OMAGH CBS .......2-16
ST JARLATH'S COLLEGE TUAM .....3-11
BY GEOFFREY GILLIS
A REFUSAL to accept defeat was a key factor in deciding the outcome of this Hogan Cup semi final clash at Pearse Park Longford on Saturday as Omagh CBS demonstrated their powers of recovery with an emphatic second half comeback to claim an historic final appearance against Tralee CBS.
Omagh looked a mere shadow of the team that had displayed an abundance of character to claim the MacRory Crown last month as St Jarlath's ran and scored at ease throughout the opening half.
The Connaught representatives roared on by the large Galway following, who had travelled in support of their Vocational Schools side, took full advantage of Omagh's lethargic start to carve out what appeared to be a match winning 2-10 to 1-4 interval lead.
Omagh contributed largely to their interval deficit having gifted the Galway side two very soft goals and several points from stray passes. The fact that the Galway full forward division of Michael Martin, David Shallow and Danny Cummins scored 2-9 in that opening thirty-minute spell shows where the problems lay. Diarmuid McNulty's goal offered Omagh some hope for the second half but no one was prepared for the transformation of both teams fortunes on the restart.
Omagh upped the tempo and boosted by a second McNulty goal they suddenly began to believe in themselves as they produced an amazing spell of scoring power to shatter St Jarlath's title aspirations.
They reeled off 1-7 without reply in the third quarter to take control as Simon O'Neill, Gareth Haughey, Seamus Harkin and Shane O'Neill turned the screw.
In contrast, St Jarlath's were unable to repeat the high scoring exploits of the opening period and by the time Michael Martin registered their first score in the 32nd minute, Omagh had built up a match winning 2-15 to 2-11 lead. St Jarlath's did grab a late goal through Danny Cummins but it wasn't enough to deny Omagh CBS an historic first ever Hogan Cup Final appearance in three weeks time.
Cormac Arkinson replaced Glen McKenna in a late change to the Omagh defence but they started brightly with Diarmuid McNulty sending Seamus Harkin through for a second minute lead. David Shallow levelled when Danny Cummings intercepted a Gareth Haughey clearance before the lively Michael Martin tapped over a free to edge the Galway men ahead.
Omagh, while playing cautiously continued to match St Jarlath's score for score with Conor McMahon and a Peter Hughes free cancelling out a Martin point, as the sides remained level, at 0-3 each by the 11th minute. McMahon edged Omagh ahead but they were unhinged in emphatic fashion, when defender Stephen Kerr raced onto a poor defensive clearance to send Michael Martin through for a 14th minute goal.
Shortly afterwards goalkeeper Tim Harney produced an excellent save to deny Cummins and as the pace and the threat of the St Jarlath's attack line unsettled the Omagh defence, Tuam took control. Cummins and Martin knocked over long range scores to punish poor clearances before David Shallow collected a Cummins delivery to extend the lead to five, 1-6 to 0-4.
Shallow returned the favour to Cummins in the 24th minute, as Omagh struggled to make any impression in the final third of the field, but they received a massive boost, when an excellent Shane O'Neill run created the opening for a Diarmuid McNulty goal.
Omagh failed to build on the score and another defensive error gifted the Connaught side a second goal in the 29th minute. Defender Jason Devane accepted a stray pass before floating a long ball towards Shallow, who broke the ball down into the path of Cummins for the simplest of finishes. It was all St Jarlath's in the closing stages, with further points from Cummins and Cathal Freeman establishing a nine point lead leaving Omagh with plenty to ponder at the break.
St Jarlath's could have sealed victory within two minutes of the restart, as they created two glorious goal chances in quick succession. Firstly, Michael Gallagher guided David Shallow's goal bound effort out for a 45. Michael Martin's attempted conversion fell short but goalkeeper Tim Harney reacted quickly to clear the danger.
Having escaped unpunished Omagh set about reducing their deficit with Simon O'Neill tapping over two points in quick succession to raise hopes. Gareth Haughey, O'Neill and Colin Harkin were leading by example and their belief was enhanced further when Diarmuid McNulty struck for a second goal.
Gareth Haughey started the move and following a lengthy Shane O'Neill run, McNulty obliged with a clinical 6th minute finish for a 2-6 to 2-10 deficit. A Seamus Harkin point closed the gap to three and as St Jarlath's struggled to repeat the fluent attacking football of the opening period, Omagh seized control.
Harkin released McNulty for an 11th minute point and in the following four minutes, Omagh tagged on quality scores through Simon O'Neill (two frees) and Shane O'Neill to take an unlikely 2-11 to 2-10 lead.
During this period Omagh kicked some wides, but with the Galway attack forced to withdraw into deeper positions for possession Omagh looked to be comfortable when O'Neill tagged on a free. Injury forced influential midfielder Colin Harkin out of the action in the 47th minute with Glen McKenna replacing the unfortunate Tattyreagh man.
The setback failed to dampen Omagh's spirit, as they continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with Seamus Harkin (two) and substitute Peter Harte establishing a 2-15 to 2-10 cushion. St Jarlath's struggled to break down a dominant Omagh rearguard and on a few occasions when they did get through for shots they found the Omagh defence in no charitable mood.
Kelly and Gallagher in particular made two excellent clearances to deny Danny Cummins shots on goal before Cummins hit the side netting. Time was still on their side but a succession of wides ensued before Martin registered their first score of the half in stoppage time.
Peter Hughes concluded Omagh's scoring following a move started by McMahon, but St Jarlath's did ensure a frantic conclusion when Cummins grabbed a goal in the third minute of stoppage time. Keeper Harney produced an excellent save to block Shallow's initial shot before Cummins guided home the rebound.
It didn't matter as Omagh had done enough to secure their first ever Hogan Cup Final appearance later this month.
