Report and pics by Brendan McTaggart
Féile na nGael Regional Hurling, Kildalkey Co Meath
Cushendall travelled to Kildalkey for the Regional hurling Féile and came so close to coming back to Antrim with the title. Having played superbly all day, the Ruairí’s came up against a talented Lavey side but it took extra time to separate the sides.
In the group stages, the ‘Dall were matched against Bredagh (Down), Sarsfields (Kildare) and the home side Kildalkey (Meath).
Playing against the Kildare side in their first game, goals from Jayden Kinney-McNaughton and Connlaodh McNaughton gave Cushendall a 2-9 to 0-3 win against a side that would finish second in their group.
Cushendall were in the goals again in their second game against Bredagh with Connlaodh McNaughton (two) and Jayden Kinney-McNaughton finding the net along with Francis Kinney-McNaughton. A comfortable win in the end with a score line of 4-9 to 0-6.
The last group game against the host clubs showed no signs of the Ruairí’s easing up with full-forward Jayden Kinney-McNaughton bagging another four goals with Connlaodh McNaughton also finding the back of the net. Final score 5-4 to 0-4.
Paired against Delvin of Westmeath in the semi-final, Jayden fired another brace with Connlaodh McNaughton doing the same. Centre half back Brian McNeill got in on the goal scoring act and while the Westmeath men posed a more attacking threat, Cushendall were full value for their 5-9 to 2-4 win.
The final itself proved to be an epic game between comfortably the two best sides in the competition. The Derry men held a half time lead of 2-3 to 1-4, Jayden continuing his incredible goal scoring record with another major while Connlaodh McNaughton was firing over from all angles.
Lavey opened up a four point lead going as time looked to be running out for the Ruairí’s but a quite brilliant goal from Connlaodh McNaughton was followed by an inspirational point from Brian McNeill from distance. The referee would call for the sliotar with no time for the restart and the sides went to extra time.
Connlaodh McNaughton edged the Ruairí’s ahead for the first time in the final but Lavey fired two majors in either half of extra time to open a five point lead. Cushendall laid siege on the Lavey goal looking for goals and did manage to pull one back through a McNeill drive but they ran out of time.
The young lads will be disappointed with how their day ended but the standard of hurling their produced throughout was exceptional. The loss of Connlaodh McNaughton early at the start of the second period of extra time was a massive blow for Cushendall but they battled superbly throughout under a searing heat and sweltering conditions. The goal scorers will take the plaudits and in Connlaodh McNaughton, Brian McNeill and Jayden Kinney-McNaughton Cushendall have exceptional talents but every one draped in maroon played their part in a wonderful run to the final.
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