Danske Bank McNamee Cup 

St. Mary’s 2-12-1-07 St Louis’ Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

St. Mary’s began their McNamee Cup campaign with a victory, following a hard fought 2-12-1-07 comeback win over St Louis’ Ballymena at Hannahstown on Thursday afternoon. 

Joe McCloskey opened the scoring for St Louis’ though Padraig Kelly’s free dropped short and Daire Gault swung over to level. 

Further scores were traded as McCloskey restored his sides lead, only for Rory McIllhatton to reply instantly. 

St. Mary’s hit the front for the first time with Padraig Kelly and Cristior McCabe notching points and a converted Kelly free had his side 0-05-0-02 to the good. 

Talisman McCloskey hit back with an outstanding point and then bagged the opening goal of the game after a long free dropped to him in the area and his low strike found the net to give St Louis’ a 1-03-0-05 lead. 

The goal scorer caused further damage with a further three points before the break, the first coming from a free and the other two from play to ensure that his side were 1-06-0-05 ahead at the midway point. 

Playing with the wind advantage in the second period St. Mary’s soon found their range. Jude Burns opened their second half account and Jude Gamble then converted a free to half the deficit. 

A fine Padraig Kelly point followed, and Gamble dropped a further free over the bar to restore parity. 

St. Mary’s edged in front through a Sean McMullan point and the Glen Road outfit made it six-unanswered through a Gerard Delaney score. 

The visitors narrowed the deficit through a converted Bobo Bradley free, though it would be their sole score of the second period as St. Mary’s pushed on in the final quarter.  

Gerard Delaney rifled low to the net to give his side a 1-11-1-07 lead, Padraig Kelly conjured up his fourth point of the afternoon and would have the final say with a low angled goal to ensure his side ran out 2-12-1-07 winners at the conclusion.