Danske Bank Mageean Cup Group A, round two Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 2-12 St Louis’, Ballymena 3-13
WITH a minute of normal time left in this tie in Slaughtneil, Cathal Ó Mianáin burst through the centre of the St Louis defence and off-loaded for Jude Ó Conaire to force a goal at the near post.
The Ballymena team needed an immediate response if they were to pick up their second win of the campaign. They got just that from star man Fiontán Bradley. He drove down the right wing and found Neil Rogers, who found the net at the second attempt.
But it shouldn’t have been so close. Although Gaelcholáiste scored first through Emmett Óg McKeever, St Louis took over and deserved to be 1-5 to 0-2 up after 16 minutes, the goal from Caleb Smith in the 10th minute. The Derry side, playing their first game at this level, were struggling to reach the pace.
However, three or four fluffed goal-chances from St Louis and three late points left the half-time score at 1-8 to 0-7.
Gaelcholáiste picked up the pace early in the second half, but the Ballymena scoring combination of Luke McFerran and Bradley kept their team breaking even. A goal from Bradley after 40 minutes was followed by one at the other end from Finbarr Ó Muirí.
However, Gaelcholáiste didn’t get any closer than five or six points until Ó Conaire’s strike near the end and once Rogers struck at the other end, the result was sorted.
Scorers
Gaelcholáiste F Ó Muirí 1-3; J Ó Conaire 1-1; E Óg McKeever & D Ó hÉireamhóinn (3f) 0-3 each; C Ó Mianáin (f) & C Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide 0-1 each
St Louis’ F Bradley 1-7 (0-6f); C Smith & N Rogers 1-0 each; L McFerran 0-3 (0-1f); J Martin 0-2, D McLarnon 0-1
