St Killian’s eye up Paddy Buggy Cup history

ST Killian’s Garron Tower will make history on Saturday afternoon when they take part in the Paddy Buggy Cup final for the first time ever, but they won’t want to leave Abbotstown empty-handed.

They take on Blackwater CS of Waterford who saw off Banagher College in the semi-final by three points, 0-11 to 1-5, while St Killian’s last-four triumph over Connacht champions Portumna was much more high scoring.

An incredible personal haul of 3-10 from Cushendall sharpshooter and team captain Joseph McLaughlin, a Gaelic Life All-Star recipient for his club performances last season, led St Killian’s to a 4-16 to 3-16 success.

McLaughlin’s player of the match performance was the obvious headline catcher, but St Killian’s are far from a one-man team, and they have plenty of talent scattered right throughout the pitch.

Defenders Colla Ward and Niall Magee were in top form as well against the Galway men while full-forward Oran McCambridge also got in on the goal-scoring act, raising a green in the second half of their three-point win.

While McLaughlin, who recently rattled the net for Antrim in their league tie with Galway, done the majority of the scoring for Padraig McIlwaine’s side, he wasn’t the only threat that St Killian’s had up top.

McCambridge finished with 1-1 to his name while Thomas McLaughlin, Calum McIlwaine, Callagh Mooney, Cormac McKeown and Orrin O’Connor also got in on the scoring act with a point apiece.

For Blackwater, St Killian’s will be aware of their dangerman Ben Cummins, who shot over 0-5 for the Waterford side in their semi-final win while midfielder and joint captain Jospeh O’Keefe finished the game with 0-3.

History is on the line for St Killian’s which brings it’s only pressure, but confidence will be high around the camp and they’ll be keen to make their mark.