McMullan Cup Final Ruairi Og Cushendall v McQuillans Ballycastle
Cushendall set their stall out early and went for the Towns jugular early with Christy McNaughton Banging in 2 goals in the opening 5 minutes to get Cushendall off to a dream start. Christy then added 2 points 1 from play and 1 from a dead ball and Cushendall had stretched further in front. Ballycastle got on the Score board when Junior Allen won a low ball and turned his man and placed a lovely shot over the ‘Dall crossbar. Diarmuid McShane then added another couple of points from dead balls and Ballycastle were back in it.
Cushendall were then stung into action and went score crazy. Jack McAlister powered a rocket of a shot into the top corner. Pearse Bannon then added a point from 50 yards for a great score. Christy McNaughton then added a point from play and when Pearse Bannon broke through the ‘Town rearguard and hammered in another goal, the writing was on the wall for the ‘Town. Ballycastle came back with Caolan McCaughan and Ciaran Butler scoring points but that man McNaughton added another goal and 2 points for the ‘ Dall and there was just time for Jimmy McKeirnan to score the final point of the half to leave the half time score: Ruairi Og 5-06 McQuillans 0-05
Christy McNaughton got Cushendall off on the road again with a point form the dead ball. Michael Delargy then got in on the act with a superbly taken point from play. Pearse Bannon then added another point for the’ Dall and When Michael Delargy powered in goal no 6 for the ‘Dall the game was over as a contest. Junior Allen pointed for the ‘Town but Christy McNaughton and Raymond Burns added points for the ‘Dall . Ballycastle then finally broke through the strong Cushendall rearguard and Diarmuid McShane scored a good goal. Joe McCurry and then finally Paddy Doherty added the last 2 points of the game and Cushendall were Champions on a scoreline of: Ruairi Og 6-13 McQuillans 1-06
Man Of the Match: Emmett Laverty dealt well with any efforts on goal and couldn’t do anything with the goal that eluded him. In defence every man won his position and this led to the Cushendall forwards getting lots of possession. Ruairi Kinney and Niall McNaughton dominated midfield and up top Michael Delargy, Jack McAlister, Pearse Bannon and Conor Magee were on form but Man of the Match goes to 2 people, firstly Cormac McClafferty who was colossal in defence and tormentor in Chief Christy McNaughton who was in deadly form today.
Team: 1. Emmett Laverty 2.Seamus McAuley 3. Stephen Walsh © 4. Paddy Sharpe 5. Joe McCurry (0-01) 6. Cormac McClafferty 7. Fergus McCambridge 8. Niall McNaughton 9. Ruairi Kinney 10. Michael Delargy (1-01) 11. Pearse Bannon (1-02) 12. Conor Magee 13. Jack McAlister (1-00) 14. Christy McNaughton (3-07) 15. Raymond Burns (0-01) Subs Used: Daniel McAlister, Paddy Doherty (0-01), James Allen, James McLaughlin and Cathal McDonnell