Ruairi Og Cushendall claimed The Feis senior hurling title with a hard fought victory of Mc Quillan’s of Ballycastle on Sunday evening. Ballycastle had caused something of an upset by beating Loughgiel in the semi final and they started brightly, Ciaran Clarke converted a free for the first point of the game. Eoghan Campbell answered back for Cushendall when he gathered Eoin Gillan’s poc out and converted from 40 yards. Ballycastle were on top in the early exchanges and they hit the front with a point from a tight angle on the right wing from Stephen Mc Garry and this was quickly followed by a goal from Peter Dallat to put the town four points to the good. Stephen Mc Afee then stamped his authority on the game with two points in a row and with a pointed free from Ciaran Clarke it looked as if Ballycastle might run away with the game. Cushendall however were handed a large slice of luck which got them back into the game, Neil Mc Manus sent a long free towards goal which glanced off a Ballycastle player and into the net. Eoin Mc Alonan answered back for Ballycastle with a point but Ruairi Og again went on the goal trail. Another high ball into the Castle danger area broke to Paddy Mc Gill who whipped the ball to the back of the net. Clarke sent over his third pointed free of the half but Karl Mc Keegan got two in a row, one from play and one from a free to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 2-4 Mc Quillan’s 1-7.

Cushendall were forced to replace Paddy Mc Gill with Cormac Mc Allister at half time and “C-mac” quickly made his mark with a tidy point from 30 yards. Then Ballycastle veteran Malachy Dallas got in on the act with a point from his corner forward berth. Eoghan Campbell, who was working hard at midfield, traded points with Ciaran Clarke to again tie the game with twenty minutes remaining. Both teams were fighting tooth and nail for every ball but Cushendall began to exert a greater influence on the game and spreading the play they got on top. Neil Mc Manus from well inside his own half and then Karl Mc Keegan converted frees to open up a two point lead. Credit to Ballycastle they showed a great deal of fighting spirit and Neil Mc Auley pointed a free as the game entered the closing stages. This young Cushendall team really showed their metal in the final ten minutes, Conor Carson boomed over a cracking point from play and Karl Mc Keegan added a free. Ciaran Clarke tapped over a placed ball to keep Ballycastle in the hunt but a Shane Mc Naughton point put three between the teams as the game entered injury time. Ballycastle surged forward looking for a goal but stout defending for the Dall ensured it never came and they had to settle for a final pointed free from Ciaran Clarke and at the final whistle it was Cushendall who emerged victorious, 2-11 to 1-12.

 

How they played: This was a brilliant win for Ruairi Og, on a tight pitch against a physically strong Ballycastle team their young players really stood up and were counted. The confidence that will come from beating Dunloy and then Ballycastle will stand these players in good stead. At the back Aaron Graffin, Martin Burke and Neil Mc Manus all defended well, Eoghan Campbell and Paddy Mc Naughton worked hard at mid field and up front Paddy Mc Gill, Karl Mc Keegan and when introduced, Cormac Mc Allister all looked dangerous but my man of the match goes to Ryan Mc Cambridge who has taken to senior hurling like a duck to water. He gave yet another excellent defensive performance completely snuffing out the threat of Ballycastle danger men Saul Mc Caughan and then Ciaran Clarke. His fielding was excellent and his distribution set up a number of attacks for his team.

 

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

 

Subs used: C Mc Allister(0-1), D Kearney, J Mc Manus, E Mc Killop