U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Dunloy 7-25 Loughgiel 0-12
Monday June 24
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc MacUílin, Ballycastle
By the time Mark O’Neill blew the full time whistle in Páirc MacUílin on Monday evening, the history books were already being scoured. An emphatic victory following a relentless and at times ruthless performance from the Cuchullains ensured they eased past their old rivals with 34 points to spare.
Dunloy remain on track for a third U21 title in a row and on this performance it will take something special to deny the Cuchullains. Described by one neutral after the game as being ‘As close to the Harlem Globe Trotters as you’ll ever get on a hurling field.’ It was a devastating display of attacking, blistering and powerful hurling all over the field by the Cuchullains who showed little or no weaknesses in their 15.
Loughgiel weren’t helped with the loss of three of the defence that started their quarter-final win over Rossa but the Shamrocks were chasing shadows for long periods of this game and the score line reflected the gulf between these sides. The Shamrocks did have their moments and in Michael McGarry they have an undoubted star for the future, the Loughgiel forward finished the match with 0-7 for his troubles and was a constant threat for his side but it was never going to be enough to trouble this hugely talented Dunloy side.
Three goals inside the opening four minutes set the tone for the evening. Seaan Elliott bagging his first of two during the hour before Ryan McFarline tore through the heart of the Loughgiel defence and finding the back of the net with a wonderful piece of individual skill. The third Dunloy major came from the hurl of Deáglán Smith. The Dunloy man would finish the match with a hat-trick, his third coming in the 58th minute and assisted by his younger brother Anthony. The Dunloy substitute unselfishly laying the sliotar on a silver platter for Deáglán to claim his accolade. Smith’s second goal came in the 44th minute and was the undoubted score of the game. The Cuchullains playing the sliotar up the field with a series of crisp and precise crossfield passes, played at pace and first time delivery straight to hand before Smith finished with aplomb. One for the hurling purists in attendance.
Conal Cunning top scored for the Cuchullains with 0-11 to his name, tormenting the Loughgiel defence for the entirety of the contest while Keelan Molloy added his name to the list of goal scorers for the Cuchullains with a blistering drive from an acute angle in the first half.
A breath-taking display from the Cuchullains who finished with 10 different scorers and an eye-watering 7-18 from play, they will start the decider as firm favourites and it will take something special to deny them a third U21 title in as many years.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Paul Doherty; Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella, Cathair McGuigan; Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry, Callum Scullion; Ryan McFarline, Ronan Molloy; Chrissy McMahon, Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott; Oisin McErlane, Deáglán Smith, Conal Cunning.
Subs: Anton McGrath for O McErlane (42); Eoin O’Neill for R McFarline (49); Rory Mullan for E Smyth (56); Anthony Smith for K Molloy (56).
Scorers: Conal Cunning 0-11 (6 f’s, 1 ’65); Deáglán Smith 3-1; Seaan Elliott 2-3; Ryan McFarline 1-2; Keelan Molloy 1-1; Eamon Smyth 0-2; Ronan Molloy 0-2; Chrissy McMahon 0-1; Eoin O’Neill 0-1; Anton McGrath 0-1.
Loughgiel: Conor Dallas; Cathair McMullan, Declan McCloskey, Conor Henry; Cathal Hargan, Ciaran McKay, Cormac McFadden; Shaun McFadden, Ryan Hill; Caolan McIlhatton, Callum McKendry, Paul Boyle; Patrick Laverty, Michael McGarry, Odhran McGrath.
Subs: Conor Deery for O McGrath (40); Shane O’Boyle for C McIlhatton (51).
Scorers: Michael McGarry 0-7 (3 f’s, 1 ’65); Patrick Laverty 0-2; Odhran McGrath 0-1.
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Glen Rovers, Armoy)
