Former Ballycastle and Antrim player, Paul McKillen got his career as Rasharkin manager off to a good start with a win over Clooney Gaels

All County Hurling league Division 3

St Mary’s Rasharkin 2-18 Clooney Gaels 4-11

As Paul ‘Humpy’ McKillen began his tenure as Rasharkin hurling manager against old adversaries Clooney Gaels, he couldn’t have dreamt of a better start to the season. His team hassled, harried and fought for every ball the whole way through this Division 3 encounter against Clooney Gaels and deservedly came out with a win.

They were made to fight right to the last whistle by a dogged Clooney team who showed glimpses of why they were a Senior hurling championship team two years ago but following relegation from division 1 in 2016 the Ahoghill side made the drop to division 3 at the end of 2017.

Rasharkin got off to a flyer scoring 1-1 in the first 5 minutes without reply, the goal coming from Aidan Darragh. The home side continued to show great intensity and desire to win the breaks, though Clooney gradually clawed themselves back into the game and led 2-07 to 1-06 approaching half time. The deficit could have been more as PJ O’Connell dispossessed James O’Mullan as he tried to clear his lines, only for his shot to go narrowly wide of the post. Rasharkin finished with the final score of the half to leave a goal separating the sides at the break.

Half time 1-07 to 2-07

Rasharkin started the second half in the ascendency tagging on two early points to get within a point of the visitors, only to be undone by a well worked goal from Clooney. It seemed every time they edged closer to taking the lead the visitors were able to respond to keep their noses in front

The men from Dreen kept plugging away however, notching up points with Eamon McNeill leading the way from a number of well struck frees and Conor McKeever from play but again Clooney Gaels were able to respond with a scrambled goal.

Rasharkin drew level with just over ten minutes remaining. A high ball was dropped into the large rectangle where Conor McKeever out fielded his marker and buried the sliotar in the back of the net. Rasharkin 2-17 Clooney 4-11.

In a frantic finish it was a matter of who wanted it the most with the experienced Declan McKay dropping deeper to help steady the ship and along with Thomas McMullan, Aidan McKeever and James Scally they battled for every break around the half back line.

Ahoghill threw everything at their opponents in an effort to salvage something from the game but found the posts an elusive target as the home defence stood strong. Another Eamon McNeill free edged the home team 2 in front as they tried to close out the game. Clooney went looking for a much needed goal to snatch the victory but time was not on their side and the men from Dreen held on to claim an excellent opening day victory.

Clooney Gaels will be disappointed by this result but on the day the scores just wouldn’t come but they are a team full of talented players and will hope to gain league points next week at home to Dungannon to get their division 3 campaign up and running.

Rasharkin had many star men on the day, Thomas McMullan the pick of them, with everyone in blue and amber putting in a huge effort to get over the line. They will have another stern test next weekend away to Carey.

Referee – Darren Mullan

Rasharkin team:

James O’Mullan, Liam Tunney, Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Aidan McKeever, Conor Hasson, James Scally, Emmet McFerran, Thomas McMullan, Shane Hasson, Conor McKeever, Donagh Quigg, Declan McKay, Eamon McNeill, Aidan Darragh.

Subs: Kealan Darragh for Aidan Darragh, Conor Donaghy for Shane Hasson, Martin McKeague for Kealan Darragh.