Coulter to the fore in comfortable win

Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

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St Joseph's Paul Coulter gains control of the ball before Jack Higgins, St Patrick's College, Ballymena in the Ulster Vocational Schools Arthurs Cup game at Dunmoyle, Ballygawley on Tuesday.

St. Joseph's 9-16; St. Patrick's Ballymena 0-04;

St. Joseph's eased their way into the quarter-finals of the Arthurs Cup with a comprehensive victory over St. Patrick's Ballymena on Tuesday, but coach Malachy O'Rourke knows that a much tougher test awaits on Friday when they face Virginia College in the next round in Templeport (11am).

St. Joseph's were always in control of their game against the Antrim champions with Paul Coulter and Johnny Kelly netting to put them 3-08 to 0-04 up at half time and they were to rattle in a further six goals in the second half to seal their progression.

"We played well but Virginia will be a much stronger team and it will be a much tougher game tomorrow," said O'Rourke.

St. Joseph's full forward Paul Coulter was in fine form as he clipped over a number of points during the first half before slotting home his side's opening goal from the penalty spot after a foul on Kevin O'Brien.

St. Patrick's did knock over a couple of points in response but Coulter was to convert his second spot kick and when Kelly palmed to the net it put St. Joseph's into a commanding half time lead.

And they continued were they left off in the second half as they cut through the Ballymena defence for a series of goals.

Half forward Kevin O'Brien helped himself to three goals while Coulter, Michael Williamson and Gary McKenna also hit the back of the net during the half.

With Mark McAuley, Gary McKenna and Rory Flynn landing points for St. Joseph's during the second half they ran out convincing victors.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12

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