Junior B Hurling Championship semi-final
Latharna Og 0-14 Belfast Saints 1-22
Belfast Saints withstood a second half come-back from Latharna Og at Brustin Brae on Saturday evening to advance to the final of the Junior B Hurling Championship.
Philip Maguire led the way for the West Belfast combination and his goal after 12 minutes put them in a strong position when they led 1-4 to 0-2 and the excellent number 14 would contribute 1-12 of his side’s total over the hour as they overcame the robust challenge of the Larne men.
The City side led 1-11 to 0-8 at the halfway stage and looked to be running away with it when they struck the first four points of the second half but Latharna Og rallied to close the gap to seven with 12 minutes remaining.
As the Brustin Brae men pressed, Corey Beggs saw a well struck shot come back of the crossbar and this seemed to bring the visitors back to life as they finished strongly to put the contest out of reach.
Phil Maguire got proceedings under way with the opening two points beforeRyan O’Donnell replied with a point for the visitors but it was the West Belfast side who were playing the sharper and more precise hurling.
They moved three in front through a Daniel McGuigan free and another from play from Ronan Carroll before Maguire’s goal put them five in front after Cathal McKillop had registered Latharna Og’s second point from a well struck long range free.
Robert Gallagher and Maguire extended the Belfast Saints’ lead to six by the 22nd minute before McKillop replied with a couple more long range points to keep the Larne men with in touch.
A couple more Phil Maguire pointed frees and another from Daniel McGuigan edged the visitors further ahead and Ryan O’Donnell 0-2 and Daniel McGuigan and Maguire exchanged further points to leave it 0-8 to 1-11 in favour of the Saints at the break.
The Belfast side extended their lead through two more Maguire points on the restart and further scores from Daniel McGuigan and Pierce O’Rawe put them in a commanding position with only five minutes of the second half gone.
The home side opened their second half account with a point from Ryan O’Donnell and Robert Gallagher followed with another from a free as they introduced Corey Beggs before Conor Matthews pulled off a good save to deny Ronan Carroll as Belfast Saints tried to respond.
Niall McGettigan and Phil Maguire kept the scoreboard ticking for the Saints but a good spell saw Latharna Og reply through Ryan O’Donnell 0-2 frees, and Cathal McKillop with Beggs shot coming back of the woodwork as they continued to press.
Phil Maguire for the visitors and Cathal McKillop exchanged further points but Belfast Saints finished strongly with two more from the excellent Maguire and points from Carroll and Daniel McGuigan to secure a place in the final against St. Brigid’s of Belfast in two weeks-time.
Latharna Og: 1 Darren Martin, 2 Patrick Sherry, 3 Barry Petticrew, 4 Lee Magill, 21 Ciaran Martin, 6 Cathal McKillop, 7 Francis McCambridge, 8 Ronan McKillop, 10 Brian Rogan, 11 Mark Petticrew, 12 Ryan O’Donnell, 13 Daniel Heggarty, 14 Anthony O’Neill, 25 TJ McNeill.
Subs: 18 Corey Beggs, 19 Vincent McCorry, 23 Gary Bergan,
Belfast Saints: 1 Conor Grieve, 2 Dan McConnell, 3 Matt Carlin, 4 Phillip Glennon, 5 Briondan McLarnon, 6 Conor O’Rawe, 7 Brian Keatings, 8 Pierce O’Rawe, 10 Niall McGettigan, 11 Ronan Carroll, 12 Daniel McGuigan, 13 Robert Gallagher, 14 Phillip Maguire, 15 Niall Connolly,
Subs: 16 Joseph McQuillan, 17 Shane McCafferty, 18 Paul McGreevey
Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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