Aquinas Grammar V St Patrick’s Ballymena Bro Nolan Semi final

Aquinas Grammar beat St Pats Ballymena 6-9 to 3-3 in a tough physical game in which the final score does not reflect how close the game was.  Ballymena scored a superb goal in the opening minute of the game, backing it with another well worked goal after 8 minutes.  Aquinas replied with a goal and a point, leaving the score 2-0 to 1-1 in favour of Ballymena, then Aquinas took a grip on the game with the midfield of Ben Scullion and Ryan McKee exerting a great influence.  James Lawlor and Ciaran McColgan began to find some room in the forward line and exploited this to the full.  By half time Aquinas were winning 4-4 to 2-2.

The Ballymena forward line was causing Aquinas a lot of problems, however, Aquinas began to push on again winning the midfield battle.  The half back line with Kevin Dornan and Paddy Short prominent began to push on causing Ballymena a lot of problems and it was during this 20 minute spell in the second half that Aquinas won the game. Scores from Ryan McKee, Ben Scullion, Cormac Hannan, Jude Moreland and Michael Robinson secured the win.  Ballymena pushed on in the final 10 minutes scoring 1-2 and fought bravely to the end.

Best for Aquinas were Kevin Dornan, Paddy Short and Chris Prior in defence, Ben Scullion and Ryan Mckee were strong in midfield, while Jude Moreland, James Lawlor and Ciaran McColgan were sharp up front.

Scorers J Lawlor 2-3, C McColgan 2-1, N Irwin 1-0,

J Moreland 1-0, R McKee 0-2, B Scullion 0-1, C Hannan 0-1, M Robinson 0-1.

Aquinas are unbeaten in the competition beating; De La Salle, Downpatrick, St Pat’s Donaghmore, St Pat’s Ballymena, St Pat’s Lisburn and St Pat’s Bearnageeha in the qualifiers.  Aquinas then beat Edmund Rice in the quarter-final and St Pat’s Ballymena in the Semi-final.

Aquinas Grammar team

Michael Doran

Chris Prior

Eoin Doherty

Conor Fitsimons

Ryan Murray

Kevin Dornan (Captain)

Patrick Short

Donal McKeever

Ben Scullion

Jude Moreland

Ryan McKee

Conor Costello

James Lawlor

Ciaran McFarland

Ciaran McColgan

 

Subs

Jack Langan

Niall Irwin

Michael Robinson

BarrieLynch

Senan Magennis

Cormac Hannan

Jack McGrath

Cristoir Devlin

Mark Gillen

Dermot O’Rourke

Sean McGuigan

The main players are K Dornan (Centre half back) B Scullion (Midfield and C McColgan ( Full forward)

Thanks P Evans and C Savage

The final will be played against an impressive Colaiste Feirste team who beat a strong Donaghmore team by five points in the other semi final.  The final will be played this Wednesday 7th March in Casement park at  2.00 PM, all parents, family, past pupils and friends are invited to come along. P Evans/ C Savage