Hurling & Camogie

Ballycastle and Garron Tower to meet in St Clare Cup semi-final

TUESDAY begins a week of semi-finals in Ulster Schools' camogie.

The St Clare Cup tie in Cushendun is a north Antrim derby between Cross & Passion, Ballycastle - in search of their third successive crown - and St Killian's, Garron Tower, who are appearing in their first ever semi-final at this grade after moving up to the top level following their win in last year's Fr Davies' Cup.

St Killian's have shown promise at this level and qualified for the semi-finals with a comfortable win over St Patrick's, Keady. In the last round, they started seven players each from Cushendall and Glenravel Brídíní Óga clubs, with Carnlough's Beth McAuley in the half-back line the odd player out.

Cross & Passion, who topped their qualification group following an easy win over St Mary's, Magherafelt, are strong favourites to again reach the final. They have a compact enough team and strong forwards in Rhianna McBride and Katie Laverty and should still be in training later in the week.

The second semi-final is also a derby meeting, this time of St Patrick's, Maghera and St Mary's, Magherafelt. Midfielder Kate McEldowney featured for the school at senior level this year and she has a strong team around her.

St Mary's looked off the mark when they played Ballycastle, but they usually raise their game significantly when playing Maghera. This derby is always difficult to predict. Last December's senior final is a case in point, when Maghera took out the clear favourites with some powerful play. Maghera are the favourites, but you could not rule out an upset.

St Louis', Ballymena, beaten by St Killian's in last year's final, are the clear favourites for the Fr Davies' Cup after they comfortably claimed top spot in their group. Many of the players who featured in last Saturday's Antrim Féile na nGael final for both Dunloy and Brídíní Óga are prominent in this team and they should have too much fire-power for St Malachy's, Castlewellan, who came through from Group One.

The other semi-final should be much tighter, with Our Lady's & St Patrick's, Knock aiming to reach only their second final at this level, the first being five seasons ago. Under Down senior player Niamh Mallon, they are backboned by the Ballygalget girls who collected Down Féile na nGael medals a fortnight ago.

Up against them is a St Pius X, Magherafelt side who have been strong contenders at this level for a number of years. The team that takes its chances will be the team that makes it through to the decider.

Two more competitions will also come to down to the finals in a busy week for the Schools' Council.