Countess of Antrim Cup Final
Final Score: Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-20 Cushendall Ruairí Óg 4-10
Venue: Cushendun
Loughgiel Shamrocks put on a blistering display of attacking hurling to claim the Countess of Antrim Cup on Monday evening, defeating a resilient Cushendall Ruairí Óg side that ultimately left themselves with a mountain too tall to climb.
A Blistering First Half by the Shamrocks set their intentions from the very first whistle. Shane O’Boyle opened the scoring just 29 seconds in, quickly following it up with a second point before Roan McGarry rattled the net from a free at the two minute mark. Cushendall struggled to cope with the early onslaught, managing only a single point from Christy McNaughton by the 7th minute.
Loughgiel’s relentless pressure, highlighted by accurate shooting from McGarry and a well-taken point from Paddy Laverty, saw them open up a commanding 1-07 to 0-01 lead after just eleven minutes. This electric start effectively laid the foundation for their victory.
Cushendall eventually found their footing. Points from Charlie McAuley and Callagh Mooney, along with a much-needed goal from Joe McNaughton in the 19th minute, briefly stemmed the tide. However, Loughgiel’s attack was too fluid. Shane O’Boyle grabbed a goal of his own, and with players like Ryan Hill, Tiago McGarry, and Ronan Fitzgerald all adding points, Loughgiel entered the dressing room at half-time with a comfortable eleven-point cushion (2-14 to 1-06).
To their credit, the Ruairís came out fighting in the second half. Fintan McKillop sparked hope with an early goal, but Loughgiel quickly extinguished the momentum. Within minutes, Shane O’Boyle found the back of the net for his second goal of the game, reasserting Loughgiel’s dominance.
Cushendall undeniably fared better in the latter thirty minutes. McKillop managed to secure a second goal to keep his team in the fight, and Callagh Mooney added a fourth green flag for the Ruairís late in the game. Christy McNaughton also kept the scoreboard ticking over with consistent frees and ’65s. Despite winning the second-half goal battle, Cushendall simply couldn’t close the massive gap established in the opening quarter.
Loughgiel managed the game out expertly, with late points from Ronan Fitzgerald ensuring they crossed the finish line as deserved 3-20 to 4-10 winners.
The standout players of the evening wore the Loughgiel colours. Roan McGarry was the Man of the Match, dictating the play and punishing Cushendall with incredible accuracy from both placed balls and open play. Shane O’Boyle was equally devastating, providing a massive attacking threat with two crucial goals and early points that set the tone, while Ronan Fitzgerald also starred.
For Cushendall, Fintan McKillop, Callagh Mooney and Christy McNaughton carried the main threat. McNaughton’s reliability on dead balls and Mooney’s constant drive and late goal ensured the Ruairís fought proudly until the final whistle, even when the game was drifting out of reach.
Loughgiel Shamrocks John Francis Connolly; Liam Glackin, Eddie Smyth, Ashdon McGarry; Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Conall McCloskey; Ronan Fitzgerald, Patrick Laverty; Finn Henry, Shane O’Boyle, Pearce Patterson; Roan McGarry, Ryan Hill, Conan Johnston.
Scorers: Roan McGarry 1-08 (1-04 frees), Shane O’Boyle 2-03, Ronan Fitzgerald 0-04, Patrick Laverty 0-01, Ryan Hill 0-01, Tiago McGarry 0-01, Paddy McGarry 0-01, Damien Quinn 0-01.
Cushendall Ruairí Óg Shane Coulter; Senan Black, Aodhan Campbell; Stephen Walsh, Paddy Sharpe; Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McNaughton, Darach Bradley; Ciaran Neeson, Christy McNaughton, Fintan McKillop.
Scorers: Fintan McKillop 2-02, Christy McNaughton 0-05 (0-02 frees, 0-02 ’65s), Callagh Mooney 1-01, Joseph McNaughton 1-00, Charlie McAuley 0-01, Ed McQuillan 0-01.
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