BY COLM BRADLEY

St Michael's adopted 'The Great Escape' as their anthems many years ago. But on Monday, as the St Mick's brass band played from the stands, it was the boys from Dungannon that drew their inspiration from this classic sporting tune.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory St Michael's were only behind once in this enthralling encounter but once was enough as St Pat's grabbed the lead with barely enough time to mount an attack in search of an equaliser.

And a draw would have been a fair result but as the final whistle blew it was the red and white that was celebrating.

Shock and dumbfoundment was etched on the faces of St Michael's supporters while the Dungannon faithful sported expressions mixed with equal amounts delight and surprise.

Heartbreak for St Michael's where the loss was reminiscent of the 2000 MacRory Cup final defeat.

Then a Sean Cavanagh late goal acted as a dagger to the maroon and blue heart. This time it was a late point from Conal McGarrity which proved the fatal blow.

And it had all started so well. Walking into Healy Park the band were in full swing. The Saints were marching and there was to be no escaping that this was St Michael's Day,

St Patrick could jump on that ship and head back to Wales. The boys purred like a well oiled machine as the game began. Like a Jungle cat stalking a hapless prey they looked in total control.

The defence had the measure of the Dungannon forward line while in the middle third there was only one team mopping up possession.

And in the forward line Keenan, Corrigan, and the O'Brien boys from Devenish were ever dangerous. Dungannon were stunned, they were disorientated but when six points up St Michael's could not land the all important killer score.

Half time came with St Michael's five to the good. The murmurs from the stand were confident. 'Yeah, sure we missed a bit but if we win enough ball around the middle then we will win easy.'

'No problem, the boys are going well. It's in the bag.' There were a few cautious voices but they were drowned out by the overwhelming confidence which palpably forced itself into our sub conscious.

This would be a good day.

But as the second half began the mood changed. Captain and play maker Kennan was obviously carrying a knock.

A sweeper was deployed in front of Corrigan and as Chris O'Brien foraged further from goal for possession his razor sharp play did not bear the same fruit, not his fault at all, he still managed two points.

Added to this Dungannon were looking better. They had regrouped. The half time whistle offered them a refuge and they had emerged stronger.

They stopped the long passing game and adopted a running style that had St Michael's at sixes and sevens and the referees shrill whistle punctured the crisp air seven times to award the Tyrone school a free in.

All misdemeanours were dispatched with un-erring accuracy by Dermot Thorton. The ball left his boot like a howitzer trained on its target.

The O'Neill's swung hopefully to the right but curved back each time to split the posts. Suddenly the game was all square but all the momentum was with Dungannon.

Watching the game the St Michael's supporters were not quite sure what to do. This was not the way it was supposed to be.

The band was quiet too. A few timid attempts to start a tune faltered after a bar or two. The finish was too frantic to dispel important energy blowing into a brass instrument.

And besides finger nails were needed for biting. Somehow, this one was going to the wire. And then the end came. A goalmouth scramble produced the winning point for Dungannon.

And with barely enough time to reply the MacRory Cup was not destined for residence in Drumclay.

The stodgy pitch afterwards saw the St Michael's team gather in a group. Parents and friends formed a protective shield around them.

Crestfallen, the boys had tears in their eyes. Seven months hard work for nothing in their eyes.

They are wrong though. It is not for nothing.

It is better to have given your all and failed than to hide in the shadows and be afraid to try.

There will always be an aching pain when this group of boys think about March 17th 2008, but, in time they will be able to look back on their campaign and think of the good times as well. The friends and memories that they have made will dull that ache, a little.