Maghera back into MacRory Final

Danske Bank MacRory Cup Semi-Final

Ó’Caiside the late Maghera hero with match winning save

St Patrick's Maghera 2-10 St Patrick's Dungannon 1-11

Michael McMullan reports from Loup

It took a last minute save from Maghera ‘keeper Sean Ó’Caiside to deny Dungannon captain Liam Rafferty a match winning goal right the death in a pulsating conclusion to this MacRory semi final last night in Loup.

Shane McGuigan top scored with 1-6 for Maghera but it was three vital saves from his clubmate between the posts which proved crucial and ensured the Derry men remain on course for a fifteenth MacRory title.

It was Dungannon who were out of the blocks quickest with early points from Daniel Kerr, and two converted frees from Ryan Coleman. 

It got even better for Dungannon when they were awarded a penalty after Patrick Turner fouled the powerful running Ryan Coleman.  Up stepped Cormac O’Hagan who slotted neatly to the bottom right hand corner of the net and Dungannon led 1-3 to no score after ten minutes.

This kickstarted Maghera as their captain Conor Glass surged at the heart of the Dungannon defence before taking a return from Paddy Quigg and drove to the net.

Six minutes from half time Maghera hit a second goal.  A brilliant catch from Patrick Kearney started the move and once again Paddy Quigg picked the final pass, this time it was McGuigan who scored the goal helping Maghera lead 2-4 to 1-6 at half time.

At the start of the second half Maghera hit four consecutive points, two each for McGuigan and Francis Kearney to put them in the driving seat.

Dungannon refused to throw in the towel and points from O’Hagan, Mark Donnelly and Paul Donaghy kept them ticking over but Ó’Caiside’s full length dive denied Daniel Kerr a certain goal. 

Academy sub Jude Campbell and Conall Darragh exchanged points before Ó’Caiside broke Dungannon hearts right at the end.

Maghera: S O'Caiside; O McKeever, P Turner, K Feeney; P McCormick, S Downey, C McAllister; C Glass (1-1), J Doherty; P Kearney, P Quigg, O McWilliams; C Darragh (0-1), S McGuigan (1-6, 0-2 frees), F Kearney (0-2).

Subs: F Higgins for P Quigg (BC 32), M Mullan for F Kearney (62).

Wides: 6
Black Cards: P Quigg (32)
Yellow cards: P Turner (10), S Downey (42)
Red Cards: None

Dungannon: D Woods; K Holland, M McKernan, L Rafferty; T Teague, S Corr (0-1), M O’Neill; B Crealey, B Kennedy; C O’Hagan(1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), D Kerr (0-1), P Donaghy (0-1 free); D Jones (0-1), R Coleman (0-3 frees), M Donnelly (0-1).

Subs: E Rankin for B Kennedy (HT), L Quinn for D Woods (40), J Campbell (0-1) for P Donaghy (57).

Wides: 6
Black Cards: None 
Yellow cards: None
Red Cards: None

Referee: C Brannigan (Down)