Dunloy 3-19 Cushendall 3-10
Dunloy celebrate their win over Ruairi Og in the Darragh Cup final in Ballymena. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
By Marianne McNeill
Anyone reading the final score would think this was an easy game for the winners when the reality was with less than 2 minutes of normal time remaining a mere two points separated the sides.
A skilful game which ebbed and flowed right from the first to the final whistle was only really settled by a cracking goal from Liam McCann in the 30th minute which broke the resolve of an excellent Cushendall team at the death.
The action began with Cushendall opening the scoring in spectacular fashion with a goal from Niall Allen who scored on a rebound after Ed McQuillan had tested Adam Mooney in the Dunloy net.
Dunloy hit back but had to wait until the 5th minute when Seaan Elliott fired over a free and a point from Eoghan McGrath cut the deficit to a single point.
Ed McQuillan then struck from an acute angle restoring the Cushendall lead to 0-2 but by the 10th minute Dunloy were back on level terms as Seaan Elliott fired over back to back frees.
Cushendall worked hard and in the 13th minute Scott Walsh sent over a 21yd free and direct from the poc out Christy McLaughlin sent the ball over the bar to restore Cushendalls 2 point lead.
Seaan Elliott sent over a free in the 17th minute but it was immediately cancelled out by Seaan Black to keep 0-2 between the sides.
Dunloy now upped the tempo and struck only their second point from play as Calum Scullion sent the ball over the bar but the sides were again level as Declan Smyth broke clear and fired over.
It was nip and tuck as one team stretched the lead only to be pegged back and so the trend continued with Ed McQuillan and Christy McLaughlin scoring for Cushendall only to be pegged back by Calum Scullion and a Seaan Elliott tied the scores on 0-9 to 1-6.
Ryan McFarlene then chipped in with a long range point from play and when Declan Smyth struck Dunloy were 0-2 ahead but by the end of an exhilarating first half Ed McQuillan popped up to leave the score finely poised on 0-11 to 1-7 to Dunloy.
The second half began much like their first with both sides showing their defensive qualities Aaron Crawford Paddy Graffin and Ryan McGarry showing well for Dunloy while for Cushendall Ronan McAteer, Liam Gillan and Seamus Og McCurry were excellent.
Seaan Black then struck back to back frees for Cushendall as Dunloy appeared to be losing their shape but a change upfront for Dunloy saw Sean O’Neill replace Nathan Richmond.
Seaan Elliott from a 21yd free then saw Cushendall hit straight back with a point from Niall Allen and in a change for Cushendall John McAllister replaced Ronan McAllister.
Declan Smyth then chased down a lost cause and gave it to Calum Scullion who ran at the Cushendall defence and spotting an unmarked Sean O’Neill who fired to the net to now give Dunloy a 2 point lead.
Not to be outdone a great run from Scott Walsh saw him part the ball to Ed McQuillan who unleashed a powerful rocket to the top corner of the Dunloy net.
Not to be outdone Dunloy then direct from the poc out struck their second goal in as many minutes as Sean O’Neill set up Seaan Elliott with a goal and Dunloy now had a 2 point lead.
Ryan McFarlane then struck with his 2nd point of the game to leave a goal between the teams with just 11 minutes remaining.
Cushendall turned defence into attack and in the 18th minute they struck with their 3rd goal ironically it was to be Cushendalls final score of the game. A strong run from Niall McCormick then set up Ed McQuillan and from 13yds out he made no mistake with his shot.
It was game on and a powerful run from Seaan Elliott saw a brilliant block on the line from Shane Magill prevented a certain goal but from the resulting 65 Seaan Elliott fired the ball over the bar.
Two points was all that separated the sides and when Sean O’Neill popped over a point it was still a very evenly poised game with nothing between the sides.
The game was won by a wonderful piece of skill by Liam McCann who appeared to have no options available to him as he caught the ball on the endline. Spinning on to his left hand side he unleashed a powerful drive to the roof of the net.
Two points from Seaan Elliott and a final point from Ronan Molloy 5 minutes into extra time to leave the final score 3-19 to 3-10 in favour of Dunloy.
How they played
A wonderful game full of skill and determination with some outstanding scores with goals from Liam McCann and Ed McQuillan in particular scoring two absolutely cracking goals.
Never more than a poc of the ball separated the sides with just under a minute of normal time remaining but a powerful last ten minutes saw Dunloy really take control of the game and they held Cushendall scoreless from the 19th minute.
For Cushendall their best came from Liam Gillan, Ronan & Conal McAteer and Seamus Og McCurry working tirelessly in defence while at midfield Scott Walsh and Seaan Black were excellent for Cushendall. Up front Ed McQuillan was outstanding for Cushendall and he worked tirelessly for his sides cause with plenty of support from Niall Allen and Niall McKenna.
Dunloy in winning their third Darragh Cup in a row were pushed all the way but outstanding performances from Ryan McGarry, Paddy Graffin and Aaron Crawford were always the fore and in the final ten minutes they were rock solid and never let Cushendall back in the game. At midfield both Eoghan McGrath and Calum Scullion tried hard while up front Seaan Elliott was accurate from frees but it was Sean O’Neill who effectively turned the game in favour of Dunloy. He was simply unworkable and the Cushendall defence couldn’t get to grips with him and alongside him Liam McCann and Ryan McFarlene gave their all.
Scores
Dunloy Seaan Elliott 1-10, Sean O’Neill 1-2 Liam McCann 1-0, Calum Scullion 0-2, Declan Smyth 0-2, Ryan McFarlene 0-2, Eoghan McGrath 0-1, Ronan Molloy 0-1
Cushendall Ed McQuillan 2-3, Niall Allen 1-1, Christy McLaughlin 0-2, Seaan Black 0-2, Scott Walsh 0-2.
Dunloy: Adam Mooney, Patrick Kinsella, Aaron Crawford, Paddy Graffin, Eoghan McMullan, Ryan McGarry, Ronan Molloy, Eoghan McGrath, Calum Scullion, Ryan McFarlene, Liam McCann, Seaan Elliott, Anton McGrath, Declan Smyth, Nathan Richmond. Subs used Sean O’Neill, John Dixon, Johnny Duffin Aaron McGuickan.
Cushendall: Rory Sharpe, Fred McCurry, Liam Gillan, Ronan McAteer, Shane Magill, Conal McAteer, Seamus og McCurry, Scott Walsh, Seaan Walsh, Ed McQuillan, Aiden McKenna, Niall McCormick, Christy McLaughlin, Ronan McCambridge, Niall Allen. Subs used John McAllister
Referee Connor McNeill (Glenarm).
Pics by Dylan McIlwaine