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Fixtures & Results - Report
25 Apr 2010
Ruairi Og took on Mc Quillans in the senior hurling league on Sunday 25th of April in damp conditions at Pairc Muhire. Both teams had suffered opening round defeats to Loughgiel and Dunloy leaving both teams needing a victory to boost morale. It was nip and tuck in the early stages but after 9 minutes Neil Mc Manus opened the scoring from a close range free. Declan Mc Killop doubled Cushendall’s advantage with a great score from the middle of the park before Malachy Dallas got Ballycastle on the board with a point after 14 minutes. Ballycastle then hit the front when a long free from Cormac Donnelly deceived Donal Mc Naughton and ended up in the Dall net. However Cushendall had restored parity by half time thanks to a point from play from Shane Mc Naughton and a pointed free from Neil Mc Manus to leave the scores at the short whistle Ruairi Og 0-4 Mc Quillans 1-1.
Cushendall began the second half with a real grit and determination, led by the irrepressible Neil Mc Manus who was assisted by an in form Paddy Magill. Neil lofted over the first point of the half from the right wing, Paddy then got his first score of the day with a fantastic catch and a neat finish. Malachy Dallas converted a free for Ballycastle but Neil Mc Manus and Paddy Magill had really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and in a ten minute period they had raised 2 white flags each to put Cushendall in a commanding position. However Ballycastle were fighting for every ball and Kevin Barry Mc Shane pointed to give them hope but they had no answer to the Ruairi Og combination of Magill and Mc Manus who registered another point a piece. In the final minutes Ballycastle pushed hard but could only manage another 3 points to Cushendalls one, another lovely effort from Mc Manus to leave Cushendall victorious on a scoreline of Ruairi Og 0-13 Mc Quillans 1-6.
How they played: This was a work man like if not spectacular victory for Ruairi Og, the backs as a unit can be pleased with their work, conceding only 1-6 over an hours hurling is no mean feet. Ronan Kearney made 2 stunning saves in the second half which were worth the entrance fee alone. Michael Mc Cambridge dominated at corner back, Sean Delargy was also first class at wing back and Neil Mc Manus led by example at mid field but my man of the match was the back in form Paddy Magill. His link up play was superb and when Cushendall needed someone to step up and be counted Paddy wasn’t found wanting, every one of his 4 second half points were a joy to watch and as a Cushendall supporter it was great to see Paddy back at the top of his game.
Team: 1. Ronan Kearney 2. Terry Mc Alister 3. Odhran Scullion 4. Michael Mc Cambridge 5. Sean Delargy 6. Kevin Elliott 7. Donal Mc Naughton 8. Neil Mc Manus(0-7) 9. Declan Mc Killop(0-1) 10. Eamon Laverty 11. Conor Carson 12. Paddy Mc Naughton 13. Shane Mc Naughton(0-1) 14. Brian Delargy 15. Paddy Magill(0-4)
Subs used: Karl Mc Keegan, Rory Mulqueen, Aidan Mc Naughton, Sean Birt