Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final: Cross & Passion, Ballycastle v St Killian’s, Garron Tower (tomorrow, Ballymena, 1.45pm)
THE question going into this Danske Bank Mageean derby semi-final is how well the games that Cross and Passion and St Killian’s have already played will prepare them for the white heat of an intense championship battle.
Ballycastle topped Group A before Halloween with three easy victories. All three opponents however have fallen by the way-side with one of them Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock brushed aside by St Killian’s in the quarter-finals last week. A score-line of 7-25 to 0-5 is not the preparation Garron Tower needed before they take on their neighbours.
Having said that, St Killian’s looked very comfortable at the back, despite exposing goalie John V Morgan to a couple of one-on-ones. Eamon Ward and Niall Magee even had time to fire over a couple of points.
The attack might have accumulated 15 wides, but their stick-work was very impressive and they will keep Ballycastle’s defence occupied.
Cross & Passion cantered to some handy victories themselves and their stick-work also looked pretty sharp, in particular from the McGarrys and Dara Kelly.
Ballycastle also have a physical presence about them at both ends of the pitch and good Tower teams in the past have struggled with the physicality that the likes of Maghera or Ballycastle have brought to the table.
The Tower’s comeback to earn a draw with St Louis Ballymena seemed to suggest that this side can mix physicality with skill. But was the Ballymena game a full test? It is very different when an opponent is playing to stay in the competition.
Ballycastle teams in the past however have proven that they can get results even when it looks as if they are struggling against a better team. That is the quality of a championship team.
Both teams are unbeaten. CPC topped their group, St Killian’s didn’t. Their score-difference wasn’t as good as St Louis’. Small margins counted against them. Small margins might well count against them again in this semi-final.
