Danske Bank Ulster Schools Hurling – Foresters Cup
St Killian’s 3-9 – St Pat’s Maghera 2-8
Foresters Cup holders St Killian’s had to dig themselves out of a massive hole in their opening game of this year’s competition when they came from six points down early in the game to beat Maghera on the Allen Park 4G pitch on Tuesday afternoon.
St Pat’s, who had lost their opening game to Knock at the same venue last Friday, appeared to be in control when they took a 2-3 to 1-0 lead early in the game, both goals coming from their towering full forward Jack McCloy. A pointed free from corner forward Joe McKay helped St Killian’s to settle a bit, but a Gabhan McIvor point at the other end kept the Maghera boys in control.
Garron Tower was handed a lifeline when full forward Michael Furey kicked the ball to the Maghera net and when McKay added another point from a free the gap was back to three by the time Owen Elliott sounded his half time whistle the gap was back to three. (2-7 to 1-4)
When Cahal McKeague landed the first point of the second half to increase the Maghera lead to four they appeared to be in charge again, but their scoring dried up at this stage and slowly but surely St Killians began to close the gap. A series of pointed frees by Oran McMcCambridge began to close the gap and when midfielder Calum McIlwaine fired in his team’s third goal, they were in front for the first time. McCambride added two more from frees and then set up centre back Callagh Mooney for one from play they were in charge.
ST KILLIAN’S
Cahir McNaughton, Conor McCann, John Scullion, James Kearney, Charlie McAuley Callagh Mooney, Alex McCambridge, Colla Ward, Calum McIlwaine, Orin McCambridge, Daire Higgins, Aodhan Campbell, Joe McKay, Michael Furey, Fintan McKillop
ST PAT’S
Anthony Magill, Phelim Og Diamond, Conor Melaugh, Padraig O’Kane, Charlie Friel, Fiachra Turner, Colum Friel, Torlough McHugh, Kevin Mullan, Gabhan McIvor, Cahal McKeigue, Cillian McEldowney, Donnach Colgan, Jack Mccloy, Rian Collins
REFEREE – Owen Elliott (All Saints)
