Cushendall travelled to Ballycastle on Tuesday evening knowing they needed a win over the hosts and a Dunloy win over Loughgiel to keep their league title hopes alive. As things turned out both results went against them, giving the Shamrocks the title, but the Ruairis gave their game a very good run.
Trailing by a point at half time (2-4 to 1-8) Cushendall came out in the second half and hit five points in a row to put themselves in the driving seat, but the Town hit back with a goal and three of their own to swing the game back in their favour and though Lara Haughey got a late point to cut the gap back to the minimum, the home side held on for the win.
Player fo the match Janey McIntosh gave Ballycastle and early lead with a point, and though Dervla Cosgrove brought Cushendall level, points from Samantha McKillen, Janey McIntosh and Aine Donnelly put them three ahead.
Goals from full forward Laura McMullan and corner forward Orlaith McAlister gave Cushendall the edge, but Shannon Graham and Aine Donnelly pointed to edge the Town in front by a single point at half time.
Four in a row by Dervla Cosgrove and one from Brogan Abram swung the game back in the Ruairiettes favour but a second goal from Janey McIntosh started a run that brought Ballycastle two clear again, Niamh Cosgrove, Aine Donnelly and Shanon Graham getting the points. Dervla Cosgrove and Ellen McIntosh exchanged points to keep the gap at two, and though Lara Haughey pulled one back near the end for Cushendall, that was as close as they got.
Loughgiel wrapped up another league title when they beat Dunloy in their final league game of the campaign at Fr Healy Park on Tuesday evening. Cushendall were still in contention for the title going into their last game but a one point defeat in Ballycastle ruled them out of contention.
Loughgiel were three ahead after ten minutes, two of the points coming from Roisin McCormick and one from Annie Lynn but points from Aine Magill and Caoimhe Molloy kept Dunloy in touch. However when Roisin McCormick drove a low shot across the Dunloy keeper Mary Martin to the corner of the net the Shamrocks began to open up a gap and by half time there were 1-7 to 0-5 in front.
When Annie Lynn got Loughgiel’s second goal early in the second half the gap began to widen as an understrength Dunloy struggled to get to the pace of the game. They were getting a good share of possession but the score were not coming freely. Aine Magill got a point from a narrow angle on the right but it was to be Dunloy’s last score while Loughgiel ran riot, hitting a further 3-7 in the final ten minutes, three of them coming in the last three minutes, two from Orlagh Laverty and one from Emma McMullan
Emma McMullan swings one handed to send the ball to the Dunloy net late in the game Orlagh Laverty pulls the ball to the Dunloy net
A determined team performance from Cargin ensured that they were victorious and lifted their first Minor League Title in Dunsilly on Friday night.
In a tight battle with the combined team of GortnaMona/Sarsfields it made for a thrilling final. Cargin were first on the score board with a fine free from Sarah O’Neill however the Belfast side were quick to settle and soon had 1.1 with no Cargin response. The Toomebridge girls weren’t going to lie down and kept battling hard however the scores weren’t easy to come by with a goal overruled by a square ball and some excellent defending from GortnaMona/Sarsfields keeper, the ball didn’t seem like it was ever going to cross the line.
The Cargin girls kept the pressure on and were rewarded with a fine goal from Holly Mae Graham, further scores were added with a few frees from Sarah O’Neill to finish at half time with a score of 2.7 to 1.1.
After the break Cargin settled quicker and were rewarded for the hard work and determination winning lots of the balls in the mid of the pitch and moving the ball fast to the forward line who were waiting and willing to take their scores.
A personal tally of 2-7 from the excellent Sarah O’Neill paved the way for a great victory, the skillful Captain showed great leadership and supportive team play; she was ably assisted by Eimear McErlain who finished with a another brace and some well earned points. Eilyn Woulahan showed great courage and strength on the field of play, supporting her teammates throughout.
They weren’t the only players who showed leadership qualities Cargin had a solid defence who refused to let the feisty Belfast players through. The persistent Alex Johnston took control of the full back line and Erin O’Neill ensured that all loose balls were dealt with accordingly and they didn’t have to look far on the pitch for support. Aimee Johnston was determined throughout and was well supported by the Roisin Quinn whose long striking ensured that the ball stayed in the Cargin scoring half, she also stepped up for her own excellent long range point.
A great pairing in midfield with Orlaith Johnston and Laura Scullion proved too strong for the GortnaMona/Sarfields team, the greater desire and fighting spirit shone through with superb catches and bursting runs at the defence finished off with unselfish play to the forwards Cathy Craig and Elena Sidebottom who were able to get excellent scores from tight angles.
GortnaMona/Sarsfields didn’t give up on the battle testing the Cargin defence and adding another goal and point in the second half. Tara McLaron and Lucía Sidebottom made it difficult for them to break through and they had great difficulty getting balls past the determined Orla Dobbin who took great control of the defence from her goal line.
A hard fought battle and a great result for the girls from Cargin.
Teams: Orla Dobbin, Tara McLarnon, Alex Johnston, Lucía Sidebottom, Roísín Quinn, Erin O’Neill, Aimee Johnston, Orlaith Johnston, Laura Scullion, Eilyn Woulahan, Sarah O’Neill (Captain), Holly Mae Graham, Cathy Craig, Eimear McErlain, Elena Sidebottom.
Scorers: S O’Neill 2-7, E McErlain 2-4, HM Graham 1-1, R Quinn 0-1, E Sidebottom 0-1, C Craig 0-1
Loughgiel Shamrocks launched their new Senior Hurling and Senior Camogie kits in the Fr Healy Park clubrooms on Monday evening with two new sponsors coming on board. Contact Marketing, which incorporates Clinivet and Favour Pet Foods, whose joint managing directors are Steven and Neilly McGarry, both ex Loughgiel Shamrocks hurlers, are the main sponsors. The Favour brand will be the front of jersey sponsor and the Clinivet brand will be the sleeve sponsor for the next 3 years. Óg Management, a Chicago based property management firm owned by Loughgiel ex-pat Maurice Óg Connolly are sponsoring the back of the shirt for the next 3 years, as well as sponsoring the Junior and U19 jerseys for a similar term.
Steven (left) and Neilly McGarry (right) of Contact Marketing N.I. with Loughgiel hurling captain Declan McCloskey, camogie captain Christine Laverty and club treasurer Tony McCloskey at Monday evening’s launch of the club’s sponsorship deal.
Club Treasurer Tony McCloskey outlined the return to the more traditional blood red jersey design for the hurlers and outlined the terms of the sponsorship package to the gathered members. He also paid tribute to the previous jersey sponsors (Laverty Haulage/Properties and Loughgiel Credit Union) and noted that he hoped the strong links with them could continue in future. Joint Managing Directors of Contact Marketing NI, Steven & Neilly McGarry outlined their pride at being involved with the senior teams and their hopes that the investment might assist the development of the coaching and players within the club.
Canon Sean Connolly and his brother Maurice Connolly, uncle and father of Maurice Og Connolly of Og Management, Chicago, Illinois with Loughgiel hurling captain Declan McCloskey, camogie captain Christine Laverty and club chairman Paul Glackin at the Loughgiel jersey launch
Canon Sean Connolly, an uncle to Maurice Óg Connolly outlined the work of the Óg Management company in Chicago and noted that this sponsorship was proof that Maurice Óg had never lost his grá for his home club. Representatives from both senior Camogie and Hurling management teams, Conor Higgins & Hugh McCann briefly outlined how their season had been going and looked forward to their respective senior championship campaigns. Senior Camogie and hurling captains Christine Laverty and Declan McCloskey were wearing the new look senior jerseys, with younger members keen to get a look up close at the new design. Club chairman Paul Glackin concluded proceedings, paying tribute to the families of the main sponsors past and present and to all for showing their support.
MC for the evening Justin McCormick chats with Conor Higgins of the Loughgiel Camogie management team and senior team manager Hugh McCann.
The young camogs of Cushendall and Loughgiel served up a thrilling league final on Friday evening at St Patrick’s Park, Carey. Ruairi Og entered the game as favourites but it was Loughgiel who made the better start and they recorded the first score from a Caela Casey free. Cushendall began to settle into the game, Mia McKeegan pointed from play and her score was soon followed by two in a row from full forward Cliodhna Thompson, one from a free and the other from play from out on the right wing.
However Loughgiel came roaring back when Rose McMullan gathered the ball 35 yards from the Dall goal, she soloed in and fired a brilliant shot to the top corner of Ellen McAlister’s net to wrestle back the lead for her team. The lead lasted all of two minutes as Cushendall worked the ball up the field through the hard working Tamara Black and after a goal mouth shemozzle Laoiseach McNaughton was on hand to finish to the net for Cushendall. Cliodhna Thompson added two points either side of a goal when Mia McKeegan’s long range effort for a point ended up in the Loughgiel net. Caela Casey stopped the rot for Loughgiel with another well taken free but Cushendall finished the half strongly. Scarlet Kerr-McKillop played a low ball to Cliodhna Thompson, she won possession, rounded Kelsie Laverty and finished to the net to leave the score at half time Ruairi Og 3-5 Shamrocks 1-2.
If Loughgiel were going to win the game then they needed a good start in the 2nd half but it was Cushendall who got out of the traps quickest. Laoiseach McNaughton kicked in a goal after another goal mouth scramble. Scarlet Kerr-McKillop had been pushed further up the field and she fired over a nice point despite the close attention of Anna Smyth. Cushendall had earlier sprung Ellena McQuillan from the bench and she made a major contribution with two quick fire goals, she was in the right place at the right time to finish two ground strokes. Loughgiel showed great character to again fight back. Catherine McGarry hit a lovely point and followed it with a super goal. Rose McMullan converted a free to give her side hope. Cushendall however finished the game in style, Cliodhna Thompson, now operating at midfield, converted a free and a 45. Mia McKeegan and Scarlet Kerr-McKillop put the icing on the cake with a point a piece to leave the final score Ruairi Og 6-10 Shamrocks 2-4.
If Loughgiel were going to win the game then they needed a good start in the 2nd half but it was Cushendall who got out of the traps quickest. Laoiseach McNaughton kicked in a goal after another goal mouth scramble. Scarlet Kerr-McKillop had been pushed further up the field and she fired over a nice point despite the close attention of Anna Smyth. Cushendall had earlier sprung Ellena McQuillan from the bench and she made a major contribution with two quick fire goals, she was in the right place at the right time to finish two ground strokes. Loughgiel showed great character to again fight back. Catherine McGarry hit a lovely point and followed it with a super goal. Rose McMullan converted a free to give her side hope. Cushendall however finished the game in style, Cliodhna Thompson, now operating at midfield, converted a free and a 45. Mia McKeegan and Scarlet Kerr-McKillop put the icing on the cake with a point a piece to leave the final score Ruairi Og 6-10 Shamrocks 2-4.
