Dromore land Bearnageeha glory after late goal

Danske Bank Bearnageeha Cup final

St John’s, Dromore 2-6 Dominican, Portstewart 0-10

A GOAL five minutes from the end by Aaron McDonnell proved the winner for St John’s, Dromore at Celtic Park yesterday.

The Derry side were out of the block with a score in a first attack, Patrick McGinley curling over the bar. Two points from Conor Love increased their lead before Dromore settled.

They needed a brilliant Shea McDonnell save to deny Dominican a certain goal with Love put into the clear.

Harry McMenamin and Aaron McDonnell got Dromore off the mark but points from Love and Fergal Murray had the Portstewart scholars 0-6to 0-3 ahead at half-time.

It was score for score in an even third quarter with midfielder Dara Hughes covering the ground to help Dominican steer the game.

Points from Darragh McCann – one a cracking score from play – twice peeled the lead back to two points.

Dominican always had a response with McCann hitting a score before the game took a significant turn.

Oisin Colton had been the Dromore talisman on the way to the final and their direct game played him in on goal. Composure was the key and he slotted to the net to level matters, 1-5 to 0-8, after 43 minutes.

Dominican broke up the next attack to stabilise the game and they eventually pushed two points ahead with Murray frees.

The pattern of the second half was how the Derry side always had a response. It would take a Dromore goal to turn the tables.

And so, it came. After a turnover in midfield, the pulled the piece together on a neat move before McDonnell slid the ball to the net for the winning goal.

Trailing for the first time, Dominican came with a series of attacks but Dromore repelled them all to take the title.

St John’s A McDonnell 1-1; D McCann 0-3 (0-2f); O Colton 1-0; H McMenamin 0-2f

Dominican C Love 0-4 (0-3f); F Murray 0-3f; Dara Hughes, T Andrews-Fryer & Patrick McGinley 0-1 each

By Liam Maguire Published in The Irish News February 04, 2025