Report by Colum Thompson
Pictures by Paddy Mc Laughlin
Ruairi Og qualified for the semi final of The Antrim Senior Hurling Championship with a convincing win over Belfast side St. Johns . The seeds of victory were sown with a strong first half performance when, despite playing into a stiff breeze Ruairi Og changed ends 0-10 to 0-6 ahead. Michael Bradley got the first point of the game with a neat finish from the left wing. Karl Mc Keegan then got Ruairi Og off the mark with a point from a free which had been won by Paddy Mc Gill. Cushendall were battling hard and frustrating the St. Johns attack, Conor Carson won a ball around the half forward line and converted to put Cushendall a point to the good. St. Johns however came roaring back and with points from Michael Dudley, Domhall Nugent and Conor Johnson they wrestled back the lead. Paddy Mc Gill won a great high ball and lashed over a super point from his wing forward berth to stop the rot for Ruairi Og but again St. Johns pushed forward and Michael Dudley got his second point of the match. As the game entered the second quarter Ruairi Og upped the tempo and took control. Karl Mc Keegan pointed two frees in a row and Eoghan Campbell got a super point from play after a strong solo run. Ronan Mc Grady then got in on the act with a point under pressure from full forward, Mc Keegan converted another free but Barry Mc Fall replied for The Johnnies. As the half drew to a close Cushendall finished strongly with Mc Grady and then Paddy Mc Gill both pointing to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 0-10 St. Johns 0-6.
Pictures by Paddy Mc Laughlin
Ruairi Og qualified for the semi final of The Antrim Senior Hurling Championship with a convincing win over Belfast side St. Johns . The seeds of victory were sown with a strong first half performance when, despite playing into a stiff breeze Ruairi Og changed ends 0-10 to 0-6 ahead. Michael Bradley got the first point of the game with a neat finish from the left wing. Karl Mc Keegan then got Ruairi Og off the mark with a point from a free which had been won by Paddy Mc Gill. Cushendall were battling hard and frustrating the St. Johns attack, Conor Carson won a ball around the half forward line and converted to put Cushendall a point to the good. St. Johns however came roaring back and with points from Michael Dudley, Domhall Nugent and Conor Johnson they wrestled back the lead. Paddy Mc Gill won a great high ball and lashed over a super point from his wing forward berth to stop the rot for Ruairi Og but again St. Johns pushed forward and Michael Dudley got his second point of the match. As the game entered the second quarter Ruairi Og upped the tempo and took control. Karl Mc Keegan pointed two frees in a row and Eoghan Campbell got a super point from play after a strong solo run. Ronan Mc Grady then got in on the act with a point under pressure from full forward, Mc Keegan converted another free but Barry Mc Fall replied for The Johnnies. As the half drew to a close Cushendall finished strongly with Mc Grady and then Paddy Mc Gill both pointing to leave the half time score Ruairi Og 0-10 St. Johns 0-6.
Facing into the breeze St. Johns needed a good start to the second half and they got it with a point from a Brian Mc Fall free. However any thoughts of a comeback were quickly put to bed, Shane Mc Naughton evaded the attentions of Conall Morgan and pointed from the right wing. Then came the critical score in the game, Paddy Mc Naughton played a ball over the St. Johns full back line and Shane Mc Naughton gathered and from 10 yards beat Simon Doherty for an excellent goal. Cushendall didn’t let up, next Ryan Mc Cambridge gathered the ball on his own 45’ and sent a massive strike all the way over the bar for a brilliant point. Shane Mc Naughton stole in for his second point of the half and Eoin Laverty, on as a blood sub showed his class with a tidy point. Brian Mc Fall pointed a sideline cut but this score was cancelled out by Karl Mc Keegan from a free. Domhall Nugent and Brian Mc Fall then scored from play but really St. Johns knew the game was up as Cushendall finished well. Karl Mc Keegan pointed two frees in a row. Neil Mc Manus boomed over a spectacular point from all of 100 yards and Ryan Mc Cambridge put the icing on the cake with a point from the middle of the park. Final score Ruairi Og 1-19 St. Johns 0-10.
How they played: Cushendall were always in control in what was an excellent team performance. Many people fancied St. Johns to cause an upset but really, other than in the opening exchanges they never troubled Ruairi Og. In goals Ronan Kearney had little to do and in front of him Arron Graffin was superb and he was well supported by Ryan Mc Cambridge and Neil Mc Manus. Eoghan Campbell and Paddy Mc Naughton both worked hard at midfield and up front Karl Mc Keegan, Paddy Mc Gill and Shane Mc Naughton got the scores. However my man of the match goes to Paddy Burke who put in a fabulous hours work at wing back. Making his senior championship debut he hassled his man relentlessly and made a number of excellent tackles. He used possession intelligently and gave some super clearances under pressure.
Team 1. R Kearney 2. M Burke 3. A Graffin(capt) 4. R Mc Cambridge(0-2) 5. D Mc Naughton 6. N Mc Manus(0-1) 7. P Burke 8. P Mc Naughton 9. E Campbell (0-1) 10. P Mc Gill(0-2) 11. C Carson (0-1) 12. K Mc Keegan(0-7fs) 13. S Mc Naughton(1-2) 14. R Mc Grady(0-2) 15. A Delargy
Subs used: E Laverty (0-1), E Mc Killop, D Kearney