Junior Hurling Championship
Cushendun Emmets 4-22 All Saints 4-11
Emmet’s Cushendun went into this Junior Championship quarter-final as odds on favourites against Junior B winners, All Saints Ballymena and in the end justified that favourites tag but they endured a dogged battle from the Slemish Park side who have just returned to All County league participation after a couple of year’s absence.
The Emmet’s were first out of the starting blocks and Matthew McCartin pointed them ahead in the opening minute but All Saints were given a boost when a long wind assisted delivery by Damian Gillan deceived Eoin Magee and ended in the net.
The North Antrim side recovered with points from Eugene Duffin in the 4th and 6th minutes to draw level and then Ciaran Cassley in the All Saints goal came off his line to make a save but was injured in a collision with Conleth McNeill and was forced to retire.
Cassley had come into the side to replace regular keeper Daire Hasson who was unavailable but his game was over after five minutes and young Eoin McGuigan took over the goalkeeping duties and was to perform very well.
When play resumed it was Cushendun who began to dictate matters and as the rain descended they moved three points clear through Conor McHugh, Harry Kilgore and David Kilgore but All Saints were battling for every ball and replied through Ciaran Neeson and Liam Cassley to leave just one in it at the end of the opening quarter.
Conleth McNeill and Ciaran Neeson exchanged frees before McNeill got in for a 18th minute goal after a shot from Harry Kilgore broke favourably into his path of an upright and the big full-forward hammered it first time to the net.
The Emmet’s looked to be gaining control at this stage but a Niall McGarry goal at the other end in the 23d minute kept the Ballymena side in touch and it was obvious they were not going to lie down without a fight as they continued to contest every 50/50 ball.
Cushendun were growing in confidence however and creating and executing some fine scores as Conor McHugh, Harry Kilgore, Pierce Bannon, James Morgan and McHugh again struck unanswered points by the 29th minute but a pointed free from Ciaran Neeson and an excellent long range effort from Damian Gillan left just four in it at the half way stage.
WITH THE WIND
As the rain continued to fall and with the wind now on their backs it was Emmet’s who registered the first score of the second half when James Morgan pointed in the opening minute but All Saints replied with a goal from Niall McGarry to keep themselves very much in touch.
Pierce Bannon and Eugene Duffin for the Emmet’s and Gary Miskella and Padhraig Magill exchanged further points to keep the gap at three after nine minutes but the Cushendun side were beginning to find more space as Dominic McQuillan, Donal O’Hara, David Kilgore and Conor McHugh added points Ciaran Neeson keeping the Ballymena men’s hopes alive from a couple of pointed frees.
Conleth McNeill with a 17th minute point and a James Morgan goal in the 18th minute stretched the Emmet’s lead to eight points and further minors from Ruairi McQuillan, Conor Bannon and Dominic McQuillan moved them 11 ahead with six minutes remaining.
Even then All Saints refused to throw in the towel as Ciaran Neeson pointed another free and then Ciaran McGarry raced 40 meters before firing the sliotar to the net with time almost up. Cushendun responded in those closing minutes with points from Owen McQuillan and a Mickey Dunne goal to leave them convincing winners in the end and they now go forward to meet St. Paul’s who had a similar victory margin over Glenravel.
The Emmet’s always looked to have just too much fire power for an All Saints side who deserve a lot of credit for their battling qualities and indeed for putting up a descent score against one of the favourites for the Junior Championship.
Cushendun: Eoin Magee, Sean Hamilton, Jack McKay, Mark Scally, Donal O’Hara, Matthew McCartin, Thomas Scally, Conor McHugh, Harry Kilgore, Eugene Duffin, Pierce Bannon, James Morgan, Conleth McNeill, David Kilgore. Subs: Rory McQuillan, Eoin McQuillan, Dominic McQuillan, Conor Bannon, Mickey Dunne
All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Darren McGinty, Christopher McAffee, Francis Casey, Ryan McGarry, Colum Neeson, Brendan McDonnell, Ciaran McGarry, Liam Cassley, Damian Gillan, Gary Miskella, Luke O’Rawe, Niall McGarry, Padhraig Magill. Subs: Eoin McGuigan for Ciaran Cassley, Joe Crawford, Tony Connolly.
Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)