First D’Alton Final in Sixteen Years Ends in Disappointment for the Abbey

©Abbey Grammar School, Newry

The second year football team reached the D’Alton Cup final this year for the first time since 1994, but were beaten by St Patrick’s Cavan on a score line of 3-9 to 0-4.

As much as the entire squad was disappointed at the manner of their final defeat there are many positives to take from this year’s campaign. The Abbey’s March to the final began in late March with a comprehensive 5-20 to 3-3 victory over Omagh CBS, in Armagh.

Captain and midfielder, Sheagh Dobbin, was at his hard working best and provided a platform for Killian Mc Evoy and Ryan Treanor to run riot in attack. Killian McEvoy finished the game with an impressive personal tally of 2-7. The next challenge was provided by St. Patrick’s, Armagh, but again the Abbey boys were too strong, scoring 6-18 to Armagh’s 0-4. By this stage it was clear that the Abbey were going to have a major say in who won the D’Alton Cup this year.

Another high scoring victory over St Pius, Magherafelt, meant that the Abbey would be seeded as group winners in the quarter finals. Ronan Mc Grath, Ruairi Campbell and Niall Rafferty proved to be too powerful in attack for the Derry lads.

St. Michael’s, Enniskillen provided the opposition for the Abbey in the quarter final, and by the time Killian Mc Evoy had put the Abbey six points in front with just seven minutes left to play, it looked like their semi final place was secured.

However, an unlikely Enniskillen revival left the Abbey boys having to fight hard in the dying minutes of the tie. Goalkeeper, Aaron Campbell, and defenders; Fergus Quinn, John Catterson, Thomas Looney and Luke Bradley made sure that the Abbey’s goal was not breached and the Abbey were back at the semi final stage.

The Abbey’s preparation for the semi-final was upset by the news on the morning of the game that talisman, Killian Mc Evoy, would not be fit to play any part in the game. A suspected back injury meant that the Abbey’s top scorer would not play any further part in this year’s competition. Rather than being a set back, Killian’s injury galvanised the rest of the team and they duly produced their best performance of the year to sweep Omagh aside and qualify for their first final in sixteen years.

Ryan Treanor led the way with 1-7, but it was the performances of team mates; Joe Rock, Cathir Mc Kinney, Shea Gregory and Conor Mc Coy that proved the difference between the two teams. Shane Fitzpatrick, Killian Mc Evoy’s late replacement, put the result beyond doubt with a well taken goal ten minutes from the final whistle. The final, unfortunately, is a game that is best forgotten as the Abbey came up against a bigger, stronger, more aggressive Cavan team who were worthy champions on the day. Slí na Mainistreach will be keeping a close eye on this team as they progress to Corn na n-óg in the Autumn.

© Abbey Grammar School