St. Kevin's Lisnaskea 3-04 St. Joseph's Newry 1-13

A battling St. Kevin’s Lisnaskea’s bid to land the Mulholland Cup came up just short last Friday in Castleblayney when they went down 1-13 to 3-04 to a strong St. Joseph’s Newry outfit.

Goals from Ben Warnock and Lucas McCahery had kept St. Kevin’s in touch as they went in at the break trailing by three points.

And it was tit for tat in the second half, but St. Joseph’s were able to find a response every time St. Kevin’s would close the gap as they finished up three-point winners.

St. Kevin’s coach Tony Collins was proud of the effort of his charges on the day.

“St. Joseph’s were bigger and physically stronger, but the lads didn’t lie down.

“They were competitive all the way through and showed great character to keep coming back,” he said.

“It has been a great campaign and it is a great learning experience for the younger lads for next year.”

The Newry school had started the brighter of the sides as they landed the opening four points before St. Kevin’s struck for their first goal of the day as Warnock’s effort sailed over the goalkeeper to the corner of the net.

However, St. Joseph’s remained on top and they rattled off another five points to move into a 0-09 to 1-00 advantage.

But the Lisnaskea school were given hope at the end of the first half as a well-worked move saw the ball played to Lucas McCahery and he slammed to the net to leave three points dividing the sides at the break.

Indeed, St. Kevin’s closed the gap back to a single point as Nathan Beattie and Tomas Bradshaw fired over early scores to make it 0-09 to 2-02.

The Newry side though were able to find a response and after they had nudged two ahead, Callum Bradley then slotted to the net to put them five ahead 1-10 to 2-02.

Back, however, came St. Kevin’s and Caolan Donaghy pointed before Caoimhin Cosgrove tucked the ball home from close range after a high ball was spilled by the St. Joseph’s goalkeeper to leave one point separating the sides with 15 minutes to go.

It remained tight after this with the sides trading points, Warnock registering for St. Kevin’s, but two further Newry scores – one coming after excellent St. Kevin’s goalkeeper Tom Lunny had saved a penalty, only for the ball to be then fired over – but the Down outfit were three points to the good as the game drew to a close.

St. Kevin’s though continued to battle and they had a late goal chance when Beattie was put through one on one, but his effort skimmed the post as St. Joseph’s finished up as three-point victors.