St. Michael's 1-12 St. Patrick's Cavan 5-09

The scoreline does not tell the full story of this absorbing Oisin McGrath Cup quarter final between St. Michael’s and St. Patrick’s Cavan in Templeport on Tuesday.

Cavan may have run out nine point winners but with five minutes to go, a converted Mattie McDermott penalty left only a point dividing the sides and the game right in the melting pot.

However, Cavan went down the other end to bag a goal of their own and this knocked the stuffing out of the St. Michael’s challenge, with Cavan tagging on another 1-02 to put a flattering look to the score at the finish.

It was tit-for-tat early on in the game with Conor Mulligan, McDermott and Eoin Ratchford on target for St. Michael’s, but a goal at the end of the first quarter helped St. Pat’s into a 1-03 to 0-03 lead.

St. Michael’s responded well to this and Sean Corry, Conall Rasdale and Mulligan all lofted over points to level up matters, but it was the Cavan side who finished the half stronger as they hit 1-01 before the interval to leave it 2-04 to 0-06 at the break.

The Enniskillen school though made a bright start to the second half as they rattled over four points in a row to level up matters, with McDermott (2), Ratchford and Daniel McGovern the scorers during this spell.

Cavan edged back ahead at they registered the next two points, but Mulligan and McDermott replied for St. Michael’s to tie up the contest, 2-06 to 0-12.

St. Michael’s though couldn’t get their noses in front and a third Cavan goal with ten minutes to go again put them back in the driving seat.

For not the first time in the game though, St. Michael’s fought back, and after Rasdale was fouled following a flowing move, McDermott stepped up to fire the resultant penalty to the corner.

However, Cavan won possession from the kick-out and they raced down the pitch to bag their fourth goal, and there was no coming back from this for St. Michael’s as Cavan finished strongly to book their spot in the last four of the competition.

For St. Michael’s, Tommy Watson impressed in goal while Sean Corry, Eoin Rice and Declan Curran performed well in defence.

At midfield, Mulligan put in a strong showing, while further forward, McDermott was the main threat and was ably supported by Ratchford and Rasdale.

Despite the loss, St. Michael’s coach Dom Corrigan was happy with the display.

“I was pleased with the performance and with the progress that the players have made. Cavan are fancied for Ulster, and our boys were more than a match for them throughout the game,” said Corrigan.