DANSKE BANK Rannafast Cup

Abbey end Maghera’s Rannafast reign

November 6, 2012

Danske Bank Edmund Rice Rannafast Cup quarter-final

Abbey CBS 1-13        St Patrick’s Maghera 2-6

An injury-time goal from Ryan Trainor has ended St Patrick’s Maghera’s tenacious bid for a third successive Rannafast Cup title at the quarter-final stage.

Ryan, son of former Down star John Shorty Trainor, was the star of the game with a personal tally of 1-6 as Abbey ousted the team that had dumped them out in the final and semi-final over the past two seasons.

Maghera got the better start with a goal from Eamon McGill after 12 minutes and Abbey were struggling until Trainor’s 3 points put them ahead by the 25th minute.

The Newry side led by 0-6 to 1-2 at the turn-over and stretched that with a point from Ruairi Campbell on the re-start.

However Maghera hit back with Conor Glass converting a penalty to put his side 2-4 to 0-9 ahead entering the last quarter.

Trainor responded with two points, but Maghera regained the lead with points from Michael Mullan and Brian Cassidy.

Indeed, with 6 minutes left, Cassidy was pulled down for what looked a clear-cut penalty, but it wasn’t given and Abbey levelled the scores with a sixth point from Trainor.

Shea Murdock then gave them the lead before the very late goal on the break clinched victory.

Abbey now play Omagh before the end of the week, while the first semi-final is tomorrow (THURSDAY) between Inis Eoghain and St Patrick’s Cavan.

Elsewhere St Malachy’s joined St Paul’s Bessbrook in the Danske Bank Herald Cup semi-finals with a win over St Columb’s Derry.  The other two quarter-finals go ahead today (WEDNESDAY).

Abbey : Ryan Trainor 1-6, 0-3 frees, Shay Murdock 0-3, Sheagh Dobbin 0-2, Ruairi Campbell 0-1, Niall Rafferty 0-1.

Maghera : Conor Glass 1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free, Eamon McGill 1-0, Michael Mullan 0-2, Brian Cassidy 0-1, Michael McCloskey 0-1.