Danske Bank Gallagher Cup semi-final:

St Patrick’s Maghera 3-13 Cross & Passion Ballycastle 4-9

CHARLIE McAuley goaled in the first minute of this Danske Bank Gallagher Cup semi-final in Ballymena, but it was to be the only time that Cross & Passion were ahead of St Patrick’s Maghera as the Derry school pushed home wind-advantage in that opening half to lead by 3-11 to 1-0 at the break.

The Maghera goals came from Seán Mulholland and then a brace from Don Mulholland. With Donncha Collins also accurate from frees and open play, Maghera dominated the first half hour.

A turnaround of sorts was expected for the second half, given the strength of the breeze, but I doubt if anyone could have forecast that the north Antrim boys reel in the 17 points’ gap. But they very nearly did, with the defence holding tight to concede just a further two points to Collins from frees, and the forwards building up a head of steam.

CPC began to dominate the break ball and Pádaí O’Kane’s goal started the come-back. The Dunloy player added a second goal and two points from Patrick Campbell brought the gap down to four points.

Matthew Donnelly then drilled a free through the Maghera cover to the back of the net for CPC’s fourth goal. But unfortunately that was the last action of the game and Maghera survived to go into next week’s final with St Mary’s CBGS Belfast.

St Patrick’s: D Mulholland 2-2, S Mulholland 1-0, D Collins 0-7, J Conway, S McCormick, R O’Loughlin and D Hasson 0-1 each.

Cross & Passion: P O’Kane 2-0, M Donnelly and C McAuley 1-2 each, P Campbell 0-2, D Lynn, R Elliott and C McCloskey 0-1 each.

Referee: O Elliott.

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