U15 Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Loughgiel 6-6 Dunloy 4-10
Saturday October 23
Brendan McTaggart reports from Armoy
Loughgiel sealed their place in the u15 final with a two point win over Dunloy in Armoy. The Shamrock’s recovered from a slow start to take control of this contest. A spell of three goals in eight first half minutes and a hat-trick from the brilliant Roan McGarry gave Loughgiel the upperhand but they had to withstand a late Cuchullain fightback that left the Shamrock’s clinging on at the full time whistle.
McGarry’s tally of 3-4 was enough to give him the man-of-the-match award but he was ably assisted by Ronan Fitzgerald, Ryan O’Boyle and Ashdon McGarry who played as a deep sweeper after getting among the goals for Loughgiel.
Oisin McCamphill top scored for the Cuchullains with 2-4 and proved to be a handful for the Shamrock’s throughout. Ben O’Kane, Ryan Scott and Padraig Martin performed well for the young Cuchullains but they ran out of time with Loughgiel on the ropes in injury time.
Dunloy got off to the perfect start with McCamphill firing the first of his two goals in the second minute. Collecting a long ball from Ben O’Kane, the Dunloy forward showed a great turn of pace before firing home. He added a point soon after with Oisin McCallion and Caolan McFerran adding also raising white flags to leave Dunloy six clear after 10 minutes.
The Loughgiel response was emphatic. A long ball fell into the heart of the Dunloy defence and the Cuchullains couldn’t clear, Roan McGarry capitalised and scored Loughgiel’s first major and score of the game in the 14th minute. McGarry added a free before the water-break but when play resumed, the Shamrocks had the wind at their sails.
Another dropping ball caused problems for the Cuchullains and this time Ronan Fitzgerald made the most of the Cuchullains failing to deal with the danger to score Loughgiel’s second goal.
The Shamrock’s had the momentum and scored their third goal in the 19th minute, Ashdon McGarry with the trickery to evade the Dunloy defence before giving Oisin Dillon no chance in the Dunloy goals.
A brace of points from Ryan Scott briefly halted the Loughgiel onslaught but it was brief respite with Loughgiel’s fourth goal coming in 23rd minute. Ashdon McGarry with the long delivery dropping and Ger McFadden applying the finish as the sliotar ran free. Oisin Connolly and McCamphill swapped scores before the half time whistle with Loughgiel leading 4-2 to 1-6.
Dunloy had a lot of possession but Loughgiel were more clinical in the opening 30 minutes, capitalising and punishing errors in the Dunloy defence. They started the second half on top with Roan McGarry firing over a brace of points before Oisin McCamphill did the same for the Cuchullains.
The fifth Loughgiel green flag came 11 minutes after the restart and it showed another side to Roan McGarry. His predatory instincts were on display in the first half but his second major showed his anticipation, skill and speed before finding the corner of the Dunloy net. Ronan Fitzgerald added a point to his earlier goal to leave Loughgiel nine points ahead but Dunloy hit back. Oisin McCamphill with his second goal, this time from a 21 yard free just before the water-break.
McCamphill had another crack at goal after the restart, this time from slightly further out but his shot was deflected over the bar.
Loughgiel’s sixth goal came from familiar circumstances with Dunloy failing to deal with a dropping ball. With the sliotar loose, Roan McGarry completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining.
Padraig Martin and Roan McGarry (free) swapped points before the end of the hour but Dunloy pushed for the goals. Their third major came through Ben O’Kane as the Dunloy centre half moved to the edge of the Loughgiel square for the time that remained and managed to find the back of Daniel O’Mullan’s net, despite being on his knees and crowded by the Shamrock defence.
With time running out, Dunloy rolled the dice one more time. McCamphill’s effort saved superbly by O’Mullan in the Loughgiel goals but Aiden Richmond was first to the rebound and swept home.
That was as good as it got for the Cuchullains however with Loughgiel sealing the win with two points to spare.
TEAMS
Loughgiel: Daniel O’Mullan; Eddie Smyth, Codai McGarry, Tadgh McKendry; Preston McGarry, Liam Glackin, Tomas McNulty; Ryan O’Boyle, Conan Johnston; Ronan Fitzgerald, Ashdon McGarry, Oisin Connolly; Conn McCormick, Roan McGarry, Ger McFadden.
Scorers: Roan McGarry 3-4 (3f); Ronan Fitzgerald 1-1; Ger McFadden 1-00; Ashdon McGarry 1-00; Oisin McConnolly 0-1
Dunloy: Oisin Dillon; Cahir McMullan, Reece Cunning, Jack McKenna; Sean Og Blaney, Ben O’Kane, Ryan McClements; Padraig Martin, Aiden Richmond; Conor Mort, Ryan Scott, Oisin McCallion; Caolan McFerran, Oisin McCamphill, Jack Martin
Scorers: Oisin McCamphill 2-5 (2f, 1’65); Ben O’Kane 1-00; Aiden Richmond 1-00; Ryan Scott 0-2; Oisin McCallion 0-1; Caolan McFerran 0-1; Padraig Martin 0-1.
