St Malachy’s, Belfast 2-10

Virginia, Cavan 1-11

The College U19 Gaelic football team clinched victory from Virginia, Cavan to progress to the semi-final stages of the Danske Bank McLarnon Cup on Thursday (5th of February).

However, it was not plain sailing for the College boys. Virginia had an impressive start to the quarter final going 0-5 to 0-2 up, inside the first quarter. St Malachy’s woes only worsened when a nineteenth minute goal from Daragh McEnroe further increased the Breffni boys' lead, 1-6 to 0-2. Fortunately, this proved to be their last score for over half an hour of play as St Malachy’s staged an inspired comeback helped by a twenty-first minute goal from Ruairí Donaghy with Odhrán Eastwood adding a point.

In the third quarter, Conor Kelly kicked three points to tie the game at 1-6 each. Although Virginia added two points in the last ten minutes, a breakaway goal in the fifty-seventh minute from Kelly put the College a point up with minutes to go. In a nail-biting finish, Virginia’s Jason McMahon stepped up to equalise in injury time, taking the match into extra time.

Two scores from Eastwood and another from Kelly in the opening five minutes of extra time were enough to take St Malachy’s over the line, securing that all-important semi-final spot.

Of the win, Mr McGoran (U19 Coach) said 'it was a fantastic game with excellent performances throughout the team and it would be unfair to single out one or two players. The spirit, endeavour, heart and skill on display was typical of this squad'.

Congratulations to the U19 team and their coaches; we wish them all the very best for the semi-final!

St Malachy’s College, Belfast: Conor Kelly 1-5 (0-3 frees), Ruairí Donaghy 1-0, Odhrán Eastwood 0-5 (0-1 free).

Virginia, Cavan: Daragh McEnroe 1-0, Jason McMahon 0-4, James Brady 0-4 (0-3 frees), Evan Doughty 0-1 (free), Ryan Farrelly 0-1, Matthew Magee 0-1.

Congratulations to the U19 team and their coaches; we wish them all the very best for the semi-final!