Ruairi Og began the game without sharp shooters Paddy Mc Gills and Shane Mc Naughton but even so they raced into a quick fire lead thanks to two excellent points from Alex Delargy and one from a Karl Mc Keegan free. Christopher Mc Guinness got Rossa off the mark but Cushendall were playing well. Ronan Mc Grady won a high delivery into the Rossa square and converted a point. Michael Turley replied for the Andersonstown side but Donal Mc Naughton won the ball around midfield, broke a tackle and lashed over a great point from distance. Ronan Mc Grady, who was showing well for the ball got his second point of the game to leave the score Ruairi Og 0-6 Rossa 0-2 after fifteen minutes. Rossa got two points in a row from Chris Mc Guinness and Stephen Shannon but any thoughts they had of taking the lead were quickly put to bed by an excellent Ruairi Og attack. Ronan Mc Grady reacted quickest to a broken ball and got his third point of the half, he then turned provider playing in Alex Delargy who finished brilliantly to the Rossa net. Karl Mc Keegan then hit a purple patch with three points in a row, two from frees and one from play to put Cushendall in a commanding position. Eunan Mc Killop, who had been working hard, then won a free on the Rossa 21 which Eoin Laverty converted to leave the score at the short whistle Ruairi Og 1-11 Rossa 0-4.
Ruairi Og began the second half the way they finished the first, the ball was moved swiftly up field where Alex Delargy collected, rounded his man and clipped over a tidy point. Conor Carson then got his name on the score sheet with a point after a Neil Mc Manus pass. It was all one way traffic and Dall midfielder Paddy Mc Naughton was next to strike with a brilliant effort under pressure. Stephen Shannon converted a free for the Belfast men but they were offering only token resistance. Karl Mc Keegan pointed from play and then Eoghan Campbell who had been unusually quiet in the first half, set off on a solo run and after rounding two men he finished to the net with aplomb for a spectacular goal. Alex Delargy then tagged on another point and Eunan Mc Killop got Cushendall’s third goal after another strong solo run. In the closing stages Karl Mc Keegan fired over two frees and a point from play to leave the final score Ruairi Og 3-19 Rossa 0-7.
How they played: This was a walk in the park for Cushendall with Rossa having a very poor day at the office. The backs had little trouble however Ryan Mc Cambridge again had a solid game and he was well supported by Donal Mc Naughton and Neil Mc Manus. Paddy Mc Naughton was the pick of the midfielders and up front Eunan Mc Killop, Karl Mc Keegan and Ronan Mc Grady all looked dangerous but my man of the match was Alex Delargy who hit an impressive 1-4 from play. He was out in front, showing well for the ball and he took all his scores very well.
Team: 1. R Kearney 2. M Burke 3. A Graffin 4. R Mc Cambridge 5. D Mc Naughton(0-1) 6. N Mc Manus 7. D Kearney 8. E Campbell (1-0) 9. P Mc Naughton(0-1) 10. K Mc Keegan(0-8) 11. C Carson (0-1) 12. E Mc Killop(1-0) 13. E Laverty (0-1) 14. R Mc Grady(0-3) 15. A Delargy(1-4)
Report by: Colum Thompson