Antrim Hurling League Division 1
Rossa 0-19 Oisins 0-16
Last year’s Division 2 winners Glenariffe traveled to Pairc Rossa and delivered a performance full of grit and quality, but it was the home side who ultimately secured the points in this highly competitive Antrim Senior Hurling Division 1 encounter. Surviving a missed penalty and immense pressure, Rossa finished strongly to record a 0-19 to 0-16 victory in a match where both sets of forwards showcased exceptional long-range shooting.
Rossa opened the scoring through Eoghan McMenamin, but Glenariffe quickly demonstrated they were more than up for the challenge. Alex O’Boyle was in scintillating form early on, leveling the game from play before showcasing his dead-ball prowess with a free and a beautifully struck sideline cut. The defining moment of the first half arrived when Rossa was awarded a penalty. Deaglan Murphy stepped up to take it, but Glenariffe goalkeeper Paul McMullan produced a stunning, full-stretch save to deny the hosts a crucial goal. Unfazed, Murphy converted the resulting ’65 and added a pair of long-range frees to keep Rossa ticking over.
Glenariffe’s defense put in some unbelievable blocks, keeping the Rossa attack at bay while their forwards capitalized at the other end. Orrin O’Connor slotted over a brilliant point under severe pressure from the right flank, and Aaron Cosgrove finished off a well-worked team move with back-to-back points. However, Rossa managed to edge ahead before the break thanks to fine scores from Sean McEnhill and Dáire Murphy, taking a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 lead into halftime after a hard fought half.
Rossa burst out of the gates in the second half, registering two quick points in the opening minute through Dáire Murphy and Daire Rocks to establish a cushion. The second half soon turned into a spectacular shootout, featuring some extraordinary long-range striking. Glenariffe’s Alex O’Boyle was phenomenal, launching a massive point from the edge of his own ‘D’ and converting another free from deep inside his own half. The Glenariffe sideline made a tactical switch, bringing on Michael O’Boyle for Colla Ward, and it paid immediate dividends as the substitute hit the ground running.
Michael O’Boyle scored twice from play, including a magnificent over-the-shoulder point from the far left wing, while Calum McIlwaine also added his name to the scoresheet with a great point under severe pressure. Despite Glenariffe’s heroics, Rossa’s experience and accuracy ultimately told. Deaglan Murphy was relentless from placed balls, punishing any Glenariffe indiscipline, and Sean McEnhill stepped up in the crucial closing stages, landing two fantastic long-range scores under heavy pressure from the right wing. Despite some frustrations aired on the sidelines regarding the officiating, it was a thoroughly entertaining game. Rossa’s late surge saw them close out the match with a final scoreline of 0-19 to 0-16, but newly promoted Glenariffe will take massive positives from a performance that proved they belong in the top flight.
Rossa
- Donal Armstrong
- Niall Crossan
- Ciarán Orchin
- Conall Shortt
- Diarmaid Rogan
- Declan McCartney
- Jack O’Loughlin
- Eoin Trainor
- Deaglan Murphy
- Liam McEnhill
- Pearce Short
- Conor Boyle
- Dara Rocks
- Dáire Murphy
- Eoghan McMenamin
Oisín CLG (Glenariffe)
- Paul McMullan
- Odhran Gillan
- Colla Ward
- Conor Patterson
- Cailin Devlin
- Daniel Kearney
- Donall Kearney
- Calum McIlwaine
- James Kearney
- Niall Magee
- Oliver Kearney
- Orrin O’Connor
- Alex O’Boyle
- David Kearney
- Aaron Cosgrove
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THSI GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
https://myalbum.com/album/Vmy4iGwzPr6Qvq/?invite=e21efcaa-0416-4b1e-8c6e-b96412913d6e