Main pic above – Cushendall’s two goal hero Oisin Woodhouse celebrates after scoring his second goal
Cushendall’s Fiontan Bradley in action against Dunloy’s Reece Cunning
JP Corry U21 Hurling Championship Semi Final
Cushendall 4-18 Dunloy 2-13
Tuesday 28 July
Brendan McTaggart reports from Cushendall
When Paudie Martin fired Dunloy’s second goal inside the opening five minutes of this semi final, not many could have foreseen what was about to transpire. Six points down and the visitors seemingly in the mood to run riot, Cushendall showed their character and fought back.
Their reign as U21 champions continues to the final next Wednesday as they saw off the challenge of the Cuchullains with a masterful display in the midsummer rain on the north coast. The Ruairi’s dominant, tireless, relentless.
Two goals in either half from Oisin Woodhouse along with majors from Joseph McLaughlin and a wonder-goal from Fiontan Bradley went some way in determining the outcome of this game. In truth, apart from those opening minutes, the Ruairi’s were too good on the day.
They did open the scoring despite the fast start from Dunloy. Joe McNaughton splitting the uprights from distance before Francis McMullan scored the opening goal of the contest. Collecting the sliotar, he still had work to do but his finish gave Charlie McNaughgton no chance between the sticks.
The second Cuchullain goal came barely 60 seconds later. A high ball into the square wasn’t dealt with by the Ruairi’s and Paudie Martin was on hand to punish the error. The Cuchullains were rampant in those early exchanges but Cushendall soon found their feet in the game.
Their first goal came in the seventh minute and came at the end of a quite brilliant move involving Fiontan Bradley and Thomas McLaughlin before Woodhouse fired home. An example of the unselfish nature of this Cushendall attack and it wouldn’t be the last time we would see it in the game.
Dunloy responded with a trio of unanswered white flags, Oisin McCallin, Francis McMullan and Oisin McCamphill with the scores but they wouldn’tregister another score for 14 minutes as the home side turned the screw.
Three scores in as many minutes from Fiontan Bradley (one free) came before further scores from Joe McNaughton and Darach Bradley as they restored parity to the scoreline in the 22nd minute.
Joseph McLaughlin fired Cushendall’s second goal from the penalty spot to give Cushendall the lead once again in the 24th minute, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the semi final.
A trio of scores from Joseph McLaughlin (2) and Fiontan Bradley came either side of frees from McCallin for Dunloy while Callagh Mooney and Oisin McCamphill swapped points in first half injury time to leave the home side ahead 2-11 to 2-7 at the half way mark.
Half time couldn’t come quick enough for the Cuchullains who needed to break the momentum Cushendall had built. They introduced Ollie McClements and Cahir McMullan while moving Oisin McCamphill into the full forward line but Cushendall continued where they left off once the second half began.
McCallin fired over a brace (one free) in response to a Nicholas McLaughlin point but the visitors wouldn’t register another score while Cushendall effectively put the game to bed in the same period.
Thomas and Joseph McLaughlin fired over before Woodhouse scored their third major in the 41st minute. Again, it came at the end of a lightning quick move that saw the Ruairi’s recycle possession and unselfishly find a team mate. Joe McNaughton and Joseph McLaughlin combining in the build-up for Woodhouse to expertly finish.
Fiontan Bradley (free) and Oisin McCamphill swapped scores before Bradley scored Cushendall’s fourth goal. Racing clear of a ruck, the Cushendall star showed power and pace before finishing one handed with a rifled effort to the top corner. An emphatic score and typical of the type of brilliance we have come accustomed to seeing from Bradley.
The last ten minutes of the tie saw Dunloy looking for goals but they got no change from a Cushendall defence led superbly by Sean McKay, Conor McCann and Paddy Morgan. Dunloy would add further points from Paudie Martin (two) and a McCallin free while Cushendall added points from Joe McNaughton (‘65), Thomas McLaughlin and substitute Killian McNaughton to safely see the Ruairi’s through to the decider in eight days time.
TEAMS
Cushendall Starting XV: Charlie McNaughton; Conor McCann, Sean McKay, Paddy Morgan; Alex McCambridge, Austin Birt, Charlie McAuley; Darach Bradley, Callagh Mooney; Thomas McLaughlin, Joe McNaughgton, Joseph McLaughlin; Fiontan Bradley, Oisin Woodhouse, Nicholas McNaughton
- Subs: Aodhan Campbell for A McCambridge (44); Fiontan McKillop for F Bradley (44); Killian McNaughton for N McLaughlin (58)
- Scorers: F Bradley 1-5 (2fs); O Woodhouse 2-1; J McLaughlin 1-3 (1-00 pen); J McNaughton 0-3 (1f, 1’65); T McLaughlin 0-2; D Bradley 0-1, C Mooney 0-1, N McLaughlin 0-1, K McNaughton 0-1
Dunloy Starting XV: Caolan McFerran; Eunan Curry, Sean Og Blaney, Reece Cunning; Ben O’Kane, Joe Magee, Aodhan McGarry; Ryan McClements, Oisin McCamphill; Francis McMullan, Luke McFerran, Paudie Martin; Conor Mort, Oisin McCallin, Jay McAlonan
- Subs: Cahir McMullan for R McClements (HT), Ollie McClements for C Mort (HT); John Ferguson for J McAlonan (53)
- Scorers: O McCallin 0-6 (5fs); P Martin 1-2; F McMullan 1-1; O McCamphill 0-3; J McAlonan 0-1
Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS OF THE GAME, CLICK THE LINK BELOW…..
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