Fixtures & Results 2013 - MFC "B"

St.Mary’s qualified for this semi final having received a walk over win in Round One to St.Malachy’s Belfast who have struggled to field a team a minor level all season, they then defeated Davitts in a tremendous display at Dreen at the quarter final stage to make the last four. On the other hand their south west counterparts Tir na nOg, beat Moneyglass by the minimum in a gruelling battle at Whitehill before blowing St.Agnes chances of making history sky high in a one sided affair earlier this month to enter the semis.

Rasharkin got off to the best possible start to split the posts inside the first two minutes and settle early nerves with an fine effort from Enda McFerran, however, they were soon grounded when a menacing solo run by Tir na nOg corner forward Conor Montgomery was finished to the back of the Rasharkin net. The Randlestown outfit took complete control mid way through the half with two pointed frees from Ciaran Faith, the second of which an impressive forty five yard strike. St.Mary’s found their way again in the run into half time with some brilliant passages of play under testing conditions. They played a simple passing support game and cut through the Whitehill defence on numerous occasions before half time. Their persistence reaped just rewards by three unanswered points to reduce arrears to a single point, two from the boot of Enda McFerran and a superb effort from Aaron Henderson who was assisted by Johnny McKeown and Eoghan Kennedy. Half time score: St.Mary’s Rasharkin 0-4 Tir na nOg 1-4.

Unlucky not to be leading this tie at the halfway stage, St.Mary’s started the second half as they did the first with an excellent teamwork point to level matters scored by Enda McFerran in a move involving Conor Doherty, Pearce Kelly and Conor McFerran. Ciaran Faith for Whitehill and Aaron Henderson for Rasharkin traded points as the game started to open up for both sides. However, the turning point in this fixture came midway through the second half, Tir na nOg were awarded a very dubious sideline twenty yards out, quick ball from Ryan O’Neill to his cousin Ronan who was upended enroute to goal. The wing half forward dusted himself off and converted his own award to give his side the lead once more. From the resultant kickout the Whitehill men secured possession and craved through the Rasharkin defence where Montgomery unleashed another major to give his side a four point cushion.  

The young Rasharkin side again rose to the challenge and refused to give in, they returned with two points from top marksman Conor McFerran. Tir na nOg then turned the screw with three pointed frees from Ciaran Faith to lead by five to finish the contest. St.Mary’s worked hard until the final whistle and collected a consolation point from Johnny McKeown. Final Score St.Mary’s Rasharkin 0-09 Tir na nOg 2-07.

This team deserve a lot of credit and have made steady improvement from the start of the season trough valuable coaching and assistance from team mentors Patrick Kennedy, Terry and Seamus Hasson. They are a young, skilful side with a lot to offer and many players are still available at minor level next season, lets keep up the good work and surely we’ll reap just rewards - Well done to players and management in 2013.

St.Mary’s Rasharkin: Andrew Hasson, Christopher McFerran, Emmett McFerran, Aodhan Hardy, Aidan McKeever, Conor Doherty, Fergus Quigg, Enda McFerran and Jonathan McKeown, Eoghan Kennedy, Aaron Henderson, Dillon O’Doherty, Fearghal Kennedy, Conor McFerran and Michael McGahon.

Subs: Pearce Kelly, Alistair Telfer and Adrian Walls