Cushendall repel Ard na Rí second half comeback

Under 15A Hurling Championship

Ruairi Og Cushendall 1-22 Ard na Rí 3-7

Ard na Ri U15 Hurlers will rue the slow start that gave Feile Champions Cushendall a commanding first half lead, in Tuesday evening’s thrilling Championship Semi-Final played in Cushendall.

The unbeaten Ruairi Ogs displayed unerring accuracy, and gave an exhibition of point scoring to build up a 14 point half time lead.

Michael Marlow of Ard Na Ri breaks out of the full back line up the pitch to set up a goal scored by Fionn McCann. Picture Mark Marlow

They started with points from Fiontan Bradley (2), Fiontan McKillop, Shane McQuillan and Ryan McAuley, before Ar na Ri came back with a point from Ronan Taylor. Two more from Bradly and one from McKillop stretched the lead and though McGurk came back with one for the visitors, the Ruairis finished the half strongly with a flurry of scores, Including a Thomas McLaughlin goal, to lead by 1-13 to 0-2 at the interval.

**Ronan Taylor of Ard Na Ri scores a point. Picture Mark Marlow**

The Ard na Ri players regrouped at half time and came out fighting for every ball in the second half. With county player Michael Marlow starting to dominate at full back, Ard na Ri grew in confidence as the game progressed. Following three well worked goals from Donnacha McGurk, Joe McKay and Finn McCann, Ard Na Ri had narrowed the gap to just 4 points with 10 minutes remaining. However Ard Na Ri began to tire towards the end, and Cushendall found their range in the last five minutes to ease home on a scoreline of 1:22 to 3:07.