Ulster JHC Club semi-final
Rasharkin Antrim v East Cavan Gaels
Carrickmore proved a successful venue for Antrim Intermediate champions, Carey Faughs last Sunday when they overcame the challenge of the local side and can see the Antrim Junior Champions, Rasharkin make it two from two when they visit the Tyrone ground on Sunday.
It took penalties to separate the Faughs from Carrickmore in a fiercely contest Intermediate quarter-final with two brilliant saves from Carey goalkeeper Steven McGinn during the penalty shoot-out finally deciding Sunday’s Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final.
A day earlier in Armagh Rasharkin had produced a great performance as they swept aside the challenge of Sean Treacy’s in the quarter-final of the JHC. It was a top performance from the Antrim champions who put on a show from the first whistle.
The trio of Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop and Conor McKeever did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard, combining to register 4-16 between them which is remarkable in itself.
Rasharkin went on to win 4-23 to 0-13 against the Lurgan side and never looked in trouble at any stage in the contest and will travel to Carrickmore with confidence but they should be wary of East Cavan Gaels.
Hurling in Cavan has made strides in recent years and East Cavan Gaels proved they are no slouches when they beat Omagh St. Enda’s by 6-10 to 1-14 in their quarter-final clash at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Liam O’Brien, Rory Farrell, Nicolas Kenny, James Tully, Daire Leddy and Cian McEntee got the goals for the Cavan side and will give them confidence as they travel to Pairc Colmcille.
It has been a good season for the men from Dreen and they gave notice of just what they are capable of with a win over Glen Rovers, Armoy in the Antrim final.
St. Mary’s led by three at the break in Loughgiel but with the wind in their face in the second half there was questions as to whether they had done enough.
Two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half swung the game decisively in the direction of Rasharkin as the men from Dreen dictated the early second half exchanges with Conor McFerran following up on a Conor Devlin save from Donagh Quigg in the opening minute to finish to the net from close range.
Three Minutes later the excellent Quigg got in for a second St. Mary’s goal and suddenly a three point lead had been stretched to nine and the Blue & Amber’s were firmly in the driving seat.
They carried that good form into last weekend’s meeting with Sean Tracey’s with Conor McKeever finishing with 1-9, Donagh Quigg with 2-3 and Conor McKillop with 1-4.
James O’Mullan’s return to the last line of defence has given added confidence to a Rasharkin defence where Daniel and Conor Doherty and Aidan McKeever have caught the eye in a unit that has given little away.
Shane Hasson and Connor McFerran form a creative and hard-working mid-field while captain Quigg, McKeever and McKillop all carry serious scoring threat.
Scoring might not be so plentiful for St. Mary’s and their Cavan opponents in Carrickmore as it was in their respective quarter-finals but Rasharkin are flying at present and I would expect them to advance to the Ulster final with something to spare.
Rasharkin v Sean Tracey’s: James O’Mullan; Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Doherty; Ruairi O’Boyle, Aiden McKeever, Tiernan O’Boyle; Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran; Cathir Henderson, Emmett McFerran, Conor McKeever; Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop, Declan McKay
Subs: Conor Higgin for R O’Boyle, Daniel Hasson for S Hasson, Caolan Maria for D Doherty, Terry McGregor for C McKillop, Brian Og O’Neill for D McKay.