Take two for Maghera on a busy school weekend

MACRORY Cup champions St Patrick’s, Maghera will be in action on Saturday evening in their refixed Hogan Cup semi-final.

Last weekend’s clash with Munster champions Mercy Mounthawk of Tralee feel victim to the weather.

St Colman’s, Claremorris await the winners in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day but Maghera have a tough assignment if they are to take another step in search of their sixth title.

The Tralee side have seven of the team who contested last year’s final, including ace forward Paddy Lane who lit up Austin Stacks’ run to the Munster Intermediate title.

They’ve a formidable midfield pairing in former Kerry minor star Ben Murphy and Daniel Kirby who was part of the Stacks’ winning team.

“From looking at the results, you’re seeing that they’re putting up very big scores in Munster,” said Maghera Joint Manager Willie McAteer.

“They’re obviously a good side; they’ve come out of Munster and they’ve beaten a lot of the traditionally bigger schools so they’ve obviously got a bit about them.”

It’s a busy weekend of action with Mageean Cup champions Cross and Passion, Ballycastle taking on Clonmel High School in the semi-final of the Paddy Buggy Cup.

Having tradition in the competition and having hurled past Antrim rivals St Killian’s in the Ulster
final, they’ll be keen to take another step.

Also in hurling, St Patrick’s, Dungiven will take on Roscrea College in the McInerney Cup semi-final this weekend.

St Patrick’s, Keady are the third Ulster team in the All-Ireland semi-finals this weekend. They take on Scoil Mhuire and Ide of Newcastle West.

It has been an excellent season for Keady who also saw their seniors win Ulster titles in football and camogie.

There are three All-Ireland Junior camogie finals this weekend involving Ulster teams.

St Patrick’s, Maghera face Presentation Kilkenny in the A final in Castleblayney on Saturday.

It’s a repeat of the recent senior final won by Presentation.

It forms a double header in Castleblayney with St Dominic’s, Belfast’s clash with Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara.

The third team is St Pius, Magherafelt who face Limerick side Laurel Hill as they too bid to pick up an All-Ireland title.