The St. Patrick’s minors missed out on glory in the Carlin Duffy Cup final, going down to St. Canice’s Dungiven by two points. The game was highly contested and could have went either way right up to the final two minutes when Dungiven scored two unanswered points to seal the victory.

Two goals in the first half by Ryan O’Reilly and Ciaran Ferris and three points from Adrian O’Kane and Cahir Mullan kept St. Patrick’s in contention, going in at half time only two points down against a more experienced Dungiven team.

Within two minutes of the restart St. Patrick’s had drawn level, courtesy of points from Adrian O’Kane and Ciaran Ferris. Cahir Friel answered Dungiven’s next point with one from play to maintain the stale mate. He then missed a glorious opportunity to put three points between the teams, when the Dungiven goalkeeper made a point blank save from his close range shot.

With twelve minutes gone in the second period Ciaran Ferris converted another point to give St. Patrick’s the lead for the first time in the half. This proved to be their last score of the game as Dungiven went on to score four unanswered points to be crowned Carlin Duffy winners with a score line of 1-13 to 2-08.

Daryl Mullan was outstanding in full back, breaking down all Dungiven attacks that came his way and was the St. Patrick’s man of the match. All in all this was a well fought team performance that deserved to have some reward. St. Patrick’s inability to score late in the second half cost them dearly on the day.

Congratulations on doing your clubs proud.

Click to read the Derry Post match report by Cahair O'Kane