Under 16 A Hurling Championship

Cushendall 2-14 Naomh Padraig (North Antrim) 3-17

When these two teams had meet 6 weeks ago in the league in Cushendun a late injury time goal by Cushendall had brought the game to a draw, and so with an anticipation of another keenly contested game a large crowd were in attendance in Cushendall for this championship clash.

With Ballycastle and Cushendall battling it out on the main pitch in the senior camogie championship at the Ruairi Og grounds, this match was played across the road on The Polo Grounds pitch with the unique atmosphere of the tight pitch added to by spectators at times lining the fence along the  Coast Road where they could take in both games.

The home support were treated to a masterclass by Conleth Mc Naughton in the first half saw him score all of Cushendalls first half scores from open play and frees with his team leading at the short whistle 1-8 to 1-6, John Og Darragh grabbing the Naomh Padraig goal.

Cushendall had stretched their lead out to 6 points early in the second half but an opportunist goal by second half substitute Rhys Murray for Naomh Padraig brought his team right back into it. Charlie Mc Auley and John Og Darragh were now finding their grove with some excellent points saw Naomh Padraig take the lead for the first time in the game heading into the final quarter. Jayden Kinney-Mc Naughton grabbed a goal for The Dall to set up an exciting finish but it was the Naomh Padraig boys who finished strongest as they sensed the clubs first ever victory at Under 16 A Championship within grasp , constantly turning over ball in the middle third with a superb individual goal from Rian Laverty sealing it for the visitors seeing them through to next weeks championship semi-final.