QUB Hurling tournament – McGurk Cup Semi-Final
Antrim 4-26 Q.U.B 0-11
Sunday December 29
Brendan McTaggart reports from the Dub Arena, Belfast
Antrim made serene progress to the McGurk Cup final on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable victory over Queen’s. Two goals in either half with just 1-3 of their total score coming from placed ball, it was a solid performance from the Saffrons. All six starting forwards had their names on the scoresheet by half time and a watertight defence yielded no goal chances and conceded just three points from open play.
The Saffrons were too slick and strong all over the pitch for Queens and hit enough wides to win the match, the only note for concern throughout the 70 minutes but it was another solid display for Darren Gleeson’s men. Ronan Molloy (0-7) and Niall McKenna (1-4) top scoring for Antrim with Dan McCloskey, Alex Delargy and Domhnall Nugent grabbing the other goals.
A five point lead after ten minutes was converted into an 18 point lead by half time. Molloy, McKenna and Michael Bradley doing the bulk of the scoring in the first half while Alec Delargy’s goal in the 17th minute was the score of the opening 35 minutes. Niall McKenna collecting the sliotar high and passing into Del’s path. The Cushendall man sped clear and finished smartly to continue his rich vein of goal scoring form in recent times. Delargy turned provider for the second Saffron major with Dan McCloskey squeezing the sliotar over the line despite the best efforts of Malachy Campbell on the line for Queens. Half time score, Antrim 2-16 QUB 0-4
The second half lacked any real fluency with changes made and the wind picking up. Niall McKenna hit the third Antrim goal four minutes after the restart after collecting a long pass from Ryan Elliott wide on the left. He raced clear of the Queen’s defence and shortened his grip before sending the sliotar to the bottom corner.
The final Antrim major came with three minutes of the 70 remaining. Domhnall Nugent was introduced in the 47th minute and he stood over a 21 yard free with five on the Queen’s line. Just like against Meath in the Kehoe Cup, the St John’s man rifled the ball high to the net with a thunderous drive.
The Saffrons are back in action next Saturday where they will face Down in the final of the McGurk Cup with the match doubling up as the Keohoe Cup semi-final.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott, Phelim Duffin, Ciaran Johnston, Stephen Rooney; Sean Duffin, Eoghan Campbell, Matthew Donnelly; TT Butler, Nicky McKeague (0-2); Michael Bradley (0-5 1 ’65), Ronan Molloy (0-7), Ryan McCambridge (0-5); Dan McCloskey (1-00), Niall McKenna (1-4 2 frees), Alex Delargy (1-3)
Subs: Conor Boyd for N McKeague (47); Domhnall Nugent (1-00 free) for N McKenna (47)
QUB: Conor Owens; Eoin Maguire, Tom Murray, Mal Campbell; Cathal McMullan, Aaron Fox, Ruairi McCollum; Ciaran Steele (0-8 frees), Eamon Conway (0-1); Caolan McCaughan (0-1), Tim Rankin, Oisin Donnelly (0-1); Fergus McCambridge, Chris Hynes, Conal Shannon
Subs: Aidan McNuaghton for C McMullan (HT); John McGurk for C Shannon (HT); Cathal Donnelly for E Magee (49); Simon Healy for C Hynes (56); Tiernan Carry for E Conway (59); Lorcan Donnelly for T Rankin (59)
