Disappointment for Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Danske Bank Gerry Brown Cup final

Largy College Clones 4-10 . . . Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 2-04

The greater experience of Largy College told in Friday afternoon’s Danske Bank Gerry Brown Cup final in Garvaghey.

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire were appearing in their first final while the Monaghan boys had taken last year’s title.

They were able to settle into the game better than the Dungiven team and led by 2-6 to 0-4 by half-time.

There was a bit of fortune involved in that eight points’ lead in that Gaelcholáiste created some great openings but Ciarán McMahon in the Largy goals brought off two outstanding saves to keep them at bay. Meanwhile at the other end Largy earned a penalty that Aidan McFarland sent to the net and the same player added a second goal.

Corner forward Eoin McElvaney was also causing problems, working hard to get possession and then taking some excellent points.

In response Oisín Mag Uiginn hit three points for Gaelcholáiste and Breyden Ó Dáimhín drove forward from full-back for a tremendous point that kept them in touch.

Aidan Ó Ceallaigh finished a good move up the middle with a goal for Gaelcholáiste right at the start of the second half, but Largy still held a lead of five points and were able to absorb the pressure that followed.

Odhrán Carolan dropped deep to close down the Derry side’s attacks and still managed to pop up for a goal to stretch Largy’s lead.

McElvaney curled over an excellent point midway through the half and although Seán Mac Conmidhe grabbed a second Derry goal, his team never looked like closing the gap before Donncha Quigley sealed victory with his team’s fourth goal seven minutes from time.

Aiden Ó Ceallaigh and full-back Breyden Ó Dáimhín were Gaelcholáiste’s best players. But none of the Derry boys could be faulted. Their path to the final has been all about edging home in close encounters and that took a bit of character.

This was the closest Largy has been pushed through the competition and they were deserving winners

Teams and Scorers

Largy: A McFarland 2-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees, O Carolan and D Quigly 1-0 each, E McElvaney 0-5, T Fisher and K Lynch 0-1
Gaelcholáiste: A Ó Ceallaigh and S Mac Conmidhe 1-0 each, O Mag Uiginn 0-3, 2 frees, B Ó Daimhín 0-1.

Largy: Ciaran McMahon, John McCaffery, Adam Agnew, Ewan Connolly, Matthew McGlone, Donncha Quigley, Ciaran McCaughey, Paddy McDonald, Jay McCormick-McDonald, Aidan McFarland, Jude McGinty, Tyler Fisher, Joey Reavey, Odhran Carolan, Eoin McElvaney.
Subs used: Killan Lynch, Cian Lynch, Daithi Hand, Conal Cosgrove

Gaelcholáiste: Cillian Ó Gallachóir, Daithí Frank Mac Ainmhire, Breyden Ó Dáimhín, Ailbhe Mac Conmidhe, Cillian Ó Dubhghaill- Ó Cinnéide, Seán Mac Conmidhe, Peadar Ó Ceallaigh, Aiden Ó Ceallaigh, Oisín Mag Uiginn, Harry Ó Cearnaigh, Fionn Ó Conaire, Seán PÓl Ó Ceallaigh, Tiarnán Ó Dioluin, Kian Ó Ceallaigh, Lawrence Bradley.