Faughs pull clear in second half to set up final meeting with Cushendun

Antrim Hurling Division 2 League Cup semi-final

Carey Faughs 0-24 Cloney Gaels

A dominant second half performance from Carey Faughs helped them see off the challenge of Cloney Gaels and book a place in Sunday’s Division 2 League Final against Emmet’s Cushendun. When Eoin Neeson pointed in the 24^th minute of a fantastic first half, to put the Ahoghill side 0-10 to 0-8 in front, few would have thought that the Gaels would not raise another flag for seventeen minutes, by which time the Faughs were in total control.

Cloney Gael’s were quick from the traps and within a minute both O’Connell brothers James and PJ had both raised white flags. Those scores heralded the start of a great opening quarter which was to end with the teams tied on six points apiece. Conor McBride and Paddy Gillan were in great form for Carey but PJ Connell added two more from play, while brother James slotted one from a free in a faultless spell of hurling which saw Tiernan McGlynn and Peadar McVeigh also get on the scoresheet. Conlith McKinely edged Carey in front a minute after the restart but Cloney Gaels came back with points from James O’Connell, Finbarr O’neill and Tom McGlone.

Eoin Neeson also sent one over for the Ahoghill men to see them open a three point lead but two points apiece from James Rocket Black and Conor McBride had them one clear of the Gaels at the short whistle.

With the breeze at their backs in the second half Carey hit the ground running as they fired over seven points on the trot between the 30^th and 40^th minutes, three of them from free taker Conor McBride and the others from Oaddy Gillan, Fiachra McVeigh, Conlith McKinley and James Black. James O’Connell hit Cloney’s only point for the third quarter on 42 minutes but Paddy Gillan and Conor McBride came back with points to leave Carey nine to the good at the second water break (0-20 to 0-11)

A James Black point early in the fourth quarter put Carey ten clear and though James O’Connell pulled a couple back from placed balls Fiachra McVeigh, Shay Hunter and Conor McBride pointed to seal the win.