Lumen Christi dig deep to win the Ward Cup!

Danske Bank Ward Cup final:

Lumen Christi Derry 2-8

Coláiste Ailigh Letterkenny 2-5

LUMEN Christi Derry recovered from the concession of two goals and a point inside the first six minutes to battle their way to the Danske Bank Ward Cup in O’Donnell Park Letterkenny on Friday.

Lucas Mac Aonghusa drilled home a goal in the third minute and his midfield partner Ruairí Caomhánach hit the Lumen Christi net for the second time a couple of minutes later to put the Letterkenny Gaelscoil seven points up.

It was a shock to the Derry team’s system, but they re-grouped and were excellent for the rest of the half conceding just one more score when Caomhánach registered a point right on half time.

In defence Lorcán Dhoerty and Eoin Canavan pulled everyone together to shut out Coláiste AIligh, while Chris McCullagh and Odhrán Campbell got on top of Mac Aonghusa and Caomhánach in the middle of the park.

Up front Ronan Canavan seemed to be everywhere in a Man of the Match performance, well supported by Cathal Deery and Corey McGuiness and the end result was that Lumen Christi had worked their way back into the game by the midway point.

They did it with an unanswered 1-5 after that shock to the system in the first few minutes. Cathal Deery opened the scoring with a great point from the wing followed by a second score from Conaill Campbell.

Other points followed for Niall Brolly and Odhrán Campbell (two) before Corey McGuinness nabbed the goal to put the Derry boys ahead coming into the break. However Caomhánach’s point levelled the game at 1-5 to 2-2 leaving Michael McCullagh from Lumen Chrisit, the more pleased of the two managers.

Although Eoin Canavan put Lumen back in front on the re-start, Conchúr Ó Cionnaith equalized. However conditions deteriorated as the second half progressed with a couple of hail showers, but the physically stronger Derry side pushed on.

It took until the 48^th minute before the next score arrived - a fisted goal from full-forward Niall Brolly to put Luemn in charge.

Caomhánach and Mac Aonghusa (free) responded with points each but Lumen Christi closed out the game with late scores from Niall Brolly and sub Keelin Kilkey.

Teams and Scorers: 

Lumen Christi: N Brolly 1-2; C McGuinness 1-0; O Campbell 0-2, C Deery, E Canavan, K Kilkey and C Campbell 0-1 each.    

Coláiste Ailigh: L Mac Aonghusa 1-2, 2f; R Caomháneach 1-1; C Ó Cionnaith and P Ó Murchadha  0-1 each

Lumen Christi College: Tony Gallagher; Lorcán Doherty, Cillian Doherty, Adam Devine; Ronan Mooney, Eoin Canavan, Ethan McClelland; Odhran Campbell, Chris McCullagh; Mark Chester, Ronan Canavan, Corey McGuinness; Conaill Campbell, Niall Brolly, Cathal Deery.

Subs:  Keelin Kilkey for R Mooney (h/t); Ronan Lynch for Ethan McClelland (39).

Coláiste Ailigh; Dan Mac A Bhaird; Jacob Ó Leadar, Sean Ó Mairtin, Fionn Mac Lochlainn; Eoghan Ó Fearáin, Senán Gallachóir, Euan Ó Loinsigh; Lucas Mac Aonghusa, Ruairi Caomhánach; Odhrán Ó Rian, Jeaic Risley, Conchúr Ó Cionnaith; Harry Blaca, Pilib Ó Dochartaigh, Padraig Ó Murchadha

Subs: Kian Mac Fhleastair for Padraig Ó Murchadha (46).