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North Antrim U16 Hurling Championship – McMullan Cup Final

Sunday 14 July

Loughgiel 3-14 Dunloy 3-11

Brendan McTaggart reports from Feis Sunday at Glenariffe

A superb first half performance was the foundations for the Shamrocks on Sunday afternoon as they claimed the McMullan Cup against Dunloy. Three points separated the sidses at the end of the hour but Loughgiel had to withstand a second half comeback from the Cuchullains after leading by seven points at half time.

With eight minutes remaining, Dunloy had brought the sides level after a run of 1-5 unanswered in the space of just over four minutes but Loughgiel were not to be denied and held the Cuchullains scoreless in the time that remained with a mix of excellent defending and sharp shooting at the other end of the pitch.

Liam McGarry top scored for the Shamrocks in a man of the match performance. He finished with 1-5 beside his name and scored two of the last three scores to see Loughgiel over the line. He had plenty of support however with Caolan McCollum also excellent in attack while the midfield pairing of Dylan Boyle and Domhnall McKay contributed 1-2 between them and worked tirelessly throughout.

Dunloy’s best came through Jay McAlonan who was outstanding when they could get the ball his way. He finished with 1-7 and looked a constant threat while the moving Ollie McClements to half forward and James McGarry to the edge of the square looked like it was the missing ingredients the Cuchullains were looking for but their comeback just came up short.

Both sides missed goal chances in the opening exchanges with Damien McMahon and McKay going close but the game was only five minutes old when the first green flag was raised. McAlonan providing the assist for Anthony Cochrane who rattled the back of the net from distance with a superb strike.

Loughgiel took a stranglehold of the game however with any meaningful Dunloy attacks fleeting. Loughgiel’s first major came in the 12^thminute through McGary, claiming a high ball and getting the half yard he needed to give Eunan Brogan no chance in the Dunloy goals.

A McAlonan free followed for Dunloy and while it would be their last score for 12 minutes, Loughgiel were in irresistible form at the other end of the pitch. A free from Dan Lynn started a purple patch that would see the Shamrocks score 1-5 in the space of seven minutes. Their second major came through an error in the Dunloy defence where they didn’t deal with the dropping sliotar and Caolan McCollum took full advantage.

McCollum had another chance moments later but Eunan Brogan saved his effort superbly but with points following from Liam McGarry, Cian Higgins (two) and McKay, Loughgiel were in control.

A Jay McAlonan free got the scoreboard ticking for Dunloy once again but a second free from Lynn would prove to be the last action of the half as the Shamrocks led 2-8 to 1-4 at the short whistle.

A point from McKay in the opening exchanges of the second half was followed closely by a Eunan Curry effort for the Cuchullains. Dunloy looked to be playing with a bit more intensity after the restart and had their second major just three minutes into the second half. Jay McAlonan collecting and showing speed and strength before finishing with aplomb.

Loughgiel responded with a brace of points from McCollum and Lynn (free) and while Dunloy reduced the lead to five through another McAlonan free, Loughgiel’s third major came midway through the second half. It came as the Cuchullains failed to deal with another dropping ball and after a scramble, it was Dylan O’Boyle who got the last touch and send the sliotar to the back of the net to leave eight between the sides going into the final quarter.

Dunloy responded by reshuffling their pack and found some attacking impetus. McAlonan fired over a brace of points (one free) either side of a goal chance for James McGarry. He pulled on the sliotar but Cody McGarry made an instinctive save to deny him.

A further brace of points from Ollie McClements followed as Dunloy found some momentum and when Daire Elliott found the back of the net in the 51^stminute, it left the minimum between the sides.

McAlonan’s fifth free restored parity to the sides to mean the Cuchullains had hit 1-5 in the space of just four minutes and it looked at that point that they would be the likely victors but Loughgiel dug deep. They kept the Cuchullains scoreless in the time that remained and with a brace of Liam McGarry frees, found themselves in the lead with time running out.

Substitute Joe Casey had the final say with a brilliant point, showing some super skill to send the sliotar between the sticks and ensuring the Shamrocks would not be denied.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Eunan Brogan; Joseph Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Seamus McMullan; Jamie McMullan, Jack McQuillan, Ollie McClements; James McGarry, Eunan Curry; Damian McMahon, John Ferguson, Anthony Cochrane; Eanna McGuckian, Jay Mc Alonan, Daire Elliott

Scorers: J McAlonan 1-7 (5fs 1’65); D Cunning 1-00; A Cochrane 1-00; O McClements 0-2; J McGarry 0-1; E Curry 0-1

Loughgiel: Cody McGarry; Padraig McNulty, JJ McGarry, Conor McCann; Joe Deery, Eunan Johnston, Corin McCullough; Dylan O’Boyle, Liam McGarry, Caolan McCollum; Dan Lynn, Caolan Christie, Cian Higgins

Scorers: L McGarry 1-5 (2fs); D Lynn 0-3 (3fs); D O’Boyle 1-00; D McKay 0-2; C Higgins 0-2; Joe Casey 0-1

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)