Lecale Trinity fight back just too late to win the coveted Treanor Cup
Danske Banke Ulster Schools GAA Cup Final,
Venue: QUB grounds, Belfast on 3 4 25,
Final Score: Lecale Trinity 0-11 1-10.
It was St Ronan’s from Lurgan got off to a sharp start putting Lecale Trinity under pressure from the whistle going 2 points up but Lecale clawed one back and the match was set to be a close cut affair.
In the 11th minute JJ O’Hagan burst through the Lecale defence and scored a solid goal putting the score ao 0-3 to 1-02.
St Ronan’s then had a good spell of possession pushing Lecale back into their half. Then James Green made a quick break for Lecale taking the pressure off as St Ronan’s made progress up the right wing.
Lecale defender Paul Gilgunn made an excellent intervention. Then Lecale pressed forward and Miceal McElroy won a free on the 45.
At the end of the first half St Ronan’s were pushing back at Lecale and were leading on 0-4 to 1-6.
The second period proved a different game emerged… the score line was 0-5 to 1-07 in favour of St Ronan’s at that point, Lecale trtaining by 5 points. But Lecale made a spirited challenge.
Lecale came out fighting looking for the crucial points to stay in teh game… and try and pull off a win. But as Lecale pushed harder, it was St Ronan’s who gave away a couple of yellow cards and one red and the presssure on there back lines mounted up.
PHOTOS FROM THE DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS FINAL
Lecale were using their left wing effectively and were getting into good scoring positions. Ciaran Shields pulled another point back to help close the deficit.
Shea King made an excellent pass through to Darragh McAlinden but his kick at the St Ronan goal was blocked by a defender. A good move then by McAlinden to Miceal McElroy saw another point to the better for Lecale.
St Ronan’s forward Ryan Moore was having a good game and came close to scoring on a one -to-one with the Lecale keeper who made a first class block denying St Ronan’s that final goal that would have sealed Lecale’s fate there and then. But there was still a margin of hope left for the Downpatrick side yet.
Trailng by 2 points, Lecale needed a late goal and Shields got close to the St Ronan’s sticks but his shot was saved by keeper Milligan determining the final outcome of the game.
This was a close fought match and a credit to both teams – St Ronan’s had the advantage in the first half but Lecale fought back and almost pulled off a one point win but it was not to be for the Downpatrick side who had showed such commitment and teamwork.
Lecale were runner’s up in a match where you could hardly put a sheet of paper bewteen the two teams. JJ O’Hagan’s goal set up St Ronan’s, and the efforts of the Lecale forwards in the second half and that last kick of the match by Ciaran Shields was unlucky not to see the back of the St Ronan’s net.
Lecale Trinity, Downpatrick: 1 Harry Milligan (GK) 2 Joshua Stratton 3 Noal Hynds, 4 Paul Gilgunn 5 Ryan McElroy 6 Callum Cochrane 7 Dara Convie 9 Shea King 10 James Green 11 Darragh McAlinden 12 Miceal McElroy 14 Ciaran Shields 15 Callum Curran.
St Ronan’s, Lurgan: 16 Sean Carrol (GK) 2 Aodgan 3 Fionn Maquire 4 Finn Walsh 5 Peter Haughey 6 Killian Leatham 7 James Fitzpatrick 8 Caiden Conway 9 Noal Mulgrew (C) 10 JJ Hagan 11 Brogan O’Kane 12 Dylan McGivern 13 Jayden Quinn 14 TJ Trainor 15 Ryan Moore.
