22 November 2009
Glenariffe Oisins clinched the Antrim Division 2 Hurling title when they beat St Gall’s in the final game of the season in dreadful weather conditions at Waterfoot.
On a day when Scott of the Antarctic would not have ventured out, with gale force winds and driving rain making hurling almost impossible, Glenariffe did just enough to end their season on a winning note against a half strength St Gall’s side who were short at least eight regulars.
Glenariffe were in complete control for most of the first half and led by 2-5 to 0-0 after 23 minutes, the goals coming from Randall McDonnell and Johnny McIntosh, but St Gall’s broke their duck just before the break with a goal from Sean O’Hara to cut the deficit to eight by half-time.
A further procession by the home team seemed the likely outcome of the second half but St Gall’s began to make a fight of it and actually closed the gap to just three points at one stage with two goals from team manager Darren McKeown.
An embarrassing defeat now looked possible for the Oisins but they upped the pace thanks mainly to their star man Johnny ‘Tosh’ and points from Niall Leach and Tosh (2) sealed the win .
GLENARIFFE – Seanan McToal, Chris Sheppard, Mark Nulty, Daniel O’Boyle, Conor McAlister, Michael Gettins, Norris Murray, Paul McDonnell, Karl Healy, Randall McDonnell, Dan McKillop, Seamus McDonnell, Kevin McDonnell, Johnny McIntosh, Aaron Cosgrove.
SUBS – Niall Leach for Norris Murray; Paul Healey for Randall McDonnell.
REFEREE – Ray Matthews (Glenavy).
