St Michael's College have made it through to the quarter-finals of the Dalton Cup on Thursday last in the splendid sun-splashed Trillick pitch. The Enniskillen College defeated Omagh CBS and so ensured themselves a place in the last eight of the competition.
A noteworthy achievement this for the St Michael's boys as they had lost their opening two games in the competition. They suffered narrow defeats at the hands of St Macartan's, Monaghan, and Abbey CBS, Newry. The team recovered well from these early setbacks and got three wins to move into the knockout stages.
They defeated St Pat's, Maghera, and St Pat's, Cavan, in those games and then completed the qualification job on Thursday last with a high scoring win over Omagh CBS. The draw will be made after Easter with the quarter-final fixed for Saturday, 28th April.
ROUND ONE
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE 5–8
ST MACARTAN'S, MONAGHAN 5–10
St Michael's got off to a whirlwind start with Eddie Courtney hammering in two quick goals inside the opening five minutes. John Currie put in another and Thomas McCarthy netted a fourth before the break. Monaghan had two in reply to leave St Michael's ahead at the break. This proved not to be good enough as Monaghan controlled most of the course of the third quarter.
The game was contested closely in the final minutes but Monaghan just did enough to edge what was a thrilling encounter.
For St Michael's though it was very disappointing to lose their opening game – much better to win a dull game than to lose a thriller! Maybe, this is the lesson that could be taken into their remaining group games.
ROUND TWO
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE 6–4
ABBEY CBS, NEWRY 6–7
If their first game against St Macartan's was a high-scoring thriller that went the wrong way at the finish, then this second clash against Abbey CBS, Newry was exactly the same. Again, St Michael's boys raced with great comand, at least it seemed that way, but they were reeled in by a very gutsy Abbey team that are coached by Down senior gaelic football star, Dan Jordon.
The manner in which his Abbey team came back from the brink would have reminded Jordan of the way that Tyrone stormed back in the 2003 drawn Ulster final.
St Michael's had early goals from Niall Beagan and Eddie Courtney and at the interval they led by seven points. Another goal scored by Andrew Sheridan put them ten points clear. Abbey responded with two quick goals and it would have been much more but for some excellent saves from St. Michael's goalkeeper, Brian McAleer. Niall Maguire then netted goal number five for St. Michael's and very soon afterwards Sean Treacy added a sixth goal. Abbey came storming back however and hit 2.3 in the last seven minutes to win by three points.
ROUND THREE
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE 2–11
ST PAT'S, MAGHERA 1–3
Two games played and two defeats so this was a 'must win game' time for the young St Michael's lads. They responded to the challenge very well and turned in a solid performance for the 60 minutes against the South Derry College. A-well taken John Currie goal set St Michael's on their way and a second from Niall Maguire put them in a good position at the halfway stage.
Maghera were kept scoreless for the entire second half. The St Michael's defence were excellent in this game with C. Cullen outstanding at full-back. Others who impressed in that defence were Lee Cullen, Niall Carson and Eoin Hamill, as well as goalkeeper, Brian McAleer.
Round Four to follow.
St Michael's College 9-18
St Patrick's, Cavan 0-2
In this game on an excellent Swanlinbar pitch, the scores flowed, right from the opening minute. Remarkably, it was Cavan who scored first, from play, but by halftime St Michael's had hammered in seven goals to lead 7-10 to 0-2 at the turnover. Sean Treacy, Andrew Sheridan, Niall Maguire, Eddie Courtney and John Currie (3) were the marksmen.
Maguire and Conor Smith got the two second-half majors.
Round 5
St Michael's 4-13
Omagh CBS 0-15
This final qualifying game was played at Trillick and, unlike the previous encounter, was an exciting and well contested affair. St Michael's were very much the dominant side in the first-half and, at the break, they led by 2-9 to 0-6. The goalscorers were Sean Treacy and Niall Maguire, and the points' scorers were, Currie, Courtney, Niall Beagan and Thomas McCaffrey.
The last-named was a very effective wing half-forward all through and picked up a lot of break ball around the middle third.
In the second-half, Omagh came storming back and, at the threequarters' stage, they had reduced the margin to two points. Their ability to pick up points from distance was admirable and, but for an excellent St Michael's defence, they might have got a goal or two. Here, Brian McAteer between the posts was outstanding, while Che Cullen, Eoin Hamill and Niall Carson f ormed a rock solid full-back line. The halfback line was equally solid.
Thanks largely to this seven-man wall, St Michael's finished the game strongly, with Currie a real scourge, setting up Conor Smith for the crucial third goal, before Patrick Dolan sealed matters with a well-taken fourth goal near the end and Courtney knocking over two fine points.
Niall Beagan had a very good final quarter at midfield and, likewise, Thomas McCaffrey also excelled during those final, tense minutes along with Currie.
That victory moved St Michael's to the top of the table, their league programme now complete. The St Michael's Dalton Cup squad is -
Enniskillen Gaels - Brian McAteer, Eoin Hamill, Andrew Sheridan; Belcoo - Patrick Sweeney; Trillick - Rory Brennan, Ruairi Kelly, Conor Smith; Belnaleck - Che Cullen, vice captain; Lee Cullen, John Currie;
Derrylin - Patrick Dolan; Roslea - Niall Beggan; Aughadrumsee - Eddie Courtney, capt; Maguiresbridge - Niall Carson, Daniel Teague; Kinawley - Conor Murphy, Sean McManus; Devenish - Sean Treacy; Erne Gaels - Thomas McCaffrey; Lisnaskea - Tómas Clarke, Ryan McGorman, Cathal Caulfield; Derrygonnelly - Leigh Jones, Ryan Hyde; St Joseph's - Niall Maguire and Sean Swift (25).
