Ruairi Og began the game missing several regulars and many were expecting a strong challenge from Portaferry. This seamed to be the case in the early stages and the teams were level at 0-2 each after 11 minutes, the Dall scores coming from Shane and Donal Mc Naughton. Cushendall then upped the tempo and really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, first Sean Delargy burst forward to put the home side in front.
Shane and Donal Mc Naughton again pointed and after good work from Declan Mc Killop Paddy Mc Gill got his first score of the game with a superb score from distance. Shane Mc Naughton was giving his man a torrid time and he score a fabulous point after showing at least 2 Portaferry men a clean pair of heels on the right wing. Paddy Mc Gill then said anything Shane can do I can do better when he caught a brilliant ball and from an almost identical angle he fired over a classy point.
It was then the turn of Michael Mc Carthy, back in the starting 15 after a long period out injured, to raise the white flag when he converted from 35 yards. Shane Mc Naughton notched another 2 points, one from play and one from a free to push the Dall into an 0-11 to 0-2 lead and any thoughts Portaferry had of a comeback were ended in the final 5 minutes of the half when with further points from Shane, Donal and Aidan Mc Naughton and a brilliantly taken goal from ace marksman Shane Mc Naughton put the Ruairis into an unassailable half time lead of 1-14 to 0-2.
Fair play to Portaferry, they never gave up and in the second half they improved. Rory Mc Grattan got them off the mark with a long range free. Shane Mc Naughton converted a free from 21 yards but Kevin Mc Garry sent over 4 unanswered points for the Down men to give them hope but substitute Aidan Delargy restored normal service with a brace of neat points from play.
Eamon Adair and Aidan O Prey replied for Portaferry but in truth Ruairi Og were easly keeping the Down side at bay. Shane Mc Naughton got his 8th and final point of the game with 10 minutes left and in the closing stages Kevin Mc Garry(0-2f) for the Ards men and Donal Mc Naughton(0-2) for Ruairi Og finished the scoring to leave the final score Ruairi Og 1-20 Portaferry 0-11.
How they played: Cushendall were always on top and seemed to be able to get scores almost at will. In truth if they had shown the same intensity in the second half as they had in the first the winning margin could have been even greater. Ronan Kearney had little to do in goals and in front of him Terry Mc Alister, Conor Carson and Sean Delargy were all strong.
Declan Mc Killop lorded midfield and further forward Paddy Mc Gill, Donal Mc Naughton and Shane Mc Naughton were all impressive but my man of the match goes to Marty Burke who just seems to get better with every game. He was out in front to win plenty of ball and he also did a great job sweeping in behind the other full backs.
Thanks to Colum for his match report.