St Michael's in St Patrick's Day final

ST Michael's have definitely had to take the hard route to the MacLarnon Cup final on St Patrick's Day in Casement Park, Belfast.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2010, 11:32 BST
Updated 9th Mar 2010, 13:41 BST

They beat holders and favourites, St Pius, Magherafelt, in the quarter-final 0-12 to 0-9 and then beat a talented Carrickmacross side in the semi final by 1-7 to 0-8.

St Michael’s opponents are St Patrick’s, Keady, who defeated St Patrick’s, Dungannon, in a replay on Tuesday. The Keady team will come out of that game are going to go into the final on the back of a confidence boosting victory and they will certainly be battle hardened.

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The Lurgan school will need to produce a big performance on the day to bring the cup home. Their last success came back in 2003 with captain Ivan Lavery lifting the trophy after a replay win over St Mary’s, Belfast.

The panel have been training since September doing three sometimes four sessions per week and this hard work is certainly paying dividends.

A panel of 28 players have each contributed in their own way to getting the team to the final and they are well aware that it will take a massive effort on March 17 to finish the job off.

Defensively they have been impressive in the last couple of matches and that will again be tested by either Keady.

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Midfield has been working well and they hope to win the lion share of possession in the final to give plenty of ball to a talented set of forwards.

The forwards have threatened to let loose at times but have not totally fired yet. The final would be an ideal time to relax and produce a ruthless and clinical performance. The school will hope for plenty of support on the day from the Lurgan area and will go into the game representing their school but also their clubs whose work cannot be underestimated as a reason for the school being in the final.

St Michaels panel: Damien O’Hagan, Niall McCann, Shane Haughey, Niall McConville, Brian Martin, Jake Casey, Adam McConville, Thomas McAlinden, Christopher McCaughey, James Haughey, Michael Beatty, Ciaran Conway, Ruairi McCaughley, Sean O’Neill, James Doyle, Conleth McAlinden, Stephen Magee, Aaron Findon, Andrew Nugent, Aaron Toland, Brendan McCarron, Michael McConnell, Niall Heaney, Barry Seeley, Thomas Byrne, Declan Heaney Gavin Mc Cormick, Sean Hyndeman.

The throw-in time at Casement Park next Wednesday is to be confirmed but should be 11am or thereabouts

Related topics:Casement ParkBelfast