Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Robert Emmetts 3-18 Glenarm 2-23

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm caused a shock on Sunday when they travelled to Cushendun and beat the Emmets in a very exciting game at CushLig an Airgid. Cushendun had beaten table toppers Oisins convincingly just four days earlier and went into this game as firm favourites, but Glenarm proved to be hard not to crack and they produced their best hurling of the season to come away with both league points

Playing into a strong breeze in the opening half Cushendun started well and early points from Conlaoith ‘Loaf’ McNeill and Donal O’Hara put the two ahead after three minutes, but Glenarm hit back strongly with a goal from corner forward Sean O’Boyle. The home side continued to hold the upper hand however and they hit the next four points through Loaf (2), Donal O’Hara and Conor ‘Smiley’ McHugh to lead by double scores (0-06 to 1-0), but Glenarm were begining to settle and with Nial McGarel on target from frees and from play they drew level by the end of the first quarter, McGarel hitting two and Ciaran Magill the other. Cushendun gave as good as they got though through the second quarter and with Sean McKay. Jack McKay, and Loaf McNeill all picking off scores, they moved 0-12 to 1-07 clear by the break.

The close nature of the game continued into the second half with McNeill and McKay adding points for the home side in reply to two from Dylan McLaughlin and Niall McGarel for the visitors. The Emmets appeared to have taken a firm grip on the game when they grabbed two goals in a six minute spell of dominance, the first from Conor Bannon and the second from a penalty by Loaf McNeill, but Glenarm dug deep during the final quarter.

Niall McGarel was the man who led the comeback for the men from Feystown, the stylish half forward hitting ten points during the second half, Dylan McLaughlin got two, while midfielder John Scullion got an all-important goal on 39 minutes.

Sean McKay, Loaf McNeill, Aidan McSparran and Sean McKay kept the home side in the game right up to the end, but McGarel’s accuracy proved vital for the winners and late points from Scullion and McLaughlin got them over the line.

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