O’Neill’s All County Hurling League Division 1Ruairi Og’s Sean Delargy in acton against Portaferry’s O Taggart during Sunday’s league game in Cushendall. Pic by Paddy McLaughlin.

Ruairi Og Cushendall 0-22 v St. Patrick’s Portaferry 1-15

By Colum Thompson

Portaferry made the long journey to The Glens Of Antrim and for long periods looked like they would end Cushendall’s unbeaten record, but the home side gained the upper hand in the second half to record a very hard fought win, a victory which moves them to the top of the Division 1 table.

The visitors started brightly and raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes thanks to two points from Paul Braniff and a long range free from Conor O’ Prey. Cushendall’s only point in this period came from centre forward Donal McNaughton following good approach play from Eoin Laverty. Ruairi Og found their rhythm soon after and a pointed free from Eoin Laverty was quickly followed by an Eoghan Campbell effort to draw his side level. However Portaferry were really giving Cushendall their fill of things and another brace of Braniff frees again opened up a two point lead for the Ards men. A loose ball in the Ports defence was claimed by Emmett Laverty who split the uprights from a difficult angle with an excellent score. Despite this Cushendall looked lethargic and Portaferry were taking full advantage. First Daithi Sands hit a point and then Eoghan Sands put clear daylight between the teams with an excellent finish to the Dall net as St. Patrick’s took control.

The Laverty brothers were showing well for Cushendall up front, Eoin tapped over a free, Emmett lashed over another superb effort from his wing forward position and Eoin converted a 65’ and the game ebbed and flowed. However Eoghan Sands showed all his skill and ability as he brilliantly converted a sideline for a superb point and Aaron O’Prey further extended his sides lead with his first point of the game.                Ruairi Og’s ace marksman Eoin Laverty sent over a free but Portaferry were the side in control and they added points through Braniff and Conor O’Prey to lead by 5 as the short whistle approached. The home side were in a spot of bother, but substitute Ed McQuillan, who had replaced the injured Donal McNaughton, got his name on the scoresheet with the final point of the half to cut the deficit back to four by the short whistle.  (Portaferry 1-10 Cushendall 0-9)

Pics by Paddy McLaughlin.

Cushendall needed a good start to the second half and they certainly got it. Ryan McCambridge and David Kearney started dominating proceedings around the half back line and they provided the springboard for their team. Eoin Laverty converted two quickfire frees and Eoghan Campbell lashed over from play and in the twinkling of an eye it was now a one point game. Braniff stopped the rot for the away side with a pointed free but Ruairi Og were now gaining control and attacked in waves. Emmett Laverty got his third point of the game and brother Eoin got another from a free to bring his side level.                                                                                                                                                    The next score would be vital and Ruairi Og’s David Kearney was the man who got it when he dispossessed Arron O’Prey and sent over a superb inspiring score. Braniff and Laverty traded frees as both teams battled for control before Ryan McCambridge then set off on a solo run and finished brilliantly with perhaps the point of the game to widen the gap to two points. Braniff frees were keeping Portaferry in the game and he got another with ten minutes remaining. The hard working Sean McAfee got his name on the scoresheet with a neat finish for The Dall and ace finisher Laverty added two further frees to give Cushendall a four point cushion. Credit to Portaferry, yet again they fought back and two pointed frees, one from Braniff and the other from Conor O’ Prey set up a tense finish but try as they might this was as good as it got for the Ards men as Cushendall finished strongly with two further pointed frees from Eoin Laverty which saw Ruairi Og over the line on a scoreline of Cushendall 0-22 Portaferry 1-15.

How they played: No doubt about it Portaferry were the better side in the first half and were full value for their four point lead. However Cushendall really produced the goods in the second period. Despite the loss Portaferry men Paul Braniff, Eoghan Sands and Conor O’Prey can be proud of their performances. For the home team Sean Delargy and Eunan McKillop were excellent in the full back line, Ryan McCambridge was the pick of the half backs and further forward Conor Carson worked his socks off. Eoin Laverty converted 12 of 13 scorable frees which was a fine return but on this occasion it was his younger brother who really caught the eye. This week’s man of the match was Emmett Laverty who went through a mountain of work. He fought for dirty ball, made some superb tackles and each of his three points were straight out of the top drawer.

CUSHENDALL – C Hayden, A Graffin, E McKillop, S Delargy, R McCambridge(0-1), P Burke, D Kearney(0-1), E Campbell(0-2), F McCambridge, C Carson, D McNaughton(0-1), S McAfee(0-1), Emmett Laverty(0-3), A Delargy, Eoin Laverty(0-12)

Subs used: E McQuillan(0-1)

PORTAFERRY – P McNally, N White, C Taggart, E O’ Neill, C O’Prey(0-3), M Conlan, S Conlan, T Murray, N Fitzsimmons, O Taggart, K McGarry, A O’Prey(0-1), D Sands(0-1), E Sands(1-1), P Braniff (0-9)

Referee – Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Pics by Paddy McLaughlin