Elliott stars as Ballymena reach final
April 03, 2017
Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final
St Louis Ballymena 1-16 St Killian’s Garron Tower 1-6
Yesterday’s first of the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-finals turned into the Seaan Elliott show, as the Dunloy forward, who had picked up a Mageean Cup medal last year, posted seven points in each half of a five star performance.
Granted that quite a number of those were from frees, but Elliott seemed to be everywhere and had a hand in all his team’s scores, although it was Eoin Daly who kicked the opening one, a point, in the second minute.
Before Finlay Walker got St Killian’s off the mark in the 11th minute, Elliott had added his first three points, two from frees and he continued to torture the Tower defence with his accuracy.
St Killian’s had the benefit of a diagonal wind in the opening half, but missed a number of chances, both from open play and frees, while Elliott put his side into a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead.
St Killian’s worked very hard for scores in the opening ten minutes of the second half, and were unlucky with a disallowed goal after three minutes.
John McAllister registered their only score for the period, and that counted for little when, in the seventh minute, Elliott fired a huge free from well inside his own half over the top and Declan McCloskey forced home a goal.
From then on, the result was never in doubt with Elliott punishing every mistake and Ronan McAteer’s late goal a mere consolation effort.
St Louis : A Mooney, C Mooney, E McCusker, McCloskey, E McGrath, S O’Boyle, C McQuillan, P McGilligan, C McFadden, J McCoy, S O’Boyle, S McErlean, S Elliott 0-14, 0-11 frees, D McCloskey 1-1, E Daly 0-1.
Subs : R Mullan for J McCoy, B McCann for C McQuillan
St Killian’s : L McLoughlin, A Scullion, D O’Boyle, R McCollam, T Scally, C O’Conner, E Hynds, A Ritson, D McAuley, F Walker 0-2, A McMullan, S McKay 0-2, 0-1 free, J McAllister 0-1, S Black, R McAteer 1-1.
Subs : C Magill for A Ritson, J Rowan for S Black..
Referee : E Elliott (Antrim)
Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final
Tuesday, 10.30am in Glen, Maghera : St Patrick’s Maghera v Cross & Passion Ballycastle
The second Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup semi-final in Maghera should see a win for Cross and Passion, who have not lost a match with this age-group through the school.
The opening game against St Killian’s has been their only real test this year and that finished in a 3-12 to 1-8 victory despite the concession of 1-2 in the opening 10 minutes.
Ryan Hill has been the stand-out performer all through school and he has garnered good support from the McAuley brothers, Seamus and Oisin, Michael McGarry, Conor McBride and midfielder Emmett O’Hara, a nephew of All-star Olcan Clute McFetridge.
Although they are holders, Maghera do not have a single player from last season’s starting line-out. Eoin Mulholland was the sub goalie, while defenders Sean O’Kane and Dara Simpson, midfielder Michael McCormick, and forwards Padraig O’Kane and Daithi McLaughlin all were substitutes this time last year.
Capt Oran Downey from Lavey has impressed this year, but it will take a big effort to see off the challenge of Ballycastle.
