12 October 2009
Rasharkin’s great hurling run continued on Sunday when they beat Donegal Champions Burt by 1-10 to 1-8 in the semi-final of the Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship in Dungannon.
Rasharkin mid fielder Declan McKay put his team in front after just two minutes play as he converted a thirty yard free but Burt replied with an equaliser through Andrew Wallace before taking a two point lead through Enda McDermott and Ronan McLaughlin.
McKay cut the gap back to a point when he sent over another free and the Antrim champions hit the front when his midfield partner Duirmuid Quinn fired in his team’s only goal in the twelfth minute.
Quinn’s goal was to prove influential as and helped his side two a four point lead at the break (1-6 to 0-5) in a highly competitive game.
Rasharkin looked in a good position at half time four points clear and going into the second half with a significant wind advantage, but they were rocked back on their heels two minutes after the restart when Burt full forward Ronan McLaughlin sent the ball flying to back of the Rasharkin net to cut the arrears to the minimum.
McKay’s accuracy from the placed ball again steadied his team when he split the uprights after ten and fourteen minutes as Burt’s indiscipline at the back cost them dearly.
Niall Campbell pulled one back for Burt a minute later but Darren O’Boyle kept the gap at three when he cooled sent one over from play for the Antrim champions.
The tension rose as Niall Campbell pointed twice from frees for the Donegal men to reduce the lead and with four minutes left on the clock it looked anybody’s game, but Brendan McMullan capped off a man of the match display when he landed a magnificent ninety yard free on the stroke of full time to put Rasharkin into the Ulster final against Tyrone champions Naomh Colum Cille.
Rasharkin Team:- James O’Mullan, Conor Hasson, Joey Quinn, Paul McMullan, Brendan McMullan, Michael Hasson, Daniel Doherty, Thomas McMullan and Duirmuid Quinn, Shane Hasson, Declan McKay, Darren O’Boyle, Eamon McNeill, Eamon Kelly, and Thomas Doherty.
Subs:- Kevin Agnew, Eddie McCurry, Damien McGaughey and Aiden Darragh
Referee:- Jim O’Rourke (Monaghan)
