Doherty Woodshavings Division One League Final

Cushendall 0-24 Rossa 0-16

Sunday July 18

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Mac Uilin

Cushendall claimed the League crown on Sunday afternoon with an eight point win over Rossa at Ballycastle.  Having led by five at half time, the Ruairi’s had to withstand a comeback from the Shaw’s Road men who had the deficit reduced to the minimum just eight minutes into the second half.

Cushendall went through the gears after the second half water-break however and kept the Jeremiah’s scoreless for 18 minutes of the second half.  An exhibition of first class stick work from Christy McNaughton delighted those Ruairi Og followers in attendance at Pairc MacUilin throughout the hour as he finished with 12 points beside his name in a man of the match performance.

Rossa will look back at the closing quarter with regret, they had fought their way back into the game and missed chances to get back on terms before the Ruairi’s pulled away.  Cushendall dominated the opening quarter as well though with Rossa’s first shot from open play not coming until Tiarnan Murphy’s 22nd minute point.  They couldn’t get change out of a strong Cushendall defence marshalled superbly by Arron Graffin.  Playing with six on his back, the Ruairi Og man dropped into a sweeper role with Paddy and Martin Burke in front and behind him.

Scott Walsh’s burgeoning reputation expanded a little further with an excellent performance from half back with three fine scores throughout while Ryan McCambridge excelled in the full back line and when moving further up the field in the second half, chipping in with two white flags as Cushendall went through the gears.

Two points separated the sides by the first water-break, Christy McNaughton, Scott Walsh and Andrew Delargy doing the scoring for Cushendall with Deaglan Murphy’s frees keeping Rossa in touch.

Eight points in as many minutes for Cushendall put daylight between the sides with Tiarnan Murphy’s point from play in the 22nd minute the only response from Rossa.

The Jeremiah’s finished the half on top however with Deaglan Murphy (two), Chris McGuinness and Tiarnan Murphy’s second of the half redeucing the deficit to five at half time.  Tiarnan Murphy’s effort a beautiful score with his feet on the white wash on the side line 50 yards from goal.

Rossa continued where they left off after the short whistle with Dara Murphy, Morgan and Dara Rocks recording scores before Paddy Burke scored Cushendall’s first score for 12 minutes to kick the Ruairi’s back into action.

Chances came and chances went for Rossa to get back on terms but Cushendall turned a two point lead at the water-break into a comfortable victory in the last quarter.  McCambridge and Christy McNaughton excelling the final quarter.  Substitute Dara Rocks tested the reflexes of Eoin Gillan in the Cushendall goal with a fierce drive but the Ruairi net minder deflected the sliotar onto the post before clearing but Cushendall were worthy of their winning margin over the hour.

TEAMS

Cushendall: Eoin Gillan; Ryan McCambridge, Martin Burke, Liam Gillan; Scott Walsh, Arron Graffin, Ruari McCollum; Eoghan Campbell, Alec Delargy; Conor Carson, Christy McNaughton, Andrew Delargy; Francis McCurry, Niall McCormick, Paddy Burke

Subs: Aidan McNaughton for L Gillan (36); Fergus McCambridge for A Delargy (45); Joseph McCurry for C Carson (53)

Scorers: Christy McNaughton 0-12 (6f 1 ’65); Scott Walsh 0-3; Paddy Burke 0-3; Ryan McCambridge 0-2; Eoghan Campbell 0-2; Conor Carson 0-1; Andrew Delargy 0-1

Rossa: Phil Crean; Eoghan O’Neill, Ciaran Orchin, Niall Crossan; Adrian Kennelly, Stephen Shannon, Cormac McGettigan; Eoin Traynor, Seaghan Shannon; Dara Murphy, Chris McGuinness, Dominic McEnhill; Tiarnan Murphy, Thomas Morgan, Deaglan Murphy

Subs: Conal Shannon for E O’Neill (HT); Dara Rocks for C McGuinness (HT); Callum McVeigh for C McGettigan (57)

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

Click on this link to view more images: http://www.ruairiog.com/gallery/2021-shl-final-v-rossa-360