18 October 2009
Just as they had done in their recent Minor Hurling Final win over Loughgiel, Rossa produced a great second-half display to beat favourites Cushendall in Saturday evening’s Under 21 hurling semi-final at Casement Park.
Cushendall looked impressive in the opening minutes and a point from Conor Carson and two from Neill McManus them 3-0 clear and they looked to be taking control, but when Rossa full-forward Liam McAuley fired in a goal in the ninth minute the complexion of the game changed.
The remainder of the first half was ‘nip and tuck’ with Cushendall just edging ahead with a series of fine points from McManus, Sean Birt and Terry McAlister, but Rossa could always find a reply and they trailed by just two at the break.
A goal from Rossa corner-forward Johnny Neeson five minutes after the restart set the scene for a superb second-half for the Belfast boys and as their confidence visibly grew they produced some excellent hurling.
Cushendall kept in touch with points from Eoin Laverty and Neill McManus but a goal from a Rossa penalty in the tenth minute from full-forward McAuley put them back in charge as they pulled five clear.
A well struck goal in the sixteenth minute from a Laverty 20 metre free brought Cushendall back to within two points, but apart from McManus they carried no real threat and with Stephen Shannon excellent at full-back, Rossa held their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the game.
At the other end McGuinness and the ever improving McAuley were in top form as they added some excellent scores to safely secure a final place against the winners of the second semi-final between Dunloy and St Gall’s which will be played in two weeks time.
