All County Hurling League Division 1
Cushendall 0-21 St Gall’s 2-15
Two goals in the last ten minutes by Sean McAreavey earned St Gall’s a well-deserved draw with Cushendall in Sunday’s Division 1 league game at Pairc Mhuire. With both teams missing key players this battle between the reigning Senior and Intermediate champions developed into a ding-dong battle with never more than a poc of the ball between the sides. They were level at the break at eight points apiece but when the home side opened up a bit of gap with ten minutes left to play it looked like the Milltown men would play the role of gallant losers. However they weren’t in the mood to give up the fight and two McAreavey goals brought them back into contention. It didn’t appear to be enough when Cushendall brought on substitute Neill McManus near the end and when he pointed in injury time the Dall looked to have snatched it. Not so. St Gall’s produced a dying kick and Mackers McAreavey found the target once again to earn a much needed league point.
It was McAreavey who got the first score of the game in the opening minute but Cushendall came back with three on the spin through Emmet Laverty, Cormac McClafferty and Dominic Delargy. Jackson McGreevy hit two to level matters and it was score for score for the remainder of the first period, a massive strike from his own half by McGreevy in first half injury time sent the sides in level at the interval.
McGreevy edged St Gall’s ahead a minute after the restart but Cushendall hit back with points from Eoghan Campbell, Cormac McClafferty and Eamon Laverty to go two clear. Jackson and Gregory McGreevy points tied things up again and it remained that way when Jackson and Cushendall substitute Ryan McCambridge exchanged points.
Cushendall appeared to have gained the upper hand when a great solo score from David Kearney started a run which saw Christy McNaughon, Ryan McCambridge and C Mac add points to give the home side a four point lead. Jackson McGreevy pointed a free to bring it back to three but when McClafferty and Christy McNaughton sent over points the gap was out to five and home fans must have felt the win was secure. However St Gall’s worked an opening for their first goal after Jackson McGreevy hit a short 65 and Mackers finished to the net with aplomb and when Gregory McGreevy added a point the gap was down to one. Cushendall responded with points from Christy McNaughton and Joe McCurry and with time almost up they appeared to have sealed it. There was still time for another St Gall’s comeback and when McAreavey poked the ball over the line in an almighty goalmouth scramble they were level yet again. McManus came on late to give his team back the lead, but the never say die attitude of St Gall’s was rewarded when a late strike by McAreavey brought them level at the end.
