Cushendun defender Donal O’Hara speaks to Brendan McTaggart after his side were defeated in the Intermediate Final…
Cushendun’s centre half Donal O’Hara was with friends and family at the final whistle, taking in his surroundings when we approached him for an interview. Graciously, O’Hara didn’t think twice. A leader on the pitch for the Emmett’s and showing those attributes also in defeat. “Ahoghill are a good team” O’Hara started, “they’ve been there or there abouts for the last number of years. They are a good hard side to put away. I thought the first half they were the better team but the second half we came out and showed what we could do for 20 minutes but they sort of took over in the last ten.”
Having trailed by three at the interval, Cushendun were superb after the restart and converted that three point deficit into a three point lead inside just 17 minutes such was their domination. All roads pointed towards the Emmett’s pushing for victory but O’Hara paid tribute to Clooney Gaels on how they came back into the final with their backs to the wall: “We hit a few wides but we maybe took our foot off the pedal as a collective and they came back into it. Fair play to them. They never stopped and kept coming back at us. We just couldn’t get back into it in those last 10.”
He continued: “It’s great for a club like ours to get here. It’s probably the two smallest clubs in Intermediate to get to the final. It’s great for us. We won the Junior four years ago and shows how much we’ve progressed. We played in the first division for a year there and we didn’t win anything but we learned plenty and never gave up and it was tough going. We kept going and I suppose it shows what our lads have in them too, after a long season of not winning, we brought it back and got to the final of the Intermediate. On another day we could have won it but it wasn’t to be.”
Despite defeat, O’Hara said the 2022 season has been another step on the trajectory of Cushendun and insists they will be back again to challenge for the Intermediate honours: “The future’s bright. We just have to keep pushing on. There’s some really good hurlers in this squad and we’ve just got to keep going.
When we started, there was a group of us lads in the fourth division. We’ve shown a willingness and determination to push this club on, hopefully we’ll be back here in 12 months time and win it this time.”
Clooney Gaels star James O’Connell speaks with Brendan McTaggart after his side powered to the Intermediate Title against Cushendun….
Clooney Gaels forward James O’Connell was the star of the show on Saturday as his side defeated Cushendun by four points. O’Connell himself would finish with 13 points out of the Gaels tally of 1-19 in an exhibition of score taking and accuracy from placed ball.
He told us that the pain of defeat at the same stage two years ago was the main driving force for his side to claim the Intermediate title: “Unbelievable. A couple of years ago when we were beaten by Randalstown, it was a lonely place walking off after. With Covid there was no changing rooms and it was just a bunch of lads walking back to the car. It was the most depressing time, I swear to God but look at how we dug deep out there today. The game looked like it was getting away from us, three points down but men stepped up all over the pitch.”
Despite his scoring exploits, O’Connell was able to laugh off the chance he missed for a major in the first half when he laughed: “I had a goal chance, thought I had a little more time than I had but obviously not.”
Being on the back foot for the majority of the second half, the Gaels found something within them to turn their fortunes around in the final ten minutes. Their midfield and half back line dominated the restarts and forced turnovers which brought it’s own momentum. O’Connell wasn’t sure on how the momentum swung so dramatically while he played down his own performance, putting it down as ‘one of those days’ when he continued: “It just clicked today for some reason, it happens sometimes. But look, a couple of years ago against Randalstown I didn’t hit a ball the whole day. It just happens that way sometimes, sometimes you get the drop of the ball.”
In what was a titanic tussle, O’Connell was full of praise for the Emmett’s and gave his own prediction for the beaten finalists: “I’m friendly enough with Donal O’Hara and Conor (McHugh) through Jordanstown and that. How those lads reached this final after getting beat in every game in Division One this year, it’s a credit to them. You know what I mean, they are going to win one. There’s no doubt in my mind they are going to win one. They were beat in the junior before claiming it, there’s a championship going to Cushendun in the next couple of years.”
Last weekend I was part of the Saffron Gael team who covered all the football, hurling and camogie finals in Antrim and like my fellow colleagues I got great satisfaction in helping to record these moments in history that will still be there after most of us have gone.
A former friend-now sadly deceased once said to me at a game “PADDY, IT’S A GREAT GAME WHEN YOUR WINNING” and while I didn’t quite realise the impact of that statement at the time I have come to see what he was talking about over the years.
The joy and happiness and great sense of club and community can be best witnessed after a club has won a county title after the game, as their supporters and fellow club-members race onto the field to greet their heroes and fellow club members after the game.
These celebrations are more profound when a club hasn’t lifted a county title for a while and on Saturday I had the privilege to attend such finals and the celebrations that followed them.
Because of space restrictions that accompany reports I am publishing some of these celebration photographs on their own for the enjoyment of the spectators of Glenarm and Ahoghill and offer my congratulations to those clubs on their weekend achievements.
With just over ten minutes of this final remaining, it looked like Cushendun were on the cusp of adding to the junior crown they claimed so memorably just four years ago. The men from Clooney were in no mood to listen to any fairy-tale endings at Dunsilly however. Led by the brilliant James O’Connell, the Gaels were simply superb in the closing stages, turning a three point deficit into a four point victory.
James O’Connell who scored 13 points in Cloney Gaels win over Cushendun
This was a final that brought a rollercoaster of emotions for those in attendance. Clooney Gaels looked much brighter and hungrier in the first half, taking a three point lead and could have been further ahead but for a brilliant penalty save from ‘keeper Gareth McGhee. Cushendun came out in the second half a different side however. With Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeil firing over frees from all angles and captain Harry Kilgore at the heart of everything the Emmett’s had to offer, Cushendun looked most likely to take the Intermediate crown. However, the introduction of Eoin Graham and a second wind for James O’Connell in the closing stages ensured the red and black army of Clooney were celebrating at the final whistle.
James O’Connell top scored with 0-13 for his hours work with five points from play. A scintillating display, especially in the first half where he was simply too good for the Cushendun defence. Jack McKay was his equal as Cushendun turned the screw after the half time break but O’Connell’s accuracy from frees and overall attacking play was on another level. He scored the final point of the game with an outrageous point with his feet closing on the whitewash on the right hand side and barely 21 yards from goal. A fitting end to a final where his light shone brightest for the men in red and black.
Patrick Graham fires in his side’s opening goal. Gareth McGhee got his hurl to the ball but it spun off the hurl and into the net.
Both sides started brightly at Dunsilly with O’Connell’s free opening the scoring with barely a minute gone. Cushendun fired over an instant reply from Matthew McCartin before Callum Kilgore gave the Emmett’s an early lead. It was short lived however as the Gaels went up another level. A huge free form Fionnbar O’Neill restored parity before Patrick Graham hit the opening goal of the tie. James O’Connell collecting the sliotar and passed to the rushing Patrick Graham. His fierce shot was blocked initially by McGhee in goals but the sliotar managed to get over the line despite the Emmett’s best efforts.
Cushendun reacted well to the concession of the goal with Harry Kilgore and McNeill splitting the uprights either side of another James O’Connell point. The Gaels began to stretch their legs though with Pat Graham and a trio of james O’Connell points (2fs) were only responded to by a solitary score from Conor McHugh to leave five between the sides after the first quarter.
The Gaels maintained their five point lead with both sides firing over a brace of scores, Cushendun more wasteful in front of the target but they found a glimmer of hope in the 28th minute when they scored their major. Harry Kilgore finding David Gilgore and with a sharp turn he found himself one on one with Francis Neeson and made no mistake to leave two between the sides.
A super score from Ronan Graham from wide on the right followed before the Gaels forced another goal chance. PJ O’Connell was brought down in the large square when he was through on goal and referee Ciaran McCloskey awarded a penalty. Francis Neeson made his way up the pitch from between the Clooney sticks for the penalty but his effort was superbly saved by McGhee with the half time whistle going soon after to leave the Ahoghill me 1-10 to 1-07 ahead at the interval.
David Kilgore fires in Cushendun’s goal just before the interval to bring his team right back into the game
With the elements swirling in their favour, Cushendun made a rapid start to the second half. Conrad McDonnell and McNeill (free) reduced the Clooney lead to the minimum before Neil ‘Boris’ O’Connell split the posts for the Gaels. It was their last score for close to ten minutes however as the Emmett’s began to dominate the middle third, forcing errors from the Gaels and Loaf McNeill punished any indiscretions with expert ease from placed ball. A trio of frees came between scores from Harry Kilgore and Conor McHugh to leave Cushendun three ahead with just over ten minutes remaining. McHugh’s score quite brilliant with three passes from one end of the pitch to the other in next to no time before he split the posts.
The tatood arm of team captain Eamonn Brady hold the cup aloft
Cushendun appeared to be well in control, such was their dominance of the Gaels but they found something extra with their championship lives on the line.
The introduction of Eoin Graham certainly gave them an extra dimension in attack and with James O’Connell once again thick in the heart of the Clooney Gaels renaissance. He would fire over a brace of frees before showing his predatory attacking instincts with a tidy score to leave the scores tied after a run of three points in as many minutes.
Another O’Connell free preceded scores from substitute Eoin Graham, his brace leaving four between the sides again in favour of the Ahoghill men.
A super score from Donal O’Hara gave Cushendun a glimmer of hope but the Gaels were not to be denied. O’Connell’s final score outrageous and a fitting end to a quite brilliant display that had those in red and black celebrating at the final whistle.
TEAMS
Cushendun: Gareth McGhee; Sean Hamilton, Aidan Corbett, Jack McKay; Tom Scally, Donal O’Hara, Oisin McMahon; Matthew McCartin, Conor McHugh; Conleth McNeill, Harry Kilgore, Calum Kilgore; Conor Bannon, David Kilgore, Conrad McDonnell
Scorers: C McNeill 0-5 (4fs); C McHugh 0-3; H Kilgore 0-3; D Kilgore 1-00; D O’Hara 0-1; M McCartin 0-1; C Kilgore 0-1; C McDonnell 0-1
ClooneyGaels: Francis Neeson; Harry O’Donnell, James Magee, Diarmuid Graham; Fionnbar O’Neill, Bernard Graham, Daniel O’Neill; Eamonn Brady, Neill O’Connell; Ronan Graham, Thomas McGlone, Patrick Graham; PJ O’Connell, Donal Graham, James O’Connell
Scorers: J O’Connell 0-13 (8fs); P Graham 1-1; Eoin Graham 0-2; F O’Neill 0-1 (1f); N O’Connell 0-1; R Graham 0-1
Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)
Paddy McIlwaine presents the Saffron Gael man of the match award to James O’Connell Gareth McGhee saves a penalty just befone the interval
Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championshp Final
Saturday – 4-00pm Dunsilly
Cloney Gaels v Robert Emmet’s
Saturday’s Andersonstown Social Club IHC Final between Cloney Gaels, Ahoghill and Robert Emmet’s, Cushendun looks too close to call. Arguments can certainly be made on the merits of both sides to lift the trophy but in the end I believe it will be down to which side produces their ultimate performance on the day.
Cushendun played their hurling in Division 1 of the ACHL this year after gaining promotion from division 2 last year and it has proved to be a difficult season for the North Antrim side who failed to win any of their league games.
Cloney Gales goalkeeper Francis Neeson Ex Dunloy and Antrim star Gareth McGhee will guard the Emmet’s goal
Having lost out in last season’s Intermediate championship at the semi-final stage they had something to focus on to lift the gloom, and though their championship campaign started badly, when they lost to Saturday’s opponents in Ahoghill, they have turned things around. They stand only one game away from an Intermediate title, but it is a title they will have to work for.
Standing in their way is the considerable hurdle of Cloney Gaels Ahoghill who have been the outstanding side in this year’s Intermediate Championship and under the guidance of Hugh Dobbin and Shea O’Hagan have turned in consistently high scoring performances.
Cloney finished second in division 2 of the ACHL this season with 12 wins and one draw from 16 starts, a point behind eventual winners, Cathaoir an Ri who they defeated heavily in Cloney in the league but lost to in Ballyvoy.
Cushendun’s David Kilgore has been among the top scorers from play this season
Saturday’s finalists were drawn together in Group 2 of the Intermediate Hurling championship and it was the Ahoghill side who got off to the better start when they defeated Emmet’s in a high scoring game in Cloney on the 3d August by 3-18 to 1-17, despite being short one of their star men, PJ O’Connell.
Cloney Gaels went on to top the group with wins over Gort na Mona, Tir na nOg and St. Paul’s with Robert Emmet’s finishing second on score difference to Tir na nOg after wins over Gort na Mona and St. Paul’s and a vital draw with Tir na nÓg at Whitehill.
As group 2 winners Cloney Gaels were drawn against St. Gall’s in the semi-final at Dunsilly while Robert Emmet’s faced what looked a difficult semi-final draw against group 1 winners, Oisin, Glenariffe in Cushendall the following day.
Both sides nothched up resounding victories with Cloney Gaels recording a 4-16 to 0-9 win over the Milltown men at Dunsilly and the Emmet’s outscoring Oisin’s 5-15 to 2-16 in Cushendall.
James O’Connell has been among the goals for Cloney during this championship run
Both sides have been prolific in their scoring throughout the championship with Cloney Gaels hitting 18 in the group stages and adding another 4 in their semi-final win over St. Gall’s while Cushendun only managed 11 in their group games but scored five against Glenariffe in the semi-final which suggests they may be peaking just at the right time.
Gareth McGhee brings a wealth of experience in goals for Cushendun and Aidan Corbett, Tom Scally and Donal O’Hara are accomplished defenders.
Conor McHugh is likely to figure at mid-field while Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill and the Kilgore’s, Harry Calum and David carry a considerable threat in attack.
Like the Emmet’s, Cloney Gaels are likely to field along familiar lines with Frankie Neeson a strong and reliable net-minder and James Magee, Fionnbar and Dan O’Neill and Bernard Graham anchoring a defence who don’t usually give much away.
Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill has been on target from play and from frees this season
At mid-field the power of Neil O’Connell and the pace of Eamonn Brady complement each other while the O’Connell’s, James and PJ are prolific scorers and Thomas McGlone and Patrick and Donal Graham are all capable of weighing in with vital scores.
As I said at the start of my preview, this one looks too tight to call but if I were forced to make that call then I would give Cloney Gaels a tentative nod.
