Shay McGuigan sends St Pat’s into Hogan Cup final

St Pat’s Maghera 2-14 Summerhill College Sligo 3-10

A 64th minute pointed free from St Pat's Maghera hero Shay McGuigan gave his side the narrowest of victories against a heroic Summerhill College, in a magnificent All-Ireland Hogan Cup semi-final in Enniskillen yesterday.

It looked bleak for the Derry college, when they trailed by three points 3-10 to 1-13, with 59 minutes on the clock.

But they were awarded a penalty in a last desperate attack that saw McGuigan hauled down and corner forward Francis Kearney slotted the penalty in off the post.

Kearney's clinical strike levelled matters at 2-13 to 3-10, but in a last gasp attack, Maghera sub Michael Mullan went to ground and McGuigan showed nerves of steel to slot the winner in off the post in the 64th minute.

In truth a draw would have been a fairer result as Summerhill made light of the loss of centre back Sean Power to a straight red card 13 minutes from time.

Furious Sligo mentors were adamant that the wrong man was sent off.

A twice taken penalty from the outstanding Kyle Cawley and two brilliant points from Nathan Rooney seemed to have secured a memorable victory, before Maghera’s final surge.

St Pat's Maghera: S Cassidy, O McKeever (0-1) P Turner ; C Mulholland, Conor McAllister (0-1), S Downey, P McCormick; D McPeake, J Doherty; P Kearney, P Quigg, O McWilliams (0-2); C Darragh, S McGuigan (1-8,3f) F Kearney (1-1). Subs: F Higgins (0-1) for C Mulholland (h-time) 30 D McLaughlin for O McKeever (46) C Glass for O McWilliams (57).

Summerhill College: O Conway, C McGovern, A Cummins, B Cox; D O'Hara, S Power, S Mulligan (0-1); P O'Connor (0-1), K Banks; C Lally, C Herron (1-2), D Fallon; K Cawley (2-2,1,45), N Rooney (0-41f), R Sweeney. Subs: C Darcy for R Sweeney (36), C Feeney for D Fallon (41) K Connell for A Cummins (50).

Referee: N McKenna (Monaghan)