Feis na nGleann 2017
Loch Mor Dal gCais celebrate after winning the Under 16 B Hurling final at Feis na nGleann in Loughgiel
Feis U16 B Hurling Final
Loch Mor Dal gCais 2-7 Tir Na nOg 3-3
An injury time goal from team captain, Anthony Gallagher proved the winning score as recently formed, Loch Mor Dal gCais claimed their first Feis title and broke the hearts of a brave Tir Na nOg who had taken the lead through a Justinas Venckus point, four minutes earlier.
Despite losing the influential Eamon Og McAllister to a rather harsh red card after 26 minutes the Whitehill side battled bravely to lead by two with time almost up when Loch Mor Dal gCais were awarded a 35 meter free, a minute into time added on.
Up stepped Gallagher to fire through a crowded goalmouth with referee Liam McBride sounding the full-time whistle from the puck out to send the combination side into wild scenes of celebration and break the hearts of the brave opposition.
There was never much between the sides throughout the hour but it was Loch Mor Dal gCais, appearing in their first Feis final who took the lead through a Cal Burke free in the 5th minute. Tir Na nOg responded but missed a number of chances before Eamon Og McAllister fired over the equaliser in the 6th minute.
Anthony Gallagher edged the Loch Mor men ahead once more with a point from play with eight minutes gone but again the Whitehill side were able to respond and the influential McAllister rose to bat the sliotar to the net to give his side the lead for the first time.
Tir Na nOg were enjoying the better of the exchanges at this stage and every ball was being fiercely contested but the stick work from both sides left a lot to be desired with some of the striking poor and both defences on top of their opposite numbers.
Loch Mor soaked up a period of pressure before breaking forward and Sean Og McGuiness collected from a short ‘65’ before sending over in the 15th minute to cut the deficit to just one but this was to be the final score of the first half despite both sides having plenty of opportunity to add scores.
It was Tir Na nOg who enjoyed the better of the exchanges during the second quarter with Eamon Og McAllister at the heart of everything they did but the big mid-fielder’s contribution came to an abrupt halt when he was shown a red card, six minutes from the break.
Ethan Higgins replaced his namesake, Patrick Higgins in the ‘Blues’ side early in the second half and despite being a man down the Whitehill side continued to battle bravely but it was Loch Mor Dal gCais who finally broke a baron scoring spell of nearly 30 minutes when Sean Og McGuiness fired to the net.
Turlough McDonald followed with a point from play and when Cal Burke followed with two more pointed frees with 11 minutes remaining the Lough Shore side had moved five in front and looked to be on their way to victory.
Tir Na nOg hadn’t raised a flag since the eighth minute of the first half but they continued to fight hard and their efforts finally paid off when a Kevin Brady shot deceived keeper Bailey Graham and trickled to the net in the 20th minute.
This score certainly lifted the Randalstown side and they continued to push forward with renewed confidence and Ethan Higgins chased what looked a hopeless cause before batting the sliotar across goal and the unmarked Emmet Murray was on hand to finish to the net from close range and give his side the lead.
Anthony Gallagher replied with a point for Loch Mor but Ethan Higgins responded with a pointed free with three minutes remaining to put his side two in front and they looked on their way to victory.
A last push by the new kids on the block saw them awarded a free as the game edged into time added on and the rest is history as Anthony Gallagher drilled his shot to the Tir Na nOg net. A cruel blow to the Whitehill side who had battled bravely and their disappointment was palatable as they trudged off the field.
Loch Mor Dal gCais on the other hand had proved the old adage that the game’s not over until the final whistle blows and this fairy story that started just a few years ago continues to grow momentum and flourish and they look set to be a force in Antrim hurling in the coming years.
On the night Bailey Graham, Jack McKenna, Michael Morgan, Anthony Gallagher, Cal Burke, Turlough McDonald and Sean Og McGuiness were their outstanding performers but this was a good all round team effort.
Tir Na nOg can hold their heads high however. They battled for 35 minutes with only 14 men yet matched the opposition every step of the way and stroke of the ball and looked on their way to victory before that last cruel twist in the game.
Dominic Martin, Ricardo Cozcapy, Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Connor McCamphill, Justin Venckus, Kevin Brady, Emmet Murray and Ethan Higgins were their best performers on the day.
Loch Mor Dal gCais: Bailey Graham: Edward Fallon, Jack McKenna, Declan Phillips: Conor Jones, Michael Morgan, David Dixon: Anthony Gallagher (Captain), Cal Burke: James Mulholland, Martin Branniff, Turlough McDonald: Adam McKenna, Sean Og McGuiness, Tiarnan Lees. Subs: Aaron Kennedy for Edward Fallon.
Tir Na nOg: Dominic Martin: Adam Reid, Ricardo Cozcapy, Oliver McAtamney: Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Connor McCamphill: Justinas Venckus, Eamon Og McAllister: Conor O’Rawe, Kevin Brady, Patrick Higgins: Joshua Higgins, Cormac Devlin, Emmet Murray. Subs: Ethan Higgins for Patrick Higgins.
Referee: Liam McBride (Ballycastle)