Copy from Séamas McAleenan
Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final
Monday 4pm, Loup
St Patrick’s Maghera v St Louis Ballymena
St Patrick’s Maghera brushed aside the holders in their last outing in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup and this evening’s (MONDAY) game sees them facing the 2015 winners St Louis Ballymena in the first of the semi-finals.
Maghera were very impressive at the start of last week, particularly during the second half when they dug in against the wind to shoot four goals and sink St Mary’s challenge for the season.
Surprisingly they featured ace score-taker and dual player Richie Mullan at wing half back from where he landed eight points, all but one of which came from placed balls.
In under age competitions Richie has ripped defences apart to hit match-winning scores as in the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup final 18 months ago, when he landed 1-9 out of their 2-10 winning total.
Another dual player Tiarnan McHugh hit the remaining 1-1 that day and he equalled that tally against St Mary’s last week, with the other goals in a 5-17 to 0-13 win coming from Padraig O’Kane (2), Peadar McLoughlin and defender Fearghal Ó Caiside.
St Louis topped their group with single point wins over St Mary’s and An Dún to claim an automatic semi-final spot, but they will be very wary of the Derry challenge.
Their ace score-getter Seaan Elliott has not featured for club or school to date since sustaining a leg injury in August playing for Dunloy.
His absence didn’t stop the club collecting their third successive Antrim title at minor level and Ryan McGarry, Liam McCann and Anton McGrath are just three Cúchulainn’s players who will bring that winning mentality to the school team.
Loughgiel’s Brian McNaughton has been impressive in the group games, but overall St Louis will need to really step up a gear to see off a Maghera side that look very difficult to beat.
It should therefore be Maghera awaiting Wednesday’s winner from Cross & Passion and An Dún
