Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter-Final

Loughgiel 3-27 Rossa 0-20

Sunday 18 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

For 40 minutes at Dunsilly, this was a titanic tussle of free flowing hurling littered with touches of brilliance.  Loughgiel and Rossa were playing out a mini-classic with the type of hurling that left even the neutrals in attendance at Dunsilly purring.  In the end, Loughgiel’s brilliance in the final quarter gave the Shamrocks an emphatic victory to book their place in the semi-final against Cushendall.

The contest was end to end for long periods.  Loughgiel with their young attack firing.  Paul Boyle defying physics and gravity while the experience of Eddie McCloskey was pulling the strings.  The lightning speed may not be there these days but Eddie remains a step ahead between his ears.  The perfect foil for the likes of James McNaughton, Shan McGrath and Dan McCloskey to play off.

But at the other end of the pitch, Aodhan O’Brien was performing minor miracles for a Rossa team who had lost Adrian Kenneally before throw in.  A blow for the Jeremiah’s given they were without the talents of Michael Armstrong (injured) and Stephen Beatty (suspension).  Scoring points from ridiculous angles and frees from any range, O’Brien was outstanding.  For 30 minutes he was helped by the mercurial talents of James Connolly until he too had to come off injured, just before half time.  Seaghan Shannon, Dara Rocks, Eoin Traynor and Stephen Shannon shinning for long periods but effectively the game left them midway through the second half.  O’Brien looked like his race was run, moving to the edge of the square while Loughgiel fired over four points in as many minutes.  Taking a four point lead to seven in the space of as many minutes and the Shamrock’s never looked behind them.  Two Paul Boyle majors in the space of five minutes added gloss to the score line but Loughgiel’s overall play was certainly eye catching.  Slick passing, movement off the shoulder and speed of thought was mesmerising.  

On a day where Rossa needed everything to fall their way to possibly make the last four, Loughgiel were in simply irresistible form and looked to have found a winning combination in attack to compliment a strong defence.

The opening quarter was helter-skelter hurling with 15 points scored, eight of those to the men in red and white.  It was almost exhibitional hurling but neither side could lay a glove on the other such was the speed of thought and play shown by both sides.

But for all the brilliance on show, Loughgiel’s first goal came from an error in the Rossa defence.  Dan McCloskey’s effort for point but it was blocked and Rossa ‘keeper Philip Crean looked to stop the sliotar from going out for a ’65.  Shan McGrath picked his pocket however and fired to the back of the net in the 17^thminute.  It didn’t stop Rossa’s and Aodhan O’Brien however.  In a first half where he would score seven points, Loughgiel couldn’t stop him and they did try.  

Stephen Shannon’s mammoth score in the 22^nd minute left the minimum between the sides but Loughgiel rallied.  Points from Eddie McCloskey (two) and three from McNaughton (one free) were answered by O’Brien and Thomas Morgan to leave the Shamrocks 1-14 to 0-13 ahead at the half time whistle.

The second half didn’t start with the same feverish entitlement than the first but a brace of scores from O’Brien (free) and Eoin Traynor preceded points from Eddie McCloskey and Stephen Shannon.

O’Brien split the uprights in the 36^th minute to leave the minimum between the sides but that was as close as the Shaws Road men got to the Shamrocks.  Incredibly, they would only register another two points in the 24 minutes plus injury that remained while Loughgiel found a bewildering level of brilliance Rossa just couldn’t live with.

Paul Boyle at his blistering best while McNaughton danced and weaved his magic from open play and frees. With 15 minutes of the quarter-final remaining, five points separated the sides.  Rossa brought Adrian Kenneally on to the full forward line in the hopes of some magic but they couldn’t curtail the Loughgiel juggernaut.

The Shamrock’s second goal came in the 52^nd minute with six between the sides.  McNaughton providing the assist for Boyle who soloed through on goal and sent the sliotar to the back of the net.

Eddie McCloskey’s sixth point of the match followed before Loughgiel’s third major followed in the 57^thminute.  McNaughton standing over a free just inside his own half and well within his range but played the sliotar into the path of substitute Maol Connolly.  Finding Boyle in space, Connolly passed and Boyle’s finish was emphatic.  A simple yet brilliant move that underlined the Loughgiel performance.

Loughgiel continued to add to the score board, their foot to the throat of Rossa’s championship and they played with relentless brilliance.  Emphatic, mesmeric, spell binding hurling from the men in red who set up a mouth watering semi final with Cushendall in two weeks time.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Chrissy O’Connell; Tiernan Coyle, Rory McCloskey, Ronan McCloskey; Enda Og McGarry, Declan McCloskey, Odhran McFadden; Dan McCloskey, James McNaughton; Paul Boyle, Eddie McCloskey, Donal McKinley; Rian McMullan, Shay Casey, Shan McGrath

Subs: Ruairi McCormick for Ronan McCloskey (12); Caolan Blair for Rory McCloskey (18); Declan Gillan for O McFadden (40); Maol Connolly for R McMullan (44)

Scorers: P Boyle 2-4; J McNaughton 0-9 (4fs 1 ’65); E McCloskey 0-6; S McGrath 1-3; D McCloskey 0-2; E Og McGarry 0-2; R McCormick 0-1

Rossa: Philip Crean; Conor Boyle, Chris McGuinness, Ciaran Orchin; Stephen Shannon, Gerard Walsh, Eoin Traynor; Seaghan Shannon, Aidan Orchin; Dara Rocks, James Connolly, Aodhan O’Brien; Thomas Morgan, Cormac McGettigan, Dominic McEnhill

Subs: Diarmuid Rogan for J Connolly (30); Adrian Kenneally for D Rogan (44); Owen May for A Orchin (56)

Scorers: A O’Brien 0-11 (3fs 2’65s); T Morgan 0-3; Stephen Shannon 0-1; E Traynor 0-1; Seaghan Shannon 0-1; D Rocks 0-1; J Connolly 0-1; G Walsh 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Quarter-Final

St John’s 1-18 Ballycastle 1-17

Sunday September 18

St John’s edged Ballycastle in the opening quarter-final on Sunday afternoon with the minimum between the sides at the end of a frenetic second half.  Oisin McManus with what turned out to be the winning score in the second minute of injury time, coming from a ’65 and taking his tally to 1-7 for the game.  The Town had chances in a final ten minutes that neither side really took control off.  When Eoin McAlonan pointed from distance he left the minimum between the sides with ten minutes remaining.  They never pushed on however, leaving the door open for the Johnnies who misfired in the closing stages but did enough to earn the win.

The two goals were major scores in this game and came in either half when one side looked to be in control.  Ballcastle led by three when Oisin McManus netted in the closing stages of the first half while the Johnnies stretched ahead by four when Cathal Conor found the back of Simon Doherty’s goal.  Smyth was a shinning light for Ballycastle with his forward play immaculate and always giving the Town an option.

The opening exchanges were dominated by Ballycastle who started much brighter than the Corrigan Park men.  They opened the scoring with a brace of frees from Tiernan Smyth, either side of Oisin McManus opening score.

The opening goal chance fell to Conor Hand in the 10^th minute after Michael Bradley and Shea Shannon combined to find him in space but Ryan McGarry was well placed to save his effort.

Points from Aaron Bradley and McManus (’65) followed but Ballycastle looked more hungry than St John’s and pressurised them at every opportunity.  Scores from Smyth (three frees), Diarmuid McShane and Seamus McAuley were answered by a solitary score from Aaron Bradley for St John’s to give The Town a three point lead with eight minutes to go in the first half.

A brace of scores from Shea Shannon and Michael Dudley were answered by Ronan McGarry and Diarmuid McShane.  McShane’s score the result of excellent inter-play from Ballycastle to set him free and restore the Town’s three point lead in the last minute of the first half.

St John’s struck with the next play to stave the Ballycastle challenge.  Ciaran Johnston gathering the sliotar in a world of space in the heart of the Ballycastle defence.  Dragging the defenders his way, he found McManus in space and he finished emphatically.  McAuley and Ronan McGarry pointed in response to Dudley and McManus (free) to leave the scores tied at 0-11 to 1-8 at half time.

St John’s started the second half a different team and had Ballycastle on the back foot.  Shea Shannon took centre stage, firing three points in an eight minute period that saw the Johnnies take control while McManus scored his first from play in the same time to give their side a four point lead.

Ballycastle needed a response and found it through Cathal Conor.  Winning the sliotar in a contest he looked second favourite for, Conor charges at goal and fired to the back of the net in the 39^th minute.  A score Ballycastle badly needed and revived their hopes of making the semi-final.

The St John’s response was quality.  Substitute Oisin Donnelly and Aaron Bradley brought them three ahead.  Smyth answered for Ballycastle with a free but they should have had another major midway through the half.  Joe McToal overcooked his pass to Smyth who was in acres of space and the goal at his mercy.

A brace of McManus frees were answered by scores from Conor Boyd and McToal and when Eoin McAlonan pointed in the 50^th minute, a grandstand finish was set up for the final ten minutes.

It never really materialised.  St John’s dominated without ever taking their chances. A run of six wides in the closing ten minutes always kept Ballycastle in touch while Ryan McGarry’s save to deny McManus from point blank range was right out of the top drawer.

A McManus free was answered by a Joe McToal point as the game entered injury time.  McManus took his tally to 1-7 for the hour with a ’65 but they had further chances to stretch their lead that came and went.  Ballycastle rolled the dice deep in injury time with Seamus McAuley’s free dropping on the edge of the square, all the Town could muster was a free from Diarmuid McShane as referee Kevin Parke called time before the sliotar could be pucked out.

St John’s progress to the semi-final and a repeat of their clash with Dunloy at the same stage last year in two weeks-time.

TEAMS

St John’s: Simon Doherty; Conal Morgan, Ryan McNulty, Odhran Carleton; Peter McCallin, Padraig Nugent, Michael Bradley; Andy McGowan, Shea Shannon; Michail Dudley, Conor Hand, Ciaran Johnston; Rory Galbraith, Aaron Bradley, Oisin McManus

Subs: Oisin Donnelly sub C Hand (HT); Domhnall Nugent for R Galbraith (52); Ciaran McKenna for P McCallin (60)

Scorers: O McManus 1-7 (4fs 1 ’65); S Shannon 0-4; A Bradley 0-3; M Dudley 0-2; R Galbraith 0-1; O Donnelly 0-1

Ballycastle: Ryan McGarry; Oran Kearney, Matthew Donnelly, Oisin McAuley; Eoin McAlonan, Neal McAuley, Ronan Laverty; Cian Waldron, Ronan McGarry; Seamus McAuley, Conor Boyd, Joe McToal; Tiernan Smyth, Michael Dallat, Diarmuid McShane

Subs: TT Butler for M Dallat (HT); Dermot Donnelly for R Laverty (36); Cathal Connor for C Waldron (47)

Scorers: T Smyth 1-6 (6fs); D McShane 0-3; J McToal 0-2; S McAuley 0-2; R McGarry 0-2; E McAlonan 0-1; C Boyd 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)

BATHSHACK SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

St John’s v Ballycastle at Dunsilly: Throw-in 1pm

Group 2 runners up St John’s take on Ballycastle, who finished third in Group 1, this Sunday at Dunsilly in the first of the two Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship quarter finals. St John’s started their campaign on a high with a 0-25 to 1-20 win over Loughgiel at Corrigan Park back in August and followed it up two weeks later by beating St Enda’s by 2-30 to 0-14 at Rossa Park in round two. The perfect start but in the bid to claim an automatic semi-final spot they came up just short against a Christy McNaughton inspired Cushendall side at Pairc Mhuire, losing out in the end by 1-21 to 1-16 in a hard fought game.

Ballycastle’s route to Sunday’s quarter final has been starkly different. After losing heavily in their opening game in Group 2 to champions Dunloy by 1-16 to 2-29 at Paric MacUilin, they were even more disappointing in the second round game when Rossa beat them by 0-8 to 0-26 at Dunsilly. After all the work the team had put in under new managers KB McShane and Shane Staunton spirits could have been much lower, and with star man Ciaran Clarke out for the season through injury things looked very bleak. Written off by most pundits going into their final game against next door neighbours Carey Faughs they found the spark that had been missing and following a fast start they went on to produce their best performance in a long time by running out winners by 5-26 to 0-13 to keep their championship hopes alive.

Now St John’s are a different kettle of fish to Carey, but that win must surely give them some confidence that they can put on a better show than they did in the last visit to Dunsilly. St John’s have been knocking at the door for a few years now and were unlucky not to reach a final a couple of times in the last few years. They will go into Sunday’s game as firm favourites, but this game could be closer than a lot of people think.

Rossa v Loughgiel at Dunsilly: Throw-in 5pm

Rossa, who were runners-up in Group 2 take on Loughgiel in the second game at Dunsilly on Sunday, the game throwing in at 5pm. Rossa had a convincing win over Carey Faughs in their opening game at Rossa Park and were untroubled in their second outing against Ballycastle in their second round game at Dunsilly. They lost out to Dunloy in their final game of the group stages by five points which is a more than creditable showing against the champions.

Loughgiel’s start may not have been impressive, losing out to St John’s at Corrigan in their opening game and then going down against the Ruairi Ogs in Cushendall, but there were times in both games that it looked as if they deserved better. They earned their passage to the quarter final with a big win over St Enda’s and will be looking forward to Sunday’s battle with Rossa with a bit of confidence

With James McNaughton back in the fold, after his summer trip to the USA they are a much better team and Rossa will certainly not be taking them for granted.

Michael Armstrong, hero of last years’ semi-final snatch and grab against Cushendall, is more than likely to miss out on this one after pulling up injured in last week’s football quarter final against Creggan. Armstrong’s skill and experienced would be badly missed but it goes with the territory for clubs like Rossa who have so many dual players in their ranks.

I think this is going to be a great game and though Rossa will start as favourites, Loughgiel will also fancy their chances. Extra time could be a possibility!    

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Dunloy 1-17 St Rossa 0-10

County champions Dunloy secured their place in the semi-final of the Senior Hurling Championship when they beat Rossa on Saturday at Pearse Park in what was a repeat of last year’s final. The Cuchullains led by double scores at half time 0-12 to 0-6, and while Rossa had slightly the better of the second, there was still five between them at the final whistle.

Dunloy got the run on a slow starting Rossa side in the opening ten minutes when points from Nigel Elliott, Seann Elliott )direct from a sideline cut) and two from full forward Conal Coby Cunning had them four ahead. Rossa got off the mark with a Thomas Morgan point, and though Deaghlan Smith came back with one from Dunloy a minute later, Stephen Beatty pointed for the Belfast men to cut the gap back to 0-5 to 0-2. The next ten minutes was all Dunloy as they hit five in a row through Conal Cunning (2), Deaglan Smith, Keelan Molly and a monster strike from his own half by Eamon Smyth to go eight clear by the 24^th minutes. Aodhan O’Brien pulled one back from a free and though Coby Cunning came back with one for the Cuchullains, three in a two minute spell from Seaghan Shannon and Tommy Morgan (2) had the gap back to four as the game entered first half injury time.

Things looked more promising for the Befast men at this stage, but in first half injury time Deaghlan Smith and Ronan Molly added points to send their team in at the break with a six point cushion.

Two early points from Tommy Morgan and Gerard Walsh (from a long range free) early in the second half brought Rossa within four. Points from Dunloy’s Deaglan Smith and Conal Cunning in reply to one from Rossa’s Stephen Beatty pushed the gap out to five by the 37^th minute, but two pointed frees in quick succession from Aodhan O’Brien left just three between the sides, but a goal and a point from the ever dangerous ‘Coby’ Cunning gave the home side a bit of breathing space. O’Brien and Beatty came back with points for the men form Shaw’s Road, but they could not get the goal they needed to get back within striking distance. With six minute of normal time Ronan Molloy and Deaghan Smith pushed the gap out to seven and hard though they tried Rossa could not quite bridge the gap, though two more late points from Aohan O’Brien got them to within five.

The win puts Dunloy straight into the semi-final, while Rossa face a quarter final clash with Loughgiel Shamrocks. St John’s face Ballycastle in the other quarter final with Dusilly appearing to be the perfect venue for the games.

DUNLOY

Ryan Elliott, Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn, Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Aaron Crawford, Nicky McKeague, Deaglan Smith, Ronan Molly, Gabriel McTaggart, Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, Conal Cunning, Seann Elliott.

ROSSA

Philip Crean, Adrian Keneally, Cricky McGuinness, Ciaran Orchin, Ruairi Murray, Michael Armstrong, Eoin Trainor, Seaghan Shannon, Gerard Walsh, Dara Rocks, Stephen Beatty, Aodhan O’Brien, Thomas Morgan, James Connolly, Dominic McEnhill

Referee – Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Loughgiel 1-24 St Enda’s 0-10

Loughgiel set up a quarter final meeting with Rossa in the Senior Hurling Championship when they beat St Enda’s in their final round-robin game at Fr Healy Park on Sunday evening. In a stop start game St Enda’s had a  good opening quarter when backed by a strong breeze, but once Loughgiel found their range they recovered to lead by 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.

When wind assisted in the second half Loughgiel pushed on to win with ease in a stop-start game that never really caught fire and by the end there were good value for their 17 point win.

Owen Kennedy opened the scoring for St Enda’s inside 30 seconds, and though Loughgiel came back with points from James McNaughton, Maol Connolly and Shan McGrath, two well taken scores from Philly Curran brought St Enda’s level on eight minutes. Midfielder Owen Kennedy briefly had St Enda’s ahead but Shan McGrath brought the Shamrocks level and when the same player was put clear a minute later he drove the ball to the visitors net to give his side a lead they would not subsequently relinquish.

Two fantastic long range points from St Enda’s centre back Cormac Ross brought them back to within a point but Loughgiel were getting on top and two points from Maol Connolly, one from play and the other from a free gave them a bit of breathing space.   St Enda’s did manager two more in the second quarter as Ross Cormac Jennings fired over, but a point direct from a sideline cut by Paul Boyle started a run that saw Shea Casey, Declan McCloskey and Maol Connolly all hit the target to put the Shamrocks five clear at the interval. (1-10 to 0-8)

With the strength of the wind it was clear scores were going to be hard to come by for the Glengormley men in the second half , and so it proved. Loughgiel kept picking of the points and Declan McCloskey, Shan McGrath, Maol Connolly, James McNaughton and ‘Betty’ McKee (2) all added to the total to stretch the gap to 11 before Cormac Jennings first score of the second half on 48 minutes.  

Three more came from the hurls of Shan McGrath, Declan McCloskey and Eddie McCloskey before Ruairi Donaghy got his team’s team’s final score of the game, but Loughgiel finished strongly as James McNaughton hit three in a row, two from frees and on from play, before substitute Declan Gillan wrapped it all up with the final score of the game.

LOUGHGIEL

Chrissy O’Connell, Tiernan Coyle, Ruairi McCloskey, Rory McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Declan McCloskey, Ruairi McCormick, Daniel McCloskey, James McNaughton, Paul Boyle, Donal McKinley, Shan McGrath, Maol Connolly, Shay Casey, Christy McGarry.

Subs – Ryan McKee, Declan Gillan, Ciaran McKay