15 October 2010
St. Mary’s CBS, Belfast staged a remarkable come-back to defeat Cross & Passion, Ballycastle in this very competitive Mageean Cup semi-final played at Slemish Park, Ballymena on Thursday. They looked in serious trouble in the early stages of the game when Cross & Passion raced into a 2-1 to 0-2 lead by the 14th minute and when Eamon Quinn was given his marching orders after 28 minutes it wasn’t looking good for the Glen Road College.
However it was they who reacted positively to the loss of their captain, showing the greater hunger to get well on top during the second half and run out worthy two point winners.
The Ballycastle seat of learning got off to the best possible start with a goal after four minutes when two St. Mary’s defender collided when going for the dropping ball and Ciaran Clarke took advantage to fire to the net.
The same player followed with a point as Cross & Passion made the early running and when Sean Delargy first timed to the net, after Niall McFadden robbed Ciaran Orchan before pulling the sliothar across goal into his path, it was looking good for the North Antrim lads.
St. Mary’s had registered only two points at this stage through Conor Johnston and Jude Savage but they rallied magnificently as they began to take the game to their opponents. Jude Savage began the come-back as he converted a great long range free and when Michael Bradley’s shot was deflected to the net in the 16th minute the Ballycastle lead had been cut to three points.
Indeed they might have been level, a minute later when Michael Lyons pulled his shot wide of the posts with only keeper Stephen Maginn to beat. Undeterred St. Mary’s continued to take the game to their opponents as Michael Bradley and Eamon Quinn closed the gap to the minimum by the 20th minute.
Ciaran Clarke eased the Seasiders two in front from a 20 meter free and when Eamon Quinn got his marching orders following an off the ball incident, the tide looked to be turning in Cross & Passion’s favour again.
Clarke added another free before the short whistle to leave his side three in front and at this stage they were looking a good bet for a place in the final.
BETTER BET
When Niall Murray and Ciaran Clarke tagged on early second half points for the Ballycastle side it would have been a brave man that would have bet against them but St. Mary’s were in no mood to throw in the towel and they responded positively as Michael Lyons, Ciaran Johnston and Daniel McKiernan replied with unanswered points by the 9th minute.
Paul McErlean eased the Ballycastle lads further ahead with a point in the 12th minute but a Michael Lyons’ goal for the CBS saw the deficit cut to the minimum and the Glen Road lads were now calling the shots despite being a man down.
Jude Savage converted a couple of close range frees as indiscipline crept into the Cross & Passion tackling and Michael Bradley put St. Mary’s in the driving with a great point from play as the clock ticked down.
Cross & Passion needed a goal at this stage but could only manage a late consolation point from James Black with referee, Eamon Hasson sounding his whistle from the puck out.
NOT A CLASSIC
This was not a classic game of hurling by any means but was fiercely competitive from the off with no quarter asked or given. Both sides had periods of domination but it was the greater desire displayed by St. Mary’s when reduced to 14 men, which counted in the end.
The winners had outstanding performers in Stephen Rooney, Brendan Bradley, Ciaran Johnston, Jackson McGreevey, Jude Savage, Michael Bradley, Michael Lyons and Daniel McKiernan.
Cross & Passion looked the better side early on but never quite came to terms with having the extra man and indeed it appeared at times that it was their opponents who had numerical advantage.
Stephen Maginn, Dermot Donnelly, Paul McErlean, James Black, Sean Delargy, Stephen McAffee and Ciaran Clarke gave it everything but in the end it was to no avail
St. Mary’s: Patrick Nugent: Naoise O’Callahan, Stephen Rooney, Ciaran Orchan: Brendan Bradley, Ciaran Johnston, Michael Dudley: Jackson McGreevey, Eamon Quinn: Jude Savage, Michael Bradley, Thomas Morgan: Daniel McKiernan, Michael Lyons, Conor Johnston. Subs: Darren McGuinness for Tommy Morgan
Cross & Passion: Stephen Maginn: Paddy Blainey, Dermot Donnelly, Michael McVeigh: Paul McErlean, Niall Murray, Fergus Donnelly: James Black, Sean Delargy: James McLeister, Eamon McCaughan, Conor Christie: Stephen McAffee, Niall McFadden, Ciaran Clarke
Report by Paddy McIlwaine
