Colman’s crash out as Donegal side make history

Abbey VS, Donegal 1-7 St Colman’s, Newry 1-5

ABBEY Vocational are the first team from Donegal since a Michael Murphy-powered St Eunan’s, Letterkenny 17 years ago to reach a MacRory semi-final as they led from pillar to post in Convoy yesterday.

Less than 24 hours after their cross-city rivals Abbey CBS exited the title-race, St Colman’s bid for a 21st title hid the skids because they couldn’t get to grips with this other Abbey team dominated by the Four Masters club players who had completed back to back provincial minor titles less than a fortnight ago.

The MacRory Cup aristocrats were held scoreless during the first half, although their own wayward shooting was as much to blame as the Donegal town side’s defensive formation.

Abbey, despite playing against the breeze, shot out of the blocks and by the end of the opening quarter led by 0-4 to 0-0.

Tomás Carr got them going with a superb point from 40 metres. They then won the kick-out and the Carrs set up Conor McCahill for the second. Eoghan Gallagher added the third before Tomás Carr, with another delightful effort, kicked the fourth in the 14th minute.

St Colman’s had chances before the break, however, with Aaron Garvey almost in for a goal and then Corey Clerkin denied by a great save from Lewis McCaughan. Even a mark taken by Dylan Cunningham 30 metres out dropped short.

Ross Marsden finally got the Newry side on the scoreboard two minutes into the second half, but, despite having plenty of possession, they continued to add to their first-half tally of six wides.

Aaron Garvey pointed on 47 minutes to leave two between the teams, but two minutes later Abbey got the first goal of the game on the end of a spectacular run by Conor McCahill. He went almost the length of the field, played a one-two with Tiarnan McBride and slid the ball past Niall Howlett with his right.

St Colman’s responded with points from Aaron Garvey (free) and Eoin Duffy but Theo Colhoun won a free for Oisin Doherty to leave it 1-5 to 0-4 with four minutes of normal time left.

Following a free played short on 58 minutes, Corey Clerkin drove low past a crowded goalmouth to the Abbey net. However Abbey Vocational’s response clinched the result. Kevin Muldoon won the kick-out and Tomás Carr drove over a good point. Muldoon then went on another run and won a free that Oisín Doherty pointed.

St Colman’s tried to get a second goal but all they could manage was a point from an Eoin Duffy free and Abbey held on to create another piece of history, reaching the MacRory semi-final at their first attempt.

Abbey VS C McCahill 1-1; Tomas Carr 0-3; O Doherty 0-2f; E Gallagher 0-1

St Colman’s C Clerkin 1-0; A Garvey (1f) & E Duffy (1f) 0-2 each; R Marsden 0-1

By Séamas McAleenan Published in The Irish news January 12, 2025

 

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