Danske Bank Mageean Cup

Group A: St Louis Ballymena 5-16 St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-12

Both teams in Glenariffe for their opening game in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup were understrength, due to the forthcoming Antrim minor hurling final. But St Louis Ballymena took early control with a goal from Domhnall McKay and were good value for their win, the gap of 13 points probably accentuated a little by two late goals.

St Killian’s hit back against that quick start from St Louis that also included two scores from Joe Casey, with points each from Dara Ward, Kian McGarell and Charlie Black.

However Casey, Neill Rodgers and Dylan O’Boyle responded with points each that negated a soft goal from Ciarán McCann in the 16^th minute. Casey continued to punish St Killian’s in the second quarter and St Louis went in at the break with an interval lead of 1-11 to 1-4.

St Killian’s hit three of the first four scores of the second half through their midfielders, but Joe McFadden’s 33^rd minute goal kept the Ballymena side well in control.

Casey placed Oisín O’Brien for a third Ballymena goal in the 46^th minute and there was no way back for the Tower, despite several excellent points from Cadhan Graham and then a scrappy goal from sub Ronan Jones that closed the gap to six points.

However Harry Blaney goaled with four minutes remaining and Domhnall McKay made it 5-15 to 2-11 soon after for a comfortable enough victory.

St Louis are out next Tuesday morning against Gaelcholáiste Dhoire while St Killian’s Round 2 tie with St Patrick’s Keady is postponed due to a school trip and now likely to take place on Monday 19^th.

In Group B holders St Patrick’s Maghera enter the competition with a visit to Ballycastle on Thursday.

St Louis: D McKay 2-3, H Blaney 1-1, J McFadden and O O’Brien 1-0 each, J Casey 0-0-8, 3fs, D O’Boyle and N Rodgers 0-2 each.

St Killain’s: C McCann and R Jones 1-0 each, C Graham 0-5, 1f, K McGarell 0-3, B Duncan (f), C Leech, C Black and D Ward 0-1 each.

St Killian’s: C McNaughton, C Kerr, PJ Kelly, E McNaughton, E Magee, B Duncan capt, N Lowry, C Graham, K McGarell, C McMullan, C Leech, C McCann, J Taggart, C Black, D Ward.

Subs used: C McKeegan, R Jones, C Haughey, A McCormick, E Drysdale.

St Louis : Shane McGilligan, Joe Connolly, Cillian Scullion, Conall McFerran, Jamie McMullan, Dylan McMullan, Rory Blaney, Charlie Dunne, Oisin O’Brien, Dylan O’Boyle, Neill Rodgers, Joe McFadden, Joe Casey, Domhnall McKay, Harry Blaney

Subs used: O Sisk, L Martin, C óg Trainor, L McKee