Conn Mag Aoidh were left to rue a second-half onslaught as Cushendun pulled away emphatically to record a 12-point victory in this IHC Championship Round Robin encounter, round 3.
There was little to separate the sides at the interval, with Cushendun holding just a 0-11 to 0-7 lead. Conn Mag Aoidh had competed well against opposition who operate at a higher league level, and at four points adrift the home side remained firmly in contention.
However, the second half demonstrated the difference in class and experience between the teams.
Cushendun came out with renewed purpose and produced a remarkable scoring burst, adding 17 points in the second half. Their accuracy and ability to score from distance proved particularly impressive. The Cushendun attack repeatedly found scores from play, often from well outside the scoring range, as they steadily stretched the gap beyond Conn Mag Aoidh’s reach.
The statistics underline the quality of the Cushendun performance. Of their 28 points, an outstanding 21 came from play.
Conn Mag Aoidh continued to battle and did manage to register nine points in the second half, including a well-taken goal from Ciaran Laverty in the 50th minute. That goal briefly gave Conn Mag Aoidh some hope, reducing the deficit to nine points, but Cushendun immediately responded with another point from play and never allowed the gap to close.
Cormac McKeown was Conn Mag Aoidh’s leading scorer with seven points, including four frees and two 65s, while Laverty’s goal gave him three points in total. Conleth O’Loan added two points from play, with Callum Higgins, Nathan Unwin and Caolan Lennon also getting on the scoresheet.
For Cushendun, Connloath McNeill was outstanding on the scoreboard, contributing 10 points, including three from play, four frees and three 65s. Shane McQuillan and Conor McHugh added three points from play. In the end Cushendun had 10 different players on the scoresheet which will no doubt impress their management team.
For Conn Mag Aoidh, there are plenty of positives to take from the opening half and from the fact that they remained competitive against a side playing at a higher league level for long periods. The four-point half-time deficit showed that they were more than capable of competing, but Cushendun’s second-half intensity, accuracy and ability to score from distance ultimately proved decisive.
The final score of 1-13 to 0-28perhaps looks comprehensive, but it doesn’t fully reflect how competitive Conn Mag Aoidh were for the opening half. Cushendun simply moved through the gears after the break and produced a second-half performance that demonstrated why they are operating at the level above.
For Conn Mag Aoidh, the challenge now is to take the lessons from facing this level of opposition and build on the encouraging first-half showing as the championship campaign continues.
Cushendun: 1 John V Morgan, 2 Paddy Morgan, 3 Archie McSparran, 4 Mark McSparran, 5 Jack McKay, 6 Matthew McCartin, 7 Shane McQuillan, 8 Thomas Scally, 9 Calum Kilgore, 10 Harry Kilgore, 11 Conor McHugh, 12 Connlaoth McNeill, 13 Andrew Breslin, 14 Sean McKay, 15 Conor Bannon.
It was a fairly warm evening in Feystown for what turned out to be a real battle between two strong sides. A light shower of rain early on soon cleared before the throw-in at Páirc Fhearsaíthe, leaving the pitch with a light dew as both teams prepared for another important Intermediate Championship encounter.
A large crowd had gathered for this fixture, and they certainly made their voices heard, with the supporters raising the roof after nearly every score in what developed into an entertaining and closely fought contest.
Both sides knew the importance of the two points on offer, and from the opening whistle there was a real no-quarter-given attitude, with neither team willing to give an inch.
Glenarm came into the game sitting proudly at the top of the table, now having collected six points from their opening three games, while Randalstown had two points from their three outings.
With the championship table beginning to take shape, every score and every battle for possession was taking on added importance, and the sizeable Feystown crowd were treated to a game that went right down to the wire.
The battle between the free takers, Sean Duffin of Tir na nOg and Darren Hamill of Glenarm went right down to the wire with the Shane O’Neill’s captain hitting a number of late scores to get his side over the line
Emmet’s, Cushendun also remain firmly in the mix, sitting on four points from two matches ahead of their fixture against Glenravel tomorrow.
Shane Uí Neills now move into the next round with another valuable championship victory, after a hard-fought Battle of the Blues.
Tir Na Nóg started brightly from the throw-in, showing their intent immediately as they slotted two early points over the bar. Tiarnan Bonnes opened the scoring for the visitors, before Sean Duffin added a converted free to give the Randalstown side an early advantage.
Glenarm were quick to respond, however, as Aidan Scullion produced an excellent effort from right out on the side-line, opening the home side’s account in some style.
Scullion was beginning to find his range, and in the next passage of play he delivered another superb effort, this time from a 45-yard sideline cut, sending the ball sailing cleanly between the posts to bring the Feystown crowd to their feet.
The Glenarm forward was now proving a real handful. Scullion collected the ball soon afterwards, showed great strength and composure to evade a couple of challenges, before unleashing an unstoppable effort which flew beyond the visitors’ goalkeeper and into the net for a major score.
It was a stunning passage of play from Scullion, who had quickly turned the game on its head with his accuracy, determination and eye for goal.
Sean McKinley pointed next for the hosts, before Sean Duffin showed his accuracy from placed balls once again, slotting over another free from distance for the Whitehill boys.
Glenarm’s nippy forward Niall McGarel was beginning to show early promise, stealing a low ball from the Tir Na Nóg defence before turning sharply and sending a fine effort over the bar.
Ciaran Logan who was prominent in the Tir na nOg attack
On eighteen minutes, corner forward Ryan O’Boyle found a pocket of space and made the visitors pay, taking his opportunity well to raise another white flag for the home side.
This tight tussle was proving exciting to watch, with the exchanges very much tit for tat and both teams refusing to give their opponents any easy possession. The intensity was evident in every challenge, as the sizeable crowd were treated to a proper championship battle.
The visitors responded with two further scores, Tiarnan Bonnes adding another point before Duffin struck from play, keeping Tir Na Nóg within touching distance as the game continued at a lively pace.
Glenarm then hit a purple patch, with Darren Hamill ramming over a well-struck “65”, before Aidan Scullion followed up with a brace of excellent points. The pressure was building on the visitors, as the home side began to find space and move the ball with greater purpose.
Tir Na Nóg, however, settled themselves and stemmed the flow, with Ciaran O’Neill adding another point from the stick to keep the visitors firmly in it.
Then, a mistake in the Glenarm defence proved costly. Jude Storrie spotted an opportunity and, from distance, lobbed the advancing Michael Abram in the Glenarm goals with a superb effort, sending the ball sailing into the net to level this exciting contest.
The momentum had swung once again, but Glenarm were not finished before the short whistle. In the next phase of play, Darren Hamill showed his composure from the placed ball, striking over another trademark free to edge the hosts back in front.
The referee soon called for the ball, bringing an exciting opening half to a close.
HALF TIME Shane Uí Neills 1-08 Tir Na Nóg 1-07
After the break, play resumed in much the same fashion as the opening period, with neither side willing to give an inch. Tir Na Nóg struck first, Sean Duffin converting another free to level proceedings and give the visitors renewed confidence.
Glenarm responded almost immediately, with Dylan McLaughlin tagging over a fine point from all of 40 yards, restoring the home side’s slender advantage.
The visitors, however, began to gain a foothold once again, and Tiarnan Bonnes showed his accuracy from dead-ball situations, driving over two frees in quick succession. Another Sean Duffin free followed, giving Tir Na Nóg a two-point lead after forty minutes.
Glenarm needed a response, and it came from the stick of the lively Niall McGarel. The nippy forward judged a long-distance effort to perfection, sending the ball cleanly between the uprights and reducing the deficit as this tight championship tussle continued to swing from end to end.
Randalstown’s Sean McKinley hit his second point of the game, showing good composure to keep the visitors’ scoreboard ticking over. Darragh Fegan then followed as he lofted a fine effort over the bar to stretch Tir Na Nóg’s advantage as the game entered another important phase.
Leading into the final quarter, Glenarm upped the ante, and they had Dylan McLaughlin and Daniel Black to thank for two excellent scores, reducing the deficit to a single point and setting up a grandstand finish in this championship encounter.
A moment later, the home crowd erupted as Aidan Scullion struck the ball with real purpose, sending over another superb score to level the game. The momentum had swung firmly back in favour of the Feystown boys.
SUPER SUB NETS FOR GLENARM
In the next phase of play, Glenarm were impressive in their defending, with a clearance driven up-field into the forward line. A rebound of the goalposts fell kindly into the goalkeeper’s box, where recently introduced substitute NiallRodgers reacted superbly, pulling first time on the sliotar to send it beyond the Randalstown keeper for a crucial major score.
The home supporters were in full voice, and Glenarm continued to press forward. A moment later, another excellent effort pierced the evening sky as the hosts added a further Darren Hamill “65”, stretching their advantage.
The four-point lead, however, was soon reduced to a solitary point when Darragh Fegan cut in for the visitors and finished clinically and the fat was very much back in the fire.
Glenarm recovered from the scare, showing great composure when it mattered most. Darren Hamill, lethal from the placed ball throughout the evening, stepped up once again and calmly split the uprights with another free.
The team captain was not finished yet. Tracking back late on, he showed remarkable accuracy from distance, converting two more frees from 90 and 80 yardsrespectively, as the Feystown boys held their nerve to seal another valuable championship victory.
The home side had shown great character to recover from every challenge thrown at them, and when the final whistle sounded, Glenarm had once again proved their ability to find a way to win when the pressure was at its greatest.
Spare a thought for Tir nma nOg however. The Whitehill side have been hit with injuries this season but turned in what was probably their best performance in this year’s championship to push Shane O’Neill’s right to the wire.
Glenarm: Michael Abram, 4 John Scullion, 5 Kieran O’Boyle, 6 Ciaran Magill, 7 Michael Furey, 8 Conal Ward, 9 Aidan Scullion, 10 Sean McDermott, 11 Niall McGarel, 12 Daniel Black, 13 Dylan McLaughlin, 14 Darren Hamill, 15 Sean O’Boyle, 19 Aidan O’Neill, 27 Ryan O’Boyle
Subs: 18 Niall Rodgers, 23 Paddy McAuley
Tir na nOg: 16 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Brandon McLarnon, 3 Oliver McAtamney, 4 Manus Smith, 6 Caoimhin Duffin, 7 Ciaran O’Neill, 8 Connor McCamphill, 20 Sean Duffin, 10 Ciaran Logan, 12 Tiarnan Bonnes, 14 Sean McKinnley, 18 Darragh Fagan, 24 Dara Martin, 26 Jude Storrie, 28 Declan Mallon, 17 Daniel McLornan
Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)
Eimear Petticrew who sang Amhran na bhFiann beautifully prior to the game and referee, Darren McKeown with the captains and linesmen
Cushendun secured their second victory in a week at Lig an Airgid with a commanding win over St Paul’s in Round Two of the Intermediate Hurling Championship, played in Cushendun. The home side’s remarkable shooting accuracy was a major factor in the victory, particularly during a flawless first half where they did not register a single wide. Visitors St Paul’s fared well in the opening period and contributed to a competitive game, working hard to stay within touching distance and finding themselves only four points adrift at half time.
After the break, however, the dynamic shifted entirely as Cushendun turned up the intensity and eventually stretched the gap to eleven points before the final whistle. The catalyst for this second-half dominance was their free-taker Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill, whose lethal accuracy over the dead ball kept the scoreboard continuously ticking over. McNeill scored from every attempt in the first half and missed only one in the second, finishing the hour with a phenomenal 13 points from frees.
St Paul’s opening the scoring in the first minute through a James O’Donnell free. Cushendun responded emphatically just a minute later with a goal from Fiontan McQuillan. The hosts built on this early momentum with quick successive points from Callum Kilgore, Connor McHugh, and ‘Loaf’ McNeill free to open up a lead. However, St Paul’s fought back strongly between the sixth and eighth minutes, hitting 1-2 without reply, culminating in a Sean Munce goal to effectively level the contest. The remainder of the half turned into a tense shoot-out. Cushendun kept their noses in front through scores from Connor Bannon, Pearse McKeegan, and Harry Kilgore, while Caolán O’Duibhfinn kept St Paul’s firmly in touch with a reliable string of frees. However a late flurry of points just before the break from Kilgore, McNeill, McHugh, and Sean McKay ultimately gave Cushendun a 1-13 to 1-09 lead at half time.
During the second half, the dynamic shifted as Cushendun turned up the intensity and gradually pulled away. Caolán O’Duibhfinn briefly reduced the deficit for St Paul’s with a free in the opening minute, but McNeill immediately cancelled it out at the other end. Shane McQuillan added another point from play for the home side before McNeill hit two more frees to stretch the gap. St Paul’s battled hard to stay in the game, registering points through O’Donnell, Conall Finnegan, and O’Duibhfinn, but Cushendun’s response was relentless. Fiontan McQuillan and Callam Kilgore added points from play before McNeill hit a devastating purple patch, firing over five consecutive frees between the 20th and 24th minutes. Substitute Andrew Breslin also got his name on the scoresheet, and Connor McHugh fired over Cushendun’s final point in the 27th minute. Late scores from Caolan Crossan and O’Duibhfinn offered St Paul’s some consolation, but the gap was already too wide.
The result leaves the two sides on very different trajectories for the remainder of the group stages. The win puts Cushendun in a strong place to qualify for the knockout stages. Conversely, St Paul’s find themselves in trouble, remaining pointless after two games. They will have to be at their absolute best in the coming weeks to stay in the championship, though the fact that three teams qualify from the group this year gives them a fighting outside chance of progression.
Cushendun 1 John V Morgan, 2 Mark McSparran, 3 Archie McSparran, 4 Paddy Morgan, 5 Jack McKay, 6 Sean McKay, 7 Pearse McKeegan, 8 Callam Kilgore, 9 Shane McQuillan, 10 Connor McHugh, 11 Tomas Scally, 12 Harry Kilgore, 13 Connor Bannon, 14 Fiontan McQuillan, 15 Conlaoth McNeill.
St Paul’s 1 Chris Murray, 2 Tiarnan Auld, 3 Daire Stevenson, 4 Gerard Maguire, 5 Thomas Duff, 6 Stephen Rooney, 7 Declan Quinn, 8 Mark Munce, 9 Caoimhin Killyleagh, 10 Caolán O’Duibhfinn, 11 Conall Finnegan, 12 Sean Munce, 13 Lorcan Phillips, 14 Caolan Crossan, 15 James O’Donnell.
Referee- Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s 0-24 Glenravel Con Magees 0-14
Glenarm continued their perfect start to the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign with a decisive 0-24 to 0-14 victory over Con Magee’s Glenravel at Forsythe Park on Sunday. Matching the intensity of the occasion, Glenarm utilised a potent attack and a devastating second-half scoring burst to make it two wins from two, putting them in an excellent position to challenge for a straight semi-final spot
The game opened with Glenarm taking an early advantage, courtesy of points from play by Darren Hamill and Sean O’Boyle in the opening five minutes. Con Magee’s settled into the contest shortly after, with Conleth O’Loan accurately converting a free to get them on the board. The sides traded blows throughout the middle of the half as Glenravel’s Cormac McKeown and O’Loan kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors, successfully levelling the game at 0-06 apiece just after the 20-minute mark.
However, Con Magees’ parity was short-lived as Glenarm found an extra gear in the final ten minutes before the break. The home side put in a vital spurt, registering five rapid-fire points from Michael Furey, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Daniel Black, and Ciaran Magill. A late response from Glenravel’s Rian Lennon left the half-time score looking ominous for the visitors at 0-11 to 0-07.
With the breeze at their backs for the second half, Con Magees would have felt optimistic about their chances of reeling in the four-point deficit. Unfortunately for the Glenravel men, Glenarm emerged from the dressing room with ruthless intent. The home side hit four points without reply right after the restart, including a quick score from play, another from the ever-reliable Darren Hamill, and a pair from Niall McGarel. This sudden barrage left Glenravel with a mountain to climb, pushing the scoreline to 0-15 to 0-07.
While Con Magees continued to create opportunities, inaccurate shooting cost them dearly when they needed scores the most. O’Loan and McKeown battled hard, adding to their tallies, and Nathan Unwin chipped in with a late point, but they simply could not string together enough consecutive scores to threaten Glenarm’s lead. Glenarm kept the scoreboard moving efficiently down the stretch as substitutes and starters alike found their range, with Ryan O’Boyle splitting the posts and Dylan McLaughlin adding two late points from play to seal a comfortable victory with a bit to spare. This impressive form gives them a fantastic chance of making the top three qualifiers, and they will certainly fancy their chances of securing a top-two finish to bypass the quarter-finals.
Glenarm
Michael Abram, Liam O’Neill, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O’Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Michael Furey, Paddy McAuley, Aidan Scullion, Sean McDermott, Niall McGarel, Daniel Black, Dylan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill, Sean O’Boyle.
Con Magees
1 Chris Quinn, 2 Eoin McCusker, 3 James Duffin, 4 Brian O’Neill, 5 Michael McDonnell, 6 Rian Lennon, 7 Nathan Unwin, 8 Ronan McCormick, 9 Callum Higgins, 10 Fergus Donaghy, 11 Caolan Lennon, 12 Cormac McKeown, 13 Conleth O’Loan, 14 Declan Traynor, and 15 Declan McAuley.
Referee – Ray Matthews – Rossa
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Carey maintained their pursuit of top spot in Group One of the Intermediate Championship on Saturday after they despatched and depleted Rasharkin side at Dreen.
After an even opening quarter, the Ballyvoy side went through the gears and despite their gallant efforts, Rasharkin simply had no answer. A run of 13 points unanswered either side of half time was the definitive period of the match. The Faughs were relentless with Shea Hunter impressing, James Black at his creative best, Conlith McKinley and Conall McGlynn all dominant.
To be fair to the home side, they finished the game on top and played with an intensity and aggression throughout that meant that it wasn’t completely plain sailing at times for the Faughs. Brian Og O’Neill, Connaire Donaghy and Conor McKillop all catching the eye while James Higgins didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
The final score was a just reflection on the difference between the sides however and but for a series of excellent saves from Brendan Kelly between the sticks for Rasharkin, it could have been greater.
The signs were ominous for Rasharkin in the opening 10 minutes when Carey took a four point lead. Hunter firing over his sides opening three scores while John McBride, McGlynn and Callum Kane also dissected the uprights. The home side had a brace of points from Conor McKillop in the same period of time.
Rasharkin began to reach the levels needed to compete with the Ballyvoy men and had that Carey lead reduced to three going into the final 10 minutes. A brilliant point from a side line cut from Tiernan O’Boyle was followed by scores from Conor McKillop and Terry McGregor while the Faughs had a brace of points from Patrick Gillan frees in response.
The home side would only record one more point in the time that remained in the half as the Faughs clicked into gear. Peader McVeigh, a brace from McGlynn and another from Hunter came before McKillop’s third free and fourth point of the half briefly halted the Carey charge.
Another Hunter point and McGlynn ’65 came either side of a James ‘Rocket’ Black goal chance. His effort was well saved by Kelly in the Rasharkin goals and the shot stopper was called into action moments later, this time denying Patrick Gillan after Caolan McCaughan had sent him through on goal.
Points from McGlynn (’65) and Hunter with the last puck of the half gave the visitors a half time lead of 0-17 to 0-6.
Any thoughts on a comeback from the home side were extinguished shortly after the interval. The Faughs were relentless as they went for the jugular, keeping the home side scoreless for 21 minutes of the half while extending their lead to 20 points. Conlith McKinley, McCaughan, Patrick Butler, Gillan (2f), two from McGlynn and Callum Kane’s second of the match all with the scores.
To their credit, Rasharkin continued to battle hard and a brace of scores from midfielder Higgins were good enough to grace any pitch in the county. His first especially from wide on the left and on the run, a tidy score that lifted the voices of the home side.
Rasharkin would make it five points unanswered with Tiernan O’Boyle (free), Brian Og O’Neill and a brilliant point with some exquisite stick work from Terry McGregor bringing about his second point of the contest.
Carey midfielder Patrick Butler rounded off the scoring with his second of the hour as the Faughs cruised the final quarter.
The Faughs are next back in action on Sunday 16 August when St Galls will make the journey to Ballyvoy while Rasharkin will be hoping for better when they travel to Creggan on the Friday evening before.
TEAMS
Rasharkin Starting XV: Brendan Kelly; Jason McGregor, Aidan McKeever, Conor Doherty; Connaire Donaghy, Tiernan O’Boyle, Jack Quinn; Caolan Marian, James Higgins; Brian Og O’Neill, Thomas McMullan, Oisin Doherty; Liam Tunney, Conor McKillop, Terry McGregor
Subs: Fergus Quigg for O Doherty (38); John Kelly for L Tunney (48)
Scorers: C McKillop 0-4 (3fs); T McGregor 0-2, J Higgins 0-2, T O’Boyle 0-2 (1f); B Og O’Neill 0-1
Carey Faughs Starting XV: Steven McGinn; Daniel McKinley, Sean McBride, Ryan McQuaid; Michael McVeigh, Peadar McVeigh, Shea Hunter; Conall McGlynn, Patrick Butler; Conlith McKinley, Caolan McCaughan, John McBride; Patrick Gillan, James Black, Callum Kane
Subs: Eoin Hill for D McKinley (HT), Fiachra McVeigh for M McVeigh (HT); Zach McCaughan for P McVeigh (41); Eoin McKinley for S Hunter 51)
Scorers: S Hunter 0-7, C McGlynn 0-7 (1f, 2’65s); P Gillan 0-5 (4fs); P Butler 0-2, C Kane 0-2; P McVeigh 0-1, C McKinley 0-1, J McBride 0-1
Referee: Colly Thompson (St Johns)
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