Report by Colum Thompson on Under 21 Hurling Championship 2014
Mc Quillans V Ruairi Og
With both teams fancied to make an impact in the under 21 championship Cushendall and Ballycastle served up a thrilling quarter final match. Mc Quillans started strongly with points from Stephen Mc Afee and Ciaran Clarke. Christy Mc Naughton got Cushendall off the mark with a super effort from the left wing however it was all Ballycastle in the early stages. Clarke pointed a free and Conor Mc Garry got a point from play to put the Town 0-4 to 0-1 ahead. Cushendall were beginning to find their rhythm with Paddy Burke dictating things from centre half back. Christy Mc Naughton was giving his marker a torrid time and he hit three points in a row to draw the sides level. Ciaran Clarke pointed a free to edge Ballycastle back in front but then came the first goal of the game. Conrad Mc Donnell fired a sideline cut deep into the Castle danger area which Sean Mc Afee caught and finished to the net. Christy Mc Naughton converted a free, Ciaran Clarke from play and again Mc Naughton from a free exchanged points in a rip roaring first half. Ballycastle were the team who finished better as they hit four without reply with two apiece from Stephen Mc Afee and Ciaran Clarke to leave the half time score Ballycastle 0-10 Cushendall 1-6.
In the second half Cushendall exploded out of the traps with ace marksman Christy Mc Naughton converting a free and claiming another from play. Fergus Donnelly drew Ballycastle level again in the 9th minute but The Dall again hit the goal trail. Conrad Mc Donnell stole in behind the Castle defence and despite loosing his stick he kicked the ball to the net at the second time of asking. Typical of Ballycastle they came roaring back with two pointed frees from Ciaran Clarke. Alex Delargy pushed forward from his midfield position and was fed the ball by Conrad Mc Donnell and Alex made no mistake with a tidy point. The game was becoming a personal battle between free takers Clarke and Mc Naughton with Clarke hitting three and Mc Naughton two over the next eight minutes. Ballycastle introduced Michael Boyle who got a point from play but yet again Christy answered back for Cushendall. With just a point separating the sides as the game entered the closing stages the team that wanted it the most was Cushendall. A high ball into The Castle danger area was whipped to the net by Dall sub Ronan Mc Grady for his team’s third goal. Clarke and Mc Naughton again traded frees to leave the gap at four points as the game entered injury time. Saul Mc Caughan set off on a solo run and his shot was brilliantly saved by Conor Mc Allister but Conor Mc Garry followed in to finish to the net for a Ballycastle goal to again leave just a point between the teams. However that was as close as Ballycastle came with Christy Mc Naughton pointing a free to leave the final score Ruairi Og 3-14 Mc Quillans 1-18.
How they played; This was a super game and a credit to both teams, the deciding factor was Cushendall’s ability to get goals. Paddy Burke was superb at centre half back and Eoghan Campbell and Alex Delargy worked hard at midfield. However my man of the match was the youngest player on the field Christy Mc Naughton who finished the game with an incredible tally of 13 points, 4 from play. His points came from all angles and distances in a mesmerising display of shooting and he provided the leadership required each time the game was in the melting pot.
Team; 1. Conor Mc Allister 2. Eoin Mc Manus 3. Cormac Mc Allister 4. Conor Grant 5. S Walsh 6. P Burke 7. R Mc Cambridge 8.
E Campbell 9. Alex Delargy(0-1) 10. Andrew Delargy 11. S Mc Afee(1-0) 12. C Mc Clafferty 13. C Mc Donnell(1-0) 14. D Delargy 15. C Mc Naughton(0-13)
Subs used; R Mc Grady(1-0), R Delargy