ACHL Division 1

Rossa 0-14 Dunloy 2-28

With the division 1 league title out of reach of both sides this meeting of Rossa and Dunloy at Rossa Park on Sunday was more about pride and preparation for the forthcoming Senior Hurling championship and on the evidence of this encounter the Cuchullian’s look more likely contenders.

Both sides have been hampered during the league by the number of County players they have had away on duty and the return of a number of these players has added strength and depth with Cuchullian’s buzzing throughout Sunday’s encounter.

They looked well on their way to victory when they led 1-15 to 0-9 at the halfway stage with Conall ‘Cobbie’ Cunning getting the first half goal and showing deadly accuracy from both play and frees.

The Antrim star would end the contest with 1-10 to his name with the free taking of Dermot Rogan and the contributions of Michael Armstrong, Gerard Walsh and Aidan O’Brien keeping Rossa’s hopes alive as the game went into the second half.

The visitors were in no mood to take their foot of the pedal during a second half where they showed an intensity and scoring ability that the opposition just couldn’t live with on the day.

A second goal from Nicky McKeague put the icing on a fine performance where the visitors looked to be on a mission to make up for lost time and send out a message that they will be serious contenders again when the championship comes around.

Cobbie, Kevin McKeague, Keelan Molloy, Sean Elliott, Nigel Elliott, Anton McGrath, Deaglan Smith and Nicky McKeague were in sparkling form for the Cuchullian’s who might just be running into form at the right time. Dermot Rogan 0-5, Michael Armstrong 0-2, Aidan O’Brien 0-2, Gerard Walsh 0-2, Stephen Beatty and Stephen ‘Spud’ O’Neill were best for a Rossa side who have work to do before the championship gets underway.