Under 17 Hurling Championship
Loughgiel 1-18 Dunloy 2-14
County champions Loughgiel secured a place in the semi-final of this year’s championship when they held off a late rally by neighbours Dunloy in a cracking semi-final at Fr Healy Park on Sunday. Trailing at half time, and falling further behind midway through the half, Loughgiel had turned it around with the aid of a freakish goal and appeared to be cruising down the home straight when Dunloy came again with a late rally that just came up a point short in the end.
A Jack McCloskey point from a free and, one from play by Darragh Patterson had got Loughgiel off to a good start, despite facing a stiff breeze. Dunloy were creating chances but missed a good few chance before Ben O’Kane got them off the mark on seven minutes with a point from a 65. Jack McCloskey came back with one for the Shamrocks but Dunloy were beginning to settle to their task and points from Oisin McCamphill and O’Kane brought them level by the 14th minute.
Loughgiel went back ahead when a great run and shot from Roan McGarry was well saved by the Dunloy keeper Eoghan Richmond, but it broke loose and Jack McCloskey was on hand to tap it over the bar, and when Roan added another excellent point from the left corner the home team were three clear again. Points from Oisin McCamphill, Padraig Martin and Ben O’Kane brought Dunloy back level, and though Liam Glackin briefly edged Loughgiel back in front, the tide was turning in Dunloy’s favour and a goal from Oisin McCamphill gave them the lead for the first time in the game and they pushed on to lead by four at the break with two points from corner forward Padraig Martin. (0-7 to 1-8)
Another point from Martin just after the restart increased the Dunloy lead to five but Jack McCloskey hit back with one at the other end. Martin again hit the target for the Cuchullains, but once again Loughgiel came back right away and second half substitute made an impression with his first touch when he split the post. The tempo was rising though both teams missed a few chances Dunloy were holding the upper hand and Padraig Martin’s third point of the second half , plus one by Ryan Scott, had them six clear.
A great long range point from a free inside his own half by Loughgiel centre back Ben McGarry began the Loughgiel fightback and when a shot from midfield by Liam Glackin bounced outside the Dunloy penalty area and bounced awkwardly over the goalkeepers head things began to change. Glackin had taken a strong hit on the way out of defence, but referee Ray Matthews played advantage which worked in Glackin’s favour. The score seemed to knock the wind out of Dunloy’s sails and Loughgiel took control of the game to hit the next seven scores through Ronan Fitzpatrick (3), Roan McGarry, Jack McCloskey (2) and Ben McGarry to move six ahead with time almost up.
During that period of dominance Dunloy had one great chance when corner forward Caolan McFerran got in behind the Shamrocks defence and bore down on goal, only to see his well hit shot saved by Loughgiel goalkeeper Mark Christie, but to their credit they kept battling when the odds were stacked against them. Padraig Martin sent over two late points from frees to leave four between the sides and when Oisin McCamphill blocked down an attempted clearance by a Loughgiel defender before picking up the loose ball and drilling a great shot to the net, the gap was back to one. However time was up and referee Ray Matthews blew the final whistle after the next puck out.
LOUGHGIEL
Mark Christe, Ronan McLaughlin, Pearse Patterson, Ashdon McGarry, Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Charlie O’Hagan, Laim Glackin, Preston McGarry, Ronan Fitzgerald, Jack McCloskey, Ryan O’Boyle, Danny McAuley, Darragh Patteron, Roan McGarry.
Sub – Conan Johnston and Eddie Smyth
DUNLOY
Eoghan Richmond, Cahir McMullan, Sean Og Blaney, Luke McFerran, Jack McKeever, Francis McMullan, Reece Cunning, Cathaoir Gormley, Joseph Magee, Oisin McCamphill, Ben O’Kane, Ryan Scott, Caolan McFerran, Conal Elliott, Padraig Martin
Referee – Raw Matthews.
WINS FOR OISINS, CUSHENDALL AND CORPUS CHRISTIE GAELS
Glenariffe 5-29 Rossa 1-7
Glenariffe Oisins hosted O’Donovan Rossa in the Minor Hurling Championship on Sunday in near perfect conditions however it was a difficult afternoon for the Rossa lads, who to their credit battled right to the end.
The young Oisin players started on fire and picked off some great points from all over the field. Rossa played with a sweeper in the first half but Glenariffe were able to recycle the ball well hitting a number of scores from distance to finish the half on a scoreline of 1-18 to 0-2, with Phelim Ward getting Glenariffe’s goal.
Glenariffe made a number of changes at halftime but the scores continued to flow. Rossa kept working hard and were rewarded with a well taken goal of their own on the 40th minute. However this seemed to spur Glenariffe on and they hit right back with four well worked goals of their own through Orrin O’Connor (two), Joe Leech and Daniel Douthart to win on a scoreline of 5-28 to 1-7. Glenariffe now play Loughgiel in the semi-final
In the other two games played Cushendall beat All Saints by 3-24 to 1-14 while Corpus Christie Gaels beat Ballycastle by 4-12 to 2-9. The semi-final are scheduled for Sunday September 18th with Loughgiel playing Glenariffe and Corpus Christie Gaels facing Cushendall