Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup quarter-finals

Rathmore Grammar 1-6 Loreto Milford 0-8

Rathmore Grammar booked their place in the semi-final of the McLarnon Cup they beat Loreto Milford in Monday’s quarter final at Owenbeg. In a repeat of last season’s quarter final Rathmore took a massive stride towards the victory when Sean McCarthy fisted a breaking ball to the Milford net eight minutes into the second half

Both teams deserve credit for the way they handled the  high wind and driving rain in Owenbeg but just as last season Loreto Milford just lacked that little bit of luck needed as Rathmore booked their place in the semi-final against Our Lady and St Patrick’s Knock in two week’s time.

A low-scoring game as both teams struggled with wintery conditions. The Donegal boys were the better team in the opening half and went on to lead by 0-5 to 0-3 at the half way stage. Eoghan Scott led the line for Millford as he sent over the first four scores while Callum Cullen added the fifth just before the short whistle, while Rathmore hit back with two points from Rudi Smyth and another from Isaac Agnew.

A high ball into the Loreto ‘square’ by Smyth on 38 minutes was punched home John McCarthy and suddenly Rathmore head the upper hand.

The Donegal boys hit back with Coll and Scott taking the game to the Belfast boys, and a point from Charlie Mickleburgh cut the gap back to the minimum. Rathmore responded with points from Scott and John James Sweeney to tie things up at 0-7 each with nine minutes remaining.

However Rathmore’s Rory McErlean pointed twice on the break and Milford couldn’t break their defence down in the last few minutes for an equaliser.

Rathmore: Sean McCarthy 1-0, Rory McErlean and Rudi Smyth 0-2 each, Isaac Agnew and Charlie Mickleburgh 0-1 each

Milford Eoghan Scott 0-6 (2f), Callum Cullen and John James Sweeney 0-1 each