Antrim Minor Hurling Championship semi-final
Cushendall 0-30 Dunloy 2-21
Cuushendall secured a place in the Antrim Minor Hurling Championship when they beat Dunloy in Sunday’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuire, in an absolutely absorbing contest.
There were signs of nerves on both team in the early stages of the game and it was five minutes before McCallin raised the first flag of the game. Dylan McNaughton brought Cushendall level a minute later but McCallin came back with a goal soon afterwards and for the remainder of the first half they held the upper hand. Cahir McCambridge and Callagh Mooney pointed to leave just a point between the sides but Dunloy looked the livelier side and points from Damian Kinsella, Oisin McCallin and two by Emmet McKendry saw them move 1-05 to 0-04 ahead by the end of the opening quarter. A run of scores from Fiontan Bradley (2), Thomas McLaughlin and Cahir McCambridge steadied the ship for Cushendall and they were just couple of points between the sides with half time fast approaching. However a goal by Damian Kinsella just before the break helped Dunloy open a five point gap at the short whistle.
Five points in arrears at half time Cushendall set about reeling Dunloy in and by the 55th minute they drew level with an Oran McCambridge point. With the game level entering injury time Cushendall were awarded a penalty but Fiontan Bradley’s well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Dunloy keeper Damian McMahon. Dunloy had a chance at the other end seconds later but when the ball was cleared back up the field Cahir McCambridge appeared to have hit the winner for the home side when he fired over, but there was still time for Oisin McCallin to bring Dunloy back level and bring the game to extra time.
The Ruairis dominated the first half of extra time and hit the first five scores but McCallin closed the gap to four just before the change of ends. The Dunloy full forward brought his team closer with another point four minutes into the second half of extra time as the tension grew more intense, but Nicholas McLaughlin settled the nerves of the home fans a little with two quick points to put them five clear.
In the final minutes Dunloy pulled two back, McCallin getting the first and substitute Daire Elliott getting the other, but that was as close as they would get and the Ruairis held on the secure a place in the final against neighbours Glenariffe-Glenravel.
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