The fourth year squad, competing in the Brock Cup, exited at the semi final stage of this year’s competition but the manner of their defeat has left a lot of optimism surrounding their efforts. Their campaign came to an end in a rain-soaked Mullaghbrack, when St. Pat’s, Dungannon got the better of them in a tense and thrilling finish.

The Abbey qualified for the semi final thanks to group stage victories over: Enniskillen, Keady and local rivals, St. Colman’s College, and a quarter final win against the competition’s surprise package, St. Patrick’s, Downpatrick. Those results set up a third meeting in successive seasons for the Abbey against Dungannon who have always managed to get the better of their Newry rivals.

At Dalton Cup level the winning margin was eight points; by Corn na nÓg the Abbey had narrowed the gap to four points and it took two injury time points by Dungannon this time to preserve their winning record over the Abbey. What price an Abbey victory in October in the Rannafast Cup?