MacNamee Cup Quarter-Final

Cross & Passion 5-5  St. Mary’s 2-1

It will be a derby semi-final after Cross & Passion Ballycastle won their delayed quarter-final with St Mary’s Belfast by 5-5 to 2-1 at Quinn Park today to set up Monday’s semi-final with St Louis Ballymena.

The Ballycastle side came flying out of the starting blocks as the rain that had threatened held off until the final whistle and Cross & Passion took an early 2-1 to 0-0 lead with goals from Liam Walker and Daragh Kelly and at this stage the North Antrim side threatened to run away with it.

They  looked very dominant but slowly St Mary’s started to get a foothold and came back strongly with goals from Paul Donnelly and Rhys Conlin to trail 2-2 to 2-0 at half-time.

However when Cross and Passion regained the upper hand at the start of the second half, they posted 2-4 without reply to make sure there was no way back for their opponents who could only manage a point from Paul Donnelly before Conor McGarry completed the scoring with Ballycastle’s fifth goal.

Best for Cross & Passion were Tiago McGarry, Conan Sherdon and Calum Donnelly who formed a strong half-back line while Ben McGarry and Conal Elliott were excellent at mid-field and in a very sharp attack Oran Donnelly, Eoin McGarry and Liam Walker were impressive.

Cross & Passion: Eoghan Richmond, Ronan McLaughlin, Somhairle Mahers, Sean McKay, Tiago McGarry, Conan Sherdan, Calum Donnelly, Ben McGarry, Conal Elliott, Darach Kelly, Oran Donnelly, Eoin McGarry, Aidan Hamilton, Liam Walker, Donal Magee. Subs Used: Frank McCaughan, Conor McGarry, Ryan Henderson, Corey McBride.

St. Mary’s battled hard throughout with Barra Barns, Aaron McClean, Ruairi McAreavey, Paul Donnelly and Rhys Conlin their best performers on the day.

St. Mary’s: Cahir Carberry, Daire Maginn, Darren McGarry, Darragh Coleman, Cormac McGarry, Barra Barns, Aaron McClean, Ruairi McAreavey, Dairmuid O’Sullivan, Callum Lappin, Paul Donnelly, James Wilson, Conan McKinney, Rhys Conlin, Fionn Jemfry. Subs Used: Gareth McBurney, Conor Corr.

Cross and Passion : Oran Donnelly 1-3, Liam Walker 1-0, Daragh Kelly 1-0, Conor McGarry 1-0, Eoin McGarry 1-0, Conal Magee 0-1, Conal Elliott 0-1.

St Mary’s: Paul Donnelly 1-1, Rhys Colin 1-0.

Referee: Eoin Elliott (All Saints)