Last week our minors did very well in the two matches they played.
On Wed 21st Aug, they played Ballygalget in a league game. Though there had been heavy rain during the day, Páirc Mhuire stood up well and conditions during the match were perfect for hurling and considering the home team were missing a few regulars, they put in a very encouraging performance before going down by four points at the end on a scoreline of 4.14 to 4.18.
In the early stages of the game, it looked as if the men from the Peninsula would be just too good for the Ruairís as they carved open the home defence to rack up an impressive array of majors and minors. But to their eternal credit, the home boys stuck to their task and after some personnel switches especially in the backs, they began to find their rhythm and started on the comeback trail, ending the first half within touching distance of their rivals.
The switching of Senan Black from forwards to backs proved a masterstroke as he went from being anonymous to being one of the most influential players in the games. The siting of Pearse Mc Keegan at full back had a steadying influence on the entire defensive unit and in the early stages of the second half, Ruairí Óg were the better team. The maroon boys had a look of confidence about them and were now taking the game to their opponents with that superiority being reflected on the scoreboard. Calum Kilgore and Aidan Ritson now had the edge at midfield and Fintan Mc Quillan was punishing anything and everything from the deadball situation as well as from open play. The forwards were hungry for scores and ably led by Conleth Mc Kinley, their conversion rate was now much healthier than in the first half.
Like prize-fighters, the two teams slugged it out to the end with Ballygalget seizing back control in the final quarter to show just what a good team they were. Better team work and that electric start were enough for them to be declared worthy winners but still, much credit to the boys in maroon for mounting such a great comeback and putting in such a creditable performance.
Then on Friday night, just two days after the Ballygalget debacle, the minors were back at it again; this time in the MHC against St Paul's. Ruairí Óg were strengthened on this occasion by the return of John Mc Alister and Ronan Mc Ateer to the starting line-up though with a large number of u16s in their ranks, many viewed the home team as the underdogs in this contest.
But, right from the start, the boys in maroon were on their game with the defenders teak tough and the forwards ravenous for scores. Captain, Conal Mc Glynn was imperious at centre-half while forwards Conleth Mc Kinley and Fintan Mc Quillan took up from where they left off against Ballygalget. Aidan Ritson rounded off a very industrious and impressive performance with a splendid individual goal that proved the catalyst for victory. Shane Mc Kenna, Mark Emerson, Padraig Mc Killop and Senan Black were to the fore when there was stout defending to be done as the St Paul's forwards were pacy and posed a threat on numerous occasions. That the Belfast team only scored 1.8 over the course of the hour is more testimony to the great defending of all the Cushendall backs rather than a lack of quality in the St Paul's attack.
This was very good display from the Cushendall minors because every man played his part in a great team performance and, because in many ways, the final scoreline of 4.18 to 1.8 does not reflect just how good a team St Paul's actually were.