Bathshack.com Senior Hurling Championship
The senior hurling championship returns this weekend with Rossa travelling to Ballycastle for their second leg with a 14 point advantage. They start as red hot favourites to progress but can the ‘Town’ at least get a win on the day.
By Brendan McTaggart
Preliminary Round – Second Leg
Ballycastle (0-11) Rossa (1-22)
Venue: Pairc MacUílín
Date: Sunday August 11
Throw In: 3pm
Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)
The final place in Group One of the hurling championship will be completed on Sunday afternoon with Rossa travelling to the north coast with one foot in the next round. Colly Murphy’s side hold a 14 point advantage over Ballycastle and are heavy favourites to join Dunloy and Cushendall in the round robin stages.
In a contest that was billed too close to call before the sliotar was thrown in, Rossa dominated from start to finish and the 14 point margin of victory didn’t flatter the Shaws Road men. Their half back line was imperious, Stephen Shannon and Aodhan O’Brien on top form while Gerard Walsh kept the Town’s danger man, Ciaran Clarke quiet for the entirety of the contest. Their work rate in midfield with Armstrong pulling the strings along with Seaghan Shannon and Callum McVeigh tireless, it was a strong ‘championship’ performance from Rossa while Ballycastle couldn’t match them in the intensity stakes.
They visibly upped their work rate after the half time whistle but nothing was sticking up front with the Rossa defence having their homework done on any threat Ballycastle would carry into the game.
Anything other than Rossa progression here will be a major turn up for the books here. They are rumoured to have James Connolly back although playing the full 60 minutes may be doubtful while Ciaran Orchin is vying for a starting spot. Adding options to a side who were firing on all cylinders two weeks ago.
If Ballycastle are to get anything from this one, they’re going to have to do something different. By that I mean they went too ‘route one’ in the first leg. Everything went high into the inside forward line and it was meat and drink for Cricky McGuinness who was hugely impressive on the edge of his own square. Kevin Barry McShane had to come off with a hand injury midway through the second half but looks to have shook any ill effects. He and TT Butler have the ability to dictate the game on Ballycastle’s terms but they’ll have to at least match the intensity shown by Rossa in rucks to fight for dirty ball and get some momentum going. They have it in them, there’s no doubting that but I think they’ve left themselves too much of a mountain to climb. I can see Ballycastle winning this one with home soil and pride of the badge on their shirt bringing a better performance but Rossa should progress to a meeting with Cushendall in their first match of the round robin on 31st August.
