North Antrim Intermediate Hurling
Countess of Antrim Cup
Loughgiel 3-20 Cushendall 0-14
Pics by Black Sparrow Media
Shan McGrath who has recently returned to the Loughgiel colours, following a spell ‘down under’ gave a man of the match performance in the Shamrocks win over Cushendall in the Countess of Antrim Cup at Fr Healy Park on Wednesday evening. Starting at full forward McGrath was top scorer in the game as Loughgiel held the upper hand for most of the game.
The home team hit the first six scores without reply, McGrath getting two of the points with Darragh Patterson, Conal McCloksey, Ronan McCollum and Donal McKinley also contributing, in a dominant start. Joseph McNaughton got Cushendall’s first score on eleven minutes but the Shamrocks were in control and they pushed on to lead by double scores at half time – 1-13 to 0-08
Although Cushendall started the second half with a point from Christy McNaughton their hopes of a comeback were soon dashed when Tiago McGarry came back with the goal direct from a free and when McGrath added two more points the comeback hopes were all but over. Each time the Ruairis pulled a point back, Loughgiel replied with two at the other end and they added their third goal through McGrath just two minutes from times to book a place in the final.
