Shl V Dunloy: Report

 

Ruairi Og’s impressive run continued last night with a hard fought victory over Dunloy in the league. Starting without captain Aaron Graffin who was sidelined with a back injury Ruairi Og shuffled their pack with Neil Mc Manus moving to full back, Donal Mc Naughton went to centre half back and Paddy Burke came in on the wing. The game started at a frantic pace, Karl Mc Keegan was the first man on the score sheet when he collected a pass from Shane Mc Naughton and converted from 35 yards. Paul Shiels replied for the home team in the fourth minute with a point from the left wing. Cushendall were playing an attractive brand of hurling and the ball was moved up field to Alex Delargy who split the uprights with a neat point. Shiels converted a placed ball for Dunloy who then went in front with another point from Shiels, this time from play. Paul Shiels was proving dangerous for Dunloy and the Ruairi Og management team took action, moving Ryan Mc Cambridge to pick him up and the switch worked a treat. Mc Cambridge won a ball and sent it towards the danger area where Shane Mc Naughton gathered and hammered a great shot to the net to put Ruairi Og back in front.

 

Eunan Mc Killop then burst into life and thumped over two excellent points in a row and Karl Mc Keegan converted a free to put Cushendall in a commanding position. That however would be Mc Keegan’s last contribution to the game, due to an accidental collision he had to leave the field and was replaced by Eoin Laverty. Nigel Elliott stopped the rot for Dunloy and sharp shooter Shiels converted two frees either side of an Eoin Laverty point for Cushendall. As half time approached Ruairi Og finished strongly, first Eoin Laverty clipped over a point after strong work from Conor Carson. Then the elusive Alex Delargy went on the rampage with two points in a row and Shane Mc Naughton finished the scoring for the half with a point from his corner forward berth to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 1-10 Dunloy 0-6.

 

Eoghan Campbell got the first half off to a good start for Cushendall with a point on the run but then Dunloy were awarded a free on the Dall 21’. Paul Shiels stood over the ball and hammered a great strike past Ronan Kearney and it was game on for the second half. Ruairi Og responded well to conceding the goal, Eoghan Campbell got his second point of the game after being set up by Paddy Mc Naughton and then Conor Carson got the score of the game when he burst past three tackles and without taking the ball in his hand fired over a sensational point from the tightest of angles. Shiels converted a free and then a 65’ but Eoin Laverty kept Cushendall’s noses in front with a great point over his shoulder from the left wing. Coming down the home straight Dunloy knew they needed a goal but they couldn’t break through the Dall defence which was being well marshalled by Ryan Mc Cambridge and Paddy Burke.

 

Paul Shiels did however convert four frees in a row to put just two points between the teams. Alex Delargy steadied the ship for Cushendall with his fourth point of the game to put three between the teams. Dunloy moved Paddy Richmond to full forward and he collected a high ball but his shot rose over Ronan Kearney’s crossbar for a point. Shane Mc Naughton converted a free and Conor Carson got the insurance point to put four between the teams. Dunloy’s final push for a goal wasn’t enough and they had to be content with another Richmond point to leave the final score Cushendall 1-17 Dunloy 1-14.

 

How they played: This was a strong performance from Cushendall which really had everything. Some of the scores taken were right out of the top drawer and the defending to keep Dunloy at bay in the closing stages was also excellent. At the back Ryan Mc Cambridge, Paddy Burke and David Kearney all defended well. Eoghan Campbell will be pleased with two points from midfield and up front Conor Carson, Eunan Mc Killop and when introduced Eoin Laverty all got vital scores but my man of the match goes to Alex Delargy. He scored four points from play and was Dunloy’s tormentor in chief, his ability to find space and his accurate shooting stood in a great team performance.

 

Team 1. R Kearney 2. M Burke 3. N Mc Manus 4. R Mc Cambridge 5. D Kearney 6. D Mc Naughton 7. P Burke 8. E Campbell (0-2) 9. P Mc Naughton 10. K Mc Keegan(0-2) 11. C Carson (0-2) 12. E Mc Killop(0-2) 13. A Delargy(0-4) 14. R Mc Grady 15. S Mc Naughton(1-2)

 

Subs used E Laverty (0-3) for K Mc Keegan 16 mins, P Mc Gill for R Mc Grady 47 mins