Forresters Cup – Ulster Colleges Hurling

St Killian’s 4-14 St Mary’s CBGS 1-7

A hat-trick of goals in the opening half by full forward Orrin O’Connor set St Killians on their way to a quarter final win over St Mary’s CBGS at Quinn Park Ballymena on Tuesday.

O’Connor got the first two of his team’s majors, and completed his hat-trick after team-mate Peadar McDonnell got the other as the north coast side move to a 4-4 to 0-6 lead, four of those coming from St Mary’s excellent centre back Cormac Austin. Indeed the Belfast boys could have been closer but for some sharp saves by St Killian’s goalkeeper Thomas McLaughin.

When Shea Burns fired to the St Killian’s net early in the second half there was renewed hope for St Mary’s but the boys from the Tower regained control and a succession of points, some fines efforts from free taker Joseph McLaughlin, who finished with 0-8 to his name.

The win sets up semi-final meeting with Our Lady & St Patricks Knock on Thursday at Dunsilly at 2pm, while CPC and St Pat’s Maghera play their semi-final in Ballymena on the same day at 1-30.

ST KILLIAN’S

Thomas McLaughlin, Eamon Ward, Cathan Graham, John Scullion, Stephen McAuley, Niall Magee (0-2), Callagh Mooney, Calum McIlwaine, Cailin Devlin, Joseph McLaughlin (0-8), Cormac McKeown (0-1), Phelim Ward, Peadar McDonnell (1-2), Orrin O’Connor (3-2), Oisin Woodside.

Subs – Colla Ward, Austin Birt, Oisin Mort, Niall Hynds

ST MARY’S CBGS

J Southern, L McCallin, A Cosgrove, A Mackle, C Rainey, C Austin (0-5), C Corr, C Fagan-Lappin, J Duffy, J Wilson. E McGurk (0-1), M Darragh, N Maye, S Cunningham, S Burns (1-1).

Referee – Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)