KIRK CUP FINAL

St. Mary’s Magherafelt emerged victorious in yesterday’s Danske Bank U16.5 Kirk Cup Final, overcoming St Patrick’s Downpatrick with a powerful display of hurling.

James Sargent was a colossus at centre-half back for the winners, while the midfield pairing of Michael Walls and Charlie Curley kept their attack well supplied with Jack Convery and the Birt brothers always dangerous.

Downpatrick will have little complaint about the overall result. Dara Coulter at full-back was very good and Sean McCarthy showed some nice touches at midfield while Noah Rodgers was a threat up front until John McGurk moved over to mark him.

Shea Devlin started the scoring with a point for St Mary’s and Patrick Birt added a goal in the 6th minute when the Red High defence didn’t clear a Convent attack.

Although DJ Farrell got Downpatrick going with a point in the 8th minute and the Red High brought a good save from Michael Campbell after 15 minutes, the Convent were well in control at the break with a 2-5 to 0-4 lead, thanks to a second goal in the 20th minute from Lorcán McDonnell.

The Red High started the second half with a point and again Campbell was called on for a fine save that ended with Sean McCarthy pointing.

However St Mary’s re-asserted their dominance and a second goal for Patrick Birt and points from across the board, including two long-range frees from Sargent, put the game to bed long before Luke McCabe’s consolation score in the 57th minute. Sub Ryan O’Neill responded with Magherafelt’s fourth goal in the dying minutes.

St Mary’s scorers: Patrick Birt 2-3 (0-3f), Lorcán McDonnell 1-1, Ryan O’Neill 1-0, Jack Convery 0-2, James Sargent 0-2 (2f), Micheal Walls 0-1, Ronan Birt 0-1, Shea Devlin 0-1, Barney Cassidy 0-1

St Patrick’s scorers: Luke McCabe 1-0, Noah Rogers 0-3 (2f), DJ Farrell 0-2, Sean McCarthy 0-1.