O’Connor double sees St Killian’s top Section A

St Killian’s College Garron Tower 2-20 St Mary’s CBGS Belfast 3-10

St Killian’s secured their place in the Mageean Cup semi-finals when they got the second win they needed against St Mary’s CBGS at Quinn Park Ballymena on Friday afternoon, due mainly to their second quarter performace which saw them outscore the Belfast boys by 2-9 to 2-1.

A St Mary’s goal by Conor Boyle’s in the seventh minute put St Killian’s on the back foot and they trailed 0-4 to 1-2 at the first water break. However they bounced back with some excellent points, and two goals from Orrin O’Connor, Boyle getting his second in reply in the 29th minute.

A strong third quarter from St Mary’s, due mainly to a great individual display from Finn Mervyn brought them back into contention. Mervyn scored a goal in the 35th minute and added four frees to bring the gap down to four points at the second water break (2-16 to 3-9).

Niall McGarrel landed a point for St Killian’s early in the final quarter to put five between the sides. St Mary’s, who had something near their full team for the first time this season, were still in contention but two pointed frees from St Killian’s Joe McLaughlin and one from Cormac McKeown helped the Tower into the semi-final against either St Patrick’s Maghera or Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock who meet tomorrow morning in Lavey at 10.30am.

St Killian’s : O O’Connor 2-0, J McLaughlin 0-8 (5f), N McGarrell 0-5, C McKeown 0-3, S McIntosh 0-2, P McKillop 0-1, D Kearney 0-1.

St Mary’s: C Boyle 2-0, F Mervyn 1-6 (5f), N McGarry 0-3, R McAreavey 0-1