Corn Eimhear semi-final
Cross & Passion Ballycastle 7-10 St Louis Ballymena 1-2
FIVE in-a-row chasing Cross and Passion Ballycastle booked their place in Thursday’s Corn Eimhear final with a comfortable semi-final victory over St Louis Ballymena in Cloughmills this afternoon.
In bitter cold conditions and with the wind behind them Cross and Passion were relentless throughout but the Kintullagh girls must have had a glimmer of hope despite being ten points down at the interval.
First half goals from Cassie McArthur and Nuala Devlin put them into a healthy 2-4 to 0-0 interval lead despite an excellent effort from Katie Molloy as sweeper.
Elen McIntosh started the scoring with a well taken point and was soon followed by a Cassie McArthur goal to set them ahead with 6 minutes gone. St Louis star player Caoimhe Molloy played deep as a sweeper to contain the threat of McArthur in front of goal, thwarting several attacks with her astute reading of the game launching forward on the attack. However, CPC’s back line held firm, despite strong running and delivery from Cliodhna Griffin and Eimear Johnson in mid-field. Any threats up front being cut out by Bríd Magill clearing up any loose ball. Aoibheann Donnelly also worked tirelessly in behind her midfield keeping the supply of ball steady for the CPC attack. St Louis continued to work hard to try and prevent the CPC girls getting any momentum, keeping CPC scoreless in the middle period, until Caoimhe McMullan stuck over 2 well worked points to push her team further ahead. Bronach Magill passed a ball into the path of Nuala Devlin who made for the net whilst Aine Magill got her tally off to a start with a free just before half time to give her team a 2.4 to 0.0 lead at half time.
Anna McKillop started the scoring in the second half with a point, the St Louis team now playing with the assistance of the strong breeze. This effort was directly answered by 2 Aine Magill points and Nuala Devlin hitting the first of her 2 second half goals. McKillop sent a point over the bar from a free to bring the score to 3.6 to 0.2. The CPC girls settled better against the breeze and continued to pile pressure on the St Louis defence with Orlagh Laverty converting from a free, and Cassie McArthur raising the green flag twice. Anna McKillen netted for St Louis to leave their total at 1.2 whilst Aine Magill finished her account with 2 excellent points from the right wing.
The game was played at great pace and required solid performances from the defending champions as St Louis made them work for every score.
Cross and Passion now face Our Lady’s and St Patrick’s Knock in a repeat of last year’s final on Thursday in Bellaghy. Knock had edged out St Patrick’s Maghera in the first semi-final last week.
Cross & Passion : Cassie McArthur 3-1, Nuala Devlin 3-0, Áine Magill 1-5, Caoimhe McMullan 0-2, Ellen McIntosh 0-1, Orlagh Laverty 0-1
St Louis : Anna McKillen 1-1, Emer Johnstone 0-1.
