutes of the first half and throughout the second half.
The south Down side still remained in control by two points two minutes into added time, however, St Columb’s had one last kick-out.
Goalie Charlie Green went long and the ball was won by Oran Donnelly. Donnelly off-loaded to Caoimhín Wray to feed Jude Bryson who took on two Warrenpoint defenders before firing to the net.
It was the first time that St Columb’s led during the game and they managed to hold off one last attack from St Mark’s to secure a place in the final at the end of the month.
It was a cruel twist for St Mark’s who started well, scoring 2-2 before St Columb’s opened their account.
Luke Quinn and Conor Ward were the Warrenpoint goal-scorers with Ward also registering a fine point.
Bryson, who along with Tadgh Coyle were the Derry side’s best players, eventually got St Columb’s off the mark with a goal in the 24th minute, but they still trailed by 2-4 to 1-1 at the break.
The second half was tense, but thoroughly entertaining, with St Mark’s retaining control despite Matthew James narrowing the gap with a goal for St Columb’s.
Points from Tiernán McFeely, Tadhg Coyle and Liam Meenan were added on by the north coast side. But scores from Eddie Clancy and captain Keelin Toner looked to be enough to get St Mark’s home.
Both teams defended well and it was proving difficult to get scores of any type.
It would take something special from St Columb’s to save the day and they got it through that late length of the field move that ended with a smash-and-grab goal from Jude Bryson.
St Columb’s: J Bryson, M James 1-0, T McFeely 0-2, T Coyle, L Meenan and C Wray 0-1 each.
St Mark’s: C Ward 1-1, L Quinn 1-0, E Clancy 0-2, D McLogan, D Poland and K Toner 0-1 each.