Ulster Camogie Colleges Round up
The result of the weekend’s Corn Uan Uladh Senior Colleges’ camogie derby game in Glen means that local school St Patrick’s Maghera are in danger of not qualifying for the semi-final stage for the first time in over a quarter of a century.
Holders St Mary’s Magherafelt came from a goal down at half-time to snatch a late winner on a 0-12 to 2-5 scoreline. This means that St Mary’s, along with Cross & Passion Ballycastle and St Killian’s Garron Tower, are assured of semi-final places.
Maghera though will need to beat St Louis Ballymena in their final league game next week. St Louis, who defeated St Killian’s in their opening fixture, need only a draw to progress.
Yesterday, with Jackie Donnelly having to leave the field injured during the opening half, St Mary’s depended on her Ballinascreen clubmate Eimhear McGuigan to shoulder the scoring, which she did, landing half of her team’s total from placed balls, including the decisive late pressure score in the final minute, with the teams level.
St Mary’s now have to beat Cross & Passion Ballycastle today (Wednesday 5th November) by at least seven points in their final qualifying game next week in the battle for the top two spots in the semi-final line-up.
In the Fr Davies’ Cup, St Patrick’s Keady, St Pius X Magherafelt, St Catherine’s Armagh and possibly Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock all look on course for the semi-finals.
In the Senior Medallion Shield, last season’s beaten finalists St Malachy’s Castlewellan and two other Down sides, St Mark’s Warrenpoint and Sacred Heart Newry, look capable of reaching the semis along with St Colm’s Draperstown.
The picture is not so clear at Junior (under 16) level with still two rounds of fixtures to go.
In Corn Eimhear, the holders St Mary’s Magherafelt have recorded three straight wins, while Ballycastle’s only blemish in three outings was a draw with St Patrick’s Maghera.
In the Fontenoys’ Cup, St Louis Kilkeel, St Catherine’s Armagh and St Pius X are all going strong, and in the Junior Medallion Shield, St Paul’s Kilrea are the front runners in Section 1, with St Columba’s Portaferry and St Patrick’s Academy unbeaten in Section 2.
(Seamus McAleenan)
