Ulster Schools Camogie – St Clare Cup final

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 7-13 St Killian’s Garron Tower 1-2

GOALS in the first 70 seconds from Mary McArthur and Eimear McCaughan were the catalyst for a first half blitz in Cushendun that saw Cross & Passion Ballycastle regain the St Clare Cup at the expense of first-time finalists St Killian’s Garron Tower.

The Tower had actually beaten Ballycastle when the pair met in the group game over a month ago, but those early goals set the scene for a master-class from the CPC girls who finished the opening half with a lead of 7-6 to 0-0.

McArthur had clocked up a hat-trick with McCaughan adding another goal and Eabha McAlister and Louise McBride also hit the net for the winners.

St Killian’s to their credit dug in after half-time and, helped by an early goal from Evan McNeill and points from Anna O’Kane and Amy McAlister, they were able to get a grip of the game and made a game of the second half.

However the result was out of their hands by that stage and Marie Laverty and free-taker Louise McBride each added three points to ease CPC home.

Cross & Passion: M McToal, M Cunning, B McCloskey, C Delaney, S Flavin, A Gillan capt, F Sands, E McAllister 1-2, H O’Neill, L McBride 1-3 (3fs), S McQuillan 0-1, E McGarry, E McCaughan 2-0, M McArthur 3-1, M Laverty 0-6.

St Killian’s: C Irvine, L McCollum, M McAlister capt., E Ward, E McCann, L Gillan, T Black, E McNeill capt 1-0 free, E McNaughton, B Taggart, M Graham, E Emerson, C O’Neill, A O’Kane 0-1, A McAlister 0-1.

Subs: N McCollum for B Taggart, M McLaughlin for C Irvine, R McAuley for E Emerson,

Referee : Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)