INTERMEDIATE FINAL, 1973

Cushendun 8-11 Glenarm 3-6.

Thanks to classical display of stickwork by midfielder Mick O Neill, Cushendun face the stimulating prospect next year of rubbing shoulders with the Antrim Senior Championship clubs. The Emmets brilliantly overcame a disturbing big-match mental barrier with this landslide win over gritty Glenarm at Dunloy. The prize – the Frank Corr Memorial Cup for the Intermediate hurling title.

First winners of the trophy were Sarsfields last year. They dished out a soul-destroying hammering to Cushendun in the final.

Unwelcome memories flooded back for Cushendun fans during the early moments of this final that produced many passages of top-class hurling and combination play. Glenarm launched an instant attack that had unnerving results for jittery Cushendun. Paul McCaughan tapped over a free in the second minute. Later captain Frank Ward sent over a spectacular point from a 70—still little offering from the Emmets.

Glenarm’s defence and, in particular, lanky Eddie Matthews, calmly cut off a few abortive and ill-organised raids by the Emmets. Proof of the nervous tension in the Cushendun camp was clearly illustrated when Martin McKeegan badly missed from a close free.

Glenarm, playing with supreme confidence, received an additional boost when Kevin Mulvenna’s accurate cross was blasted to the net by winger Pat Robinson in the 10th minute.

Mick O Neill replied with two points and then Ward pushed Glenarm ahead to four points in the 20th minute. During this period of Cushendun containment, Glenarm should have recorded more scores but their ace in the pack – Paul McCaughan – found it almost impossible to shed the shadow of Kevin “Brass” McKendry.

This gave Cushendun additional time to settle but they still lacked conviction. A Pat Kinney pass sent Turlough McKeegan through for that badly needed goal in the 22nd minute but the score was strangely disallowed. Instead a 21 yard free was given. Long-haired O Neill, a man for all seasons in this exciting Cushendun outfit, sensed the urgency of a tension-settling score. He whacked a blistering shot through the packed goalline and the Emmets were back in business.

Goalie Forsythe saved the day on two occasions as Cushendun forged forward with confidence. Seamus Graham equalised five minites from the interval and then a slick movement, involving Paddy Hamilton and Terry O Hara, was brilliantly completed by Turlough McKeegan, who hooked the ball to the net.

Willie Mitchell (Glenarm) and Martin McKeegan shared points leaving Cushendun ahead 2-4 to 1-4 at the interval.

It was all to play for, but there was the strong hint that Cushendun were just clicking into top gear.

Corner forward Eamonn McLister proved the point after one minute when his palmed effort took Forsythe by surprise. Two minutes later full forward Turlough McKeegan crashed home another goal.

The remainder of the match was but a formality as Cushendun took complete control. Mick O Neill pulled the strings and the Emmets produced some exhilarating play that augurs well for their senior return.

Glenarm tried desperately hard and despite the score pushed the improving Emmets all the way. But there was little they could do to cope with the class of Mick O Neill, whose reading of the game was a cut above the ordinary. The team’s top scorer (3-5), gave an exhibition of how the game should be played. Yet, while Mick’s mastery was the highlight of this convincing breakthrough, victory was by no means a one-man show.

McKendry at centre half, held an effective grip of the talented McCaughan and prevented Glenarm’s attack of achieving their full pontential. Behind “Brass” was cool-headed county player Dan McKeegan, flanked by reliable John Blaney and Hugh O Hara. O Neill’s partner, Seamus Graham, never put a foot wrong and his crisp ground hurling helped to keep the eager attack well supplied.

Up front, the punishing runs of Martin McKeegan brought a certain degree of panic in the Glenarm defence. Brother Turlough made full use of every opportunity, while Paddy Hamilton regularly produced some polished stickwork.

In the second half the complete attack, taking in hard-grafting Terry O Hara, nippy Eamonn McLister and eagle-eyed Paddy Kinney, rarely gave the Glenarm defence respite.

Goalie Forsythe tried hard to get Glenarm going when he was moved to full forward. Eddie Matthews and Frank Burleigh were consistent in defence while rugged Frank Ward never stopped working. Up front the attack lacked punch with McCaughan smothered.

Cushendun marksmen: M. O Neill 3-5, T. McKeegan, P. Kinney 2-0 each, E. McLister 1-0, M. McKeegan 0-3, T. O Hara 0-2 and S. Graham 0-1.

Glenarm marksmen: F. Ward 1-3, P. Robinson A. Forsythe 1-0 each, P. McCaughan 0-2, W. Mitchell 0-1.

Cushendun: Pat McKeegan, Hugh O Hara, Dan McKeegan (capt.), John Blaney, Bobby McLister, Kevin McKendry, Tim O Hara, Mick O Neill, Seamus Graham, Terry O Hara, Martin McKeegan, Paddy Hamilton, Eamonn McLister, Turlough McKeegan and Paddy Kinney.

Glenarm: Arthur Forsythe, Eddie Matthews, Liam McAuley, John Heggarty, Alex McNeill, Frank Burleigh, Liam McKillion, Willie Mitchell, Frank Ward (capt.), Pat Robinson, Paul McCaughan, Kevin Mulvenna, Seamus Morgan, Charlie McKillop and Tom Mitchell.

Referee John Pat Mulholland (Loughgiel).