Feis nan nGleann 2025
U16 McMullan Cup Final
Dunloy 1-18 Loughgiel 1-8
Sunday 13 July
Brendan McTaggart reports from Glenariffe
A strong second half performance from Dunloy helped the Cuchullains to victory over Loughgiel in the McMullan Cup on Sunday afternoon. 10 points separated the sides at the end of the hour and while Dunloy were well worthy of their win, not many could have foreseen what transpired in the second half.
Just two points separated the sides at the half time interval with the Shamrocks playing with whatever wind there was after the interval. A defensive masterclass from the Cuchullains half back line at the start of the second half that saw them hem Loughgiel in their half for long periods and keep them scoreless for over 20 minutes. Led by captain Eunan Curry and ably assisted by Oisin O’Brien and then Ollie McClements who moved out from his full back position in a swap with Seamus McMullan, Loughgiel got little or no answer.
Midfielder James McGarry top scored for the Cuchullains, finishing with 10 points for the hour – seven of those coming from placed ball while the excellent Euan Molloy grabbed the goal that put daylight between the sides for the first time nine minutes into the second half.
Logan McConville had an excellent game for the Shamrocks at the heart of their defence but putting him on the three-quarter line didn’t yield the reward the Shamrocks had hoped for when chasing the game. Joe Casey and Joe Deery shared six points between them while substitute Damien Laverty scored their goal at the death.
With the match played in sweltering heat, it wasn’t a surprise to see the first half failing to catch fire. Dunloy scored the opening two points of the final through Damian McMahon and Euan Molloy before the Shamrocks hit back with a brace of frees from Deery.
McGarry and Molloy pointed again to open the two point lead for the Cuchullains but they wouldn’t add another score for 10 minutes. Loughgiel added points from Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey and Deery’s third free of the final to give their side the lead for the first time in the 18th minute. They wouldn’t add to their tally in the time that remained of the first half however and while Dunloy were far from firing on all cylinders, they began to find their range with scores coming from McGarry (two) and Eanna McGuckian to leave them ahead 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle.
While Loughgiel battled hard, Dunloy could have been further ahead at the interval. A number of missed frees looked to hurt their challenge while Caolan Christie could have had the opening goal of the final but he was denied by a Dunloy defence that scrambled to deny him.
McMahon opened the scoring in the second half with his second white flag but the Shamrock’s hit back with a brace of points from Joe Casey – the first off which from wide on the left and a ridiculous angle to breath fire into the Loughgiel challenge.
The Cuchullains turned the screw however and while the kept Loughgiel from scoring for over 20 minutes, they went on to open a 12 point lead. Scores coming from John Ferguson, six white flags from McGarry and PJ Molloy.
Dunloy’s goal came from a brilliant run by Euan Molloy as hit ran from deep, drawing in the Loughgiel defence. Showing skill and awareness, Molloy drilled the sliotar low as the bounce beat Loughgiel ‘keeper Ciaran Hennessy.
The Cuchullains could have added to their goal tally in that same period of time with Euan and PJ Molloy going close on difference occasions but a mix of brilliance from Hennessy and last gasp defending from the Shamrocks denied them.
With the game going into the final five minuets, Loughgiel went in search of goals. A point from Cody McGarry reduced the Dunloy lead to 11 points before McConville had a sight for goal from a 21 yard free but his effort was well saved by Dunloy ‘keeper Euan Brogan.
James McGarry pointed a free in the last minute of the hour to take his personal tally to double figures but Loughgiel continued to push for majors.
They finally got their reward in the second minute of injury time when Damien Laverty was first to a rebounded effort. The initial shot coming from Joe McFadden and while Brogan saved his effort, Laverty was first to the sliotar and made no mistake.
Eanna McGuckian rounded off the scoring with his second point of the final with what was the last action of the game as the Cuchullains ran out comfortable winners.
TEAMS
DUNLOY: Euan Brogan; Shane McGilligan, Ollie McClements, Cailean Hughes; Seamus McMullan, Eunan Curry, Oisin O’Brien; James McGarry, John Ferguson; Lorcan Martin, Damian McMahon, Eanna McGuckian; PJ Molloy, Euan Molloy, Ronan Elliott
Scorers: J McGarry 0-10 (6fs 1’65); E Molloy 1-2 (1f); D McMahon 0-2; E McGuckian 0-2; J Ferguson 0-1; PJ Molloy 0-1
LOUGHGIEL: Ciaran Hennessy; Lorcan Murtagh, Joe McFadden, Conor McCann; Aaron Gillan, Logan McConville, JJ McGarry; Domhnall McKay, Cahir McErlean; Joe Deary, Caolan Christie, Joseph Kinney; Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey, Cody McGarry
Subs: Aidan Barr-Laverty for J Kinney (44); Damien Laverty for C Christie (59)
Scorers: J Casey 0-3; J Deary 0-3 (3fs); D Laverty 1-00; C McCloskey 0-1; C McGarry 0-1
Referee: Shane McDonnell (Oisin’s, Glenariffe)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
https://myalbum.com/album/HupED9kk3QQvp4/?invite=e3429220-74ff-44bc-8b04-d7cd2da49bba