Ruairi Og got their 2014 league campaign off to a winning start with victory over Belfast side St. Galls. In the first half St. Galls were aided by a stiff breeze, however it was Cushendall who started the brighter and after fifteen minutes they had worked themselves into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead, the points coming from Eunan Mc Killop (0-1) and Karl Mc Keegan (0-3). St. Galls then had the chance to draw level when Karl Stewart was put through on goal but his shot was brilliantly saved by Conor Mc Alister. St. Galls pointed the resultant 65’ but it was only temporary respite as Cushendall closed the half out in style. First Christy Mc Naughton pointed after good approach play from Karl Mc Keegan and Neil Mc Manus. Then that man Mc Keegan got his fourth point of the half from the right wing and just before the half time whistle a long ball into the St. Galls danger area was broken down by Conor Carson and Alex Delargy was on hand to finish to the net to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 1-6 St. Galls 0-2.
St. Galls started the second half brightly and popped over two points in a row. Normal service was restored when Aidan Mc Naughton pointed from his corner forward berth. It was then the turn of Christy Mc Naughton to go on the rampage. First he converted a 65’ and then he stood over a free in his own half which had been won by Paddy Burke. Judging the strong breeze perfectly Christy hammered over an excellent point from fully 90 yards. Mc Naughton got his third in a row after an exquisite fetch and finish following Neil Mc Manus’s delivery. St. Galls were trying hard to stem the tide and they did register a goal and a point but there was to be no comeback. Aidan Mc Naughton got his second point of the game and the impressive Christy Mc Naughton again got in on the act with a nice finish from a tight angle. The icing on the cake was applied in the final minute when Karl Mc Keegan stole in to finish to the net after good work from substitute Ryan Delargy to leave the final score Ruairi Og 2-12 St. Galls 1-5.
How they played;
This was a solid if unspectacular victory for Cushendall in a game they were always expected to win. St. Galls fought hard but the better guile and craft came from Cushendall. Marty and Paddy Burke were solid in defence. Neil Mc Manus was the stand out midfielder and up front Karl Mc Keegan got a goal and four great points from play. Another bonus for Ruairi Og was the performance of evergreen veteran Kevin Elliott playing his first league game in three years. Kevin showed all the class that made him the linchpin of previous Dall teams. He gave a vintage performance and like a fine win he has got better with age. However my man of the match goes to the youngest player on show, Christy Mc Naughton. His free taking was excellent in tough conditions and he also chipped in with some superb points from play. The way he found space and time was a joy to watch.
Team; 1. C Mc Alister 2. S Mc Naughton 3. M Burke 4. K Elliott 5. D Mc Naughton 6. P Burke 7. R Mc Cambridge 8. A Delargy(1-0) 9. N Mc Manus 10. E Campbell 11. E Mc Killop(0-1) 12. K Mc Keegan(1-4) 13. A Mc Naughton(0-2) 14. C Carson 15. C Mc Naughton(0-5)
By: Colum Thompson