Antrim All County Hurling Division 1
Portaferry 2-19 Cushendall 2-13
Paul McIntyre reports from St Patrick’s Park
The introduction of Daithi Sands twelve minutes into the second half helped inspire Portaferry to their third win in as many games as their fine start to the season continues.
After featuring for Down in the win over Meath in the Joe McDonagh cup less than 24 hours previously, Sands predatory instincts proved crucial at a time when it looked like the Ruairi Ogs were going to pull away for the win.
The visitors would’ve been more than happy after turning around at the break on level terms after the home side failed to make use of a strong wind.
Hitting a staggering fifteen wides during the first period, the home side must’ve have feared the worst when the ‘Dall’ took an early second half lead, but 2-2 from Sands made sure that Portaferry’s unbeaten start to the season remains intact.
It was a contest for the most part that played in the spirt of the game but tempers spilled over in the 39th minute and the ugly scenes lasted for a few minutes before referee Kevin Parke could restart play.
As a result of the brawl red cards were issued to Portaferry’s Conor Mageean and Cushendall’s Martin Burke.
The opening exchanges all belonged to Portaferry as early scores from Ronan Blair and Matthew Conlan helped the ports take an early three-point lead.
Alex Delargy broke the Portaferry scoring sequence in the fifth minute but two frees from Blair helped the Portaferry open a five point after 11 minutes.
Despite playing into a strong wind, Cushendall threatened to hit the homeside on the break and the reflexes of Paddy McNally in the home goal denied the Ruairi Og’s on more than occasion.
Francis McGarry did find the net in the 22nd minute to level the tie and just when it looked like Portaferry would carry a three-point lead into the break, Aidan McNaughton found the back of the net after a fine through ball from Andrew Delargy.
After the restart two Christy McNaughton frees and effort from play Paddy McGill looked to have given Cushendall a stranglehold of the game.
A long stoppage in play seemed to break the momentum that the Ruairi Og’s had built up and Portaferry took full advantage.
With ten minutes to go Portaferry lead by one point but goals from substitute Sands gave his side a strong foothold in the contest.
Sands took on and beat Ronan McAteer to fire home Portaferry’s first goal from a tight angle, before pouncing for his second goal with just two minutes remaining when he followed up his own shot to bundle the ball home to wrap up a deserving six-point win.
Teams & Scorers:
Portaferry: Paddy McNally, Ronan Smyth, Callum Smyth, Emmett O’Neill, Deaglan Mallon, Caolan Taggart, Ciaran Savage, Shane Conlan, Matthew Conlan (0-1), Finn Turpin (0-4), Conor O’Prey (0-2), Conor Fay, Ronan Blair (0-7 5f), Conor Mageean, Paudie Doran (0-3).
Replacements: Daithi Sands (2-2) for Fay (42), Ryan O’Neill for O’Prey (50), Niall Mulligan for Turpin (60).
Cushendall: Eoin Gillan, Ronan McAteer, Martin Burke, Shane McKenna, Liam Gillan, Mark Donaghy, Ruairi McCollam, Fergus McCambridge (0-1), Paddy McGill (0-1), Andrew Delargy, Christy McNaughton (0-7 5f), Aidan McNaughton (1-0), Cormac McClafferty, Alex Delargy (0-3), Francis McCurry (1-0).
Replacements: Aaron Graffin for Donaghy (42), Sean McAfee (0-1) for McClafferty (42), Joseph McCurry for Andrew Delargy (51), Eoin McManus for McGill (54), Padraig McKillop for McCurry (57).
Referee: Mr Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)