Football

MacLarnon Cup reaching business end of the season

Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup

THE last group games in the MacLarnon Cup were played on Monday and that means there are just 12 teams remaining from the 20 that started the competition six weeks ago - and a further four will bite the dust over the next couple of days.

The group winners automatically go through to next month's quarter-final draws. Last year's beaten finalists Patrician, Carrickmacross are going strong, with the recent Rannafast Cup success likely to further boost them in their quest to go one better than last March. Joining them are last year's beaten semi-finalists Holy Trinity, Cookstown and St Ciarán's, Ballygawley, while St Eunan's, Letterkenny topped Pool A.

On Thursday, either St Columb's, Derry or Rathmore Grammar will also go through following a play-off in MUSA (1pm). St Columb's hit some good totals in their group and also drew with neighbours St Eunan's, 2-5 to 1-8. They were unlucky not to top the group, while Rathmore finished behind both Ballygawley and St Mary's, Belfast in theirs.

Eoin McElhinney and Seán Bradley will play for Faughanvale in the Ulster Junior final at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday. They should also be looking forward to a MacLarnon quarter-final after Christmas, although they will get a close run from the Belfast side.

Newcomers St Malachy's, Castlewellan hit the ground running with an early victory against neighbours St Patrick's, Downpatrick and went unbeaten until they met Carrickmacross in the final group game. They now have to pick themselves up for Friday's play-off with cup holders Our Lady's, Castleblayney.

Our Lady's are much changed this season and struggled in what was a competitive enough group that was won by Holy Trinity, Cookstown. They may not reach the same heights as last year, but they could well make it through this challenge from Castlewellan.

The other two play-offs are encountering problems with internal school examinations and other events. Our Lady's and St Patrick's, Knock beat St Malachy's, Belfast 2-12 to 0-11 in their final league match on Monday last and now have to play another city side, St Mary's CBS, in the play-off at the start of next week.

It may take a little longer to sort a date for the last of the play-offs, but St Louis', Ballymena, who were narrowly defeated in the final of the Danske Bank Rafferty Cup two years ago, should be too strong for St Patrick's, Downpatrick, who edged out St Louis', Kilkeel 1-8 to 2-3 in their last league game on Monday.