Bragging rights in this Belfast derby may have mostly resulted from scorers from north Monaghan and south Armagh men but St Mary’s were still good value for their victory.
The long journeys for Emyvale’s Niall McKenna and joint-captain Sean Rock from Silverbridge were well worth it, with returns of 0-7 and 1-3 respectively combining to score more than Queen’s between them.
Better still, ‘the Ranch’ know they’ll have another chance next time out, even if they lose to TU Dublin, whereas Queen’s are in the last chance saloon away to NUI Galway, with both matches scheduled for Wednesday, January 15.
This wasn’t quite a game of two halves, but the ‘home’ victory at Davitt’s was largely due to a dominant second period from the student teachers, who overtook the Malone Road men by outscoring them 1-9 to 0-3 after the teams turned around.
Gavin McGilly’s side had only been slightly second best before the break, but they were comfortably superior after that, even though they continue to spurn more scoring opportunities than Queen’s.
The Annaghmore man put that down to understandable rustiness, with preparation made problematic by the weather-enforced postponement from the planned midweek meeting.
It was almost the opposite story for Queen’s, who started strongly but then gradually faded.
Apart from having their first score levelled, Queen’s were always ahead until 10 minutes into the second half, and in fact St Mary’s did not go ahead at all until the 49th minute. Yet there was no doubt that they were worthy winners, even if their goal only came deep into added time.
The final 15 minutes were quite a contrast to the opening quarter of the contest, which Queen’s began very brightly.
Glenravel man Ryan McQuillan set the tone for his first with the opening point and Queen’s quickly carved out a goal chance, but Padraig Purcell’s shot was parried away by Shea Magill.
His Queen’s counterpart Oran McGrath was exemplifying the attacking attributes required of modern goalkeepers, pushing up to provide an extra man, and even sent over a score himself.
He did then have to revert to the traditional role, keeping out an effort from Tyrone senior Seanie O’Donnell, who was the brightest spark for St Mary’s at that stage. However, the lively Purcell and McKenna then both scored to open up a three-point advantage.
Even when the Ranch narrowed that gap to the minimum margin they undid all their good work with a lack of discipline and focus. While they were arguing with the referee over the award of a free, Queen’s skipper Luke Donnelly took it quickly, releasing McQuillan into space and he lashed a left-foot shot high to the net.
It was those men Rock and McKenna who began the fightback, scoring three more between them to leave just two between the teams at half-time, 0-7 to 1-6.
St Mary’s kept slowly turning the screw, though, with both their midfielders pushing forward effectively, including Fergal O’Brien scoring his second point from play.
It was a substitute who eventually equalised for them, at 1-7 to 0-10, Cullyhanna’s Caolan Reavey scoring with his first kick, and although Patrick McGurk put Queen’s back in from St Mary’s remained on top.
Dara Mooney had two efforts on goal in rapid succession denied by desperate defending and goalkeeping, but McKenna converted a subsequent free and then put St Mary’s ahead at last, following up to point after McGrath’s legs had kept out his initial shot.
Queen’s, to their credit, hit back with a brilliant score from defender Brian Conway, but that proved to be their last as St Mary’s finished very strongly, registering 1-4 more to no reply.
Even a yellow card issued to Macdarragh Hynes for purloining the Queen’s keeper’s kick-out cone did not put them off, with McKenna and Rock adding to their personal contributions, the latter seizing on a half-clearance of his own free to belt the ball to the net at the very end.
St Mary’s: S Magill (0-1, 45); J Donnelly, F Murdock, M Hynes; D Haigney (0-1), M McCallan (joint-capt.), S O’Donnell; D Treanor, F O’Brien (0-2); D Mooney, S Rock (joint-capt.) (1-3, 0-3 frees), S Quigley (0-1); C Lagan, N McKenna (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 mark), D Loye.
Substitutes: C Reavey (0-1) for Lagan (40); C Walsh for Mooney (64).
Blood sub: Walsh for O’Brien (57-60).
Queen’s: O McGrath (0-1); B Conway (0-1), J McErlaine, R Boyle; L Downey, L McBride, P McGurk (0-1); M Laverty, J Leneghan; A Crimmins, P Purcell (0-1), D Higgins; R Cassidy, R McQuillan (1-2), L Donnelly (capt.) (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 mark).
Substitutes: C Love for Donnelly (40); L McManus for Purcell (45); J O’Hara for Boyle (52).
Black card: Laverty (62-end).
