Senior Feis Cup Hurling Quarter Final

Cushendall 1-23 Naomh Eanna 0-10

Cushendall booked their place in the semi-final of the senior Feis Cup when they beat St Enda’s in Thursday evening’s quarter final at Pairc Mhuir, Cushendall. On top from the early stages the Ruairis were 0-11 to 0-3 in front at half time and though St Enda’s had a very good spell at the start of the second half, when they closed the gap to six, they never really looked like getting the goal they would have needed to really push on.

The hurling was surprisingly crisp and accurate for the first outing of the season and Cushendall, who had the aid of the strong chilly breeze, rattled off the first five points with Fred McCurry (2), Conor Carson, Paddy McGill and Alex Delargy all hitting the target.

Conor Bradley, who had been unlucky with two earlier efforts, opened the visitors’ account on ten minutes with a well taken point but two from Carson and one more from Delargy stretched the gap to to seven by the17th minute.  An Eoin Conlon point, following a good run by Matthew O’Hare saw Naomh Eanna hit their second, and though Conor Bradley added another Cushendall pushed on to lead by 0-13 to 0-10 at half time.

With the wind behind them in the second half St Enda’s faired much better and Killian Jenning showed their intent with a point inside 30 seconds. Paddy McGill, from a free, and Conor Carson from play, replied for Cushendall before the Glengormely men had their best spell of the game as Ronan Eager Conor Bradley, Ruairi Donaghy and Conor Brady all added points. A goal at this stage would really have put life into their challenge, but Cushendall were able to weather storm as the hit back with 1-6, the goal coming in injury time from Alex Delargy, after good work by the ‘Lisbon Lion’ Christy McNaughton to seal the win.