All Ireland Post Primary Senior ‘A’ Semi-Final in Cushendun
Cross & Passion, Ballycastle 1-9 Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles 1-14
Saturday 7 February
The All-Ireland dream for Cross and Passion was cruelly ended in Cushendun on Saturday, as a valiant effort from the Ballycastle side fell just short against a clinical Ursuline team from Thurles. While the final five-point scoreline suggests a comfortable margin for the visitors, it is a harsh reflection on a match where the Ulster champions were right in the hunt until the dying seconds. On another day, the North Antrim girls could have easily walked away with more than a single goal, having pushed their Munster opponents to the very limit in a display defined by grit and determination.
The Ballycastle school started with incredible intent, utilizing the elements in the first half to establish an early dominance. Their bright start was rewarded in the 12th minute when Eimear McCaughan found the back of the net, giving her side a deserved five-point lead. Throughout the contest, Eobha McAllister was a tower of strength, leading the scoring charge with eight points, including several crucial scores from placed balls. Despite the pressure applied by Cross and Passion, Ursuline managed to weather the storm, leaving the Ballycastle side with a slender two-point advantage at the interval.
The second half showcased the true character of this Cross and Passion squad. Even as Ursuline began to find their range and restore parity, the Ballycastle girls refused to be found wanting in the physical stakes. They dominated the middle third for long stretches, mounting wave after wave of pressure on the Thurles defense. Goal chances were carved out through the persistence of Adria McAllister and Eimear McCaughan, but they were met by a combination of desperate defending and an inspired performance from the Ursuline goalkeeper, who produced a moment of incredible bravery to keep the Ulster champions at bay.
The closing stages proved to be heartbreaking for the local side. After Marie Laverty and Tegan Cassidy went close to finding the scores needed to reclaim the lead, Ursuline struck a decisive blow in the 59th minute. Just seconds after a brilliant save at one end, Mel Flannery managed to find the net at the other, finally putting daylight between the teams. A late free from Eobha McAllister was all the Ballycastle side could muster in response before the final whistle. While the result ends their journey, the aggression, intensity, and skill shown by Cross and Passion proved they were in contention right up the end, but the Thurles class told in the end.
A word of praise must go to the Emmet’s club in Cushendun who were called uppon to host this game at the 11th hour. The pitch was in excellent condition considering the rain that has fallen all week, their stewarding and handling of the whole occasion were second to none.
Cross & Passion: M McToal; S Flavin, SL Kearns, C Delaney, A Gillan, F Sands; E McAllister (0-8; 4f’s, 1’45), R McMullan; L McBride, T Cassidy (0-1), M Laverty; A McAllister, M McArthur (0-1), E McCaughan (1-00)
Ursuline: R Ferncombe; O Gleeson, L McGrath, S O’Dwyer; R O’Brien, K Dowling, K Duffy (0-1); A O’Connor, E Frend (0-1); M Jones, C Stakelum (0-5, 3f’s), S Coughlan; M Flannery (1-1), J Shannahan (0-1), A Butler (0-5)
Subs: E McGrath for S Coughlan (35)
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