Cushendun stayed in the race for a semi-final spot in the Intermediate Hurling Championship when they beat Cloughmills in Friday evening’s Round 3 game at the Biddies Ballyveely Road ground. The Emmet’s still need other results to go their way to make the semi-finals, but keeping themselves in a position to take advantage, if that should happen, was vital.
Tir na nÓg’s win over St Gall’s on Sunday makes the Emmet’s task even more difficult, but not impossible, for if they win their last game against St Gall’s on Saturday 20th September and Glenarm were to beat Tir na nÓg the following day, then all three will be level on points, with score difference the deciding factor to see who joins Glenariffe Oisins in the semi-finals. In that respect Cushendun may rue conceding 1-02 in injury time against the Biddies with the points already wrapped up.
Eoin Dobbin gave Cloughmills and early lead on Friday evening but Cushendun came back to hit six without reply, three of them from Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill, two from Sean McKay and one from Aidan Corbett to lead by 0-06 to 0-01 after thirteen minutes. The next ten minutes were evenly contested with scores from James O’Boyle and Eoin Dobbin (2) adding to the home side’s tally and Thomas Scally, Conor McHugh and Matthew McCartin replying in kind for the Emmet’s. Three in a row from Michael Devlin, Ryan Watson and Ruairi Laverty cut the gap back to just two by the 25th minute, but Loaf McNeill pushed that gap out to five by half time with three in a row, two of them from frees, to send his team in with a five point lead at the break (0-12 to 0-07).
The Biddies cut the gap back to four when Cathal Mullan got the opening point of the second half, but Liam Kearns and Conor Laverty hit back for the Emmts to cut the lead back to four again by the thirty sixth minute but four points inside two minutes, three of them from Sean McKay and one from Conor McHugh pushed the lead out to eight. However they never got an opportunity to rest on their laurels as the home side hit back with four of their own, two from Mickey Devlin and one each from Johnny Duffin and Conor Laverty, and once again there was just four between them.
Cushendun eventually got a breathing space when Loaf McNeill fired home two penalties inside four minutes, but again the home team came back and James O’Boyle hit back with a goal from play. That score was cancelled out when the Emmet’s hit the next three scores, two points from Sean McKay and Conor McHugh, plus a goal from Leo Morgan to increase the lead to twelve points and seal the win. However the Biddies never gave up the fight and points from James and Kevin O’Boyle, plus a last gasp goal from the latter in injury time took five points of the Emmet’s score difference, something they might regret in two weeks’ time.
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The Under 14 B championship certainly did not run to league form with both Saturday’s finalists coming from mid-table.
Brídíní Óga and Gort na Móna however reached the decider on merit. The Glenravel girls had taken out Creggan and St Gall’s on successive Saturdays while Gort beat league champions Sarsfield’s in the quarter-final and then followed it up with victory over St Paul’s on the Shaws Road last weekend.
The Belfast side then got the perfect start in the final as well with Niamh Keenan hitting the north Antrim side’s net in the second minute. Gort na Móna remained on the offensive for the first five minutes before Brídíní Óga settled, helped no doubt by a goal from a Georgie Twigg free after seven minutes.
Twigg tapped over two further frees before Grace O’Boyle burst through after 12 minutes. Her shot was saved by Chloe Devlin but Sadhbh McMullan followed through to find the net.
The Glenravel girls were beginning to take control of the game now despite the best efforts of Alexia Largey, Seana Fryers and goal-scorer Keenan who had to come deeper to forage for possession.
Keenan and Twigg swopped points before Sadhbh McMullan forced home her second goal in first half injury time to leave a gap of 3-3 to 1-1 between the teams at the short whistle.
Within 35 seconds of the re-start Niamh Keenan raced through and hit the net for her second strike. She then added a point from play. As with the first half, Brídíní Óga were taking time to settle but with Caela McCann, player of the match Laoise Carey and Cara McFadden working hard at the back, they began to get a foothold in the game once more and a goal from Molly McKernan put them back in charge.
Niamh Keenan was always a threat however and Niamh Higgins needed to be on her toes on two separate occasions to deny the Gort full-forward who eventually closed the gap between the teams with her fifth score – another point.
At the other end Georgie Twigg popped over a 45. Keenan hit back with a point and Carly Muckian had Higgins stretching to deny her a goal as play quickly switched from end to end.
Sadhbh McMullan and Georgie Twigg (free) extended the Glenravel lead before Gort na Móna through Kaila Walsh and Carly Muckian pulled a couple of scores back in added time.
It was an entertaining and hard-fought final with the winners having to really battle to get over the line. Both teams had some fine players, but Glenravel did the damage in the first half hour and their interval lead was just too wide for Gort na Móna to haul in.
Rossa set up a quarter final meeting with Belfast rivals St John’s when they travelled to Ballyvoy on Sunday and beat Carey Faughs in Round 3 of the Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship. Both teams went into this game searching for their first win of the campaign, but Rossa were strongly fancied to beat last year’s Antrim and Ulster Intermediate champions having put in strong displays against Cushendall and Loughgiel in games one and two.
James Rocket Black gave Carey the lead inside the first minute with a sweetly struck point from a narrow angle on the left, to raise hopes among the home fans, but those hopes were quickly dashed when Rossa’s Thomas Morgan had the ball in the Carey net a few seconds later. Points followed in quick succession from Pearce Short, Declan McCartney, Gerard Walsh, Declan McEnhill, plus two more by McCartney to go 1-07 to 0-02 ahead.
Carey came back with a point from Conor McBride and when a long delivery from Conlith McKinley went all the way to the Rossa net thing began to look a bit better for the home side. Aodhan O’Brien came back with a point for Rossa but three in a row from Patrick Gillan cut the gap back to just four after 13 minutes. That was as good as it got for the home side though as Rossa began to stack up the scores and with Deaglan Murphy, Declan McCartney, Gerard Walsh and Tommy Morgan adding scores they pushed on to lead by 1-120 to 1-10 at half time.
Conditions worsened early in the second half and scores became harder to get but the Belfast men kept pressing. Gerard Walsh got their second goal when he flicked the ball over the line after a good save by goalkeeper Daniel McBride.
Substitue Eoin Trainor got in on the scoring act as Deaglan Murphy, Dominic McEnhill and Pearse Short added to their total and while Carey were outhurled in many departments James Black, Conor McBride, Shea Hunter and Patrick Gillan showed they hurl in any company.
The win for Rossa sets up a mouth-watering quarter final meeting with St John’s in two weeks’ time, with the winners of that due to face county champions Cushendall in the semi-final.
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A Dessie McClean inspired Gort na Mona proved too slick for Davitt’s in this Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Enright Park on Sunday.
The excellent McClean would account for 0-11 of his side’s 0-18 total and his unerring accuracy from the placed ball punished every indiscretion that the Falls Road side committed over the hour.
It was Colm McKee who got Michael Davitt’s off to a good start with a point in the 1st minute but that would be the only time they led as McClean replied with three from play and a converted free in the 8th minute.
A scrambled goal from Cormac Maguire had the visitors back on level terms with 1o minutes gone but they only flattered to deceive as Gort na Mona continued to call the shots.
McClean from a 12th minute free had the men from the Mona Bye-pass back ahead and Thomas McCaffrey followed from long range as the home side began to dominate.
Dessie McClean matched McCaffrey’s effort with another from long range and he added a couple of converted free by the 18th minute as the one way traffic towards the Davitt’s goal continued.
Davitt’s were working hard to get going and break the shackles of the opposition and their best player, Caoimhin Rainey replied with a point but it only served to bring another response from the home side.
Darron Boyd landed a monster effort and Dessie McClean from a ‘65’ and a great point from play from an acute angle left the ‘Gorts’ 0-12 to 1-2 ahead at the break and good value for their lead.
If they were to get back into contention then Davitt’s needed to up the ante in the second half and Caoimhin Rainey raised their hopes as he sent over with only 2 minutes gone.
It failed to bring the necessary response from his colleagues however as Gort na Mona assumed control and Connor McCann, Dessie McClean (f) and another good point from play moved them nine ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Sean Doyle added 2 more and a long range special from Neil Henry moved the ‘Gorts’ 12 ahead by the 21st minute.
Davitt’s were still giving it everything and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Caoimhin Rainey got in for a superb second goal and Nathan Maginn added a late point but it only served to put a better look on the final score-line and it is the Turf Lodge side who will now contest the semi-finals.
In the other quarter-final played on Sunday, Lamh Dhearg produced the performance of the day to defeat St. Brigid’s 0-24 to 1-12 at Musgrave Park and will now join Gort na Mona in the semi-final draw where Glenravel and Armoy have already qualified as group winners.
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Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Cushendall
For 59 minutes on Sunday afternoon, it looked like Loughgiel had brewed the perfect storm. A brace of points from Ben McGarry stretched the Shamrock’s advantage over Cushendall to six points and it felt like enough to see Loughgiel over the line.
The Ruairi’s forgot to read the script. Two goals from substitute Sean McAfee, the second in the fifth minute of injury time either side of a Neil McManus free and before a late Callagh Mooney point with what was the last puck of the game.
Dick Turpin was draped in maroon and white for the day. There’s no doubting Loughgiel were the better team for the majority of this game and had Cushendall on the ropes. They just couldn’t land a knockout blow. The Ruairi’s showed their undying spirit and never-say-die attitude to scrape through in the end but the Shamrocks will be wondering just how they let this one slip from their grasp.
But this was a game that Loughgiel had in their grasp, they shouldn’t have been letting this slip. Decisions may have gone against them at the end but they didn’t deal with the danger and Cushendall did what Cushendall do. I had a very brief chat with the Ruairi’s manager Brian Delargy afterwards and he said: “You should know, Brendan. You can never write us off.” There never was a truer word spoken.
While the rain might have subsided the wind was making life difficult for both sides. Scott Walsh opened the scoring and James McNaughton split the posts with a free soon after, it was the last score either side would record until the 10th minute.
The Shamrock’s went two ahead when Roan McGarry and Paul Boyle fired over. McGarry’s effort coming from a ridiculous angle and made light of the elements while Boyle’s score showcased his strength, power and pace as he held off two Cushendall defenders.
Thomas McLaughlin and Fintan Bradley raised white flags either side of a spectacular score from McNaughton for Loughgiel to edge his side ahead once more.
Another brace of points from Ronan Fitzgerald and McNaughton (’65) put three between the sides with a little over 10 minutes of the half remaining. It could have been even further but Dan McCloskey’s rifled effort was well saved by Conor McAllister between the sticks for the Ruairi’s.
Neil McManus was having his own personal battle with Enda Og McGarry at the other end of the pitch and while the Shamrock’s full back looked to have the upper hand, McManus should have scored the opening goal of the game in the 19th minute. Collecting a high delivery, he shook the challenges before kicking the sliotar towards goal. His effort beat the rushing Cormac McFadden but it went high and over the bar. A Bradley point followed to leave the minimum between the sides before Cushendall had another glimpse of the Loughgiel goal. Callagh Mooney collecting the sliotar in the right-hand corner, he looked for options before sending a pass into the path of McManus but his drive was well saved by McFadden in goals.
The reprieve seemed to spur the Shamrocks into life. Three points in as many minutes from McNaughton (free), Declan McCloskey and Paul Boyle were answered by a McManus’ first free of the contest to leave three between the sides in the 27th minute.
It was the Shamrock’s turn to go close to a major with Roan McGarry going close. Getting on the end of a high ball from Rosie Fitzgerald, McGarry deflected the sliotar goalward but his effort came back off the bottom of an upright.
McNaughton’s third free of the half, fifth overall put four between the sides but Cushendall rallied to hit the last two scores of the half. Another McManus free was followed by a Joseph McLaughlin point with the last puck of the half to leave the score 0-10 to 0-8 in the Shamrock’s favour.
Loughgiel made a dream start to the second half with Ruairi McCormick and McNaughton (free) splitting the uprights. Cushendall went close to the opening goal of the game but it was Liam Glackin who denied McManus with the goal at his mercy.
Ed McQuillan fired over nine minutes into the second half for the Ruairi’s first score of the half as the sides went score for score in the opening quarter. Dan McCloskey and Rosie Fitzgerald coming in response to a brace of frees from McManus.
The Shamrock’s clicked into gear again however with three points in as many minutes. Boyle and McCormick firing over after a typically classy score from McNaughton. Using his speed and guile to split the uprights off the hurl to leave six between the sides.
Cushendall responded with scores from McManus (free) and Walsh but Loughgiel had the scent of victory despite a couple of misses, a brace of points from Ben McGarry looked to have sealed the win with just over a minute of the hour remaining and six between the sides.
Cushendall may have been on the ropes, but they made a Lazarus like if not Rocky Balboa style comeback with Sean McAfee taking centre stage. His first major came in the 59th minute after smart work from Ryan McCambridge to drop a free into the danger area, McAfee timed his swing to perfection and doubled on the sliotar to the back of the net.
Loughgeiel looked to answer that goal but a brace of wides did little to help their cause. McManus stood over a free 30 yards from goal and the Loughgiel defence braced themselves but he clipped the sliotar over to leave two between the sides in the third minute of injury time.
The game defining moment came from a contentious ’65. Loughgiel weren’t happy, Cushendall rolled the dice. Joseph McLaughlin took the ’65 and found Ryan McCambridge, he drilled his effort into a crowded square with the sliotar deflecting into the path of Sean McAfee. The Cushendall substitute gathered and struck for goal instinctively, finding the bottom corner to give Cushendall the lead for the first time in the match. A Callagh Mooney point followed as Loughgiel looked for an equaliser but it never materialised.
The Ruairi’s got out of jail at the death, something we’ve seen plenty of times over the years. They never know when they’re beaten and while Loughiel head to the quarter finals and a tie against Ballycastle, they have plenty of positives to take from this contest despite defeat.
CUSHENDALL: Conor McAllister; Charlie McAuley, Paddy Burke, Ronan McAteer; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge; Fred McCurry, Callagh Mooney; Ed McQuillan, Neil McManus, Thomas McLaughlin; Fiontan Bradley, Ciaran Neeson, Joseph McLaughlin
Subs: Sean McAfee for T McLaughlin (45); Joseph McNaughton for C Neeson (52)
Scorers: N McManus 0-7 (6f’s); S McAfee 2-00; S Walsh 0-2; F Bradley 0-2; C Mooney 0-1; E McQuillan 0-1; T McLaughlin 0-1; J McLaughlin 0-1
LOUGHGIEL: Cormac McFadden; Tiernan Coyle, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ben McGarry, Rory McCloskey, Declan McCloskey; Rian McKee, Ruairi McCormick; Daragh Patterson, James McNaughton, Roan Fitzgerald; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Dan McCloskey
Subs: Rian McMullan for D Patterson (43); Shan McGrath for R Fitzgerald (49); Donal McKinley for D McCloskey (60+2)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-7 (4f’s, 1’65); P Boyle 0-3; B McGarry 0-2; R McCormick 0-2; R Fitzgerald 0-2; Dan McCloskey 0-1; R McGarry 0-1; Declan McCloskey 0-1
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)
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