Football

Mageean knock-out picture emerging

THE Danske Bank Mageean Cup knock-out stages have become a touch clearer after games in the league section this week - and there certainly was little between the teams.

In Group A, in which all four teams qualify for the next stage, St Mary's CBGS, Belfast edged a great game with holders Cross & Passion, Ballycastle on Wednesday, 1-19 to 1-18, to top the group and claim an automatic semi-final spot.

With St Patrick's, Maghera and St Killian's, Garron Tower playing out a 3-11 each draw in the other Group A match, there could well be a repeat of last season's semi-final line-up. Both teams have yet to play quarter-final games against the first and second-placed teams in the other section.

That section will not be complete, however, until after Doire play Our Lady's & St Patrick's College Knock on Monday afternoon.

Knock know their Danske Bank MacNamee Cup quarter-final opponents, after losing their final league game to St Louis', Ballymena. They now play St Killian's, Garron Tower.

Cross & Passion, Ballycastle are also in a quarter-final, against the loser from the last league game between St Patrick's, Maghera and St Louis', Ballymena at the start of the week.

Meanwhile, the 13 teams in the Danske Bank Casement Shield have been whittled down to the last six with two quarter-finals next week. St Paul's, Bessbrook will play Aquinas in the first of these with another Belfast side, St Malachy's, awaiting a winner in the semi-finals.

Abbey CBS must play Coláiste Cholmchille, Ballyshannon in their quarter-final with another Donegal outfit, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, already through to the semi-finals.

* Results P57