01 September 2010
A goal in the dying seconds of extra time by Kevin McKillop earned Cushendall victory over Ballycastle in the semi-final of the Antrim Minor Hurling Championship on Thursday evening at Armoy.
In a thrilling game, which was a fitting occasion for the first game played on the magnificent new pitch at Armoy, the Ruairi Og booked a final place against St John’s, thanks to the brilliant free taking of their left-half forward Eoin Laverty who scored 1-13 of his team’s total. ‘Frien’ as he is commonly known, was in unerring form, hitting 1-12 from frees and one point directly from a sideline cut in a memorable display.
The goal it has to be said had a touch of luck about it as the Ballycastle defence appeared to turn it into their own net in what was to prove a vital score, just seconds into the second-half.
Ballycastle had turned over a goal to the good, and even though they missed a host of chances to all but wrap up the game, they still appeared to be on course to advance to the final.
Laverty’s goal changed things and during the second-half they got on top and it took a goal from Ciaran Clarke, and a late free from the same player to bring the game to extra time.
The young McQuillans appeared to have it won again during the twenty minutes extra-time (most of which was played in near darkness) when they twice opened a three point gap on their opponents. However Laverty’s free taking, and some bad misses by the Ballycastle forward line, kept the outcome in the balance. The ‘Town’ appeared to have done enough though when they still led by two with time almost up, but in a dramatic finish a Laverty cross from the right corner was turned to the net by McKillop and the ‘Dall edged through to a final meeting with St John’s.
CUSHENDALL - 1. Conor Mc Alister 2. Sean Mc Killop 3. Dominic Delargy 4. Conor Grant 5. Dan Kinney 6. Ronan Mc Grady 7. Eamon Heggarty 8. Paddy Blaney 9. Cahir Mc Naughton 10. Paddy Mc Naughton 11. Kevin Mc Killop12. Eoin Laverty 13. Martin Mc Afee 14. Sean Mc Afee(0-1) 15. Sean Delargy
BALLYCASTLE – 1. Aiden McAlinden, 2. Dermot Donnelly, 3. Matthew Donnelly, 4. Shane McCarry, 5. Fergus Donnelly, 6. James McShane, 7. Phelim Donnelly, 8. Stephen McAfee, 9. Conor McGarry, 10. Conor McCurdy, 11. Eoin McAlonan, 12. James McLister, 13. Daniel McKinley, 14. Ciaran Clarke, 15. Zach McCaughan.
