Ulster Schools Hurling – McNamee Cup Semi Final

Cross & Passion College 5-12 v 0-5 St Louis Ballymena

The first semi final in this year’s Ulster Schools McNamee semi-finals took place in McQuillans on Monday, with local rivals CPC and St Louis facing each other. Both teams had qualified following the Group blitz two weeks ago with CPC finishing top and St Louis fourth respectively.

Despite facing a strong breeze in the first half, Cross and Passion made the best start with 2-2 inside the opening 10 minutes, the goals coming from Damien McMahon and Charlie McAuley. St Louis then responded with 3 unanswered points from their full forward and danger man young McGarry – brother of county senior star Ryan.

However CPC then took control again with the midfield partnership of Logan McConville and Dara Kinney dominating the puck-outs and they finished the half strongly with another goal from Damien McMahon and points from Joe Deery and Logan McConville to lead 3-5 to 0-4.

CPC now with the breeze at their backs were expected to kick on in the second half, however St Louis defended superbly and restricted CPC to points from Cathair McCaughan (2), Charlie McAuley and Logan McConville. Then with 15 minutes remaining CPC hit 2 goals in as many minutes with firstly Damien McMahon completing his hat-trick with a great strike into the far corner and Dara Kinney with a fantastic individual goal. Both teams made full use of their sub benches and CPC hit the remaining few scores to win through to this year’s Ulster final where they will play the winners of St Killian’s and St Patricks Maghera – time and venue to be confirmed.

After the previous 18 months of inactivity in the sporting scene it was great to see the young lads in Year 8 & 9 get the opportunity to represent their school and compete in the Ulster Schools competitions.