St Macartan’s U 15 Hurling team created a little bit Co. Monaghan GAA history on Friday last by winning the inaugural Ulster Colleges ‘C’ division hurling competition with an outstanding team performance at the Mid-Ulster Sports Grounds at Mussen.
The Macartan’s performance began confidently with an early opening point from duel college star Aaron Mc Carey followed almost immediately by a well taken equaliser from Edmund Rice’s Centre forward John Mc Cutchen.

It was obvious from the outset that one of the main battles would be between this same Edmund Rice’s centre forward and Monaghan’s Aidan-Og Mc Aneispe at centre back. Mc Anespie would by half time have won this battle and not only neutralised his opposite number as an attacking forward but also as a mid fielder from where Aidan Óg was in a position to launch numerous attack and by the games conclusion score a total of 1-4 of the Monaghan sides return.

With Mc Anespie moving to mid –field, team captain David Savage moved to centre half back and led by example with exemplary stick work and ball control. His ability to read the game is second to none and his leadership and resolve played an enormous part in the Sem victory.

Other positional switches saw Aaron Mc Carey move to his more accustomed role in midfield with David Ramsey moving to full forward. This exchange saw the Sem win the midfield battle and in effect turn the game. At mid-field Mc Carey used his strength to great effect fighting for every loose ball and driving high balls into replacement full forward David Ramsey, the Sem’s target man on the edge of the squarewho scored a very valuable first half goal. Aaron himself scored a total of 1-2 proving himself to be potentially as competent a hurler as he is a footballer. Top scorer on the day was the multi talented handballer – footballer – hurler, Daniel Mc Kenna who scored 2-2 and contributed to the overall team performance with some outstanding scores and exceptional skill.The interplay with between Aidan-Og Mc Aneispe and Daniel Mc Kenna allowed the Sem build up an impressive score line which by mid way through the second half proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the Belfast side.

In defence Fergal Greenan at full-back was very solid ably assisted by kept his goal keeper Lorcan Murphy, corner backs Conor Boyle and Liam Savage. Up front Liam Hahessey, Eoin Mc Guigan and Gavin Baxter performed very well and proved themselves to be constant threats to the Belfast defence. In the end a delighted team captain David Savage accepted the new Ulster Colleges trophy on behalf of the Sem in front of both teams and cheering supporters. Thanking all involved in the victory and especially the team coach Adrian Dalton, David commended the team for their commitment to twice a week training since early October seeing the team defeat St. Malachy’s and St. Mary’s, both from Belfast, in the later part of the competition on the way to their victory in the final. This victory is an obvious boost to hurling not alone in North Monaghan but Co. Monaghan in general with St. Macartan’s benefiting from the good work taking place at underage level in the local clubs.