Ruairí Óg Cushendall V McQuillan's Ballycastle
Ruairi Og secured their thirteenth Antrim Championship and their second on the trot with a sensational comeback victory over luckless Ballycastle in a pulsating game. The Ballycastle men, aided by a strong wind in the first half, started like a house on fired and raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes thanks to points from Ciaran Clarke, Saul Mc Caughan and Shane Jennings. Neil Mc Manus finally got Cushendall off the mark in the twelfth minute from a free. Paddy Mc Gill and then Christy Mc Naughton with a sublime effort on the right wing got Cushendall within two but Clarke pointed a monster free to leave three points between the sides with twelve minutes left in the half. Ballycastle then clicked into top gear with further points Clarke, Saul Mc Caughan, Stephen Mc Garry and Shane Jennings they raced ahead. In the same period all Cushendall could muster was two pointed frees from Neil Mc Manus. As half time approached Ciaran Clarke dispossessed Ryan Mc Cambridge and fed Saul Mc Caughan who made no mistake finishing to the net to leave Ballycastle with one hand on The Volunteer Cup at half time, 1-11 to 0-5.
Cushendall needed to come out all guns blazing in the second half but in the opening exchanges Ballycastle looked comfortable. Paddy Mc Gill traded points with Caolan Mc Caughan to leave the scores 1-12 to 0-6 and with twenty minutes to go Cushendall looked dead and buried. What happened next was a comeback of epic proportions, one that Lazarus himself would have been proud off. In a ten minute period Cushendall hit a scintillating 2-9. The catalyst was a brilliant goal from sub Donal Mc Naughton who lashed an absolutely unstoppable shot to the roof of Ryan Mc Garry's net after a terrific run and pass from Sean Mc Afee. Mc Manus, who was having a real ding dong battle with Neal Mc Auley, converted his frees, Mc Gill got his third from play, then Eoghan Campbell made a great run and finished to the net for an excellent goal and Christy Mc Naughton got his second point of the game with another outlandish effort from a tight angle to put The Dall ahead by 1. Ballycastle looked shell shocked but back they came to level matters with a point from Tiernan Butler. Sharpshooter Mc Manus converted a monster free and got one from play to put Cushendall in front by two. Ballycastle charged forward and Ciaran Clarke found himself in on goal, his shot however was brilliantly saved by Eoin Gillan but the ball broke to Shane Jennings, his goal bound effort hit the crossbar and was cleared by Martin Burke. Neil Mc Manus gathered the breaking ball and pointed another monster. In injury time Eoin Gillan's poc out was gathered by Conor Carson who hammered over a sensational effort from 85 yards to put the icing on the cake as Cushendall lifted The Volunteer Cup on a final score of Cushendall 2-16 Ballycastle 1-15.
How they played:
This game will live long in the memory of hurling people in Antrim, from start to finish it was an absolute classic. You have got to feel for a young Ballycastle side who made a massive contribution to the game. In goals Eoin Gillan was again secure and his save from Clarke in the dying moments was vital. In defence Arron Graffin, Ryan Mc Cambridge, Eoghan Campbell and Sean Delargy really got to grips with Ballycastle in the second half. Aidan Mc Naughton again got through a mountain of work at midfield and up front Neil Mc Manus and Christy Mc Naughton were on top. Credit also has to go to Dall subs David Kearney and Donal Mc Naughton who both made huge contributions when introduced but man of the match in the final goes to joint winners who both produced superb performances. Both players really showed their class and truth be told they were the difference between the teams, well done Paddy Mc Gill and Conor Carson.
Team:
1. E Gillan, 2. R Mc Cambridge, 3. M Burke, 4. A Graffin, 5. E Campbell(1-0) 6. E Mc Killop 7. S Delargy 8. A Mc Naughton 9. S Mc Naughton(0-1) 10. C Mc Allister 11. N Mc Manus(0-9) 12. C Carson(0-1) 13. P Mc Gill(0-3) 14. S Mc Afee 15. C Mc Naughton(0-2)
Subs used: D Kearney, D Mc Naughton(1-0), K Mc Keegan.