Antrim ACHL Division 1

Cushendall 1-18 Loughgiel 0-21

12th June 2024

PICS AND REPORT BY MICHAEL CORCORAN

Wednesday evening’s league game between Cushendall and Loughgiel was an evenly matched affair. Despite a goal from the Dall in the first half, the shamrocks would rally round and lead with one point in the dying minutes of the game, but it was Cushendall’s Joseph McNaughton that would spoil the Shamrocks celebrations and bring the game level in the end.

Colum Cunning was our match referee and rolled the sliotar in promptly at 7:30pm on an excellent evening for hurling. It was Loughgiel’s Daniel McCloskey that stirred the scoreboard into action, pointing after a Shan McGrath offload. McCloskey would find the uprights again with a long haul from around the 60m mark Although further scores from McCloskey wouldn’t be forthcoming, the half forward would continually pose a threat on the wing for the Dall, at times drawing fouls for McGrath to take.

Cushendall’s Joe McLaughlin got his side underway on the Moyle Transport scoreboard, when he scooped up a spilled ball from Loughgiel and punched it into the ball net over the bar. Cushendall’s Scott Walsh found the stick of Ciaran Neeson for the Dall’s second point before the game would lapse into a period of central play at short range, predominately from Cushendall. As the sliotar was worked up towards the dugouts, Declan McCloskey intercepted and managed to pass to Damon McCloskey, taking his point from along the sideline.

The Dall’s Andrew Delargy would draw sides again at 0-03, with an efficient point that was back fed out from an aborted attack on Cormac McFadden’s goals. Points would be traded back and forth but at 0-05 each, Loughgiel had an opportunity to move ahead whenever Dan McCloskey was fouled. Cunning played the advantage but when that amounted to nothing, Shan McGrath stepped up and hit the upright and not for the only time in the game.

At five points apiece, Cushendall advanced into Loughgiel’s danger zone and from a congested mix of players, Cushendall’s Fergus McCambridge made the most of an opening space and racked up the only goal in the game.

More points would come for the Dall as Ronan McAteer and Joe McLaughlin moved them ahead by two, but after that, Loughgiel would never allow the Dall more than a point of a difference for the remainder of the first half as each side pointed up to the break at Cushendall 1-10 Loughgiel 0-12. Out of those points, Shan McGrath took a slap on the arm for a foul and pointed over the black spot on the bar, which brought his accuracy back into the game. For the Dall, Andrew Delargy picked up the sliotar from a loose ball, found a running Dominic Delargy who offloaded to Joe McLaughlin for a solid point. Finding McLaughlin was a hallmark in the Dall’s game as the second half played that out better.

From the throw-in, Cushendall’s Paddy McGill found Fergus McCambridge in a sea of space and used the time to sail the sliotar over the bar. Joe McLaughlin would follow that up with a shot on target but the Shamrock keeper, Cormac McFadden, stretched and pushed the ball over for a 65 and McLaughlin would make amends by taking and scoring that point.

Not for the first time in the match, we watched point for point until approximately seventeen minutes into the second half, referee Cunning blew for a heavy tackle in the Loughgiel box. Cushendall’s centre half forward, Joe McLaughlin stepped up and powered the penalty to McFadden’s right side for a successful one-handed stretching save. With the scores standing with just the goal difference, Cushendall 1-15 Loughgiel 0-15, the Shamrocks would open up a rich vein of points, three of those from careless fouls, an overcarry, a trip on Eoin McGarry as he ran to collect a useful ball and Donal McKinley was brought down. This run of points brought Loughgiel into a one-point lead but when Tiernan Coyle clipped Fergus McCambridge, attempting too eagerly to offload the sliotar, Cushendall’s Joe McLauglin used the free to equal the scores.

With only minutes left in the game, Loughgiel found another two points, a McGrath free and a hard-earned ball by Declan McCloskey found Darragh Patterson for his point that pleased the supporters along the sideline.

Another ball fed deep into Joe McLaughlin had an ominous air for the Shamrocks about how the match might end but a gathering defence spoiled the opportunity and McLaughlin had to settle for the point.

With barely seconds left in the game, Joseph McNaughton would level the sides Cushendall 1-18 Loughgiel 0-21 with the last point and score of the match. An evenly matched set of squads that had several key players away, entertained everyone for what some along the sideline thought was a fair outcome and great evening’s hurling.

Cushendall Scorers:

Andrew Delargy 0-01, Fergus McCambridge 1-02, Ronan McAteer 0-01, Joseph McLaughlin 0-09 (5f), Joseph McNaughton 0-02, Ciaran Neeson 0-02, Alex Delargy 0-01

Loughgiel Scorers:

Declan McCloskey 0-04 (2f), Cahal Hargan 0-02, Damon McMullan 0-01, Darragh Patterson 0-02, Daniel McCloskey 0-02, Maol Connelly 0-01, Shan McGrath 0-07 (5f), Christy McGarry 0-02

Photos from tonight’s game can be found by clicking on the photo album link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/ZHg9YGBrCQtSs3/?invite=b4bd9d48-f01b-4a8c-b894-de5d7673c1ea

ACHL Division 1

Cushendall 4-22 Dunloy 0-14

Playing without their county players, Cuchullian’s Dunloy proved no match for a slick Ruairi Ogs in this ACHL Division 1 clash at Middle Park, Cushendall on Sunday.

The home side led 1-5 to 0-7 at half time with their goal coming from former All Saints player, Ciaran Neeson in the 21^st minute and Neill McManus hitting 0-9 for the Ruairi’s in the opening half.

It didn’t get any better for Dunloy in the second half as Alex Delargy and Joseph McLaughlin followed with goals in the 12^th and 14^th minute and when Paddy Burke fired home their fourth with ten minutes remaining Cushendall were out of sight.

Fred McCurry opened the scoring with a point for the home side after 42 seconds but points from Aodhan McGarry, Anton McGrath and Kevin McKeague had the visitors two ahead with 9 minutes gone.

Neil McManus replied with a couple for Ruairi Og to level the contest before Tom McFerran edged the visitors back ahead with a point in the 14^th minute but that would be as good as it got for the Dunloy men.

Cushendall drew level for the second time through Ruairi McCollum and Paddy Burke and Fred McCurry edged them two in front before Paul ‘Shorty’ Shields closed the gap to one after 17 minutes.

The Ruairi Og’s were starting to get on top as Andrew Delargy and Scott Walsh extended their lead with Tom McFerran replying with Dunloy’s last score for 10 minutes with a point in the 21st minute.

Neeson’s goal, a minute later turned it decisively in the way of the home side and they would finish the half with a barrage of scores as Fred McCurry 0-1 and Neill McManus with five on the bounce moved the sea siders 12 in front with Nicky McKeague pulling one back in injury time.

Half Time: Cushendall: 1-15(18) Dunloy: 0-7(7)

Joe McLaughlin and Nicky McKeague exchanged point at the start of the second half before the ‘Dall’ replied through Neill McManus, Ciaran Neeson with Nicky McKeague and Paul Shields again responding for the visitors with point by the 10^th minute.

Another fine point from McManus and two goals in quick succession from Alex Delargy and Joseph McLaughlin put paid to any lingering hopes of a Dunloy come-back as the game moved into the final quarter.

Scott Walsh added a point and Paddy Burke fired home his side’s fourth goal in the 20^th minute of an increasing one sided second half but the Cuchullian’s kept battling against the odds and were rewarded with points from Nicky McKeague and Anton McGrath.

A couple in response by Neill McManus brought his total for the evening to 0-13 with Dunloy’s best on the day, Nicky McKeague concluding the scoring with a couple of late consolation point for Dunloy.

 This win sees Cushendall join Rossa, St. John’s and Loughgiel on 12 points from 9 starts while Dunloy are just two behind with 10 points from the same number of games.

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Ballygalget 0-9 Loughgiel 4-24

Match report and photos by Michael Corcoran

Saturday’s Antrim ACHL senior Division 1 game between Ballygalget and Loughgiel was the result of a rescheduled match originally due to an unplayable Mitchel Park. After hollow tining and an application of top-level sand, recent dry weather has re-established a good playing turf, albeit dusty in the wind due to the dry sand.

Match referee, Hugh Torney, concluded the coin toss with a quick update on the Down U20B Croke Park success and threw in the sliotar promptly at 5pm, where Ballygalget had the southerly breeze on their backs for the first half of the game.

As Loughgiel’s Declan McCloskey attempted to pick up the sliotar from a back pass out of the throw-in, Torney called for a chop and McCloskey dispatched the sliotar over Ballygalget’s bar to register the first point in today’s game.

Not long back from his travels in Australia, Loughgiel’s Shan McGrath picked up a ball fed into the full forward line and offloaded to a waiting Jack McCloskey on the edge of the square, finishing off with the first goal of the evening’s game.

Cormac Coulter would set the ‘Galgets’ running on the scoreboard from a free just around the midfield position. Both sides would regret a number of early wides from frees and play but once the game got going, points and frees started to flow freely up to the short break and the large scoreboard registered Galget 0-07 Away 1-11.

The second half will be remembered for a show of bad tempers boiling over in various areas of the field, keeping referee Torney busy establishing order. That will take something away from the game, as there were spells of entertaining hurling from both sides to please the supporters.

During one of those spells of play, Loughgiel’s Dan McCloskey worked hard along the half forward line, picking up a loose ball and offloading to a running Shan McGrath. McGrath would solo the sliotar to within firing range of Aaron Crowe’s net and at short range, fired to find Crowe getting his stick to the ball, but it was rapidly turned around and into the net for the Shamrock’s second goal. McCloskey would quickly be rewarded for his persistence and a short pass onto his stick seen him solo in a pattern similar to McGrath’s and the Shamrock’s now had their third goal of the game in quick succession.

Loughgiel nudged up their points largely due to three frees, taken successfully by Declan McCloskey and two from Jack McCloskey. Dan McCloskey would find Jack McCloskey deep on the left-hand side of the pitch and a quick move off his marker would give him enough space to deliver the sliotar over the bar to bring the scoreline up to Ballygalget 0-07 Loughgiel 3-16 before Ballygalget’s David Johnson cleanly pointed into the strong breeze.

On resumption from play due to another ‘dust-up’ that swept players up into the reception area of the fitness suite, Loughgiel settled quickly and a delicate pass off the stick from Jack McCloskey found Dan McCloskey running off his shoulder towards Crowe’s nets. McCloskey reached his destination after a solo run from outside the 20m line, delivering the sliotar into the net for his second goal of the game.

Loughgiel would accumulate four more points, two from play and two from frees before Ballygalget’s John McManus soared a towering ball over Loughgiel’s bar.

The closing point of the game would go to the man that opened up the scoring, namely Declan McCloskey. Crowe’s puck out landed short in the wind and McCloskey turned it around prompting Torney to blow the long whistle after approx. five minutes of extra time. The large, sponsored scoreboard would read Galget 0-09 Away 4-24.

Saturday evening’s result would leave Loughgiel within three points of top of the table, currently held by St. John’s. With all teams having three matches to play, the league is shaping up for an interesting race to the finish.

Photos from this afternoon’s game can be found in the album here…

https://myalbum.com/album/PMLFKeP9Hftqsc/?invite=13ec422a-166f-4a7a-85d8-9fe1608c16e3

ACHL Division 1

Naomh Eanna 3-18 Dunloy 2-13

St. Enda’s continue to punch above their weight in division 1 of the ACHL and on Sunday at Hightown Cuchullian’s Dunloy became their latest conquests. The Hightown side brought their winning streak to four in seven starts as they battle to establish themselves in the top grade.

A Ciaran McAllister hat-trick would prove the defining scores in the end as St. Enda’s ran out 8 point winners over their visitors to maintain their recent good league form.

Dunloy travelled to Hightown without their county contingent but still fielded a strong side and the Cuchullian’s must have fancied their chances with the sides tied at 1-8 apiece at half-time.

However it was Naomh Eanna who found the extra gear after the break as they outscored their visitors by double scores to run out convincing winners in the end and this win will surely add to their confidence as the season goes on.

The sides were evenly balanced during the opening half with Cormac Jennings, Luke O’Connor and Joe Maskey hitting early points for the Hightown men and Aodhan McGarry, Eoin McFerran and Nicky McKeague replying for the visitors before McFerran fired home the game’s opening goal to put the visitors ahead.

It was pretty even after this as Cormac Jennings continued to carry the St. Enda’s challenge with two further points and Luke O’Connor 0-2, Luke O’Connor added to the St. Enda’s total.

Meanwhile Nicky McKeague, Aodhan McGarry, Eoin McFerran and Gabriel McTaggart had added to the visitors total and the Cuchullian’s looked to be heading to the dressing room with a three point lead.

St. Enda’s struck with a late goal from Ciaran McAllister however to bring the sides level and leave it all to play for in the second half.

Eoin McFerran got in for his second goal, early in the second half but Naomh Eanna stuck by their task as Ollie Breen, Eddie O’Connor and three from Joe Maskey kept them very much in touch.

Ciaran McAllister got in for a second goal as Nicky McKeague, Aodhan McGarry and Paul Shiels added points for the Cuchullian’s but when McAllister completed his hat-trick for the home side it was as good as over.

Eddie O’Connor, Cormac Jennings added points to ensure there would be no way back for Dunloy with Dunloy’s only response coming from Shiels and McFerran points for the visitors.

This win leaves St. Enda’s on 8 points from 7 starts and they sit just one place behind Dunloy who have the same number of points but a superior score difference.

ACHL Division 1

Cushendall 1-18. Portaferry 0-21

Cushendall and Portaferry couldn’t be separated in this excellent division 1 clash in Cushendall on Sunday. With the sun shining down from above these sides produced a score-fest of hurling which kept the supporters on their toes throughout.

Level at half time, it looked like the Ruairi Og’s had finally done enough to grab both points when Joseph McLaughlin pointed them ahead from a free as the game edged into time added on but Portaferry replied immediately through Daithi Sands to take a share of the spoils.

It was score for score during the opening half with Francis McCurry pointing Cushendall ahead before the visitors were forced to make an early substitution with Daithi Sands replacing Ciaran Savage after 6 minutes.

Joseph McNaughton moved the Ruairi’s further ahead from a free before Daithi Sands opened the visitors account with a point in the 5^th minute.

McLaughlin for the home side and Cahal Coleman and Niall Fitzsimmons for Portaferry kept the scoreboard ticking before Francis McCurry and Stephen Walsh edged the home side three ahead by the 12^th minute.

Back came Portaferry with points from Eoin Magee and two from Padraig Doran in response to one from Alex Delargy and there was absolutely nothing between these sides as play swung from end to end.

A Joseph McLaughlin ‘65’ and another from play by Joseph McNaughton got the Ruairi’s noses in front once more with Padraig Doran hitting three of the next four points for the visitors in reply to one from McCurry for the ‘Dall’ to leave them one ahead by the 26^th minute.

Play continued at a breakneck pace in the run in to half time with Padraig Doran and Shane Conlan edging the visitors ahead but the final score of the half fell to Joseph McLaughlin to leave it all square at the short whistle.

Half Time Score Cushendall: 0-11(11) portaferry: 0-11(11)

Sean Milligan replaced Cahal Coleman in the Portaferry side at the start of the second half with Austin Birt replacing Conor McCollam in the Cushendall side with seven minutes gone as the visitors edged ahead with an early Niall Fitzsimmons point.

The county champions replied emphatically when Joseph McNaughton finished to the net in the 4^th minute to edge his side two in front with Sean Milligan replying immediately with a point for the visitors.

Conor Fay added another to bring the sides level once more as play continued at breakneck pace as Ryan Delargy replaced Patrick Sharpe in the Cushendall attack.

At this stage the visitors appeared to be gaining the upper hand as Daithi Sands 0-3 and Eoin Magee added four points in reply to one from Joseph McNaughton as Tom Murray came into the action for Deaglan Mallon in the visitors side with 12 minutes remaining.

Once again Ruairi Ogs would find a response as Joseph McLaughlin, Joseph McNaughton and Ciaran Neeson moved them ahead once more with Padraig Doran replying from a free in the 23d minute.

It still looked anyone’s game as Eoghan Sands entered the fray to replace Colm O’Neill with Padraig McKillop coming into the action to replace Alex Delargy as both sides shuffled their line-ups.

It was obvious that this one was going to go down to the wire as Joseph McNaughton for Cushendall and the excellent Padraig Doran 0-2 for the visitors exchanged further minors to move the ‘Ports’ one ahead by the 28 minutes.

Back came the North Antrim men and Francis McCurry and Joseph McNaughton looked to have snatched a last minute victory but Daithi Sands ensured that the visitors would not return to the ‘Ards’ empty handed with that late equaliser.

Cushendall: 1 Conor McAlister, 2 Charlie McAuley, 3 Liam Gillan, 4 Ryan McCambridge, 5 Ruairi McCollam, 6 Stephen Walsh, 7 Conor McCollam, 8 Francis McCurry, 9 Fergus McCambridge, 10 Joseph McNaughton, 11 Alex Delargy, 12 Dominic Delargy, 13 Patrick Sharpe, 14 Ciaran Neeson, 15 Joseph McLaughlin

Subs: 20 Austin Birt, 18 Padraig McKillop, Ryan Delargy

Portaferry: 1 Pearce Smith, 2 Neil White, 3 Ronan Smyth, 4 Emmet O’Neill, 5 Ciaran Milligan, 6 Ciaran Savage, 7 Ryan O’Neill, 8 Shane Conlan, 9 Eoin Magee, 10 Conor Fay, 11 Deaglan Mallon, 12 Padraig Doran, 13 Colm O’Neill, 14 Niall Fitzsimmons, 15 Cahal Coleman,

Subs: 23 Daithi Sands, 18 Sean Milligan, 24 Tom Murray, 22 Eoghan Sands

Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)