Senior Reserve Hurling Championship
Dunloy 2-21 Loughgiel 0-15
Monday August 24
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy cruised to a meeting with Cushendall in Reserve Championship decider after a comfortable victory over their neighbours. The Cuchullains had 12 points to spare by the full time whistle in a slick performance from start to finish in a match where they had too much firepower for the Shamrocks.
The Cuchullains had 10 different scorers over the hour with scores coming from all areas of the pitch. Loughgiel laboured, especially in the first half but the introduction of Ryan McKee breathed some impetus with ‘wee Betty’ and Paul Boyle shinning for the Shamrocks. Between them, they recorded over half of Loughgiel’s points, McKee with five points in a superb cameo after coming off the bench late in the first half.
The work rate of Loughgiel couldn’t be questioned and they hustled and harried where they could but Dunloy looked more assured in possession and made use of their pacey forwards. Their ability to win possession from ruck in the middle third helped the Cuchullains to maintain their pressure as they took a stranglehold of the game.
After a quiet start, Dunloy reeled off eight unanswered points either side of the first half water break to put some daylight between the sides.
Miceal Murphy top scored for the Cuchullains with four of his six points coming from placed ball while they scored their goals in either half. Chrissy Brogan with the first major in first half injury time. A fantastic drive to the roof of the net that put the Cuchullains into a 13 point lead by the short whistle.
The second goal came just three minutes after the restart through Ryan McFarlane. Collecting a brilliant lay off from Murphy, McFarlane raced through on goal and finished smartly at the near post. ‘Chipper’s’ goal rounding off an excellent display on the half forward line. He along with Liam McCann, Ciaran Elliott and Anton McGrath all catching the eye for the home side as they looked a step ahead for the majority of the game.
The Shamrocks showed more fight and desire in the second half but Dunloy always had control of the contest. Ciaran McKay, Cathal McMullan and Odhran McGrath all caught the eye for the Shamrocks and they finished strongly. The Cuchullains had opened a 19 point lead by the second half water break and Loughgiel began to find their range but it was a comfortable evening’s work for the Cuchullains as they face Cushendall in the decider in seven days’ time.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Paul Doherty; Aaron Crawford, Karl O’Kane, Ciaran McQuillan; Callum Scullion, Kevin McKeague, Eamon Smyth; Liam McCann, Ciaran Elliott; Chrissy Brogan, Anton McGrath, Ryan McFarlane; Miceal Murphy, Kevin McQuillan, Chrissy McMahon
Subs: Rory Mullan for A Crawford (44); Oran Shivers for C McQuillan (50); Oisin McErlain for M Murphy (55); Conal Kelly for C Elliott (58); Daithi Cree for C McMahon (60)
Scorers: Miceal Murphy 0-6 (4f); Chrissy Brogan 1-2; Ryan McFarlane 1-1; Eamon Smyth 0-3 (2f, 1’65); Chrissy McMahon 0-2; Kevin McQuillan 0-2; Anton McGrath 0-2; Ciaran Elliott 0-1; Liam McCann 0-1; Callum Scullion 0-1
Loughgiel: Kevin McAuley; Christie Dickson, Ronan Gillan, Ciaran McKay; Daniel McPeake, Cathal McMullan, Declan Gillan; Paul Boyle, Mark McFadden; Barney McAuley, Declan Laverty, Shane O’Boyle; Shaun McFadden, Michael McGarry, Odhran McGrath
Subs: Odhran Laverty for D Gillan (23); Ryan McKee for D Laverty (30); Nicholas McNaughton for M McFadden (43); Ryan Hill for S McFadden (44)
Scorers: Ryan McKee 0-5; Paul Boyle 0-3; Barney McAuley 0-3 (2f, 1’65); Michael McGarry 0-2 (1f); Nicholas McNaughton 0-1; Ryan Hill 0-1
Referee: Anthony McAuley (Ballycastle)
