North Antrim Under 14 Hurling final

Naomh Padraig 1-13 Gael Na Cliniti 0-14

PICS BY SEAN TROWLEN

Naomh Padraig created history on Saturday when the club (in its 10th year) won its first ever “A” hurling title with a win over Gael na Cliniti (Cushendall & Glenariffe) in the North Antrim U14 championship final

Naomh Padraig went into the game as favourites having already won the league and the Tain Og Div 1 titles. However Gael na Cliniti who had beat reigning champions Dunloy in the semi final were in no mood to lie down and they produced a great display which nearly got them over the line. The game all square going into injury time – a power packed 90 seconds saw Naomh Padraig clinch the title in a fantastic advert for u-14 hurling.

Naomh Padraig started off well and two points from play from the fantastic Eoghan Lorcan “Bobo” Bradley got them up and running. The next few scores came from frees as Ruairi McQuillan and John og Darragh exchanged points. Gael Na Clinti were starting to get a foothold in the game as Sean McAuley and Lorcan McNaughton were driving them forward, with McAuley scoring a great point on the run from out on the wing. However John og Darragh who was a constant threat despite being double marked at times, added a good reply from play. Full back Ben Linton and Patrick McClean were rock solid in the Naomh Padraig defence. With 5 mins to go in the first half Naomh Padraig got in for the all important goal. Midfielder Killian Cassidy drove at the heart of the GNG defence before off loading to that man “Bobo” Bradley. Bradley showed the same instincts as his brother Fintan had shown in the earlier minor final with a rasper to the back of the GNG net. Gael Na Clinti responded with another converted free before Killian Cassidy sent over the final score of the half from play to send Naomh Padraig into the half break 1-7 to 0-7 ahead.

The second half was a real tense affair – as Gael Na Clinti started to claw their way back into the game. Centre half forward Lorcan McNaugton was having a real battle with Ollie Joe McAlonan – both lads starting to have a real influence on the game. McAlonan was ably assisted by Caleb McCaughan and Malachy McSparren.

Sean McAuley from frees was the main source of scores for GNG whilst Naomh Padraig’s scores were coming from their two big forward threats John og Darragh and Eoghan Lorcan Bradley.

With time heading into the last five minutes Gael Na Glinti had 2 great goal chances but Naomh Padraig keeper Liam McCelland was outstanding – pulling off two great saves and clearances. McCelland’s puckouts also a feature of the game.

With a minute to go, centre forward McNaughton drove through to equalise the game 1-10 to 0-13. The game was in the melting pot and the next score was going to be crucial. Killian Cassidy won the vital puckout and sent the ball into space for Conrad Bailey. Bailey found his full forward “Bobo” Bradley who in turn found his younger brother Oscar and he fired over the score of the game and put Naomh Padraig into the lead heading into injury time. They won the puck out and that man Bobo Bradley fired over another fantastic score from play on the wing. Moments later captain John og Darragh scored another point from play from distance and Naomh Padraig were three up and time almost up.

However their was one more attack and Gael Na Clinti delivered a long ball into their forwards, the ball broke and they pulled on the breaking ball. However it rose too high and went over the bar and that was their last attempt to try and snatch a draw.

The ref blew the final whistle and Naomh Padraig had hung on and created history with their first ever “A” title. The scenes of emotion from their supporters was evident as they congratulated their young stars.

Both teams can be proud of their effort and the quality of the hurling was excellent,  played on a fantastic surface in Cushendun.

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Naomh Padraig

1. Liam McCelland
2. Daniel Murray
3. Ben Linton
4. Patrick McClean
5. Caleb McCaughan
6. Ollie Joe McAlonan
7. Malachy McSparren
8. Killian Cassidy
9. Cillian Bellew
10. Conrad Bailey
11. John og Darragh
12. Jake Feetham
13. Joe McSparren
14. Eoghan Lorcan Bradley
15. Conal Devlin
16. Shane McCelland
17. Oscar Bradley
18. Charlie Reid
19. Locahlan Hill
20. Micheal McAlonan
21. Mason O’kane
22. Shane Magee
23. Conor Kinney