Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1
Dunloy 2-23 Carey Faughs 1-13
Saturday August 20
Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel
Dunloy overcame the dogged resistance of Carey on Saturday afternoon where the 2021 Intermediate Champions gave the Cuchullains their fill of it and more. Despite Dunloy starting on fire and racing into a nine point lead by the 13th minute, the Faughs fought back and by the eighth minute of the second half trailed by just four. James McCouaig in defence immense while Connor McBride and Caolan McCaughan carried the fight in attack for the Ballyvoy men.
The Cuchullains had more fire power when it counted however and a staggering 2-20 of their final score came from open play. Conal Cunning top scores with 1-8, including a major from a second half penalty and three frees while Nigel Elliott’s form continues to impress since his return to the Cuchullains, scoring 0-7 in an awesome performance.
Carey were reliant on Connor McBride for scores, he would finish with 1-6 for the hour. His goal coming from a 21 yard free and hauled the Faughs back into this contest while Caolan McCaughan was always a threat, his 0-3 a fair reflection for his efforts.
In a bruising contest where big hits came and fleeting touches of magic, it was the Cuchullains who rallied in the closing stages. They reduced Carey to just a single point in the final 15 minutes while scoring 1-6 themselves to add some gloss to the score line.
Showing just one change from their opening win against Ballycastle, Dunloy brought Ronan Molloy into the starting 15 for Deaglan Smith while Carey remained unchanged. The opening goal came with just four minutes on the clock, Cunning creating the chance for Gabriel McTaggart and he passed to Chrissy McMahon who made no mistake from close range.
Dunloy were well on top in the opening quarter with Elliott splitting the uprights on three occasions, he would go on to hit six points in the first half while Carey’s first score didn’t come until the ninth minute, a ’65 from Connor McBride. James ‘Rocket’ Black fired their first from play in 13th minute followed soon by McBride’s second of the game, his first from play but the Cuchullains were well worthy of their nine point lead mid-way through the half.
The Faugh’s were getting some joy playing long ball into the Dunloy full back line and already had two major chances before finding the back of Ryan Elliott’s net. McCaughan and McBride bringing the best out of Elliott in the goals but the Dunloy shot-stopper could could only deflect McBride’s 21 yard free into his own net in the 20th minute.
The Dunloy response was typically emphatic. Scoring the next three points unanswered and Cunning going close for a second Dunloy goal in the same time frame. McBride fired over the last score of the first half from a free to leave the half time score 1-13 to 1-7 in Dunloy’s favour.
The third quarter of the half belonged to the Ballyvoy men however as they held the Cuchullains scoreless for 11 minutes and reduced the deficit to four points. Black, McBride (two frees) and Conlith Glynn with scores.
With the tackles coming hard and fast, Carey were intent on not allowing the Cuchullains time and space to do damage in that period of time after the half time interval. Dunloy did regroup and despite a number of missed chances and dropping the sliotar short, they went through the gears in the final quarter.
Paul Shiels, introduced at half time began to influence the game from deep while second half substitute Keelan Molloy was heavily involved in the middle third. Dunloy’s second goal came in the 51st minute, Carey conceding a penalty after a foul on Coby Cunning. He dusted himself down and made no mistake with his effort and while Patrick Gillan responded for the Faugh’s with the next attack, it would be their last score of the game with Eamon Smyth, Keelan Molloy and Cunning (three) putting further daylight between the sides by the time Ciaran McCloskey called for time at the end of the hour.
Dunloy now turn their attentions to a meeting with Rossa in Pearse Park, a repeat of the 2021 final while Carey will welcome Ballycastle to Ballyvoy in what is now effectively a winner-takes-all knock out derby tie.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Aaron Crawford; Nicky McKeague, Ronan Molloy; Eoin McFerran, Gabriel McTaggart, Nigel Elliott; Chrissy McMahon, Conal Cunning, Anton McGrath
Subs: Paul Shiels for C McMahon (HT); Keelan Molloy for N McKeague (41); Conor Kinsella for R Molloy (51)
Scorers: C Cunning 1-8 (1-00pen, 3f’s); N Elliott 0-7; C McMahon 1-1; E Smyth 0-1; N McKeague 0-1; R Molloy 0-1; E McFerran 0-1; G McTaggart 0-1; P Shiels 0-1; Keelan Molloy 0-1
Carey Faughs: Daniel McBride; Eoin Hill, Sean McBride, Daniel Hill; Michael McVeigh, James McCouaig, Conall McGlynn; Sean McLaughlin, Conlith McKinley; James Black, Fiachra McVeigh, John McBride; Connor McBride, Caolan McCaughan, Patrick Gillan
Subs: Colm McBride for S McLaughlin (58)
Scorers: C McBride 1-6 3f’s, 1’65); C McCaughan 0-3; J Black 0-2; P Gillan 0-1; C McGlynn 0-1 (1f)
Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)
