Early shines as Armagh self destruct

BEARING the name of Ireland's national saint is almost a prerequisite for any college participating in the MacRory Cup Final. But, as St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh, discovered to their cost at Casement Park yesterday where a missed penalty and two sendings off wrecked their title aspirations such a condition doesn't offer any favours when the important cards are being dealt.

Fate spurned them (and a goodly helping of their own indiscipline cost them dearly) as the Armagh school's bid to end a 44 year barren spell in the Ulster colleges senior football championship failed, albeit narrowly and consequently with considerable frustration.

Instead, St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon, recaptured a title previously claimed in 1991 with the contribution of corner forward Martin Early absolutely priceless in securing the two point victory margin.

Early's predatory instincts were unwrapped within two minutes of the throw in when he fisted the ball to the net for Dungannon's first goal, and he went on to add a further seven points. The basis of Dungannon's success - as in their semi final win over holders St Patrick's, Maghera may have been solid back up and teamwork, but Early's ability to avail of such a service smacked of a rather special footballing talent.

It could all have been so different, though. Armagh, endeavouring to reward their manager, Brother Larry Ennis, who has spent 40 years coaching school teams without ever tasting MacRory Cup glory, pressed the self destruct button not just once or twice but a number of times; and were still within touching distance when referee Pat McEnaney blew the final whistle two minutes and 12 seconds into added time to launch wild celebrations among the Dungannon supporters in the attendance of 5,000.

Armagh's wounds were largely self inflicted. The portents of doom started as early as the fifth minute when Shane Kelly blasted a penalty kick well wide. And such omens that it wasn't to be Armagh's day were somewhat confirmed in the second half when Kelly (completing a truly miserable afternoon for him) and Paul McCormack were sent off for indulging in off the ball incidents spotted McEnaney's assistants, an umpire in Kelly's case and a linesman in McCormack's.

Dungannon, who opted to use the advantage of the stiffish wind in the first half, had a dream start: Conor McKeown's quick free was played in over the Armagh full back line and Early outwitted the opposition to nip in and fist the ball to the net for a goal inside two minutes.

Rather curiously, Dungannon suffered perhaps their worse segment of the game after the goal and didn't score again for a further 13 minutes. But Armagh missed penalty in that same period and so failed to take advantage. All the losers had to show for their brave efforts in that particular spell of dominance was a mere two points.

By half time, Dungannon had established a 1-6 to 0-6 lead - but the destination of the trophy was still very much in the air, especially with Armagh's Paul Holmes ready and able to pounce on any slips up.

Dungannon took a big stride towards securing the silverware in the 36th minute when Kevin Corry's kicked ball to the edge of the square was well gathered by Richard Thornton, who evaded his marker, Leonard Conlon, and blasted past goalkeeper Ryan Kelly to give the Tyrone school a 2-7 to 0-7 advantage.

Kelly's dismissal in the 42nd minute seemed to signal the end for Armagh. In fairness, though, Armagh managed to produce the best score of the game in response and, two minutes later, Padraig McKeever, who had a quite superb match, went on a determined, 50 yard run and passed to McCormack who finished to the roof of the net with all the aplomb that the initial solo effort deserved.

The hope that McCormack's goal offered his teammates quickly turned to despair when, the 46th minute, he was given his marching orders. Even with 13 men, however, Armagh managed to produce three of the game's remaining four points, with McKeever (2) and Holmes reducing the gap.

Dungannon's only response came from an Early free, but, at this stage of the game, it was a matter of consolidation for the heirs apparent.