Football

Loreto, Coleraine book Treanor Cup semi-final berth with comeback win over St Patrick’s, Armagh

Ulster Colleges’ Football

The semi-final line-up for the Danske Bank Treanor Cup was completed over the weekend, allowing the games to go ahead this week.

Loreto, Coleraine came from 1-4 to 0-5 down at the break to defeat St Patrick’s, Armagh 1-14 to 3-5 in a really entertaining game.

Michael McGleenan grabbed the first half goal for Armagh, just before half-time.

Indeed Loreto goalie Ethan McAfee had to bring off several good saves in the ten minutes before the turnover, as Armagh threatened to run them over.

Eoin McKeever fired in a Coleraine goal early in the second half, and his side moved seven points clear by the three-quarter mark, mainly through the sharpness of Ben Dillon from frees.

Armagh’s two goals came in the final three minutes, but Coleraine held on to set up a semi-final against Holy Trinity, Cookstown who beat OLSP Knock by 3-12 to 1-12 last Friday.

Oran Mulgrew, Tiarnan Mackle and Shea Quinn scored the goals for Holy Trinity who led from early in the tie.

That semi-final is scheduled for 4pm this afternoon.

In the other half of the draw, St Malachy’s, Belfast defeated Our Lady’s, Castleblayney by 1-12 to 2-7 to set up a semi-final with St Paul’s, Bessbrook who took out St Louis, Ballymena by 1-16 to 1-11.

Their semi-final will take place later in the week.

Meanwhile in the Danske Bank Corn Cholmcille quarter-finals St Patrick’s Armagh came from six points down at the interval to force extra time and then secure a 3-10 to 2-11 victory over Our Lady’s and St Patrick’s, Knock at Clann Éireann.

And it was just as thrilling in the other quarter-final played at the weekend with St Mary’s Belfast coming from behind to beat Holy Trinity, Cookstown by 7-10 to 5-9 – no sign of the blanket defence there!

The remaining two quarter-finals go ahead this afternoon. St Mary’s, CBGS will face the winner from St Ronan’s Lurgan v Patrician Carrickmacross, while St Patrick’s, Keady and St Pius X, Magherafelt will lock horns with a semi-final place against St Patrick’s, Armagh the prize.

Danske Bank Treanor Cup quarter-final results:

Loreto, Coleraine 1-14 St Patrick’s, Armagh 3-5

St Paul’s, Bessbrook 1-16 St Louis, Ballymena 1-11

Holy Trinity, Cookstown 3-12 OLSP, Knock 1-12

St Malachy’s, Belfast 1-12 Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 2-7

Danske Bank Corn Cholmcille quarter-final results:

Holy Trinity, Cookstown 5-9 St Mary’s, CBGS 7-10

St Patrick’s, Armagh 3-10 Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s, Knock 2-11

Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final

Today: 10.30am in Glen, Maghera: St Patrick’s, Maghera v Cross & Passion, Ballycastle

The second Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final in Maghera should see a win for Cross and Passion, who have not lost a match with this age-group through the school.

The opening game against St Killian’s has been their only real test this year and that finished in a 3-12 to 1-8 victory despite the concession of 1-2 in the opening 10 minutes.

Ryan Hill has been the stand-out performer all through school and he has garnered good support from the McAuley brothers, Seamus and Oisin, Michael McGarry, Conor McBride and midfielder Emmett O’Hara, a nephew of All-star Olcan 'Clute' McFetridge.

Although they are holders, Maghera do not have a single player from last season’s starting line-out. Eoin Mulholland was the sub goalie, while defenders Sean O’Kane and Dara Simpson, midfielder Michael McCormick, and forwards Padraig O’Kane and Daithi McLaughlin all were substitutes this time last year.

Captain Oran Downey from Lavey has impressed this year, but it will take a big effort to see off the challenge of Ballycastle.