Superb St Louis Ballymena reach All-Ireland Hurling final

March 13, 2016

Masita All-Ireland Paddy Buggy Cup semi-final

St Louis Ballymena 2-14 St Raphael’s Loughrea 2-6

When St Louis Ballymena turned around at half-time to face the breeze just five points up in this Masita All-Ireland Paddy Buggy Cup semi-final on Saturday, many of their supporters in the large crowd at DCU wondered if they had done enough after dominating play in that opening half hour.

Ciaran Elliott was the goal-scorer, taking his team 1-6 to 0-4 to the good with opponents St Raphael’s Loughrea still to score from open play, having set up with Brian Keary as sweeper.

However some brilliant play during the third quarter from the Dunloy contingent and James McNaughton in the Ballymena forward line saw them open up the lead to a margin of 14 points and the game was in the bag.

A key factor in the win was the Ballymena half-back line with captain Cathal McMullan lording exchanges and Loughrea didn’t score for the first time from open play until the 41st minute.

That Kevin Cooney point however was their only addition to the four frees he had knocked over in the first half, while McNaughton, Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy and Seaan (sic) Elliott hammered over seven points for St Louis.

Cunning then dashed past three Loughrea defenders to score his side’s second goal in the 45th minute and put the game to bed.

The Ballymena team slackened off somewhat during the last quarter and Caimin Killeen and Cooney from a 30 metres free found the net, but those scores never threatened St Louis’ passage into the final on Easter Monday in Thurles when they meet Abbey CBS from Tipperary.

ST LOUIS: James McNaughton 0-6, 0-5, Conal Cunning 1-3, Keelan Molloy 0-3, Ciarán Elliott 1-0, Seaan Elliott 0-2.

ST RAPHAEL’S: Kevin Cooney 1-4, 1-3 frees, Caimin Killeen 1-0, Brian Keary 0-2 frees.