Antrim Hurling League – Division 2
St PAUL’S 1-11 CUSHENDUN EMMET’S 3-15
By Denis O’Hara
JAMES Morgan’s opportunist goal 73 seconds into the second session at Shaw’s Road stunned St Paul’s and fired the Emmet’s to what eventually became a solid ten-points Division Two victory.
The first half was, as expected between these recurring rivals, a tense nip and tuck affair.
Five points separated the sides at the interval, ten for Cushendun, with Caolan Crossan and Darragh Stevenson clipping over smart shots to keep the city team in touch.
Goals for the Antrim Coast side did the trick, with substitute Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill twice on target.
One minute after Morgan’s major, McNeill replaced Colm McKeegan – and sixty seconds later he nicked the first of his double delight.
His second goal, nine minutes from time, was down to quick thinking. He made certain from a second bite at the cherry, when his 21-yards free was blocked by goalkeeper Chris Murray.
Quick as a flash, the bold ‘Loaf’ – who also plundered two points – pounced on the rebound and drilled the ball to the back of the net.
In between the Loaf strikes, St Paul’s retaliated in the 43rd minute with a goal by corner forward Stephen Munce.
Cushendun fans then became somewhat concerned six minutes from the end when one of their most mobile of forwards, Harry Kilgore received a red card from the match referee.
Up ahead is a crucial top-of-the-table heavyweight showdown against near neighbours, Glenariffe, at The Riggs.
St Paul’s also had a player dismissed seven minutes into the second session.
During the second half, the Emmet’s, despite missing injured centre back Donal O’Hara, stuck to their fast-paced operation – and made good use of power hitting goalkeeper Gareth Magee’s enormous puc-outs.
Once again the ever alert ‘Smiley’ – Conor McHugh – enjoyed a roving commission to pick off an impressive array of points, eight in all, and see the Antrim Coast side over the line.
Teams:
St PAUL’S:-C Murray; C O’Carroll, F Carville, C Gallagher; S Farrell, L Walsh,T Aule; A O’Carroll and R Moore; D Stevenson, C Crossan, C Duffin; D Chapman, F Sewell, S Munce.
Scorers:-D Stevenson, C Crossan (0-4 each), S Munce (1-0), C Duffin (0-3).
EMMET’s: G Magee, M McSparran, A Corbett, S Hamilton; Jack McKay, Sean McKay, C Kilgore; T Scally, D McQuillan; F McQuillan, J Morgan, H Kilgore; C McKeegan, C McHugh, D Kilgore.
Subs:-C McNeill for C McKeegan, P Bannon for C Kilgore, E Magee for D McQuillan, J V Morgan for F McQuillan, A Breslin for J Morgan.
Scorers:-C McNeill 2-2, C McHugh 0-8, J Morgan 1-1, H Kilgore, D Kilgore, D McQuillan, F McQuillan 0-1 each.
Referee:- Hugh Torney (Ballycran).
