North Antrim Junior Hurling League

CUSHENDUN EMMET’S B 1-21 DUNLOY CUCHULLIAN’s B 2-9

CUBBY’S class fired the Emmet’s second-string side to an impressive North Antrim JHL second victory of the season.

Roving full forward, Eoin ‘Cubby’ Magee had the final say with a slick point on the closing whistle – and shared top marksman honour for the vastly improved local B team with flying winger Fintan McQuillan.

The front runners, ignited by some power play from centre forward Dominic Sharkey lifted the gloomy misty evening at The Riggs.

It was far from one-way traffic for the budding Emmet’s, enjoying an overdue first season of competition, as Dunloy’s second side also featured a number of clever young prospects.

Surprisingly, this midweek encounter surpassed all expectations with an overall display of immensely entertaining fast paced, first time hurling, intelligent running off the ball and quicksilver finishing. It was combat deserving of recognition.

Some of the Dunloy lads especially produced crisp rising side line cuts and a couple of splendid goals – the first on seven minutes by corner forward Eoin O’Kane. His rasping volley caught the home defence cold.

What was novel in the modern context of the native game was a mild return of emphasis to old fashioned ground hurling.

Indeed, the clash of the ash was none more emphasized than a pull by Dunloy’s solid half back Hugh Hyndman – emerging from a crunch clash with his caman in smithereens!

Back to the adventures of Cubby, who must have impressed the Emmet’s senior team management.

His goal in the 17th minute was sheer magic – a solo sprint down the right channel and facing the sea. He blazed in to fire a left-handed volley across goalkeeper Paul Doherty and high into the corner of the net.

Moments later, Dunloy launched a menacing attack with home full back Archie McSparran brilliantly blocking a stinging drive by

Conall Elliottt, the ball spinning past for a ’65’

The resultant free was delivered by centre half Francis McMullan, the sliotar sailing through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Cushendun’s young prospects maintained focus to nick a string of points, quality scores – using the shortened stick by Thomas Scally, Pearse Bannon, Fintan McQuillan and the inimitable Cubby.

There were also fascinating individual duels such as Dunloy’s corner forward Conal Elliott against tenacious local defender Michael McHugh. The Cuchullian’s also sported other young potential seniors such as goalkeeper Paul Doherty and lanky Ryan Mort. Late in the action Cuchuillins mustered a go-for-goal push that was suitably repelled by clever goalkeeper Euan McSparran and dogged defenders McHugh, Archie McSparran and the ever improving Conrad Duffin.

EMMET’S:-Euan McSparran; Michael McHugh, Archie McSparran, Conrad Duffin;

Declan McKernan, Andrew Breslin, Pearse McKeegan; Thomas Scally and Aidan McSparran;

Pierce Bannon, Dominic Sharkey, John V Morgan; Fintan McQuillan, Eoin Magee, Michael Dunne.

Subs:-Steven McNeill for Scally (43), Ciaran Magee for McQuillan (52),

Scorers:-E Magee (1-5), F McQuillan (0-8), T Scally (0-4),

P Bannon (0-3), Aidan McSparran (0-1),

CUCHULLIAN’S:-Paul Doherty; Rory Martin, Michael Traynor, Niall McIlhatton;

Hugh Hyndman, Francis McMullan, Joseph Magee;

Peter McQuillan and Ryan Mort; Sean McAleese, Chris Brogan, Darragh Watterson;

Eoin O’Kane, Daithi Cree, Conail Elliott.

Subs:- Ryan McGowan for Cree (48), Dan Dickson for McAleese (52),

Scorers:- E O’Kane (1-1), F McMullan (1-1),

C Elliott (0-3), C Brogan (0-3), H Hyndman (0-1)..

Ref- Ciaran McCloskey (Loughguile).