Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final
Cross & Passion Ballycastle 2-17 St Patrick’s Maghera 0-7
Monday 25 November
Brendan McTaggart reports from Portglenone
Goals in either half from Caedan Crawford and Conor Donnelly ensured it was a comfortable evening for Cross & Passion as they progressed to a second successive Mageean Cup Final.
It was a strong performance from the Ballycastle school who weathered a bright start from St Pat’s to build an eight point half time lead. The Maghera men put in an improved performance in the second half but a fourth quarter push from CPC put to bed any thoughts of a comeback from St Pat’s.
On a bitterly cold evening under the floodlights in Portglenone, CPC had eight different scorers with full forward Roan McGarry top scoring with 0-7 beside his name at the end of the hour. Padraig Martin and Oisin McCallin were always a threat while Liam Glackin, Ronan Fitzgerald and Darragh Donnelly also impressed.
St Pat’s were reliant on the impish abilities of Rian Collins. The Lavey man finished with four points for his work over the hour while captain Cathal McKaigue and Padraig Haran also impressed.
Effectively, it was CPC’s abilities in the middle third that was the difference. St Pat’s couldn’t get to grip with either puck out and with plenty of daylight between the sides at half time, CPC controlled the contest after the break.
It wasn’t a perfect performance from the Convent. After 42 minutes they had registered 1-10, but also pulled 12 shots wide of the target. However they were very much in control of their own destiny after McCallin cut in from the left corner for the other corner forward Caedan Crawford to take possession and hit the net in the 16th minute. A brilliant finish from the Ballycastle man and gave Donnacha Collins no chance.
That score seemed to kill any momentum Maghera had built with the opening three scores, a fine point from Cormac McCloskey and two Rian Collins frees.
CPC had drawn level by the 10th minute with three points inside two minutes, including two from Paudie Martin, and Eunan Johnston chipped over a lead point before the goal.
By half time Ballycastle led by 1-9 to 0-4 and their pace and power up front was taking a toll on the Derry side.
Maghera fared a little better during the third quarter with points from Collins (free), McCloskey and captain Cathal McKaigue cancelling our similar efforts from Roan McGarry (two) and Darragh Donnelly.
McGarry then added two more before Conor Donnelly went around the outside and fired home the second goal in the 55th minute.
Stronger and sharper all over the pitch Cross and Passion will be a handful for whoever emerges from the second semi-final this (Tuesday) afternoon (1.30pm in Cushendall between holders St Killian’s Garron Tower and St Louis Ballymena.
TEAMS
CPC: Anthony Mullan; Cian Baudant, Eunan Johnston, Niall McClean; Reece Cunning, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly; Ronan Fitzgerald, Darragh Donnelly; Conan Johnston, Conor Donnelly, Padraig Martin; Oisin McCallin, Roan McGarry, Caedan Crawford.
Subs: Cahir McMullan for D Donnelly (52); Aiden Richmond for O McCallin (52); Logan McConville for D Kinney (52); Dan O’Mullan for P Martin (54)
Scorers: R McGarry 0-7 (5fs); C Donnelly 1-3; C Crawford 1-1; P Martin 0-2 (1f); D Donnelly 0-1; E Johnston 0-1; O McCallin 0-1; L McConville 0-1
St Pat’s: Donnacha Collins; Fiachra Turner, Padraig O’Kane, Darragh O’Neill; Jack McCloy, Cathal McKaigue, Odhran Doherty; Daithi McCloskey, Niall McNicholl; Rian Collins, Padraig Haran, Gabhan McIvor; Turlough McHugh, Cormac McCloskey, Dara O’Kane
Subs: Cathal Quinn for G McIvor (37); Cathal Mulholland for P Haran (57)
Scorers: R Collins 0-4 (4fs); C McCloskey 0-2; C McKaigue 0-1
Referee: Brendan Toland
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