St Mary’s set up final meeting with CPC

Danske Bank Foresters Cup Hurling

St Mary’s 4-17 OLSPK 4-14

St Mary’s CBS Belfast secured a well-deserved victory over Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock in the Foresters Cup semi-final at Woodlands, emerging with a 4-17 to 4-14 win. While the final scoreline suggests a nail-biting encounter, St Mary’s were the superior side throughout the contest. They controlled the tempo for long periods, and the three-point margin flatters Knock slightly, as their fourth goal came from a penalty with the very last puc of the game, deep into injury time.

St Mary’s also had a good shout for a fifth goal near the end of the game when left-half forward Jude Gamble rifled a shot which appeared to come off the stantion which holds the net. Most people thought it came off the upright, and it is understandable that referee didn’t give it, but luckily it was not to prove decisive in the outcome of the match.

St Mary’s wasted no time asserting their dominance. Finn Smyth was an immediate handful, threatening the goal in the opening minute before Padraig Kelly floated over a beautiful point to open their account. Knock responded with a point from Colm Kane, but Smyth soon found the back of the net in the fourth minute to establish an early lead. St Mary’s number nine added a point before Knock hit back in the seventh minute with a goal of their own; a brilliant solo run from Tomas Gilmore carved open the defence, allowing Lorcan Breen to finish the chance. The West Belfast side’s response was ruthless. Conal Dempsey launched a long free out of defence, which was caught superbly and offloaded to Smyth, who buried his second goal. Matthew O’Neill pointed straight from the ensuing puck-out, and Smyth quickly followed up with a score from a narrow angle. Approaching the twenty-minute mark, Oisin Kennedy dropped a dangerous ball into the square, and Sean McMullan was on hand to pull it to the net for St Mary’s third goal. Knock kept the scoreboard ticking primarily through Louis O’Reilly, who hit a purple patch with a 65, two frees, and a fine score from play. Dempsey and McMullan kept St Mary’s comfortably ahead, while Cathal Birt tapped over a couple of frees for Knock, leaving the half-time score at 3-8 to 1-9 in favour of St Mary’s.

Knock started the second half with intent, Colm Kane pointing straight from the throw-in, but Padraig Kelly immediately cancelled it out. Adam McCahey added a good point for St Mary’s, and after Kane replied for Knock, Kelly landed a spectacular score from out on the sideline. Louis O’Reilly converted another 65 for Knock before their comeback hopes were frustrated by the St Mary’s goalkeeper, Daire Gault. Gault pulled off a fantastic save from O’Reilly and moments later reacted brilliantly to tip a penalty from Cathal Birt over the crossbar. After St Mary’s number nine pointed from the sideline, Knock finally breached the defence again when their number fourteen goaled following excellent approach play by O’Reilly. St Mary’s remained unfazed, going straight down the field for Dempsey to point, and just a minute later, Smyth struck for his team’s fourth goal. Knock refused to capitulate; Conor McCormick pointed before brilliantly catching the ball to set up their number fourteen for another goal. Padraig Kelly responded with a point for St Mary’s, but a goal from Colm Kane in the 24th minute ensured a frantic finish. St Mary’s managed the closing stages well, with their number nine and substitute Eoin Matthews firing over crucial points to keep Knock at arm’s length. Deep into stoppage time, Louis O’Reilly blasted a penalty to the net for Knock, but the final whistle blew immediately after, confirming St Mary’s progression to the final where they will meet Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle.