Antrim Hurling League Division 3

Cuchulainns 0-18  Glenravel 0-16

Pics courtesy of Ritchiepics Armagh

Both teams went into this game unbeaten so far in the league but is was the men from Armagh, playing in Antrim saffron, that came out tops on a narrow margin in a game played in beautiful sunshine at Pearse Óg GAA pitch in Armagh. Very little ever separated the sides throughout the sixty minutes and though Glenravel drew level on several occasions in the second half they could not push on to secure a lead at any stage in the game and in the end came up two short. 

It was a day when free taking was essential and in Jordan Murtagh (Cuchulainns) and Conleth O’Loan (Glenravel) both sides took good advantage of placed balls with Murtagh converting seven frees and O’Loan scoring six. There was plenty of other talent on show as well with some fine point scoring in open play but both teams will be keen to reduce the wide count next time out. Playing with the aid of a slight breeze the Armagh men dominated the first half but really struggled to make that count on the scoreboard; indeed six of their total of seven wides came in that first half. Glenravel would have been pleased enough to go in at half time only two points adrift 0-09 to 0-07.

Glenravel drew level with the opening two points in the second half, substitute Cormac McKeown and Declan Traynor the providers but back came Cuchulainns with three scores on the trot in what would become a see-saw game. Conleth O’Loan levelled the match for a second time at twelve points each after Shane Woulahan and Declan Traynor had clawed the Glensmen back in to the game. Murtagh and O’Loan would trade points to leave the sides level a third time. Two more points from Murtagh who was a real handful from both frees and play opened up a gap which Declan Traynor and Conleth O’Loan reduced once more to have the teams level for the fourth time. It wasn’t for the lack of effort from the men in green and white but they just could not get edged in front at any stage and the vital closing minutes Jordan and Lee Murtagh would record three scores but Glenravel could only muster a single point from Conleth O’Loan. With two points between the teams and time running out Glenravel went the aerial route in search of a major that would tip the game in their favour but resolute defending from Cuchulainns thwarted their efforts and so they went on to retain their unbeaten status in Division 3.