Cushendall throw their hat in the ring

North Antrim Feile na nGael

Ruairi Og 4-8 Cuchullains 1-3

Cushendall were convincing winners over Dunloy in their opening game in the Feile na nGael round-robin qualifiers at Pairc Mhuire on Saturday. The Ruairis, who sat out last weekend’s games, hit the ground running, showing they are very serious contenders for this year’s Feile title.

Joseph McLaughlin had the Ruairis on the scoreboard inside the opening minute with a point from play and two minutes later the first goal came through corner forward Fintan McKillop. The home side were completely on top as Frankie McCormick got a second goal in the third minute and Joseph McLaughlin added his second point in the sixth to help his team to the 2-2 to 0-0 lead. Oisin McCamphill pulled one back for Dunloy and though that score was soon answered as McCormick replied for the Ruairis. Dunloy appeared to be getting back into the game when Conall Elliott fired in a goal, and McCamphill a point, to leave just four between the sides with half time fast approaching, but their hopes were hit badly when Darragh Bradley grabbed Cushendall’s third goal to give his team a 3-3 to 1-2 half time lead.

**Ruairi Og’s Joseph McLaughlin sets off on a solo run during his team’s win over Dunloy. Pic by Sean Paul McKillop**

Fintan McKillop hit an early point for the home side just after the restart, and though McCamphill replied for Dunloy it was to be a brief respite as Cushendall hit the next four points through Joseph McLaughlin (2) Fintan McKillop and Killian McNaughton before Darragh Bradley wrapped it all up with his team’s fourth goal of the game.

A very impressive win for the Ruairi Og side and the perfect start to the campaign and next weekend’s clash with neighbours Glenariffe looks like being a real cracker of the game.

RUAIRI OG: Thomas McLaughlin, Charlie McAuley, Oran McCambridge, James McKeegan, Austin Birt, Stephen McAuley, Sean McKay, Killian McNaughton, John Mitchell, Jospeph McLaughlin, Joseph McNaughton, Oisin Woodhouse, Fintan McKillop, Frankie McCormick, Darragh Bradley.

CUCHULLAINS: Oisin Dillon, Aaron McFerran, Francis McMullan, Niall McIlhatton, Padraig Martin, Joseph Magee, Oisin McCamphill, Ryan Scott, Eoghan Richmond, Cathoir Gormley, Luke McFerran, Ben O’Kane, Rory Smyth.

Subs – Jack McKeever, Keelan McFerran, Jack Martin, Sean Og Blaney