Danske Bank Loch an Iúir Cup semi-final: St Malachy's, Castlewellan 6-9 Holy Trinity, Cookstown 2-11
THE foundations for St Malachy's, Castlewellan's victory over Holy Trinity, Cookstown in Friday's Danske Bank Loch an Iúir Cup were laid during the first-half.
Justin Clarke and Shea Croskery fired in five goals in that opening half to give the Down side an interval lead of 5-4 to 1-7. Clarke had to go off injured shortly after half-time and hat-trick hero Croskery picked up a black card during the second-half, but Jamie McKee, Caolan Burns and Ronan Mooney closed out the game on Holy Trinity.
Dylan Bloomer looked very dangerous up front during the opening half for Holy Trinity, while Oran Mulgrew was accurate with points, both benefitting from quality ball delivered by Caolan Mulgrew and Tiernán Mackle.
However, as has been their problem right through the competition, they have conceded too many goals and those five strikes from Clarke and Croskery proved crucial.
The second semi-final is on Monday 11am at the Dub between St Malachy's, Belfast and St Patrick's, Downpatrick.
Meanwhile, second-half goals from Catherine Muldoon and Leanne Donnelly secured a 2-7 to 1-0 semi-final win for St Catherine's, Armagh over St Louis', Kilkeel in camogie's Liatroim Fontenoys Cup.
They now play another Down school, St Mark's, Warrenpoint, in the final at 11am in Saturday in Hilltown.
MATCH STATS
St Malachy's scorers: S Croskery (3-0), J Clarke (2-2), J McKee (1-3), S Óg McCusker (0-2), A Morgan (0-1), G Fitzpatrick 0-1.
Holy Trinity scorers: D Bloomer (2-4), O Mulgrew 0-7.
