Corn Uan Uladh semi-final

Wednesday, 11am in Ballymena : St Mary’s, Magherafelt v St Killian’s, Garron Tower

Champions St Mary’s, Magherafelt may not get an easy passage into another Ulster Colleges’ Senior camogie final on Wednesday when they meet St Killian’s, Garron Tower.

Back in October in the league section of the competition, the pair played out an entertaining game at the same venue with Dervla Cosgrove popping over a late free to give St Killian’s a shock 3-6 to 2-8 win.

The Tower, just up in the top level following their victory last year in the Fr Davies’ Cup, probably surprised themselves with that performance – but they were good value for it.

That was in contrast to their performances against Convent teams through the underage ranks, where they tended to fall behind early in the game and then lose by high scorelines.

Both sides will be short a player who grabbed two goals in the league game. Mary Kane has not trained in a fortnight with glandular fever, while the experienced Jackie Donnelly, a goal-scorer when St Mary’s won last year, injured her leg in a league game with Maghera at Halloween and is out for the rest of the season.
Her striking partner Eimhear McGuigan is likely to be joined by younger sister Orla who has impressed in Jackie’s absence.

Elsewhere Magherafelt are strong in most lines with three Antrim minors in the half-forward line to support strong Derry players like Faoiltiarna Burke, Rebecca Bradley and Megan Diamond.

St Killian’s has only two players from the Antrim minor team that recently claimed the Ulster title – Tierna Carson and Sinead Convery – although Dervla Cosgrove has played at that level during the season.

St Killian’s panel is dominated by the Cushendall side with a few players from St John’s Carnlough and Brídíní Óga, Glenravel. From such a small base they have done extremely well to rise through the grades and reach the semis.

However, despite the shock league result, St Mary’s will be strong favourites to stay on course for an eleventh title in the past 22 seasons.

By Séamas McAleenan