St Pat’s pull clear in dominant second half

Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final

St Patrick’s Maghera 1-24 Rathmore Grammar 1-11

A dominant second half display by St Pat’s Maghera saw them secure a place in the final with a bit to spare as they got the overran Rathmore Grammar in Thursday’s semi-final of the Foresters Cup at Colaiste Feirste.

The Derry side were just two ahead at the end of very competitive opening half, Rathmore’s Ronan Taylor performing really well at midfield for the Belfast school. However Bradley, Collins and O’Kane were in top form for the Derry side and they went in at the break leading by 0-9 to 0-7.

After the change of ends things took a dramatic turn as St Pat’s took complete control of the game, holding their opponents scoreless throughout the third quarter while adding a series of excellent points, plus a goal from centre back Dara O’Kane. The second half was more than twenty minutes gone before Rathmore raised their next flag and there was a consolation score when Chris Robb grabbed a goal, but the Derry side were home and hosed by this stage and they will now go forward to meet the winner of tomorrow’s second semi-final between St Louis Ballymena and St Killian’s Garron Tower, that match taking place at Quinn Park, Ballymena with a 5-30 pm throw-in.