DANSKE BANK Ennis Cup

Ennis Cup Final: Match Review 2012

August 29, 2012

Cross and Passion, Ballycastle 1-9 V Loreto College, Coleraine 2-4

Cross & Passion Ballycastle claimed their first ever Ulster Colleges’ football title in Dunloy, coming from 8 points down at the break to force extra time and then a two points victory that claimed a first BT Ennis Cup. 

All 1-9 was scored by Diarmuid McShane who lined out at wing-half back and did not cross the half-way line during the opening half, with the strong breeze pinning his side back. Ballycastle’s defence did really well to hold Loreto to 2-2 at the turnover, both goals scored by midfielder John Mullan. Within a couple of minutes of the restart, Shane McIntyre had increased the Loreto lead with a point on the break.

Ballycastle then shifted McShane into the forward line and targeted the McQuillan GAC player. He popped over an early point and the Ballycastle show really got on the road when McShane fired into the net in the 37th minute. Five points later and the teams were level. The game went into 10 minutes each way of extra time, and remained scoreless during the first half as McShane returned to a defensive role.

During the second half of extra time, he gave his side the lead for the first time with two points. Stiofan Treacy responded with a Loreto point and they looked to be in with a chance of another score. But Conor Bannon got back to block the effort. The ball was moved through to McShane who carried 40 metres and popped over the insurance score.