Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Cushendun 1-16 Carryduff 2-11

PICS BY MICKY MORGAN

Cushendun overcame a late scare from visitors Carryduff in Sunday’s Division 2 league game at the Field of the Rigs on Sunday before taking the points with a narrow victory.

With just five minutes of normal time left to play of a good competitive game the home team appeared to have it all wrapped up, as they led by five points. However the Down men produced a strong finish and after Conor McAlister drilled a penalty just inches over the bar, Sean O’Callaghan broke through to score a brilliant individual goal and cut the gap to a single point. Suddenly it looked anyone’s game but just as he has done so often ‘Loaf’ McNeill steadied the ship as he fired over a late point from a free to seal the win.

McNeill had made his mark in the opening half when the visitors led by 0-3 to 0-2 after ten minutes, their points coming from two pointed frees by Donal Mooney and one from play by Darragh Goodwin. The next ten minutes was all Cushendun as they hit six in a row, the first three from McNeill frees, one from play by Donal O’Hara, one from Calum Kilgore and McNeill again from a free. James Laverty and Donal Rooney came back with points for Carryduff but Colm McKeegan came back with one for the home side to see them lead by 0-9 to 0-6 at half time.

The second half had an explosive start as Loaf caught a high ball on the edge of the Carryduff ‘square’ in the opening minute and fed Colm McKeegan who blasted home. The gap was now out to six but less than a minute later Carryduff got their first goal, James Lavery raising the green flag at the other end to cut it back to two.  

The next fifteen minutes saw each side hit three points apiece, the highlight of the scores coming from Conor McAlister who sent one over from a sideline cut. When the Emmet’s stretched the lead to five they appeared to be safe, but they had to endure a few anxious moments before securing the win as Carryduff came back late, only to fall just short