Danske Bank Leonard Cup final 2023

St Mary’s CBGS Belfast 3-13 St Killian’s Garron Tower 3-11

Heading towards injury time St Killian’s looked to be on their way to collecting their first Danske Bank Leonard Cup at the Dub on Friday.

The Glen Road side however hit them not once, but twice, to grab the title with goals at the death.

St Mary’s were marginally the better team during the opening half and their attack seemed to carry a bit more bite. However it was defender Aaron Kennedy who scored the only goal, his long range shot coming off Ben Duncan’s stick and creeping over the line in 22nd minute.

Otherwise free takers Darren Delander and Cahir McCambridge dominated with St Mary’s ahead 1-8 to 0-7 at the break.

McCambridge’s goal shortly after the restart tied the scores but Cormac Mulligan hit back with a point.

St Killian’s however responded by moving Christopher Leech into a more attacking role and they were rewarded with the half back cutting in twice to hit the net.

Although St Mary’s hit back with points, they were still four adrift with a minute left on the clock.

Cormac Mulligan then took a quick free and his shot was deflected to the Garron Tower net.

Three minutes later they hit the jackpot when a long effort from Jake Ward ended up in the net and there was no way back for the north Antrim school.

St Mary’s: C Mulligan 1-2, J Ward 1-2, A Kennedy 1-0, D Delander 0-6, C Dempsey 0-1, J Gault 0-1, D Jemfrey 0-1

St Killian’s: C Leech 2-0, C McCambridge 1-6, S McQuillan 0-3, R Magee 0-1, D McNaughton 0-1

Pictures and full report with thanks to The Saffron Gael