Antrim Senior Hurling Championship 2020

Ruairi Og 3-19 St. Gall’s 2-5.

Report by Colum Thompson

ON a day when conditions were not conducive to good hurling Cushendall made light of the conditions to record a big win over St Gall’s at Pairc Mhuire on Sunday and now face Rossa in next weekend’s quarter-final

Ruairi Og welcomed back Neil McManus from injury for the visit of Belfast side St. Gall’s and the ‘Dall star didn’t take long to make his presence felt. He hit the opening two points of the game from placed balls before Paddy Freil got St. Gall’s off the mark when he pointed following good work from Jackson McGreevy. Alex Delargy won another free for Cushendall about 30 yards from goal. McManus stood over the dead ball, noticing space to Kurtis McGreevy’s right and he sent a thunderbolt to the bottom corner of the net to put The Ruairis 1-2 to 0-1 ahead after ten minutes.

From the resulting poc out Cushendall sent a high ball into The Gall’s square and Alex Delargy finished to the net through a crowd of players to push Cushendall further ahead. Niall Mc Cormick added a point and when Paddy McGill lashed a ground stroke to the net just minutes later it really put Cushendall in the driving seat. Credit to St. Gall’s, despite shipping three goals in the space of six minutes they fought back with two points, one from Jackson McGreevy and the other from Gregory McGreevy. However Cushendall were running at the St. Gall’s defence and winning frees, McManus converting three in a row. As half time approached both Aidan McNaughton and then Paddy Burke landed points to leave Ruairi Og in a commanding position but in first half injury time St. Gall’s were thrown a lifeline. Marty Burke was adjudged to have fouled Anton McCaffrey in The Dall square and referee Colm Cunning awarded the penalty which Jackson McGreevy stepped up and blasted the ball past the diving Conor McAllister to leave the score at the short whistle Ruairi Og 3-8 St. Gall’s 1-4. 

 Cushendall again started well with points from three McManus frees, Scott Walsh and Fergus McCambridge while Anton McCaffrey replied for the visitors. The writing was really on the wall for St. Gall’s and Cushendall took the foot off the gas with one eye on a Championship quarter final. The intensity was gone from the game totally. Jackson McGreevy got St. Gall’s a goal when his long free skidded off Ryan McCambridge’s stick and into the net but the result was already beyond doubt. Cushendall were throwing the ball about trying to make things happen and they hit the final six points of the game, three from Neil McManus, two from Scott Walsh and a great score from Shane McNaughton who hit a rasping drive inches over the bar following a brilliant pass from McManus.

How they played:

There was a certain degree of shadow boxing with both teams knowing that, barring a massive upset in the St. Enda’s V Loughgiel game, they were both already through to the quarter finals. For their part St. Gall’s were always competitive and played right to the final whistle. Cushendall however just had too much fire power and some of the movement from their midfielders and forwards was a joy to watch. Jackson McGreevy gave a good account of himself in The St. Gall’s engine room and further forward Anton McCaffrey was always dangerous. For Cushendall Joe McCurry, Ryan McCambridge and Arron Graffin defended well. Niall McCormick again worked his socks off at midfield and up front Neil McManus and Paddy McGill pulled the strings. However man of the match goes to the impressive Paddy Burke who not only defended superbly, he was also the launch pad for so many of Cushendall’s attacks. Sitting deep he time and again gave the right ball at the right time to put forwards in prime position to score. 

TeamsRuairi Og: 1. C McAllister 2. J McCurry 3. M Burke 4. A Graffin 5. Stephen Walsh 6. P Burke(0-1) 7. R McCambridge 8. N McCormick(0-1) 9. E Campbell 10. F McCambridge 11. N McManus(1-10) 12. A McNaughton(0-1) 13. A Delargy(1-2) 14. P McGill(1-0) 15. Scott Walsh(0-3)Subs used: Shane McNaughton(0-1), D Delargy, F McCurry, S McAfee.
St. Gall’s: St. Gall’s 1. C McGreevy 2. L McCluskey 3. J McDaniel 4. S Morrison 5. C McCaffrey 6. N O’Neill 7. R Irvine 8. J Hopkins 9. J McGreevy(1-2) 10. G McGreevy(0-1) 11. K McGourty 12. P Freil(0-1) 13. S McAreavy 14. A McCaffrey(0-1) 15. M Donnelly.

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Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship – Group 2

Naomh Eánna 1-12 Loughgiel 2-24

Paul McIntyre reports from Páric Eánna, Hightown

As expected Loughgiel saw off the challenge of Naomh Eánna on Sunday afternoon to claim top spot in Group 2 of this year’s Bathshack sponsored senior championship. A dominant second half which saw the Shamrocks push a three point lead out to fifteen-point win. While the scoreboard suggests it was an easy win, the final score was a bit harsh on David Ross and Jamie Curran’s side.

Only three points separated the two sides at the break as underdogs Naomh Eánna gave as good as they got but they failed to make the most of their possession. Aided by a strong breeze, the homeside tried to hit the twin towers of John McGoldrick and Darrach Cooper, but more than often the delivery would be overcooked as they racked up eleven first half wides.

It was a Naomh Eánna attack that missed the physical presence of county player Joe Maskey greatly. Without a direct powerful runner, they became over reliant on the long ball and Loughgiel sweeper Tony McCloskey was happy to mop up plenty of breaking ball. They were also dealt a defensive blow with Cormac Ross also ruled out through injury. Eoin Conlon came in at centre half back with Mark Donaghy retreating back to act as a sweeper in a move which was working, but once the homeside went down to fourteen players, Loughgiel seized the opportunity and went for the jugular.

For the visitors, Benny McCarry failed to recover from his ankle injury picked up last week against St Galls so Joey Scullion kept his place on the edge of the square while the return of Liam Watson will have to wait for another two weeks as he continues his work to get to full fitness.

Aided by the elements, Naomh Eánna went route one from the first minute and took the lead o six minutes when Matthew O’Hare’s clearance from his own half deceived everyone and found its way to the back of the Loughgiel net much to the surprise of Chris O’Connell. The Shamrocks responded well and with James McNaughton in a rich scoring vein of form, the sides were level after 12 minutes.

Naomh Eánna then enjoyed their best spell of the game and rattled off the next five points. The pick of them a sideline cut from John McGoldrick, while defenders Niall O’Connor and Oliver Breen also got in on the scoring act.

It was then Loughgiel’s turn to work the scoreboard as their half forward trio of Eddie McCloskey, Ryan McKee and McNaughton all helped the Shamrocks take control of the game and creep into a two-point lead, 0-11 to 1-6 with five minutes to the half time break.

McGoldrick pointed as Naomh Eánna approached the half time break in front but as soon as the clock turned red, McNaughton was put in the clear by Shea Casey and despatch the ball to Curran’s goal with great aplomb. This helped the Shamrocks to a three-point lead, 1-12 to 1-9.

With the wind now in their backs Loughgiel started to pick off their scores with a bit more ease as Naomh Eánna relied on frees to stay in touch. Their cause not helped when the lost midfielder Higgins to a second yellow card.

There was still only five points between the sides as they emerged after the second half water break, but as the rain lashed down in Glengormley, so did the Loughgiel scores and an injury time goal from Eddie McCloskey sealed a semi-final against either St Johns or St Galls in two weeks’ time.

Teams:

Naomh Eánna: P. Curran, N. O’Connor, M. Mullan, M. O’Hare (1-0), O. Breen (0-1), E. Conlon, E. O’Connor, R. Donaghy, J. Higgins (0-1), K. Jennings (0-1), C. Jennings (0-2 2f), D. Lowry, J. McGoldrick (0-4 1f, 1 sideline), D. Cooper, M. Donaghy (0-2).

Subs: D. Maguire for D. Lowry 28 mins.

Loughgiel:

C. O’Connell, S. Dobbin, T. McCloskey, R. McCloskey, O. McFadden, D. McMullan, Declan McCloskey, D. McKinlay (0-1), Daniel McCloskey (0-2), R. McKee (0-3), J. McNaughton (1-13, 10f), E. McCloskey (1-4), S. McGrath, J. Scullion, S. Casey (0-1).

Subs: B. McAuley for D. McKinley & S. O’Boyle for J. Scullion, both 46 mins, P. Boyle for S. McGrath 52 mins.

Referee: Mr Michael Hardy

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Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Preview

By Brendan McTaggart

I didn’t think it was possible, but last weekend was a step up in intensity and excitement from the previous.  Leaving Rossa Park I was both bewildered and delighted.  Bewildered at what had transpired in the hour and a half previous and delighted that I am privileged to gaze upon the beautiful game.  I mentioned it in my report of the game, I really do pity those who know nothing of hurling.  The Eighth Wonder of the world and the gift that keeps on giving.

Rumour has it, Chrissy McMahon’s equalising point is still travelling down the Stewardstown Road.  Hit from a different time zone and could have gone for another 50 yards.  I wrote in my report it was physically and metaphorically it was a gargantuan score for the Cuchullains.  They knew they got out of jail in Rossa Park.  They got a point from a game they had no right to for long periods.  They made changes during the game both in personnel and tactically to somehow get back into the game.  Ronan Molloy nullified the threat of James Connolly while having a stormer on the Dunloy half back line.

I say ‘somehow got back into the game’, I’m still not quite sure how it all happened but as I was reminded by Gregory O’Kane at the full time whistle: “Sometimes managers get it right as well.”

Yet it took an act of brilliance from Paul Shiels to spark the Dick Turpin-esque ending in the 15^th minute of additional time.  There will come a day when Dunloy will no longer have the services of ‘Shorty’, that will be a sorry day.  Not just for the Cuchullains but for hurling in general.  A genius with the ash and sliotar in his hand and we are blessed to be able to watch him.

Dunloy travel to Corrigan Park on Sunday.  Somehow unbeaten and somehow still with their fate in their own hands.  The Johnnies have qualified for the next round.  Whether that’s straight to the semi’s or a quarter-final berth depends on this contest.  The Cuchullains need a win to guarantee their championship rein continues.  It all adds to what will be a cracking contest. 

St John’s had an outstanding performance from Conor Johnston against Ballycastle.  Ominous for the Cuchullains that the younger of the Johnston brothers has hit such imperious form and timing perfect as far as the Corrigan Park men are concerned.  An attack as good as anything in the county and a work rate to match.  This one is billed as Match of The Day and rightly so.  The cameras will be there for those who can’t make it.  I’ll be purchasing it so I can re-watch it back.

Twitter is where it all happens these days post-match.  I like having a look and gauging reaction after the games – Rossa manager Colly Murphy hit the nail on the head with his response.  “We could blame the referee however if that’s the added time then we play to the whistle which we didn’t.”  I don’t think there’s anything more his side could have done on the day.  They brought an intensity I haven’t saw from a Rossa side in a long time and matched it with a game plan that almost bought them the scalp of the champions.

How they are sitting with one point from two matches right now is one of life’s great mysteries.  Playing Cricky McGuinness in full forward has come more by accident than design but the Rossa man has been more than a handful on the edge of the box.  Brilliant in the air, he gives another option that combines beautifully with the youthful exuberance of Tiarnan Murphy, the guile of his brother Deaglan and the outrageous talents of Connolly. 

The problem Colly Murphy has, and I say problem with tongue in cheek, is Mickey Armstrong.  He plays so well in a number of positions, where do you best play him?  A ball winner, a point taker, a grafter.  I’ve always said I like to see him in the middle third and that’s where he spent the majority of his time against Dunloy.  Armstrong on his game could be key for the Jeremiah’s against the luckless Ballycastle.

Neal McAuley thought he’d done the business last Sunday against St Johns when he went for glory from distance.  He didn’t and like Dunloy, the Town are unbeaten but winless in this most bizarre of championships.  Again, like Dunloy, Ballycastle know a win puts them through to the next round.  What round that will be is the conundrum to end all conundrums.  The permutations are mind blowing.  We’ll leave it that winner takes all in both matches.  If there’s more draws then it’s going to get messy.

The other group is more straight forward and as expected, Loughgiel and Cushendall are leading the way.  The Shamrocks overwhelmed St Galls with James McNaughton leading the scoring charts as they racked up a big score.  They’re in the semis with a game to spare and they travel to the Hightown Road to face a Naomh Éanna side who acquitted themselves well against the Ruairi’s last day out.  They made life difficult for Cushendall and signs they are ready to kick on from their Intermediate glory of 12 months ago.  Anything other than a win for Hugh McCann’s side will be a major upset but the Mighty Town men will be hoping to maintain their performance levels.

Cushendall and St Galls play off for the first time in the Championship since their 2014 final.  This match will determine who finishes second and third in the group but the Ruairi’s will be favourites to take the runner up spot.  St Gall’s bring a physicality that will match the ‘Dall but you’d fancy Cushendall to take the honours.  It is unsure just how close Neil McManus is to returning to the fold but with Aidan McNaughton hitting form, Shane McNaughton putting the acting scripts to one side for the time being and Paddy McGill firing, they will have too much in their armoury for the Milltown Row Azurri.

Prediction time.

Last weekend I fared only marginally better than the previous week.  Two out of four but in my defence, where has all the draws come from this year!?

Here goes.  Loughgiel and Cushendall, Dunloy and a Ballycastle and Rossa draw.

That has Dunloy and Loughgiel in the semi’s, quarter-final pairings of St Galls and Cushendall against…..argh, no idea.  Enjoy what promises to be a cracking weekend of hurling folks, Corrigan Park for me….I’ll be the one saying a Novena and holding a camera.

It’s been four years since the Volunteer Cup has rested in the trophy cabinet of Fr Healy Park. To some that may not be seen as an issue but in Loughgiel it’s bordering on a crisis. After being narrowly pipped by Cushendall in the 2018 final, the Shamrocks have started 2020 like they mean business. After getting the better of arch rivals, the aforementioned Dall in their opening game last week, Hugh McCann’s side duly put St Galls to the sword last Sunday in a devastating manor to take control of Group 2 of this years Bathshack sponsored Antrim Senior Hurling Championship.

‘Two wins out of two, brilliant, absolutely brilliant’ said McCann after Sunday’s win at Milltown. ‘We came here to do a job and we done it. That’s as simple as that and now we are totally focused on St Endas next week’. St Galls bring a physical challenge and they certainly done that today. We knew that coming up here so we had to play to our strengths’ continued McCann.

The win also puts his side within touching distance of a semi-final as the Shamrocks will be massive favourites to claim another win on the road in Glengormley next Sunday and finish the round robin series top of their pool, thus avoiding  a potentially nightmare quarter-final clash with a from Group 1, which has become the group of death with no one as yet assured of qualification.

While McCann was quick to praise his squads performance it was hard not to ignore the 0-13 haul from James McNaughton. The wing forward landed six frees in a man of the match display of skill and poise. ‘Outstanding. A joy to watch’ was how his manager described McNaughton’s showing. ‘His balance, his striking. He’s running around with a smile on his face. What more can you ask for?’ continued McCann.

Looking ahead to next Sunday’s final pool game at St Enda’s, McCann admitted to not knowing a lot about the current Ulster Intermediate champions, but for the week ahead, he’ll be nothing but totally focused on the job at hand. ‘In fairness, I don’t know an awful lot about them, but they’ve a lot of good athletes. They’ll move a lot, they’ll move quickly. We just have to set out our stall and see how we go’, while also admitting that we may see Liam Watson taste championship action for the first time this year. Watson wasn’t risked against St Galls because of what his manager described as a ‘niggle’.  

With a great blend of youth and experience at his disposal already, the return of ‘Winker’ could have a big say as we approach the business end of the season.

Antrim Senior Hurling Championship

Ruairi Og 1-20 St. Enda’s 1-9.

After defeat to Loughgiel last week Cushendall were looking to get back to winning ways with the visit of senior championship newcomers St. Enda’s. However it was the Hightown Road men who started the brighter with a point from Ruairi Donaghy but Alex Delargy got Cushendall off the mark when he rounded his man and tapped over from 21 yards. St. Enda’s were causing Ruairi Og problems in the early stages and after Darragh Cooper won a free which was converted by Cillian Jennings they found themselves back in front. Cushendall sparked into life with points from the hard working Niall McCormick and the industrious Aidan McNaughton to go 0-3 to 0-2 ahead.

Most people were expecting Cushendall to kick on having settled down but St. Enda’s put the cat among the pigeons when following a goal mouth scramble Joe Maskey bundled the ball over the line for a goal. Alex Delargy provided an immediate response with his second point of the game and when Niall McCormick split the uprights from 60 yards it left Enda’s ahead by a single point. However St. Enda’s again found their range with points from Cormac Jennings and Darragh Cooper to restore their 3 point cushion. Cushendall full forward Sean McAfee traded points with Cormac Jennings as the game began to become a real battle. Cushendall were starting to play with a bit more fluency and they finished the half with their tails up following five points in a row from Aidan McNaughton(0-3), Paddy McGill and Niall McCormick.

Half time score Ruairi Og 0-11 St. Enda’s 1-5.

   Cushendall started the second half in the same fashion as they finished the first, with a point from Aidan McNaughton following good work from Stephen Walsh. Jennings pointed a free for the visitors but Ruairi Og had shifted up a gear. Three points in a row from Aidan McNaughton, Shane McNaughton and Ryan McCambridge pushed their lead out to 6 points. St. Enda’s to their credit continued to battle and they were rewarded with a pointed free from Cormac Jennings. The impressive Niall McCormick made a great run and he was found by Dominic Delargy and neatly pointed for his fourth of the game. Moments later the game was settled beyond any reasonable doubt. A high ball caused confusion in the Enda’s square and Conor Carson was on hand to kick the ball to the net for a Dall goal.

The impressive Paddy Burke caught a pass from Eoghan Campbell and pointed from distance before Ronan McAteer, introduced as a second half sub, marked his senior championship debut with a fine point from 40 yards. John McGoldrick hit two points from frees for the Hightown men but the game was over as a contest at this stage and Cushendall coasted home with the final two points of the game from Aidan McNaughton and a huge effort from Conor Carson.

How they played: St. Enda’s to their credit made life difficult for Cushendall. They were organised and worked hard all day. Mark Donaghy had a solid game at centre half back with Cormac Jennings and John McGoldrick also impressive. For Cushendall Paddy Burke marshalled the defence well and he was well assisted by Joe McCurry. Niall McCormick had a super game at midfield and plundered four points. However man of the match was the impressive Aidan McNaughton who hit a fantastic six points from play as well as working hard for the team.

Teams:

Ruairi Og 1. E Gillan 2. J McCurry 3. M Burke 4. A Graffin 5. Stephen Walsh 6. P Burke(0-1) 7. R McCambridge(0-1) 8. N McCormick(0-4) 9. Scott Walsh(0-1) 10. D Delargy 11. E Campbell 12. A McNaughton(0-6) 13. P McGill(0-1) 14. S McAfee(0-1)15. A Delargy(0-2)

Subs: C Carson(1-1) S McNaughton(0-1) R McAteer(0-1)

St. Enda’s 1. P Curran 2. N O’ Connor 3. M Mullan 4. R Diamond 5. D Lowry 6. M Donaghy 7. E O’ Connor 8. E Conlon 9. R Donaghy(0-1) 10. Cillian Jennings(0-1) 11. Cormac Jennings(0-4) 12. J Higgins 13. D Cooper(0-1) 14. J Maskey(1-0) 15. J McGolderick(0-1)    

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