By Kevin Herron 

Stephen Beattie recalls being a 12-year-old boy in Rossa House back in 2004- the last time Rossa clinched the Volunteer Cup with a victory over Loughgeil at Casement Park. 

17-years on from Jim Connolly receiving the cup and bringing it back to their Falls Road base to celebrate, the 29-year-old is hoping to guide his side to Championship honours against Dunloy at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon (3.45 throw-in). 

Beattie describes the memories of 2004 giving him goosebumps that will always stick with him and said that doing it on Sunday would stay with him for the rest of his life. 

“In 2004 I was 12-years-old, and I remember being in Rossa house for the celebrations” he recalled. 

“I remember Jim Connolly lifting the trophy and I remember them singing their song- Pump it up- as well. they’re memories that will always stick with me and come Sunday- even thinking about it gives me goosebumps. 

“Come Sunday, if I’m the person that’s lifting that trophy, it’s going to be something that sticks with me for the rest of my life and something I’ll be proud of. Even to captain this team into the final is a serious proud moment for myself and my family”. 

Beattie was part of the 2015 side that won the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship at Croke Park. 

He believes that win was a steppingstone for the club, and they are now bearing fruits from the success. 

“You’d think we were on a six-year programme but it’s just the way it’s happened” Beattie reflects. 

“Since 2004 our club has disappeared in terms of competing in Senior Championships. 2015 was a good steppingstone when we won the Intermediate, we knew we had to drop down. I keep saying this is just the hard work paying off. 

“All the buy in we’ve had and if you look at the team – I’d say there is 13 starting players that are still in our panel. It’s starting to bear fruits of the Intermediate, so fingers crossed it continues”. 

Speaking alongside team-mates Gerard Walsh, Ciaran Orchin and manager Colly Murphy during Tuesday evenings press night at the Dub- Beattie was glad to get the media interviews out of the way and focus on Sunday/

“I just want to get all the interviews out of the way because now I can focus” he admits. 

“It’s easy to say to boys- don’t be getting involved in the occasion, but you need to enjoy the occasion as well. they don’t come around that often, you enjoy the build-up but come Sunday it’s another game. Throw the ball in, and everything goes out the window, game plans go out the window in the final. We’ll get everything out of the way, we’ll enjoy our training and see where we’re at on Sunday”. 

The Rossa captain believes the semi-final comeback against Cushendall shows maturity from the previous 12-months when they lost out by a single point to Sunday’s opponents Dunloy and is hoping that it won’t be another nail bitter. 

“I remember being heartbroken last year when Dunloy scored the point to win” Beattie acknowledged. 

“I remember being heartbroken when Paddy Magill scored that goal because I was like- this is happening to us again. But at the same time, I turned my back and I run, and I knew it wasn’t us. 

“I did have a feeling we would sneak it and I think that does show the maturity of the panel. In the past Rossa would have said- this isn’t for us- whereas now, we’re actually stepping back up and saying- we’re not messing about anymore. Fingers crossed it doesn’t come that close to it on Sunday”.

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Semi-Final

Rossa 4-18 Cushendall 3-20

Sunday September 26

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

The clock had just ticked into injury time at the end of a pulsating second half when it looked like Cushendall had performed another Houdini act.  Substitute Paddy McGill fired the Ruairi’s third goal of the game and give them a three point lead against a Rossa side who had commanded the second half.  The Shaws Road team had opened a five point lead with four minutes of the hour remaining when Cushendall dug into their reserves to leave themselves on the brink.

Not so.  Rossa hit back with a goal from their own substitute four minutes into injury time.  Dara Rocks with the finish after Mick Armstrong’s assist to put the Shaw’s Road men into their first county final since 2004.

In a close first half, Cushendall held a slender one point lead at the half time whistle.  Paddy Burke’s 23rd minute goal giving the Ruairi’s the advantage but the second half was championship hurling in its rawest form. Chances, big scores, changes, impact subs, momentum swinging like the proverbial pendulum and intensity beyond belief.  Rossa and Cushendall put it all on the line and gave everything they had for their club but in the end it was Colly Murphy’s side who edged just did enough.

Moving Michael Armstrong to the edge of the Cushendall square proved to be pivotal for Rossa. Playing in defence and Neil McManus’ shadow in the first half, Armstrong excelled in the second half with two goals of his own as well as setting up what was effectively the winner for Dara Rocks.  Armstrong is a ball winner no matter where he is on the pitch and his impact was monumental.  

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The Ruairi’s had their own talisman with McManus again putting in an incredible performance while Scott Walsh’s performance didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.  Three points from half back and another commanding performance, his reputation continues to burgeon within the county.

The Ruairi’s spirit shone in the second half as they battled back.  Each time Rossa looked to pull away, Cushendall found another response.  Armstrong’s two majors came in the third quarter as the Ruairi’s stuttered after the restart with Christy McNaughton’s usual accuracy from placed ball leaving him but the last quarter was as pulsating as it was frenetic with both sides throwing caution to the wind.  

McManus took over the free taking responsibilities for his side and scores from Eoghan Campbell and Walsh brought Cushendall to within two points after Armstrong’s double but Rossa’s knack for scoring vital goals at pivotal moments struck again.  Stephen Beatty this time managing to get the sliotar beyond Eoin Gillan but it was just the starter for the main course that was to follow.

Cushendall responded, this time with Fred McCurry.  Paddy Burke launched a free that landed in the danger area with Rossa strugling to clear their lines, McCurry fired home.  A life line for the ‘Dall and when Alex Delargy followed up a score from distance to leave one between the sides with three minutes remaining.

Scott Walsh’s third point of the game was followed by a fine score from substitute Fergus McNaughton before McGill struck.  A long ball again causing mayhem in the Rossa defence with Rossa at six’s and seven’s allowing McGill to take advantage and give Cushendall a three point lead for the first time in the game.

It looked for all the world like Cushendall had performed yet another great escape but Rossa showed incredible hunger and desire to hit back.  Gerard Walsh landing his second point of the contest before Rock’s took centre stage.  Again, Armstrong in the thick of things as he found Rocks in space and the Rossa substitute made no mistake.

An incredible ending to an absolutely absorbing second half as Rossa book their place in their first county final for 17 years.

TEAMS

Rossa: Donal Armstrong: Ciaran Orchin, Adrian Kinneally, Aidan Orchin; Stephen Shannon, Michael Armstrong, Chris McGuinness; Gerard Walsh, Deaglan Murphy; Daire Murphy, Seaghan Shannon, Aodhan O’Brien; Tiarnan Murphy, Stephen Beatty, Dominic McEnhill

Scorers: Deaglan Murphy 0-6 (3f’s, 1 ’65); Michael Armstrong 2-00; Stephen Beatty 1-3; Dara Rocks 1-00; Gerard Walsh 0-2; Adrian Kinneally 0-1; Stephen Shannon 0-1; Daire Murphy 0-1; Aodhan O’Brien 0-1; Tiarnan Murphy 0-1; Conall Shannon 0-1; Eoin Trainor 0-1

Cushendall: Eoin Gillan; Ryan McCambridge, Martin Burke, Joe McCurry; Scott Walsh, Arron Graffin, Ruari McCollam; Eoghan Campbell, Alex Delargy; Paddy Burke, Christy McNaughton, Aidan McNaughton; Fred McCurry, Neil McManus, Niall McCormick

Scorers: Neil McManus 0-6 (2f’s); Christy McNaughton 0-4 (4f’s); Fred McCurry 1-1; Scott Walsh 0-3; Paddy Burke 1-00; Paddy McGill 1-00; Eoghan Campbell 0-2; Alex Delargy 0-1; Aidan McNaughton 0-1; Niall McCormick 0-1; Fergus McNaughton 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

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Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Semi-Final

Cushendall vs Rossa 12:30pm Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Dunloy vs St John’s 4.30pm Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)

Brendan McTaggart previews the doubleheader at Dunsilly

And then there were four.

The race for the Volunteer Cup reaches the semi-finals and like last year, a double header in Dunsilly. Lovely stuff.

Rossa and Cushendall, Dunloy and St John’s and two ties that could really go either way, no matter what the bookies might tell you.  For the record, they have Cushendall at -2 and Dunloy at -6.  Extremely generous and there may be a few who might have a look at the betting in the second semi-final.

So a look at the quarter-finals first of all.  Cushendall safely negotiated as expected, the challenge of Naomh Eanna.  Although maybe just not as handsomely as initially thought.  It was a solid if not spectacular performance from the Ruairi’s who were relieved for a broken Joe Maskey hurl and a favourable square-ball call.  Naomh Eanna gave a good account of themselves and but for some horrendous luck, they could have been closer to Cushendall but you got the feeling the Ruairi’s could go through the gears if required.

After an initial burst from the Hightown Road men, Cushendall settled with Christy McNaughton and Neil McManus dovetailing well in attack and Niall McCormick’s early goal and menace giving the ‘Dall an edge.

They go into Sunday’s first semi-final as slight favourite’s as thoughts turn to the encounter with Rossa a little over 12 months ago.  At the Hightown Road, a brace of goals from Stephen Beatty caused an upset with Colly Murphy’s men defeating Cushendall by a score line of 2-11 to 0-16.  A match that could be looked upon as a watershed moment for the Jeremiah’s and a belief in what they’re building towards underlined with a big win over Loughgiel in the group stage.

That win in Fr Healy Park had more significance for Rossa given the fact they have had that more than a few of their squad have dual responsibilities also.  The extra week break for their hurlers will be exactly what the doctor ordered and has allowed for a clean bill of health with Michael Armstrong recovering from a hamstring injury.  Cushendall’s injury concerns are a little less clear cut with Alex Delargy missing the Naomh Eanna game after picking up a knock in the group game win over St John’s while Paddy McGill was introduced as a sub but taken off against Naomh Eanna with a niggle.

It’s a fascinating game with sub-plots every way you turn.  Cushendall will feel like they have a point to prove following last years defeat to the same opposition and perhaps a point to prove to themselves, they are better than the performance they gave in the last round.  For Rossa, they want to keep their momentum going.  An unbeaten league campaign and another scalp against one of the north Antrim big guns under their belt, momentum, a clean bill of health and a chance to reach a first county final since 2004.

The bookies have Cushendall as narrow favourites and with league victories (two) and a win against Rossa in the reserve championship, you can see why that is.  They are a side who are never easily beaten and have a knowhow when it comes to the championship.  I have a sneaky suspicion that the Jeremiah’s will upset the odds, however…

The second semi is a repeat of the classic between these sides three weeks ago in Corrigan Park.  Dunloy came out on top 2-30 to 1-26 in a scorefest between the best two attacking sides in the county.  Dunloy purred through the gears early on and controlled that contest but St John’s more than played their part.  Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Donal Carson excellent in attack and Michael Bradley was excellent from midfield.

The Johnnies made some positional changes for their quarter-final with Oisin Donnelly moving to midfield and partnering Michael Bradley while Peter McCallin and Ciaran Johnston took a starting 15 jersey.  Donnelly is carrying a niggle and is a doubt for Sunday’s quarter-final but I’d expect a similar 15 again.  The Johnnies will know where they got it wrong against Dunloy in the group stages and coming off the back of a big win against Loughgiel, they will have a huge amount of confidence.  So often in recent years they have come up short in tight matches but against Loughgiel, they rode out the storm and edged home in a titanic tussle.

If the Johnnies go man for man against Dunloy, it will be an incredible spectacle but you have to think they will come out second best.  Dunloy have the best attacking unit in the county and if you’re going to beat the reigning champions, you have to limit their attacking threats.  That being said, it’s easier said that done. Cushendall did it in the first match of the championship and St John’s tried it in Corrigan Park but the Cuchullains were in top form by that stage with cobwebs blown and ring rust gone.  They should have Paul Shiels back in the starting line up, Shorty has been carrying a niggle since the Cushendall game but played the last five in Corrigan. 

Who wins?  Dunloy are favourites and it will take something special from St John’s to stop them but if any team is capable of it, Brian McFall’s men certainly are.  They will need to go beyond and reach a higher performance level than they’ve shown to date in 2021 but momentum is a wonderful attribute in this beautiful game.  The expected weather conditions could even the playing field and make this anyone’s game but I see the Cuchullains making the final.

Dunsilly direct.

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter-Final

Cushendall 1-20 Naomh Eanna 0-16

Sunday September 12

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly, Antrim

Cushendall progressed to the last four of this championship on Sunday afternoon but they were pushed all the way by a determined Naomh Eanna side.  The Ruairi’s came into this quarter-final as hot favourites to progress but they came up against a spirited performance from the Naomh Eanna men who looked to upset the odds.

The Hightown Road men will look back at a disallowed goal at the end of the first half and a penalty in the second half that saw Joe Maskey break his hurl as he made contact with the sliotar.  Both came at pivotal moments in the game and if Naomh Eanna were going to cause the mother of all upsets, they needed to come out on the right sight of moments like these.

They didn’t.

Maskey’s hurl breaking is a freak incident while the square ball call against Philly Curran looked dubious but referee Ciaran McCloskey made the call straight away without hesitation.

The underdogs started superbly with Cormac Ross (free) firing the opening score of the game before Eddie O’Connor took centre stage.  Three points in as many minutes gave the Glengormley men a four point lead with Cushendall stuck in neutral.

The Ruairi’s finally got going with Eoghan Campbell, Francis McCurry and Neil McManus (free) all splitting the uprights before scoring the only goal of the game in the 13^th minute.  McManus playing the sliotar into space where Niall McCormick collected and went on a trademark dangerous run.  His finish was emphatic and Cushendall looked to have finally settled into the quarter-final.

McManus and Christy McNaughton (free) fired points either side of a Ruairi Donaghy score for Naomh Eanna to leave three between the sides at the end of the first quarter but Cushendall rallied after the water break.

Philly Curran reduced the lead to two on the resumption but six unanswered points from the Ruairi’s put them in a strong position as they began to make better use of the sliotar.  Scott Walsh excelling in the half back line in a man of the match performance while Christy McNaughton’s accuracy from frees was machine like.  Paddy Burke chipped in with scores along with Fergus McCambridge but the drama came at the other end of the pitch in the 28^th minute.

Naomh Eanna needed to break the momentum Cushendall had gathered and they looked to have landed a perfect punch against the Ruairi’s.  Rian Bogue sending the sliotar high to the edge of the square with Philly Curran waiting.  He had Martin Burke and Ryan McCambridge for company along with Eoin Gillan but the sliotar evaded everyone and landed in the back of the net with all men ending up on the ground also. Naomh Eanna’s celebrations were short-lived however as referee McCloskey immediately called for a square-ball, much to the annoyance of Curran who felt like he had been fouled as the sliotar made it’s way down the Dunsilly sky.

Scott Walsh and Eddie O’Connor’s fourth point of the half ended the scoring for the first half with Cushendall ahead 1-12 to 0-7 at half time.

Cushendall looked to quell any thoughts of a comeback from Naomh Eanna early after the restart with three quick points.  Paddy Burke, Christy McNaughton (’65) and McManus finding the required accuracy for the Ruairi’s.

Naomh Eanna dug deep however and enjoyed their best spell of the game with points from Killian Jennings, Luke O’Connor and Philly Curran coming before they were awarded a penalty.  Philly Curran in the thick of the action once again as he collected a long delivery from Joe Maskey.  He was hauled to the ground and the Glengormley men had a chance to turn the heat on their illustrious opponents.  Joe Maskey stepped up but incredibly his hurl broke as he made impact with the sliotar and Eoin Gillan saved his shot easily.  A goal at that stage would have reduced the Cushendall lead to five points and would have given the Hightown Road men a lift but lady luck didn’t shine on them when they needed it.

Cushendall broke their momentum with Ruari McCollam splitting the uprights with a brace of Christy McNaughton frees following.  A Philly Curran free the sole response from Naomh Eanna in the same period before the water break.

Naomh Eanna continued to play with great intensity and didn’t let their performance levels dip in the last quarter and outscored Cushendall 0-5 to 0-2.  Substitute Eoin Conlon having a positive impact with a brace of white flags while Cormac Ross (’65), Niall O’Connor and Rian Bogue also collected scores. Christy McNaughton’s eighth point of the game and a tidy score from substitute Sean McAfee the response from Cushendall.

The Ruairi’s controlled the remainder of the game without much more incident.  Naomh Eanna had another half goal chance late in the day when Philly Curran stood over a 21 yard free but Eoin Gillan was equal to his effort.

A great performance from Naomh Eanna who made light of the odds against them on the day.  It was another step on their journey in senior championship hurling and they will look back on the 2021 championship as another breakthrough year for them as a club.  In the end, it’s a seven point win for the Ruairi’s who know they will have to find another couple of gears when they face Rossa in the semi-finals in two week’s time in a repeat of last years quarter-final that saw the Shaw’s Road men take a memorable victory.  Rivalries will be renewed once more.

TEAMS

Cushendall: Eoin Gillan; Ryan McCambridge, Martin Burke, Shane McKenna; Scott Walsh, Arron Graffin, Ruari McCollam; Eoghan Campbell, Fergus McCambridge; Paddy Burke, Christy McNaughton, Aidan McNaughton; Francis McCurry, Neil McManus, Niall McCormick

Scorers: Christy McNaughton 0-8 (7f’s, 1’65); Neil McManus 0-3 (2 f’s); Niall McCormick 1-00; Eoghan Campbell 0-2; Paddy Burke 0-2; Scott Walsh 0-1; Ruari McCollam 0-1; Fergus McCambridge 0-1; Francis McCurry 0-1; Sean McAfee 0-1

Naomh Eanna: Martin Curran; Ruari Diamond, Rian Gillen, Niall O’Connor; Cormac Ross, Mark Donaghy, Joe Maskey; Rian Bogue, Luke O’Connor; Eddie O’Connor, Ruairi Donaghy, Matthew O’Hare; Killian Jennings, Daniel Lowry, Philly Curran

Scorers: Eddie O’Connor 0-4; Philly Curran 0-3 (1f); Cormac Ross 0-2 (1f 1’65); Eoin Conlon 0-2; Niall O’Connor 0-1; Rian Bogue 0-1; Luke O’Connor 0-1; Ruairi Donaghy 0-1; Killian Jennings 0-1

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

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