First Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn title for Magherafelt

Sperrin Integrated Magherafelt 2-12 ... St Benedict’s Randalstown 0-9

Sperrin Integrated Magherafelt won their first ever Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn title at the expense of St Benedict’s Randalstown in the final played in Moneyglass on Friday afternoon.

The Magherafelt school deserved their victory because they were more comfortable moving the ball forward with Lewis McNamee, Conleith Bradley, Daniel Maguire, Josh McQueen, Jayden Henry and Joe Connolly all causing Randalstown problems.

St Benedict’s responded well to key scores, but they couldn’t build the momentum to keep pace with the winners, despite the best efforts of captain Corey Dowie, goalie Kyran Shannon, Oisin Neeson and Cadhan Letters.

McQueen and Connolly landed early points and by the end of the fisrt quarter, Sperrin led by 0-4 to 0-1 with Shannon brilliantly turning a goal-bound effort from Charlie Neely over the bar.

Dowie and Ryan McCann responded with points for St Benedict’s. But Sperrin finished strongly with points each from Josh McQueen and Jayden Henry and then a goal when a cross cum shot from Joe Connolly ended in the net.

McQueen fired over two quick points on the restart and, although Oisin Neeson responded with a score, the cup was on its way to Magherafelt in the fifth minute when quick hands across the 20m line ended with a shot from Corey McMullan that Shannon saved only for James McCann to sweep the rebound to the net.

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At 2-8 to 0-4, Sperrin were in charge. They extended their lead with points from Daniel Maguire and McQueen before St Benedict’s hit four in a row to close the gap. However the Randalstown side didn’t get any any closer and Josh McQueen landed his fifth score late in the game to seal victory for Sperrin.

Sperrin are also through to the Danske Bank Flynn Cup final which they won for the first time last season. They await an opponent with the semi-final still to be completed.

Scorers:- Sperrin: J Connolly 1-2, J McCann 1-0, J McQueen 0-5, 2 frees, J Henry 0-3, D Maguire and C Neely 0-1 each. St Benedict’s: R McCann 0-3, 2 frees, C Dowie (1 free) and T Neeson 0-2 each, O Neeson and C Letters 0-1 each

Teams

Sperrin: Milowz Witowski, Lewis McNamee, Ryan McKay, Harris Davison, Riley Cooke, Conleith Bradley, James McCann, Daniel Maguire, Alexa Smadrjic, Jayden Henry, Corey McMullan, Joe Connolly, Conree Muldoon, Josh McQueen, Charlie Neely. Sub used: Leo Purvis

St Benedict’s: Kyran Shannon, Patrick O’Boyle, Oisin Sisk, Conan Lemon, Odhran O’Neill, Cadhan Letters, Ciarán Redmond, Corey Dowie capt, Ethan McLaverty, Oisin Neeson, Dillon Loughran, Freddie Perks, Eoin Carey, Thomas Neeson, Ryan McCann. Subs used: Sean Convery, David Iheanetu, Daniel McAreevy, Rory Martin