Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup quarter-final
Cross and Passion Ballycastle 11-16 St Louis Ballymena 1-9
WHEN Jack McCloskey got in for a goal to give St Louis Ballymena an early lead in this first Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup quarter-final today at Quinn Park, Ballymena, it seemed inconceivable that the game would end as it did with a resounding victory for their north Antrim rivals.
St. Louis enjoyed the better of the opening quarter and led by five at one stage but once Cross & Passion got going there was no stopping them.
Cross and Passion’s half-back line got on top during the second quarter and with captain Ben O’Kane, Roan McGarry and Callum Cane leading the scoring they took an advantage of 4-6 to 1-7 into the half-time break.
With the elements in their favour, the Ballycastle lads dominated the second half running in a further seven goals and a range of excellent points, while St Louis could only add another two points to their half-time total.
Roan McGarry led the way for the Ballycastle side with 4 goals while Ben O’Kane was the outstanding player on view and top scored with 3-5 to send his side on their way to the semi-final where they will meet St. Patrick’s Maghera on Friday.
Jack McCloskey was St. Louis outstanding performer and finished with 1-5 while Oisin McCamphill was another to impress for the losers with 0-3 and Pearse Martin was best in a St. Louis defence who battled hard but had no answer to a rampant Cross & Passion attack
In the other side of the draw, St Killian’s Garron Tower will be slight favourites to beat St Mary’s CBS with Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock awaiting a winner in next week’s semi-final.
CPC: Mark Christie, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Cathair Donnelly, Charlie O’ Hagan, Liam Glackin (0-2),Ben Mc Garry (0-1),Darragh Donnelly, Darragh Kelly (0-1),Gavin Mc Toal (0-1), Callum Cane (1-3), Ben O’ Kane (3-5), Ronan Fitzgerald (0-1), Roan Mc Garry (4-0), Conor Donnelly (0-1), Thiago Mc Garry (1-0)
Subs: Ronan Casey (1-0), Cian Baudant, Aidan Richmond (1-1), Ryan Watson, Danny Mc Auley.
St. Louis: Edward McKendry, Jack McKeever, Fintan Brady, Ryan O’Boyle, Paudie Martin, Pearse Martin, Luke McFerran, Oisin McCamphill, Jack McCloskey, Caleb Smith, Sean Og Blaney, Noah Friel, Darach Bradley, Deaglan Carey, Caolan McFerran
Rerferee: Owen Elliott (All Saints)
