St Clare’s Cup semi-final
St Killian’s Garron Tower 5-11 St Mary’s Magherafelt 2-1
ST KILLIAN’S Garron Tower has broken new ground by reaching camogie’s St Clare’s Cup final for the first time with this comfortable win over St Mary’s Magherafelt in Ballymena yesterday.
With a first ever All-Ireland title secured in March, the younger age-group has stepped up to the mark to set up a final at the end of next week against either St Patrick’s Maghera or Cross & Passion Ballycastle.
However had opponents St Mary’s Magherafelt taken three gilt-edged goal chances inside five minutes just after the midway point of the first half, the game might well have been a lot different.
St Mary’s scored one goal from the four chances created at that time, Eva McGeehan burying her opening to cancel out three early points from the Tower. Roise Lupari then edged the Convent ahead from a free, but they should have been further in front.
St Killian’s recovered from that period of pressure with a goal from Méadhbh Graham and then excellent midfielder Eva McNeill ran through to bury a second goal to put them in at the break 2-4 to 1-1.
A goal from Anna O’Kane within 20 seconds of the re-start was quickly followed by two points from Amy McAlister and the result was never in any doubt from then on despite the best efforts of Lupari, Sally and Laura Scullion, Emer Shivers and Emily McGuckin.
McNeill was the stand-out player for the Tower who were solid right down the centre with O’Kane’s move to full-forward providing a real goal-threat.
Clara O’Neill and Eilis Emerson added goals before Emer Shivers hit back with a consolation score for St Mary’s. The second semi-final will be on Tuesday at the same venue.
St Killian’s Catherine Irvine, Laoise McCollum, Maeve McAlister, Eimear Ward, Michaela McLaughlin, Leona Gillan, Eimear McCann, Eva McNeill 1-3, 0-2 frees, Erin McNaughton, Anna O’Kane 1-1, Meadhbh Graham 1-0, Tamara Black, Clara O’Neill 1-0, Eilish Emerson 1-0, Amy McAlister 0-7.
Subs: Rhianna McAuley, Niamh McCollum, Sorcha Carey, Aibrean Campbell, Lara McDonnell, Aimee McAuley, Savannah McDonald, Jessica Spurgeon, Kiera McLaughlinSt Mary’s Magherafelt: Eva McGeehan 1-0, Emer Shivers 1-0, Roise Lupari 0-1 free