Senior Reserve Hurling Cup
Loughgiel 3-16 Dunloy 2-16
By John McIlwaine
Dunloy conjured up a late scoring burst to come within the poc of a ball of salvaging a game they had looked well beaten in for most of the hour at Fr Healey Park on Monday evening. Eight in arrears going into the final quarter it just seemed a matter of playing out time for the home side, but late goals from Daithi Cree and Shane Dooey brought the Cuchullains within two points of the Shamrocks and gave the visiting fans renewed hope.
However those hopes were dashed by the Shamrocks centre forward Paul Boyle, who got in behind the visitors defence and fired the ball past Dunloy netminded Calum Mullan for the game’s clinching goal. The drama was not over there as after pulling a couple of points back to leave just a goal in it Eamon Smith had a late chance to save the game from a twenty metre free, but his well struck shot was saved by the Shamrocks goalkeeper Gooch Gillan who got the ball scrambled away to safety.
A goal in the opening minute by full forward John Francis Connolly had given the Shamrocks the perfect start and they went on to lead by 1-4 to 0-5 at the first water break. A couple of points from midfielder Liam McCann in the 21st and 22nd minutes brought Dunloy level but Loughgiel finished the half stronger and points from Connolly, Aodhan McFadden and two from Rian McMullan frees, in reply to just one from Shane Dooey for the visitors, had Loughgiel 1-8 to 0-8 ahead at the break.
Three points in a row from Bicky McGarry, Paul Boyle and Bubbles McMullan were followed by a goal from Roy McFadden, who pulled a breaking ball low to the net, opened the gap out to nine just eight minutes into the second half and it appeared to be all over bar the shouting. Three points in a row from Shane Dooey frees brought the gap back to seven, but a Nicholas McNaughton point left the home team 2-14 to 0-12 ahead at the second water break.
The Dunloy fightback began early in the fourth quarter when Daithi Cree grabbed a goal, and when Shane Dooey fired in another they were right back in the game. Bubbles McMullan came back with a point from a free, but Dunloy kept the game alive until Paul Boyle proved the hero of the hour for the Shamrocks with a well taken goal from a narrow angle to seal the win.
Despite the defeat it would appear Dunloy top the group on scoring difference with Cushendall in second place. Loughgiel have only played two games, but according to people I spoke ot last night at the game Ballycastle have conceded that game, which of course is no benifit to the Shamrocks who cannot improve their score difference
In the other group St Gall’s are listed as being top of the table on 6 points, and St John’s and Rossa joint second, despite the fact there hasn’t been a ball struck in the whole group. All the results are listed as scoreless draws, so obviously St Gall’s were willing to fulfill all of thier fixtures, but without any takers. Of course all of this is quite understandable because of the Covid situation, but it is all a bit comfusing.
The semi-finals are down for decision on Wednesday evening with St Gall’s facing Cushendall and Dunloy taking on either St John’s or Rossa. Watch this space……….
