Keady retain the Casement in terrific Dub final

Danske Bank Casement Cup final

St Patrick’s Keady 4-6 St Mary’s Magherafelt 2-9

St Patrick’s Keady retained their Danske Bank Casement Cup title in the Queen’s Arena last evening – but they were pushed to the pin of their collar by a determined St Mary’s Magherafelt side who were in contention until Keady killed them with an injury time goal from sub Shea McNaughton.

Despite falling behind to a Paul Green goal in the third minute, St Mary’s hit back with two frees from James Crawford and went on to lead 1-6 to 1-2 at the break with James Crawford putting in a good shift in midfield and Ciaran Doyle everywhere in defence, well supported by Daire Kelly.

Adam Connolly stabbed home the goal for St Mary’s in the 27^th minute, but Keady re-grouped well at the break and drew level at 2-3 to 1-6 in the 35^th minute with a point from Fionntan Donnelly and then a goal from Conor McGrory.

Although Donnelly edged Keady ahead with a free, Morgan Nelson put St Mary’s back in front with a 40^th minute goal and Crawford added a point.

The game swung back in Keady’s favour in the 47^th minute with Conor Renaghan picking up the sliotar 30 metres from goal and more or less walking it into the net.

Ruairi Keenan levelled at 2-8 to 3-5 only for Paul Green, the star man in last season’s final to add a fine individual point.

With the play now frantically swinging from end to end, sub Shea McNaughton fired in a late goal to put Keady give a little comfort although they needed goalie Oliver Fegan to bring off a point blank save before they could really relax.

St Patrick’s : O Fegan, O Doyle, D Murphy, M Lennon, S McKearney, O Keenan, D Harnett 0-1, T O’Neill, J Shortt, P Mallon, P Green 1-3, C Renaghan 1-0, S óg McGuinness, C McGrory 1-0, F Donnelly 0-2, 0-1 free.

Subs : N Hunt for S óg McGuiness, Shea McNaughton 1-0 for P Mallon.

St Mary’s: J Donnelly, R Fullerton, J Sweeny, C Doyle, C O’Neill, D Kelly, O Lynch, R Keenan, J McCann, A Connolly 1-0, J Crawford 0-6, 0-4 frees, T Donaghy, M Nelson 1-1, E Donnelly 0-1, R Kalla.

Subs : S Lagan for M Nelson, R O’Hagan for M Nelson.

Referee : Aidan Kelly (Antrim)