Antrim Reserve Cup Final

Ruairí Óg were crowned Antrim Reserve Hurling winners 2016 yesterday in Armoy where they defeated Loughgiel on a scoreline of 4.10 v 2.14 and were worthy winners in a tight, exciting game between the best two reserve sides in the county.

Despite the strong wind that threatened to make it the proverbial 'game of two halves', goals and some excellent points kept the two teams neck and neck for most of the game and it was one of these Ruairí Og goals from Christy Mc Naughton, that was worth the admittance money alone. Christy caught the ball on his left side but the goalkeeper and a defender were blocking his shot to goal, so he turned on to his right side with the Loughgiel players following his movement, Christy had the audacity, skill and speed of thought to flick the ball overhead back to his left side and turn and volley it into the unguarded net on that side for a superb goal at a critical time.

But it was far from a case of any one player dominating the game as  it truely was a total team effort from the starting 15, subs and management.

Antrim vice chairman, Malachy Delargy presented the Reserve Cup to joint captains Mark Donaghy and Eamon Laverty. In his acceptance speech Mark thanked referee Ryan O Reilly for his fine job as referee, (his task of looking after the final was made straightforward  as both teams came to play tough, hard but fair hurling) , Armoy for the use of their facilities and to the Loughgiel club for a great game of hurling.

Well done lads!