ULSTER SCHOOLS A FOOTBALL (MacRORY CUP) SEMI-FINAL: Omagh CBS 2-9 St Mary's, Belfast 1-9ST MARY'S BELFAST came close to forcing a replay at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh last night. In injury time they were awarded a penalty, but Dermot McVeigh saw his low shot saved by Omagh CBS goalkeeper Ronan McAnenly.

Omagh led 0-8 to 0-4 at the break with Peter Harte, Ronan O’Neill, Seán Harper and Brian McGarvey all supplying points while St Mary’s landed scores by McVeigh (2) and Desi McClean (2) while they were unlucky to twice strike the woodwork.

In the second half Harte put Omagh further in front and when full forward Colm Hicks beat goalkeeper Kiefer Toolan to the ball to punch to the net it appeared all over as Omagh led 1-9 to 0-5. The underdogs showed great spirit with McVeigh converting a couple of frees and Declan Lynch also on target before O’Neill responded at the other end for Omagh.

As the game entered the final quarter Armstrong fired a goal to leave only two points between the sides. A point from Peter Harte steadied the ship for Omagh before the same player smashed in a penalty after St Mary’s full back Stephen Shannon conceded a foul on Brian McGarvey. McVeigh reduced the deficit as he took his haul to six but he will be remembered for that late penalty miss.

OMAGH CBS: R McAnenly; D Connolly, S Warnock, L McDonald; S Mullan, A O’Donnell, S McRory; C Grugan, S Harper (0-1); R O’Neill (0-2), P Harte (1-3), B McGarvey (0-2); J Donnelly, C Hicks (1-0), R Lynch (0-1). Subs: T Canavan for Hicks, L McCrystal for McDonald, A Grugan for Donnelly.

ST MARY’S CBS: K Toolan, C McVarnock, S Shannon, P Johnston, N McAlea, D McGarrity, C McGuinness, R Maguire, C McClelland, D Boyd, D McClean (0-2), P Donnelly, D Lynch (0-1), D McVeigh (0-6), M Armstrong (1-0). Sub: D Dalton for Boyd.

Referee: M McErlane (Derry)