Danske Bank MacNamee Cup semi-final
St Patrick’s Maghera 1-11 St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-6.
FOUR points without reply midway through the second half of this Danske Bank MacNamee Cup semi-final in Glenariffe enabled St Patrick’s Maghera to earn a spot in next week’s final against Cross & Passion Ballycastle.
However they have goalie Aodhán McVey to thank for denying the Tower at the death saving from substitute Dara Ward at the expense of a 65 which dropped short and was cleared by Maghera.
There was little between these teams throughout with Caodhan Graham, Charlie Black and Shane McQuillan leading the charge from St Killian’s and Sean O’Kane, Fionn Cartin and Donnchadha Collins excellent for Maghera.
McQuillan and Cartin split four points between them over the opening quarter before Charlie Black goaled for St Killian’s in the 17th minute.
Maghera responded well with points from Collins and Cartin, but McQuillan (from a free) and Cadhan Graham restored the Tower’s lead.
Maghera added a late point from Ultan McCloskey, but quickly turned a two points’ deficit into a two points’ lead with a goal and a point from Cartin inside the opening two minutes of the second half.
Although Charlie Black responded with his second goal, the momentum was with the Derry side and those four points in a row from Sean O’Kane (2), Cartin and McCloskey put them in the driving seat with five minutes to go. Ward’s late goal attempt could have saved the day for the Garron Tower boys, but St Pat’s were worthy winners as they set up what should be a cracking final against CPC.
St Patrick’s : Finn Cartin 1-6 (0-1 free), Sean O’Kane 0-2, Ultan McCloskey 0-2, Donnchadha Collins 0-1.
St Killian’s: Charlie Black 2-0, Shane McQuillan 0-3 (1 free), Cadhan Graham 0-3 (2 frees)
