Danske Bank Mageean Cup
BALLYMENA will host both Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-finals this week with St Killian’s facing Knock today and then last year’s beaten finalists St Patrick’s, Maghera against St Mary’s tomorrow.
Holders St Patrick's, Downpatrick are already gone without winning a group game. Maghera also failed to win either of their two group games, but have survived as all three in their group were guaranteed a knock-out game. History has taught us that Maghera teams have often come through from this scenario in the past.
Group B proved to be a tougher group than Group A that housed St Mary’s who eased their way to two handy victories over Downpatrick and Knock, but found themselves struggling against Cross & Passion who topped the group and grabbed a semi-final spot on an 2-21 to 1-12 scoreline just before Halloween.
St Mary’s struggled against the breeze in the first half of that game and were in difficulty at the break, down 2-12 to 0-5. They were a lot more competitive during the second half, sparked by a goal from Ruairí McAreavey.
Micheal Marlowe, Enda McGurk and Michael Darragh in defence, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Caoimhín Rainey in midfield along with top-scorer Adam Murray have been their top performers. All will need to be on top of their game to fend off Maghera.
The Derry school was going quite well in the opening game against eventual Group winners St Louis', Ballymena until they lost two key players – captain Adam McLaughlin and centre-forward Niall Barton – to injury just after the break.
Barton required surgery on a finger injury and won’t take any part in the rest of the competition. There will therefore be a lot of responsibility on McLaughlin, backed by three others who featured in last year’s final – Fionn McEldowney, Senan Lockhart and Eoin Scullion.
It should be close, but St Mary’s can progress to meet St Louis Ballymena in next week’s semi-final.
Cross & Passion await the result of the St Killian’s v Knock game and it is widely expect that it will deliver a north Antrim derby.
The Tower were unbeaten in their group, but finished behind St Louis on score-difference following a fine comeback in a 1-15 to 0-18 draw in Glenravel three weeks ago.
Joseph McLaughlin is their main score-getter, his 11th point in injury time clinched that draw in Glenravel. He was part of a very capable Foresters’ Cup winning side last year and most of that team have transitioned seamlessly to Mageean with final year students goalie John V Morgan, the McSparran twins and Niall Magee strong at the back.
Knock have lost a few key players from last year and depend a lot on Shea Pucci for scores along with free-taker and midfielder Eoin Kelly. That pair will need to be pretty productive as there is likely to be plenty of pressure for Raory McCamphill, Ben Teggart and goalie Sean McCollum.
St Killian’s should progress.
Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-finals
St Killian’s, Garron Tower v Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s, Knock (today, Ballymena, 12pm)
St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast v St Patrick’s, Maghera (today, Ballymena, 2pm)
