North Antrim Junior Hurling – McCaughan Cup
Con Magees B 0-7 Cushendun Emmet’s B 5-13
AIDAN McSparran’s high visibility red helmet seemed to be everywhere on the move, covering the concrete hard pitch at a blistering pace to help fire the Emmet’s young guns to a landslide victory – and through to the semi-finals of the McCaughan Cup.
Even the notorious swarms of ‘midgies’ at Maginn Park stayed clear of this one-sided slamming until Cushendall referee ‘Skinner’ McAlister mercifully brought the bombardment to a close.
McSparran played a robust role in the midfield as Cushendun hit turbo attacking mode from the sundown start.
The high speed Emmet’s operation virtually swamped Con Magee’s second string from the early seconds when motor mechanic Conrad Duffin picked off the opening two points.
The Emmet’s never looked back. Ruthless finishing corner forward Colm McKeegan pounced on a defensive mix-up in the seventh minute to thump a low volley to the empty Glenravel net.
The home boys did not get to grips quickly enough to cope with Cushendun’s direct attacking style.
Glenravel players tried manfully, but were punished for indecision and wasted openings mainly through too many sideways hand passes – and were often caught in possession by the nippy, always eager Cushendun hopefuls such as wing back Pearse McKeegan, midfielder McSparran and the up front menace of the excellent Eoin ‘Cubby’ Magee and the roving Colm McKeegan.
Moments before the break ‘Cubby’ galloped down the left wing to fire a low drive off the firm surface.
Brave goalie Aidan McAuley blocked the sliother with his foot, but the ball rebounded into the path of the pacey predator McKeegan to blast the ball home.
The game was really up for Glenravel, the issue as good as over . . . the high energy Emmet’s leading by 3-8 to 0-2 at the interval.
The final scoreline is self explanatory.
Con Magee’s had honest hearts and willing hands – but could not cope with fiery finishing of four-goal Colm McKeegan.
The hosts had individual industry and solid stickwork in the form of Fergus Donaghy, Odhran McAleenan, hard grafting Sean Woulahan, enterprising Ciaran McIIfatrick and sideline cut expert and free taker Conor Duffin, .
In the opposite camp, the class and potential of Aidan McSparran and Colm McKeegan was richly illustrated in the second session.
McSparran broke up a home team push – and took off on a flying run down the left flank. His crisp pass from the wing was batted home by the inrushing McKeegan. Just to emphasize the gap between the teams, McSparran rounded off the evening’s one-sided argument with a splendid individual goal.
CON MAGEE’s: A McAuley; P O’Hagan, S Kerr, S Atcheson, A Cotter O Faloona, F Donaghy; C Lennon and O McAleenan; C McIlfatrick, S Woulahan, C Duffin; C McAuley Ciaran Laverty, Conor Laverty.
Subs used: F Hodgson, E Butler,
Scorers: C McIlfatrick 0-3,C Duffin 0-2, O McAleenan 0-2.
EMMET’S: E McSparran; M McHugh, M McSparran; J J O’Connell, D McKernan, A Breslin, P McKeegan; A McSparran and O McMahon;C O’Hara, R McCurdy, E Magee; C McKeegan, C Duffin, M Dunne.
Subs used-C Magee, P McAuley, C Campbell.
Scorers-C McKeegan 4-1, A McSparran 1-1, E Magee 0-4, C O’Hara 0-3, C Duffin 0-2, O McMahon 0-1, P McKeegan 0-1.
Referee: Feargal ‘Skinner’ McAlister (Cushendall).
