SHL v Ballygalget Report

Sunday 15 ^th of June 2014

 

Ruairi Og V Ballygalget

 

Ruairi Og claimed the two league points on offer thanks to a 5-20 to 0-12 victory over Down side Ballygalget. The Down men started well with midfielder Eoin Clarke registering the first point of the game. Eoin Laverty converted a free for Cushendall but Ballygalget sent over the next three points to race into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Sean Mc Afee won a ball on the 40 yard line and converted a nice point but again Ballygalget responded with points from Eoin Clarke and Darren Flynn. Donal Mc Naughton was being tightly marked on the edge of the square but he did break free to register two points either side of another Eoin Clarke free. Cushendall were finding it hard to break through a resolute Ballygalget defence in the first half but Karl Mc Keegan was leading by example, he fed Alex Delargy who sold his man a super dummy and clipped over an excellent point. Stephen Clarke answered back for Ballygalget but Karl Mc Keegan caught a high ball and from 60 yards fired over an excellent point. Clarke pointed a free from midfield but Cushendall now had the bit between their teeth. Mc Keegan broke free and he passed to Donal Mc Naughton who made no mistake firing to the net from ten yards. From the poc out Conor Carson won possession and after a strong solo run he hammered over a superb point. As the half drew to a close Cushendall claimed another goal, Mc Naughton again the man who got it after good work from Eoin Laverty to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 2-7 Ballygalget 0-9.

   Whatever was said at half time in the Dall dressing room certainly did the trick. Aidan Mc Naughton won the ball in the middle of the park and set off on a mazy solo run and after beating several defenders he crashed a super shot to the roof of the Ballygalget net. Alex Delargy and Sean Mc Afee(2) sent over points as Ballygalget began to crumble. Stephen Clarke pointed but his score was cancelled out by Ryan Mc Cambridge. Eoin Clarke converted a free but Cushendall were rampant and with points from Sean Mc Afee, Donal Mc Naughton, Ryan Mc Cambridge, Conor Carson and Eoin Laverty they pulled clear. As the game entered the final ten minutes Cushendall refused to let up, substitute Dominic Delargy got in on the act with a good goal fired in from an acute angle. Paddy Burke converted a 65 before Sean Mc Afee put the icing on the cake when he burst through and hammered in another goal. Ryan Mc Cambridge, Shea and Aidan Mc Naughton all pointed as Cushendall closed out the game in style to claim the win. Final score Ruairi Og 5-20 Ballygalget 0-12.

 

How they played:Cushendall looked lethargic in the first half but really turned on the style in the second. Arron Graffin was superb in defence and he was well assisted by Conor Carson and Sean Delargy. Alex Delargy had a great game pulling the strings from midfield and Aidan Mc Naughton also put in a strong shift. Up front Sean Mc Afee and Donal Mc Naughton were always dangerous but my man of the match goes to Karl Mc Keegan. He may have only registered a point on the scoreboard but when Cushendall were struggling in the first half it was Karl who provided the leadership that was badly needed. His general contribution from open play was excellent and he made a number of superb passes to set up scores for his team mates.

 

Team: 1. E Gillan 2. S Delargy 3. M Burke 4. A Graffin 5. C Carson (0-2) 6. P Burke(0-1) 7. R Mc Cambridge(0-3) 8. A Delargy(0-2) 9. A Mc Naughton(1-1) 10. P Mc Gill 11. S Mc Afee(1-4) 12. C Mc Allister 13. K Mc Keegan(0-1) 14. D Mc Naughton(2-3) 15. E Laverty (0-2)

 

Subs used: E Mc Killop, C Mc Clafferty, D Delargy(1-0), A Delargy, S Mc Naughton(0-1)