Having beaten Glenariffe earlier in the week, Ruairí Óg seniors earned the right to play Loughguile Shamrocks in the Feis Semi-Final in Dunloy on Fri 19th June.
Right from the throw-in, the Shamrocks went on the attack and Eddie Mc Closkey bisected the uprights to put them in pole position and for the next five minute, the men in red held the upper hand. Then up stepped Paddy Magill in the 6th minute to convert a free and tie the match. By this stage the Ruairís had found their bearings and in the 9th minute, a much sharper looking Shane Mc Naughton fielded a high ball on the edge of the square, wheeled away from his marker and DDQuinn and sensationally smashed the sliotar into the roof of the net. Cushendall were beginning to assert their authority and more importantly convert their possession into scores with points from Conor Carson, Brick Mc Carthy, Eoin Laverty, Neil Mc Manus and a long range free from Natty. Only the accuracy of Barney Mc Auley from frees was keeping Loughguile in contact. Then in the 28th minute a very fluent move from the Dall front six left the dangerous-looking Conor Carson in a position to shake the Loughguile net for a second team. Six points up and the Loughguile forwards looking toothless, Ruairí Óg's indiscipline offered them a lifeline. A needless foul in injury time resulted in a 21yd free that Barney Mc Auley rifled to the back of Francis Mc Auley's net followed in quick succession by a point from midfield that gave the Shamrocks hope for the second half.
The second half served up a competitive game with both teams obviously coveting a place in the final. Ruairí Óg were playing some fine hurling with Arron Graffin and Paddy Mc Naughton absolutely imperious in the backs. Michael Delargy was putting in a fine shift at midfield while Paddy Magill, Michael Mc Carthy, Neil Mc Manus and a revitalised Shane Mc Naughton contributed to a rash of point scoring. Unfortunately Loughguile capitalised on moments of hesitancy and indecisiveneness in the Dall back line and added three more second half goals. With three minute of normal time left and the boys in red ahead by four points, the game looked over. But the never-say-die attitide of Ruairí Óg and points from Neil Mc Manus, Paddy Magill(2) and Shane Mc Naughton sent the game into extra time.
Depite poor light, cold and damp conditions, both teams gave it their all as the game ebbed and flowed. The decisive score came in the first period when Joey Scullion scored Loughguile's fifth goal and though Paddy Magill did his best to snatch victory, Loughguile held on to book their place in the final on a score-line of 5.14 to 2.21