Ulster Colleges Senior Camogie
St Killian’s Garron Tower 4-7 Cross & Passion College 2-8
A storming second half by St Killian’s saw them fight back to beat Cross & Passion College in their final game the round robin qualifying at Pairc Mhuir Cushendall on Wednesday afternoon and sees the Garron Tower girls win all three games in this qualifying stage.
In a highly competitive game CPC appeared to be in control of the match when they went seven clear early in second half, Shannagh Heggarty getting a goal within a minute of the restart. The gap was still at seven entering the final quarter of the game, but St Killian’s finally found the scoring touch to score four more goals between then and the final whistle to end up winning by five.
Early points from Janey McIntosh and Shanaggh Heggarty put CPC two clear early on, but points from Monique of Boyle and Lara Haughey tied things up after nine minutes. Two more Shannagh Heggarty points from frees gave the advantage back to Cross & Passion and when Eimear McKinley grabbed a goal they held the upper and by half time they were a goal to the good as they led by 1-4 to 0-4.
When Heggarty got her team’s second goal within a minute of the restart they Ballycastle school appeared to be in a strong position. A point from a Lara Haughey free cut the gap back to five, but CPC came again with points from Heggarty and McIntosh to go seven clear.
There was renewed hope for St Killian’s when they were awarded a penalty midway through the second half, but Orlaith McAlister’s shot was wide of the target and you felt it was going to be Garron Tower’s day. However all was to change soon afterwards when a Lara Haughey free was deflected to the CPC net, and when Haughey’s midfield partner Cara O’Boyle soloed through for goal number two a minute later it looked like anyone’s game. Aoibheann Donnelly pointed a free to put CPC two clear but two pointed frees by Orlaith McAlister squared things up with just five minutes left to play. In a tense finish Shanaggh Heggarty briefly put Cross & Passion back in front, but the Tower girls finished strongly with goals from Monique O’Boyle and substitute Eimear Butler sealed the win.
The teams are back in action after Christmas when the semi-finals a dow for decision. This result probably means the same two will meet again in the semis with St Louis Ballymena and St Pat’s Maghera in the other semi-final.
ST KILLIAN’S
Louise Mulholland, Una McAllister, Catherine O’Boyle, Eimear McMullan, Aisling Mulholland, Abi McNeill, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle, Lara Haughey, Kady McNeill, Orlaith McAlister, Ellie Jo Butler, Orlaith McCurry, Monique O’Boyle, Niamh Graham.
Subs – Eimear Butler, Erin McCambridge, Rhianna Black
CROSS & PASSION COLLEGE
Erin O’Hara, Erin Connolly, Katie Glackin, Orla McIlroy, Dani McQuillan, Fay McIntosh, Noelle McAuley, Jamey McIntosh, Tara McAfee, Elen McIntosh, Aoibneann Donnelly, Shannagh Heggarty, Ciara Connolly, Eimear McKinley, Eobha McAlister.
Referee – Shane McDonnell
