THE draw for the Danske Bank Mageean Cup was made yesterday at the launch of the Ulster Schools’ GAA programme at the Dub and the three big-hitters will all be in Group B.
St Killian’s, Garron Tower, who won the title last year for the first time since 1963, are up against the teams they beat in the semi-final and final - Cross & Passion, Ballycastle and St Patrick’s, Maghera respectively.
St Killian’s coach Pádraig McIlwaine was relieved that it was a group of three with all teams going through to the knock-out stages.
“It’s a really tough group,” he said.
“CPC pushed us close in the final last year and they have lost just two or three from that team and have won everything through the age-groups.
“Then you have Maghera who are competitive every year.
“But look at the last few years. There have been seven different teams won the Mageean over the past seven years. We are going through the most competitive era yet for the competition. So no matter who finishes where in the groups, it’s going to be a tough passage to the title.”
Indeed the last school to successfully defend the title was CPC almost a decade ago, with the last three going to St Killian’s, a third title for St Louis, Ballymena and first-time winners St Patrick’s, Downpatrick.
The only schools that can take a first-ever crown are in Group A, with regular participants Our Lady and St Patrick’s, Knock joined by Gaelcholáiste Dhoire, who only entered a senior team two years ago and have won the Casement Shield and Cup in a meteoric rise through the system.
Joining them are current Foresters’ Cup champions St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast and St Louis, Ballymena. Only three qualify from this group, one going directly into the semis and the other two featuring in the quarter-finals immediately after the Halloween break.
The other draw made yesterday was for the group stages of the Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup. There will be 11 teams jockeying for position in the knock-out stages after Christmas.
The 2021-22 champions Patrician, Carrickmacross are in the group of three with Aquinas Grammar and St Mary’s, CBGS.
Group A is made up of last season’s finalists OLSP, Knock; Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore; St Louis, Ballymena and St Pius X, Magherafelt.
The new east Down school based in Downpatrick, Lecale Trinity, will have a derby game with St Malachy’s, Castlewellan as well as ties against Rathmore Grammar and St Eunan’s, Letterkenny.
Danske Bank Mageean Cup
Group A
St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast
Gaelcholáiste Dhoire
St Louis, Ballymena
OLSP, Knock
Group B
St Patrick’s, Maghera
Cross and Passion, Ballycastle
St Killian’s, Garron Tower
Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup
Group A
OLSP, Knock
Dean Maguire, Carrickmore
St Louis, Ballymena
St Pius X, Magherafelt
Group B
St Eunan’s, Letterkenny
Lecale Trinity, Downpatrick
Rathmore Grammar
St Malachy’s, Castlewellan
Group C
Aquinas Grammar
St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast
Patrician High, Carrickmacross
