Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1
CUSHENDUN EMMET’S 2-19 RANDALSTOWN TIR-na-nOG 2-12
PRICELESS PREDATOR Conor McHugh crashed home two sensational goals to lift the Emmet’s closer to qualifying for the Intermediate hurling championship semi-finals. It was tough going for the Antrim Coast side who didn’t shake off tenacious Tir-na-nOg players until McHugh’s half volley past netminder Kevin Sheerin four minutes from time.
Substitute Conrad McDonnell unselfishly steered a fabulous chest-high cross from the right wing into McHugh’s path.
Conor, better known as ‘Smiley’ shortened the caman – and flashed that rocket shot to the net.
Pearse Bannon followed with a point, to secure a seven points cushion.
The drama was not quite over as Joe McCormick, the visitor’s nippy corner forward fizzed a volley past Gareth McGhee to set up a stirring finish – but the clock was almost up for the home side.
Hopes of an upset were severely dented in the 45th minute when full back Stephen Carey received his marching orders for a high tackle on McHugh – who was homing in on goal.
Referee Mark O’Neill of Armoy, had no option other than show Carey the line. To compound the Randalstown blow they contrived to miss good scoring chances from turnovers.
Mercurial McHugh seemed to be involved in all the major happenings, even though lining out at full forward.
He was all over the show, and often shoring up his own defence. Right at the death Conor was perfectly position to cut out a last gasp Randalstown raid.
During the first session both outfits missed many chances, Cushendun’s radar being a fraction off eight times in the opening quarter before going in at the break with a four-point advantage, 0-12 to 0-8, three excellent points from play each coming off the stylish stickwork of David and Harry Kilgore and Fintan McQuillan. Randalstown positioned themselves well,finding plenty of space between midfield and the opposition’s halfback line.
Outstanding again for Tir-na-nOg was winger Sean Duffin who bagged eight points (seven frees). Also positive was centre forward Ciaran Logan, who plundered three points – while their first goal rattled the host side in the 12th minute of the second half – a gem by Eamonn Og McAllister.
Incidentally this ignited a fabulous reply by McHugh, seconds later. Picking up a pin-point pass from the irrepressible ‘Loaf’ McNeill, who scored six points -five from frees – the pace and finish of former county player McHugh gave goalie Sheerin no chance.
Also on the mark to keep the Emmet’s ticking over during the early sparring were Fintan McQuillan, with four points and Harry and David Kilgore with three minor each.
Cushendun, with two wins share top of Group One on four points with Randalstown.
EMMET’S: Gareth McGhee; Jack McKay (c), Aidan Corbett, Sean Hamilton; Callum Kilgore, Donal O’Hara, Sean McKay; Pearse Bannon and Conor Bannon; Harry Kilgore, Fintan McQuillan, Conlaoith McNeill; Dominic McQuillan, Conor McHugh, David Kilgore.
Subs: T Scally for S McKay, Conrad McDonnell for Dominic McQuillan, T Scally for Corbett, A McSparran for Conor Bannon. James Morgan for Fintan McQuillan.
Scorers: C McHugh (2-0), C McNeill( (0-6), F McQuillan (0-4), H Kilgore (0-3), D Kilgore (0-3), D McQuillan C Bannon, P Bannon (0-1 each)
TIR NA nÓG:
Kevin Sheerin, Brandon McLarnon, Stephen Carey, Dara Martin: Conor McCamphill, Caoimhan Duffin, Daniel Martin:
Aaron McNeilly and Ciaran O’Neill; Sean Duffin, Ciaran Logan, Eamon Og McAllister: Joe McCormick, Darragh Fagan, Kevin McCann.
Subs – Oliver McAtamney for Fagan,
Scorers: S Duffin (0-8), C Logan 0-3), E McAllister, J McCormick (1-0 each), K McCann (0-1).
Referee-Mark O’Neill (Armoy).
