Senior Reserve Cup Hurling – Group 1

Cushendall 2-16 Rossa 1-8

Cushendall made it two wins out of two in Group 1 of the Senior Reserve Hurling Cup when they beat Rossa on Monday night at Paric Mhuire. Boosted by a good start he Ruairis were four to the good at the break (1-8 to 1-4) against a Rossa side who were making them work for anything they got. The third quarter was closely contested and the gap was still four at the water-break, but Cushendall finished strongly with a goal and three points to win well in the end.

With midfielder Scott Walsh running the show Cushendall hit the first four scores of the game, three from Walsh and one from full-forward Paddy Doherty but once they got going Rossa started to show a bit of belief and a great point from Jim Reynolds settled them down. Corner forward Conan Brown added another and when a long delivery from Dylan Magee ended up in the back of the net the Belfast men were in front. A massive strike from his own 45 metre line by centre-back Oisin McVicker put Rossa two clear in the 23^rd minute but the home team finished the half strongly and boosted by a brilliant individual goal by man of the match Scott Walsh they hit back to lead by 1-8 to 1-4 at the interval.

Conor Carson pointed from a penalty soon after the restart and Scott Walsh added on from a free, but to their credit Rossa battled away and three points from centre forward Matt Devlin and one from Conor O’Neill closed the gap to four again by the half-time water break. As is so often the case this season the water break again proved a momentum changer and when the sides got going again there was only one team in it. Ronan McAteer and Comac McClafferty added point to stretch the led to six, and though Matt Devlin pulled one back for Rossa it was to be his sides last score and three more points, plus a brilliant goal from substitute Ruairi Sharpe, saw his team home with 11 to spare.

CUSHENDALL

Eoin Gillan, Stephen Walsh, Terry McAlister, Joe McCurry, Ruairi McCollum, Paddy Sharpe, Ryan Delargy, Scott Walsh, Conor Carson, Eunan McKillop, Paul Monaghan, Ronan McAteer, Paddy Doherty, Conan Brown.

Subs – Cormac McClafferty, Ruairi Sharpe

ROSSA

Donal Armstrong, Eoin May, Gavin Bell, James Quinn, Manus Smith, Oisin McVicker, Niall Devlin, Gavin McGrath, Jim Reynolds, Michael Close, Matt Devlin, Dylan Magee, Conor O’Neill, Conor Rocks, Patrick McGreevey.

Subs – Mickey Kettle, Adam Aicken, Daire Matthews

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Senior Reserve Hurling Cup – Group 2

Loughgiel 2-15 Dunloy 1-21

Monday August 3

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

With the clock ticking into the last minute of the hour at Fr Healy Park, Dunloy held a six point lead thanks to Chrissy McMahon’s third point of the match.  A scoring burst of five points in four minutes brought the Shamrocks to the brink of salvaging something from this match that didn’t look possible for long periods but the Cuchullains recorded the final two points of the evening from Anton McGrath and Eamon Smyth to take the honours.

Dunloy made a blistering start to the match with five points unanswered in the opening seven minutes.  Anton McGrath tormentor in chief with three of those scores, Chrissy Brogan and McMahon with the other scores.

Loughgiel finally opened their account with the next attack, midfielder Ryan ‘Betty’ McKee with his first of four for the match as the Shamrocks looked to get going.  Dunloy had blitzed them in the opening exchanges and had the home side on the back foot but they looked lethargic in comparison to the Cuchullains. 

The first goal of the evening came in the 14^th minute with the Cuchullains holding a four point lead.  Ryan Hill’s speculative effort for a point dropped short but Dunloy ‘keeper Paul Doherty failed to deal with the danger.  Odhran McGrath was on hand to pull first time to the back of the Dunloy net just before the first half water break.

Instead of acting like a catalyst for the Shamrocks however, Dunloy regrouped and dominated after the restart.  Callum Scullion, Miceal Murphy (two), McMahon, McKeague, Smyth (’65) and McGrath all raised white flags with just points from Joey Scullion and Paul Boyle (free) the response from Loughgiel before the half time whistle.

The Cuchullains held a seven point lead at the interval with a score line of 0-14 to 1-7 and while the Shamrocks looked to play with more vigour and intensity after the restart, Dunloy always maintained a gap.  By the water break in the second half, the Cuchullains lead was five points with Ryan McFarlane excelling in midfield.

Dunloy had stretched the lead to six when Kevin McQuillan scored their major in the 51^st minute.  Collecting a high ball from Kevin McKeague, the Dunloy full forward closed in on Chris Magill’s goal and finished from an acute angle.

Loughgiel’s response was emphatic.  A gargantuan free from Odhran Laverty was swiftly followed by the Shamrock’s second goal.  Conor Henry’s dropping shot caused mayhem in the Dunloy full back line before Ryan Hill squeezed the sliotar over the line.

Chrissy McMahon recorded his third point of the match with his first free but Loughgiel turned the screw in the closing stages with Ryan McKee and Paul Boyle exceptional.  They turned every ball in that five minute purple patch with Boyle scoring three points, McKee and Hill also raising white flags to leave the minimum between the sides in the third minute of injury time.

Any Cuchullain nerves were eased with the imperious Anton McGrath split the uprights for his fifth of the match and Smyth’s second ’65 ensured Dunloy made it two wins from two.

The Cuchullains travel to the Milltown Row for the next match in the round robin next Monday while the Shamrocks have a week break before welcoming the same opposition to Fr Healy Park.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Chris Magill; Ciaran McKay, Declan Gillan, Ryan Cassley; Cathal McMullan, Odhran Laverty, Daniel McPeake; Ryan McKee, Paul Boyle; Shaun McFadden, Shane O’Boyle, Nicholas McNaughton; Ryan Hill, Joey Scullion, Odhran McGrath

Scorers: Paul Boyle 0-5 (2f); Ryan Hill 1-2; Ryan McKee 0-4; Odhran Laverty 0-3 (3f); Odhran McGrath 1-00; Joey Scullion 0-1

Dunloy: Paul Doherty; Conor Kinsella, Karl O’Kane, Oran Quinn; Callum Scullion, Eamonn Smyth, Kevin McKeague; Ciaran Elliott, Ryan McFarlane; Chrissy Brogan, Anton McGrath, Gabriel McTaggart; Chrissy McMahon, Kevin McQuillan, Miceal Murphy

Scorers: Anton McGrath 0-5; Kevin McQuillan 1-1; Chrissy McMahon 0-3 (1f); Miceal Murphy 0-3 (2f); Eamon Smyth 0-3 (2 ’65 1f); Ryan McFarlane 0-2; Kevin McKeague 0-1; Chrissy Brogan 0-1; Gabriel McTaggart 0-1; Callum Scullion 0-1

Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)

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Darragh Cup – North Antrim Minor Hurling Championship

Oisins 3-11 Ruairi Og 3-8

Going into the final quarter of Saturday evening’s Darragh Cup semi-final Cushendall held an eight point lead and looked set for a final meeting with Loughgiel on Thursday evening. However the game was turned on its head in the fifteen minutes that were left to play as the Oisns hit back with 3 goals and 5 points without reply, and by the time Colm McKeegan grabbed Cushendall’s second goal of the game deep in injury time it was too late to have any bearing on the outcome.

The first quarter of the game was ‘nip and tuck’ as three points from Michael O’Boyle and one from Seanie McIntosh were answered with scores from Cushendall’s Seamus McAuley, Calum Kilgore and Fiontan McQuillan (2) but the Ruairis got on top with a goal from Conleith McKinley and McQuillan point to go four clear. Michael O’Boyle grabbed two points for the Oisin to cut the gap back to just two, but another McQuillan point put thee between the sides at the break.

The ever accurate McQuillan got the first score of the second half and when goalkeeper Colm McKeegan came up to fire a penalty to the Oisins net the boys in maroon were in control. When McQuillan added his sixth point of the game in the 42^nd minute the lead was out to eight points, but incredibly his side did not score for another 22 minutes, and by that time the game was gone from their grasp.

When Michael O’Boyle pointed on 46 minutes there seemed little to worry about but when the right half forward added a goal two minutes later the tide was suddenly turning. Seanie McIntosh pointed to leave just three between the sides before Cushendall were hit by a double whammy as Niall McGarel and Michael O’Boyle grabbed goals apiece inside three minutes to put them three clear. Three more from the stick of O’Boyle saw a fourteen point turnover in an eighteen minute spell, and though Colm McKeegan grabbed a late consolation on 65 minutes it was a case of too little- too late and the Oisins were through to Thursday’s showdown against the Shamrocks.  

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Darragh Cup  – North Antrim Minor Hurling Championship

Ballycastle 0-14 Loughgiel 2-12

Two goals from super sub Jack McCloskey in the last ten minutes saw Loughgiel come from behind to book their place in the Darragh Cup final at Pairc MacUílin Ballycastle. The home team had lead by four points at the half time interval and were still two to the good with just ten minutes of normal time still to play. However McCloskey got a touch to a long delivery by midfielder Eunan Laverty to deflect it to the Ballycastle net, not long after coming on the pitch and three minutes later he got inside the Ballycastle defence to fire home goal number two.

In a game played in heavy rain Rian McMullan put Loughgiel ahead but Ballycastle hit back with four points on the trot through Tiernan Smyth (2), Fergal McKiernan and Caolin O’Connor to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after twelve minutes. Loughgiel closed the gap with points from placed balls from Rian McMullan, one a free and the other a 65, and they came close to grabbing a goal when Dylan Devlin’s shot was well saved by Jimmy Jo Burns in the Ballycastle goals.  

The ‘Town’ got going again when Tiernan Smyth pointed frees on 24 and 25 minutes and one from play by James Bakewell. They too had a goal chance when Darragh Kelly’s shot bobbled around in the ‘square’, but the Shamrocks netminder Kevin McAuley cleared the danger and though Joe McToal added a point, two more from Rian McMullan frees left just four between the sides at the break. (0-9 to 0-4)

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After the change of ends Loughgiel started to find their range and they closed the gap to a single point by the 43^rd minute as Rian ‘Bubbles’ McMullan added two more to his total and Eunan Laverty tacked on one. Rueben McLean settled the Ballycastle nerves with a much needed point just after the half time ‘water break’ but the pressure was coming on the home sides defence more and more and when McCloskey goaled with his first touch the momentum was with the Shamrocks. McCloskey’s second goal gave the visitors a form grip on the game and though Ballycatle added three more points Loughgiel always found a reply and they were four to the good by the time referee Vincent Boyle blew the final whistle.

BALLYCASTLE – Jamie Jo Burns, Jack Colgan, Liam McCollum, Patrick McAllister, Eoin Boylan, Jack McGowan, Jack McLean, Seamus McAuley, Reuben McLean, James Bakewell, Fergal McKiernan, Joe McToal, Darragh Kelly, Cailin O’Connor, Tiernan Smyth.

LOUGHGIEL – Kevin McAuley, Finn Henry, Rory McCloskey, Ruairi McCormick, Conal McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Conor Dickson, Eunan Laverty, Christy McGarry, Conor O’Mullan, Rian McMullan, Dylan Devlin, Ronan McCollum, Conor McCormick, Damian Quinn

Subs – Jack McCloskey on for Damian Quinn.

Referee – Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

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North Antrim Minor  B Hurling final

St. Enda’s 1-13 Clooney Gaels 0-13

St Enda’s produced a battling second half performance to overcome the challenge of Clooney Gaels in this North Antrim Minor B Hurling final at a wet and windy Slemish Park, Ballymena tonight. The Ahoghill side had recovered from an early goal from Oisin Quinn to gain the upper hand in the opening half, striking six unanswered points to lead 0-6 to 1-1 after 15minutes.

Michael Devenny was the man who got St. Enda’s opening point but Clooney Gaels came storming back with points from James O’Boyle, Luke Mullen, Liam Kelly, Colla McDonnell (free), Paddy Logan and a second free from the sweet striking McDonnell to move two in front at the end of the opening quarter.

Luke O’Connor replied from a 40 meter free and at this stage the Clooney side were enjoying the better possession but shot three wides before Colla McDonnell extended their lead from another long range free and that was how it stood at the first water break.

When play resumed the Hightown side started to get a foothold in the game and Eoin Logue dragged his shot wide of the upright after Fionntan O’Connell spilled a dropping delivery in the 20^th minute. Ahoghill replied and Colla McDonnell sent another long range free between the uprights and followed with another from play to put his side 0-9 to 1-2 ahead after 23 minutes and they were dictating matters at this stage.

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The impressive Ronan Eager pulled one back for St. Enda’s but again Clooney found a response and Colla McDonnell split the upright from near the left hand touchline before Luke O’Connor pointed a 20 meter free for the Glengormley side to leave it 0-10 to 1-5 for the South West side at the break.

After the break it was St. Enda’s who slowly wrestled control from their opponents and the excellent Ronan Eager closed the gap to one in the opening minute before Luke O’Connor levelled matters from a long range free.

As St Enda’s continued to take the game to their opponents Fiontan O’Connell pulled off a great save to deny Eoin Logue before O’Connor pointed another free to put his side ahead for just the second time in the game but Clooney Gaels hit back through James O’Boyle to square the contest once more by the 40^th minute.

Both sides were battling for every ball as if their lives depended on it but St. Enda’s were starting to get on top though Colla McDonnell looked to be in for a goal but he delayed his shot and was closed down by the Hightown side’s defence.

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Play was becoming a bit ragged with the underfoot conditions becoming more difficult by the rain but Ronan Eager soloed through the heart of the Clooney defence to put his side ahead for the third time and they were beginning to enjoy more and more of the play.

They received a setback however when they had a player side-lined following a bad pull and a second yellow card but it seemed to galvanise them as they headed for the second water break.

On the restart Colla McDonnell levelled the contest from a close range free but almost immediately Ronan Eager restored St. Enda’s lead and the strong running number 11 was beginning to cause a lot of problems for the opposition.

The Clooney side were now struggling for scores but a good move involving Colla McDonnell and Conhuir Johnston placed Paddy Logan in the clear and he brought matters all square once again with ten minutes remaining and it still looked anybody’s game.

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It was to prove to be the Ahoghill side’s last score however with St. Enda’s hitting the front once more through the impressive Eager and in a strong finish Michael Devenny added a couple more to see his side three ahead at the fulltime whistle

St. Enda’s: Pearse Rodgers, Sean Murray, Declan Breen, Conor McAllister, Colm Curran, Dara Maguire, Ciaran McAllister, Luke O’Connor, Owen Kennedy, Eoin Logue, Ronan Eager, Conor McNicholl, Oscar Smyth, Oisin Quinn, Michael Devenny. Subs Eoin O’Hare, Ryan Noble, Ronan Kalla, Malachy McGibbon, Ciaran McGinnley,

St Enda’s scorers:  Michael Devenny 0-4, Luke O’Connor 0-5, Ronan Eager 0-4, Oisin Quinn 1-0                                                     

Clooney Gaels: Fiontan O’Connell, Shea Neeson, Joseph Logan, Charlie McCloskey, Liam Kelly, Sean O’Neill, Harry O’Donnell, James O’Boyle, Luke Mulholland, Luke Mullen, Patrick Dougan, Shay Madden, Conhuir Johnston, Matthew Mullen, Cola McDonnell.

Clooney Gaels scorers: Colla McDonnell 0-6, James O’Boyle 0-3, Paddy Logan 0-2, LiamKelly 0-1, Luke Mullen 0-1

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

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Paddy Gray (North Antrim hurling development officer) with St. Enda’s captain Oscar Smyth.

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