GAA: St Paul's chasing Danske Bank MacRory Cup revenge

St Paul's Bessbrook and St Pat's Maghera will meet in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Thursday.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2016, 06:10 BST
SHOWDOWN: Captains Conor Glass (St Patricks Maghera) and Jarlath Og Burns (St Pauls Bessbrook)SHOWDOWN: Captains Conor Glass (St Patricks Maghera) and Jarlath Og Burns (St Pauls Bessbrook)
SHOWDOWN: Captains Conor Glass (St Patricks Maghera) and Jarlath Og Burns (St Pauls Bessbrook)

The two sides clashed in the showpiece decider three years ago with the Maghera school edging out their opponents by a single point.

St Paul’s captain, Jarlath óg Burns, came on as a second half substitute in that final and is determined to turn the tables this time around.

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"I came in at corner-forward but we came up a point short that day and it was a terrible feeling to lose," he said.

St Paul's booked their place in the final courtesy of a 1-17 to 2-06 victory over St Ronan's Lurgan while Maghera edged out St Patrick's Dungannon by 2-10 to 1-11

Maghera have a superb MacRory Cup pedigree - this will be their 24th final appearance - but coach, Paul Hughes is expecting a tough battle when the game gets underway at 1.15pm.

“The MacRory Cup always brings an extra energy, enthusiasm and desire for everyone in the school," he said.

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“Bessbrook are a well coached team by John Rafferty. They have come through Armagh derby games in play-offs and the semi-final and were very good value for their quarter-final win over Enniskillen.

“They will be keen to avenge their narrow defeat three years ago so they will not lack motivation."

Related topics:MagheraDanske BankArmaghGAA