Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Cushendall 1-21 St John’s 1-16

Sunday September 4

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall

It wasn’t quite a one man show for the Ruairi’s on Sunday but it wasn’t far off.  Christy McNaughton was unplayable against St John’s and his tally of 1-15 for the hour tells you everything you need to know.  A closer look, with eight white flags coming from open play is impressive in itself.  McNaughton scored all but one of Cushendall’s scores in the opening 30 minutes as they trailed the Corrigan Park men by the minimum at the interval and while he was equally as impressive after the restart, he had more support.  Namely Paddy McGill.  He finished the game with four points, all coming in the second half and from different ranges and angles.  McGill showing glimpses of returning back to his best in a Ruairi shirt.

The Johnnies had eight different scorers on the day and always looked a threat.  Conor Johnston, Conor Hand, Oisin McManus and Shea Shannon gave the Ruairi’s defence plenty of problems and were full value for their lead at the interval but Cushendall’s third quarter pushed them into a four point lead by the 40^thminute and a lead they would expertly manage for the remainder of the game.

This was a feisty game that had plenty of championship ‘feel’ about it, both sides looking for the direct route to the semi-finals and tempers flared on a number of occasions.  No mention of a dead-rubber at Pairc Mhuire with the chase for the Volunteer Cup alive and well.

The game was barely three minutes old when the first goal came.  Scott Walsh playing a cross-field ball to McGill and he deflected the sliotar into Christy McNaughton’s path.  He was dragged down with the goal at his mercy and despatched the resulting penalty with power.  He followed his major with two white flags to leave Cushendall four ahead after 10 minutes.  St John’s upped their game however and by the time the Ruairi’s scored again, they were behind on the score board.  Oisin McManus and Conor Johnston splitting the uprights before they found the back of Eoin Gillan’s net in the 14^th minute.  Aaron Bradley with delightful footwork to evade Cushendall tackles and found Conor Johnston.  He skipped past his man and despatched the sliotar expertly.  A mammoth free from Padraig Nugent followed as the Johnnies began to play some excellent hurling but Cushendall and Christy McNaughton hit back.

Three points in as many minutes from Christy edged Cushendall ahead again but the home side were overly reliant on his individual brilliance while St John’s had threats everywhere.  Nugent landed another huge free before Dominic Delargy became the second Ruairi player to register a score in the 27^th minute.  Ruairi Galbraith restored parity to the score line once more before the Johnnies opened up the Cushendall defence once more.  Aaron Bradley again involved and passing to Oisin McManus.  His shot was instinctive and rasping only Gillan was equal to his effort to deflect the sliotar out for a ’65 that McManus converted.  A Peter McCallin point followed before NcNaughton took his half time tally to 1-6 to leave the minimum between the sides on the stroke of half time.

Half time came just when Cushendall needed it and allowed the Ruairi’s to regroup.  The sides swapped scores through Conor Johnston and Christy McNaughton before Cushendall went through the gears.  Five points in as many minutes, McGill and four from Christy McNaughton (one free) took the Ruairi’s into a four point lead.  The Johnnies replied with a brace of points from Oisin McManus (frees), but Cushendall’s interplay and decision making began to open the St John’s defence more frequently.  White flags from McNaughton came either side of McGill’s third point of the half by the 51^st minute and while Conor Johnston replied for the visitors, Sean McAfee and McGill opened a five point advantage with seven minutes of the hour remaining.

St John’s dug deep once more with Ruairi Galbraith firing a brace of scores before Shea Shannon left just two between the sides with four minutes remaining.  It would be the last score St John’s would register however as Cushendall added further gloss to the score line.  A brace of frees from Christy McNaughton preceded McGill’s fourth of the match to ensure Cushendall safe passage to the semi-finals.

TEAMS

Cushendall: Eoin Gillan; Liam Gillan, Paddy Burke, Martin Burke; Mark Donaghy, Eoghan Campbell, Scott Walsh; Alex Delargy, Ryan McCambridge; Dominic Delargy, Sean McAfee, Aiden McNaughton; Paddy McGill, Christy McNaughton, Francis McCurry

Subs: Niall McCormick for R McCambridge (45); Andrew Delargy for F McCurry (50); Cormac McClafferty for D Delargy (55)

Scorers: C McNaughton 1-15 (1-00 pen, 7f’s); P McGill 0-4; S McAfee 0-1; D Delargy 0-1

St John’s: Declan Creggan; Conal Morgan, Ryan McNulty, Odhran Carleton; Peter McCallin, Padraig Nugent, Ciaran Johnston; Michail Dudley, Aaron Bradley; Michael Bradley, Conor Johnston, Conor Hand; Oisin McManus, Shea Shannon, Ruairi Galbraith

Subs: Ciaran McKenna for C Morgan (37)

Scorers: Conor Johnston 1-2; O McManus 0-4 (3fs, 1 ’65); R Galbraith 0-3; S Shannon 0-2; P Nugent 0-2 (2 f’s); P McCallin 0-1; Ciaran Johnston 0-1; M Bradley 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Cuchullains)

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1

Carey Faughs 0-13 Ballycastle 5-26

The first Senior Championship meeting between Ballycastle and Carey Faughs in 55 years turned out to be a stroll in the park for the Ballycastle men as they ran up a big score against their local rivals. In the build up to the game many pundits were tipping the Faughs to cause an upset, so poor had Ballycastle been in their opening game against Rossa, but the Town had a point to prove and a lightning quick start, which brought them a goal and three points in the opening four minutes, had Carey on the back foot and they never really recovered from it.

The pitch was perfect and a good crowd had turned up to see these neighbours battle it out for the first time since 1967, but Ballycastle’s focus was on the game and they flew from the traps as Conor Boyd, Joe McToal and Tiernan Smith sent over points. Conor McBride, who was to score the majority of Carey’s point, pulled one back for the Faughs but great work in the right corner by Dairmaid McShane set up Ciaran Smith for a well taken goal to give his team a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after just a four minutes.

That start set the pattern of the game, and though Conor McBride kept his team in touch with his excellent free taking the Town were piling on the scores through Conor Boyd, Joe McToal ,Tiernan Smith, ‘Rambo’ McCarry and Diarmaid McShane, and they were 1-9 to 0-5 clear by the 20^th minute. Carey, who lost a man to a straight red card five minutes before the interval, added two more frees inside three minutes through McBride, but three from ‘Smithy’ and one from McShane had Ballycastle 1-13 to 0-8 clear by half time.

Corner forward Smith carried on where he left off as the sides resumed after the break with two more points, and though McBride hit two more for the Faughs, a scoring burst from Cian Waldron, Conor Boyd and Tiernan Smith were followed by a goal from Mickey Dallat that all but finished the home team’s challenge. McBride and James ‘Rocket’ Black got two more from play but Ballycastle were dominating throughout the field and points from Smith, Seamus McAuley, Conor Boyd, and Diarmaid McShane stretched the lead even further.

Ballycastle emptied their subs bench and the scores kept coming, and though three late goals from Dairmaid McShane Buff Dallat and Conor Boyd gave the scoreboard a somewhat flattering look, the result was never really in doubt.

The win throws Ballycastle a lifeline and earns them a quarter final place against the losers of Sunday’s final game  in group two between Cushendall and St John’s

Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Group 2

St John’s 2-30 Naomh Éanna 0-14

Paul McIntyre reports from Rossa Park

St John’s made it two wins from two outing in this year’s Bathshack Antrim senior hurling championship after seeing off Naomh Éanna with minimal fuss at Rossa Park.

The Johnnies showed their ruthless streak from the first minute and didn’t let up over the hour. They can now look forward to a winner takes all cash with Cushendall in two weeks’ time. The victors of this clash will head straight to the semi-finals with the loser facing a quarter-final against the third-place finishers of group one.

The only downside for the Johnnies were injuries picked up by Aidan McMahon and Michael Dudley.

McMahon took a bang to the knee and was helped off the park just before half-time while Dudley took a blow to the head which forced his withdrawal in the 56^th minute. Their names now are being entered to a growing injury list that already includes Conal Bohill and Domhnall Nugent.

On the plus side, Conor Morgan made a return to action for St John’s after a year’s absence with an ACL injury.

Naomh Éanna battled gamely for the sixty plus minutes but any ideas of a championship upset were quickly put to bed as three Oisin MacManus scores in as many minutes gave those in attendance a taste of what was to come.

Niall and Luke O’Connor helped to steam the flow, but by the time Cormac Jennings landed Naomh Éanna’s third point of the evening, St John’s had already amassed nine with MacManus helping himself to a further three points.

It got worse for the Glengormley outfit in the twentieth minute when Conor Johnston’s long ball was flicked to the net by the on-rushing Ruairi Galbraith, and before half-time Michael Dudley and Padraig Nugent also got their names on the scoresheet to help their side to a 1-15 to 0-7 lead.

Bradley quickly claimed a second point on the resumption before Dudley gave Martin Curran in the Naomh Éanna goal no chance with a scorching drive from close range.

Dudley and Bradley added to their totals as Aaron Bradley and Conor Johnston got their first scores of the evening and just seven minutes into the second half, St John’s lead by twenty points, 2-21 to 0-7.

Naomh Éanna battled gamely and efforts from Philip Curran, Jennings and Niall O’Connor helped them to get off the mark in the second half while at the other end Curran saved well to deny Dudley a second goal.

But the last word was left to Aaron Bradley in the final minute as his point wrapped up an impressive twenty-two-point win.

Teams & Scorers:

St John’s: Declan Cregan, Aidan McMahon, Ryan McNulty, Odhran Carleton, Peter McCallin, Padraig Nugent (0-1), Ciaran Johnston, Andy McGowan (0-1), Michael Dudley (1-3), Aaron Bradley (0-3), Conor Johnston (0-1), Michael Bradley (0-4), Oisin MacManus (0-12 7f 1 ‘65’), Shea Shannon (0-2), Ruairi Galbraith (1-3).

Replacements: Conor Morgan for McMahon (26), Ciaran McKenna for McCallin (41), Stephen Tierney Dudley (56).

Naomh Eánna: Martin Curran, Ruairi Diamond, Rian Gillen, Niall O’Connor (0-2), Joe Maskey, Philip Curran (0-1), Cormac Ross, Owen Kennedy, Luke O’Connor (0-2 1f), Ruairi Donaghy, Manus Mullan (0-1), Cormac Jennings (0-7 5f), Niall McGivern, Diarmuid Maguire, Eoin Conlon.

Replacements: Killian Jennings (0-1) for Maguire (28), Michael McGivern for N McGivern (HT).

Referee: Mr Mark O’Neill.

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 2

Cushendall 1-20 Loughgiel 1-15

Sunday August 21

Brendan McTaggart reports from Antrim Training Complex, Dunsilly

As the old adage goes, form is temporary but class is permanent.  Neil McManus continues to be the man for the big occasion and Sunday was no different.  Mr Cushendall steered the Ruairi’s to a five point victory over Loughgiel with a masterclass in the second half.  He would finish the hour with 12 points beside his name in a flawless performance from placed ball and almost singlehandedly dragging Cushendall back into this championship tie.  He had plenty of support with Alex Delargy chipping in with three points and Eoghan Campbell peerless at centre half as Ruairi’s overcame a sluggish start to take the honours against their old rivals.

Loughgiel started this tie superbly and had the measure of the Ruairi’s in the opening 20 minutes.  Paul Boyle in particular impressing, scoring four of the Shamrocks opening six points with an awesome display which would see Loughgiel running into a six point lead by the 18^th minute.  Cushendall’s challenge was hurt by a number of wides and goal chances coming and going.  Francis McCurry twice denied but he would make no mistake the third time when the chance came his way.  Campbell running through the Loughgiel defence, playing a one-two with Alex Delargy smartly got his shot away but Chrissy O’Connell saved.  McCurry somehow got to the rebound to squeeze the sliotar over the line.

‘Fred’s’ goal reduced Loughgiel’s lead to just two points and proved to be the catalyst for his side as they never looked back.

Loughgiel held a slender one point at the interval, 0-11 to 1-7 and while substitute Maol Connolly fired the opening score of the second half, it would be the Shamrocks last score for 19 minutes as Cushendall dominated.  Loughgiel had a goal disallowed with referee judging Ryan McKee’s pass to Shan McGrath was illegal before he would find the back of the net but Cushendall turned the screw.  Defensively they were immense with the positional sense of their half back line allowing them to build pressure and with McManus imperious from placed ball, Cushendall began to build an unassailable lead.  He would score five points unanswered himself, the pick of which coming in the 40^th minute.  Receiving the sliotar wide on the right, McManus leaned back and firing over his shoulder despite the best efforts from the Loughgiel defence to deny him.  An inspiring point that visibly lifted his side.

It was the ‘purple patch’ the Ruairi’s needed and Loughgiel needed something special to get back into the tie.  They found that through James McNaughton.

Having just returned from the States during the past week, McNaughton was introduced ten minutes into the second half as the Shamrocks looked for another edge in attack.  Six points separated the sides with eight minutes remaining and McNaughton gave the Shamrocks a glimmer of hope with a wonderous goal.  Donal McKinley providing the assist but McNaughton was fully 30 yards from goal when he unleashed an unstoppable drive to the bottom corner of the net.  Substitute Maol Connolly added his fifth point of the match moments later to reduce the Cushendall lead to just two points with plenty of time remaining but the Ruairi’s regrouped to control the time that remained with points following from McManus (free) and Ronan McAteer to open a five point lead.

Loughgiel had further chances for majors with substitute Eddie McCloskey, McGrath and Connolly all bringing the best out of Eoin Gillan in the Cushendall goals but it was too little too late for the Shamrocks who’s match with Naomh Eanna in two weeks time is effectively a knock out tie while Cushendall and St John’s will play to decide who avoids a quarter-final tie and books a place in the semi-final.

TEAMS

Cushendall: E Gillan; L Gillan, P Burke, R McAteer (0-1); M Donaghy, E Campbell (0-1), S Walsh; A Delargy (0-3), R McCambridge (0-1); D Delargy, F McCambridge, A McNaughton; P McGill (0-1), N McManus (0-12, 9 frees 1 ’65), F McCurry (1-1). Subs: C McNaughton for P McGill (49), S Wlash for F McCurry (57)

Loughgiel: C O’Connell; T Coyle, T McCloskey, R McCloskey; E Og McGarry, D McCloskey (1 free), R McCloskey; S McGrath (0-1), R McKee (0-1); R McMullan, D McKinley (0-1), P Boyle (0-5); C McGarry, D McCloskey, S Casey. Subs: M Connelly (0-5, 2 frees 1 ’65) for R McMullan (20); J McNaughton (1-00) for S Casey (39); O McFadden (0-1) for T McCloskey (40); E McCloskey for R McKee (48); S O’Boyle for C McGarry (60).

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

BathShack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Group 1 

Rossa 0-26-0-08 Ballycastle 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

Rossa secured a quarter-final berth in this seasons BathShack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship with a thumping 0-26-0-08 win over Ballycastle at Dunsilly on Saturday evening. 

Having defeated Carey Faughs in their Championship opener two-weeks ago, the Shaws Road outfit began the game as favourites against a Ballycastle outfit that needed the points following an opening day reversal to Champions Dunloy. The Belfast men went in leading by 0-12 to 0-6 at half time and with the strenght of the wind that did not seem an insurmountable hurdle for Ballycastle, despite having lost their talisman Ciaran Clarke through injury. However when wind assisted in the second period they managed just two more points as Rossa took complete control to cruise to an 18 point win.

Thomas Morgan struck first on a sun-drenched evening in Antrim and Stephen Beatty would double the lead- profiting from Ryan McGarry’s puck-out falling short into his path. 

Ballycastle opened their account for the evening courtesy of a Seamus McAuley point and Tiernan Smyth then floated over an equaliser to restore parity in the early stages. 

Points were traded in the aftermath between Gerard Walsh and Tiarnan Butler – though Rossa would restore their two-point lead with Dominic McEnhill firing over from range and Stephen Beatty doubling his tally in the aftermath.

A superb Mark McClean effort dropped over the bar to reduce the arrears to the bare minimum. However, four unanswered points stretched the Shaws Road outfit’s advantage. 

James Connolly received a pass from Thomas Morgan and angled a superb shot between the posts, Seaghan Shannon dropped over another and turned provider for a second McEnhill point – with a third quickly following to give his side a 0-09-0-04 lead. 

Ballycastle responded with Seamus McAuley converting a free, but Aodhan O’Brien did likewise and then fizzed over a fine score from play. 

The best move of the half resulted in James McLister dropping a shot over the bar after a neat interchange involving Ronan McCarry and Michael Dallat in the build-up. 

At the midway point six-points would separate the sides thanks to Stephen Beatty floating over his third point of the half to make it 0-12-0-06. 

Rossa extended their lead upon the games resumption with James Connolly picking off the opening two scores- Thomas Morgan played providers role on both occasions, the first when his side-line cut dropped to the full-forward to flash a shot over and a reverse pass saw Connolly flick over a second in quick succession. 

Seaghan Shannon added his second point of the evening in the aftermath with Ballycastle eventually opening their second half scoring through a Ronan Laverty shot that dropped over the black spot. 

Scores were traded between Morgan and Conor Boyd (65’), Boyd’s point would prove his sides last of the evening as Rossa chalked up ten unanswered points between then and the games conclusion.  

Michael Armstrong popped a magnificent pass to Gerard Walsh to angle his second point of the evening, Dominic McEnhill added two further points to his tally with Dara Rocks getting himself on the score sheet in-between times as Rossa were 0-20-0-08 to the good. 

A converted Aodhan O’Brien free followed, and Thomas Morgan clipped over his third point of proceedings. 

Dominic McEnhill would finish with a persona tally of 0-07- scoring either side of point from substitute Diarmuid Rogan. 

Deep into time added on Thomas Morgan would complete the evenings scoring in an encounter that proved to be one-sided with the Belfast side running out convincing 18-point victors. 

The win ensures a second place at worst ahead of a repeat of last years Championship Final as Rossa finish the group with a trip to Dunloy in a fortnights time. 

Ballycastle must regroup for a winners take all clash with local rivals Carey Faughs both currently with a win, whoever prevails will take the last vacant quarter-final spot in the Group. 

Rossa: D Armstrong, A Kenneally, C McGuinness, C Orchin, Stephen Shannon, M Armstrong, E Trainior, Seaghan Shannon (0-02),G Walsh (0-02), D Rocks (0-01), S Beatty (0-03), A O’Brien (0-03, 0-02f), T Morgan (0-04), J Connolly (0-03), D McEnhill (0-07). 

Subs: D Rogan (0-01) for Seaghan Shannon (52), C McGettigan for D Rocks (52),C McVeigh for J Connolly (56), R O’Neill for A O’Brien (58), N Devlin for Stephen Shannon (60). 

Ballycastle: R McGarry, M McClean (0-01), O McAuley, O Kearney, J McLister (0-01), N McAuley, M Donnelly, C Boyd (0-01 65’), S McAuley (0-02, 0-01f), J McToal, C Clarke, M Dallat, F McKiernan, T Butler (0-01), R Laverty (0-01). 

Subs: T Smyth (0-01) for C Clarke (12), R McCarry for F McKiernan (18), C Connor for J McToal (HT), J McGowan for M McClean (HT), T McIlroy for O McAuley (52 mins blood sub). 

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)