Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final – Ulster Colleges Hurling 
Cross and Passion Ballycastle 1-12 St Patrick’s Maghera 2-6
By Seamus McAleenan
WHEN St Patrick’s Maghera hit 2-2 in the opening 8 minutes of the second half of this Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final in Cloughmills to turn a half-time deficit of four points into a 2-6 to 0-8 lead, Cross and Passion’s defence of the title looked under real threat.
However Maghera failed to score over the final 24 minutes of play and, despite a number of wides, Ballycastle reeled them in and took control of a game they had dominated in the opening half.
There was a swirling wind and both teams were wayward in their shooting with Ballycastle shooting 14 wides to Maghera’s ten, but the north Antrim side applied more pressure over the hour and deserved to reach next week’s decider.
Cathal Hargan was superb at the back for Ballycastle, who did well to protect their full-back line from long ball to Callum Murray, while Michael O’Boyle operating around the middle, Seamus McAuley and Rian McMullan, particularly during the opening half, put Maghera under pressure.
The Derry school used Darragh McGilligan as sweeper and, especially in the first half, he hoovered up a lot of ball, with PJ McAleese and Paddy Quinn their main driving force.
Maghera opened well with a point from Murray, but both teams missed opportunities during the first quarter before Seamus McAuley, with two points inside 40 seconds, put his team ahead by 0-3 to 0-2.
That had increased to 0-8 to 0-4 at the break with McAuley now totalling four and O’Boyle two for Cross and Passion and four different on target for the Derry challengers.
Two goals from full forward Callum Murray swung the game in St Pat’s favour early in the second-half, but CPC hit back to win by three in an exciting second half. Pics by Dylan McIlwaine
Things altered significantly at the start of the second half with Darragh McGilligan’s point effort blocked down into the path of Callum Murray who slotted home.
Two minutes later a long ball from Paddy Quinn was broken down by Murray and the burly full-forward fired home a second goal. Enda Downey and Paddy Quinn from a free added points and suddenly Maghera were four clear.
However McAuley posted a handy free in response and the holders were up and running again. He added a second free and was under the ball that broke loose in the 47th minute for Odhrán McGrath to sweep home.
That put them a point up. Maghera then missed several frees and, while Ballycastle also added to their wide count, they were still able to add points for O’Boyle and then a free from McAuley.
The last ten minutes were scoreless, although Murray threatened a goal and PJ McAleese kept Maghera pressing. However Cross and Passion were in control now seeing the game out and they will not be easily knocked out of their stride in the final by neighbours St Killian’s Garron Tower.
Cross and Passion : Kevin McAuley, Mark McClean, Enda óg McGarry, Ronan Laverty, Conal McGlynn, Cathal Hargan, Dylan Devlin, Conleith McKinley, Sean Brogan, Michael O’Boyle 0-3, 0-2 frees, Eunan Laverty, Rian McMullan 0-1, Joe McToal 0-1, Seamus McAuley 0-7, 0-5 frees, Odhran McGrath 1-0
Subs : Reuben Millar for S Brogan (inj) (21), Conor O’Mullan for R Miller (42)
St Patrick’s : Cathair McElhinney, Daithí McGuigan, Eoghan MacOscair, Ryan McGill, Harry O’Donnell, PJ McAleese, Ryan McPeake, Paddy Quinn 0-2, 0-1 free, Seamus McKenna capt., Jamie Duggan, Fintan McGrath 0-1, Darragh McGilligan, Enda Downey 0-2, Callum Murray 2-1, Shea Cassidy.
Referee : Ryan O’Reilly (Con Magee’s)
