09 May 2009
Loughgiel Shamrocks staged a superb second-half comeback to beat Cushendall Ruairi Og in a magnificent North Antrim Feile na nGael final at Pairc MacUilin, Ballycastle on Saturday afternoon.
After falling 1-2 to 0-0 behind in the early stages Cushendall went on to dominate the remainder of the opening half, and goals from Christy McNaughton and Ryan McCambridge saw them lead by two points at the break (2-1 to 0-1) even though they were playing against the stiff breeze.
Loughgiel now faced an uphill task, but they showed great fighting spirit and character to edge their way back into the game, and after Cushendall had stretched the lead to three with a point from a Ryan McCambridge free, Conor Christie began the comeback with a brilliantly struck goal in the twenty-fifth minute.
As the excitement grew Alex Delargy edged Cushendall back in front with seven minutes left for play, but the pressure was mounting on the Cushendall defence and goalkeeper Colin Hayden made a fine save from a Loughgiel penalty to keep his team in front.
However Loughgiel would not be denied and Conor Christie sent over two frees on either side of a sweetly struck point by Damon McMullan to seal the win and spark scenes of great celebration amongst the large Loughgiel following, who earlier in the day had watched their camogs beat St John’s in the county Feile final in Cloughmills.
Overall a great day for hurling and both club’s can be proud of two excellent teams who further enhanced the spirit and tradition of this great competition. The future of the game is in good hands.
LOUGHGIEL – Cahir McGrath, Ryan McCollum, Caelin Blair, Ryan Cassley, Darwin Watt, Maol Connolly, Cahir McMullan, Odhran Laverty, Conor Christie, Ryan McKee, Ciaran McKinley, James McNaughton, Tiernan McCloskey, Damon McMullan, Shan McGrath.
CUSHENDALL – Colin Hayden, Stephen Walsh, Cormac McClafferty, Joseph McCurry, Eoin McManus, Patrick Burke, Ciaran McAlister, Ryan McCambridge, Darren McLaughlin, Conor McLaughlin, Alex Delargy, Conrad McDonnell, Ruairi Kinney, Cormac McAllister, Christy McNaughton.
Referee – C Cunning (Dunloy)
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