CPC WIN LEONARD CUP - Ulster U151/2 Hurling Final

Cross and Passion Ballycastle 3-11,    St Killian’s Garron Tower 3-10

A beautiful point struck off his left at full pace as he raced up the left side-line in injury time, underlined Michael O’Boyle’s contribution to an excellent Danske Bank Leonard Cup final in Allen Park, Antrim this afternoon.

That was his 10th point to add to two first half goals as Cross and Passion came from behind at the death to win back the Cup they last held two seasons ago.

O’Boyle of course was critical to the outcome as his two early goals set opponents St Killian’s a problem to reel in.

The first came in the 11th minute, a fine solo run and strike, and was followed four minutes later by a crisp strike from the penalty line after he was bundled over in the area.

That put his side 2-1 to 0-2 ahead and, although St Killian’s hit the next four points in response, Cross and Passion finished the half strongly with O’Boyle adding a free and then Oisin Elliott brilliantly taking a short stick pass from Damian Quinn’s stick to find the net.

That meant the teams turned over at 3-2 to 0-6 and they traded three scores each in the opening 10 minutes of the second half before Fintan McQuillan’s long range free touched off a defender’s stick beating goalie Kevin McAuley to put St Killian’s back in the frame.

Damian Quinn responded immediately with a point from play, but Ciaran Magill tied the game in the 47th minute when he grabbed the sliotar to blast low to the net.

Again Ballycastle hit back positively with three points from O’Boyle, the first from play and then two from frees one of which was outside the 65 metre line.

St Killian’s then hit their third goal to tie the game once more on 3-9 each, Pearse McKeegan’s long free falling nicely for sub Dara Mort to stab home from close range.

The game was now in the last ten minutes and excitement high and it looked like the Tower were eventually break for home when Aidan Scullion burst out of defence, soloed to the opposing 45 metre line and fired over an outstanding individual score.

O’Boyle however had other ideas and he levelled from a 65 in the 57th minute, before adding the coup de grace a few minutes later. Garron Tower had chances in injury time, but Enda óg McGarry and his defence held strong to cross the line.

In overall St Killian’s probably looked the stronger all round team, but they didn’t have the penetration of O’Boyle to back up a solid outing from his team-mates.

St Killian’s : J McAllister, G Leech, L McLaughlin, C McCollam, P McKeegan, A Scullion 0-1, D Magill, C Hynds capt, M Emerson, F McQuillan 1-5 frees, C Magill 1-1, E McSparron 0-1, C McKeegan 0-1, S McDonnell 0-1, S McIntosh.

Subs : S O’Boyle for S McIntosh (HT), D Mort 1-0 for C McKeegan (37).