Danske Bank Mageean Cup
St Mary’s CBGS Belfast 2-15 St Louis Ballymena 1-10
FOR the second year running the Danske Bank Mageean Cup holders are out of the competition without winning a game.
Last year St Patrick’s Downpatrick limped out before the knock-out stages. Yesterday the same fate befell St Louis Ballymena when St Mary’s CBGS pulled away in the second half at the Dub to set up a semi-final with Cross & Passion Ballycastle.
There was just a point between the teams at the break, St Mary’s 1-7 to 1-6 ahead with Finn Jemfrey the star of the opening half, scoring a goal and three points.
Although Jack McCloskey hit three points for Ballymena he was well-shackled in general play by Michael Marlowe. However Eddie Smith struck the Ballymena goal to give them some hope for the second half-hour.
Jemfrey and Cory Walsh chipped away at that hope before Niall Maye scored the second goal for St Mary’s in the 44th minute and you couldn’t see a way back for St Louis despite the best efforts of defenders Sean óg Blaney and Ryan McClements.
Overall St Mary’s deserved their win with Enda McGurk and Baire Burns excellent assistance for Marlowe in defence and Jemfrey a handful up front.
The second semi-final will take place next week between Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock and St Patrick’s Maghera with the winner to face St Killian’s Garron Tower
St Mary’s{ F Jemfrey 1-9, N Maye 1-1, C Walsh 0-3, L McCallin 0-1, C Corr 0-1.
St Louis: E Smyth 1-0, J McCloskey 0-4, O McCamphill 0-3, F Bradley 0-2, D Bradley 0-1
