Cushendall survive late barrage to claim 15th title

Cushendall 1-20, Loughgiel 1-19

THIS Antrim senior hurling championship final had a nailbiting finish as Cushendall squeezed past Loughgiel to collect their 15th title.
With the Ruairi’s looking to be heading for a comfortable victory when they led 1-18 to 0-15 with eight minutes of normal time remaining they were hit with stubborn Shamrock resistance and a goal from James McNaughton, four minutes into injury time, closed the gap to the minimum.
McNaughton, who was the outstanding performer on the day, had the chance to tie the contest with the last piece of action but his well struck free from distance, out near the touchline, went agonisingly wide of an upright.
In near perfect weather these North Antrim giants served up a memorable final in front of a packed Corrigan Park that was in near perfect conditions.
The Shamrocks were determined to overturn an embarrassing defeat to the same opposition in the group stages and they started the game at a blistering pace.
James McNaughton, who was to turn in a man of the match performance, got them on their way with two early points before Paddy Burke got Cushendall off the mark with a point in the third minute.
The Shamrocks certainly looked the sharper at this stage with McNaughton’s blistering pace causing problems and he hit his third of the game to move his side two clear again.
The North Antrim Coast Road side had been slow to settle but they struck in devastating fashion after five minutes when a long delivery from Christy McNaughton was played across goal by Joe McLaughlin with Fergus McNaughton finishing to the net from close range to put his side ahead for the first time.
The frantic pace continued as Christy McGarry replied immediately with a point to tie the contest again and further points from Fred McCurry for the ‘Dall’ and a long range effort from Declan McCloskey for the Shamrocks maintained the status quo.
The large crowd at Corrigan were certainly getting value for their money as Neil McManus and James McNaughton exchanged further frees, McNaughton’s a superb effort from 60 metres, before the same player briefly edged his side ahead from another conversion.
Things began to swing slightly in favour of Ruairi Og’s, however, when Joe McLaughlin levelled and Neil McManus restored their lead from a free in the 19th minute before Paul Boyle restored parity once more with his first of the game.
It was Cushendall who finished the half the stronger when Niall McCormick struck a fine point after being set up by Fred McCurry and further points from Joe McLaughlin, McCormack and McLaughlin again had the men in Maroon four in front with eight minutes remaining to the break.
Paul Boyle was then shown yellow as a bit of frustration began to creep into the Loughgiel play but the Shamrocks had an excellent chance to get back into contention but Rian McMullan’s goal attempt was easily dealt with after he had been set up following a strong James McNaughton run.
McManus edged the Ruairi’s five in front with a point in the t28th minute, just after his team mate Scott Walsh had limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
His replacement, Ruairi McCollam, got his first taste of this final as James McNaughton converted another free for the Shamrocks who trailed by four at the break.
Corner back Paddy Burke struck a great point on the restart to extend the Cushendall lead with Conor McAlister coming to the Ruairi Og’s rescue for a second time when he denied Paul Boyle at the other end.
The Cushendall side at this stage were creating the better chances but they were guilty of a number of bad misses as Loughgiel responded with points from Enda Og McGarry, Paul Boyle and Shan McGrath to again eat into their lead.
Replacement Ed McQuillan soon put a halt to that with an excellent point from virtually his first touch of the sliotar to move his side six in front after 12 minutes.
Things weren't looking good for the Shamrocks at this stage but they responded well through James McNaughton, Rian McMullan, McNaughton again from an 80 metre free and another from closer range in response to one from Ryan McCambridge to keep themselves very much in touch.
It all seemed in vain, however, as Cushendall came roaring back with points from Paddy Burke, Ryan McCambridge and Burke again as they moved into what looked like an invincible position, six ahead with eight minutes remaining.
The Shamrocks, however, refused to roll over as they threw caution to the wind and points from Daniel McCloskey, Shan McGrath and Paul Boyle left just a goal in it.
Neil McManus replied from a free and then set up Ryan McCambridge for another from play to again move his side five in front with just a couple of minutes remaining.
True to form the Shamrocks delivered yet another body blow when James McNaughton again proved the danger man. He replied from a free and then finished to the net from close range to keep the Reds’ hopes alive.
The superb McNaughton had one last opportunity to send the game into extra time but his long range free in the sixth minute of injury time tailed just wide of the upright as referee Colum Cunning sounded the final whistle.
There were scenes of celebration as the Ruairi Og’s gained some compensation for their defeat to Dunloy at the same stage last year and they will now go forward to represent Antrim in the Ulster championship
Skipper Neil McManus paid tribute to their greatest supporter, John McKillop, who sadly passed away earlier this year in his acceptance speech and dedicated this win to the man who was always with them in victory or defeat.

Cushendall: Conor McAlister; Paddy Burke (0-4), Liam Gillan, Martin Burke; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Aidan McNaughton; Fred McCurry (0-2), Ryan McCambridge (0-3); Ronan McAteer, Neil McManus (0-5), Fergus McCambridge (1-0); Niall McCormick (0-2), Christy McNaughton, Joe McLaughlin (0-3).

Replacements: Ruairi McCollam for Scott Walsh , Sean McAfee for C McNaughton, Ed McQuillan (0-1) for R McAteer, Paddy McGill for F McCambridge, Stephen Walsh for R McCollam

Loughgiel: Chrissy O’Connell; Tiernan Coyle, Rory McCloskey, Ruairi McCormick; Declan McCloskey (0-1), Damon McMullan, Caolan Blair; Enda Og McGarry, Ryan McKee; Dan McCloskey, James McNaughton (1-10), Rian McMullan (0-2); Shan McGrath (0-2), Paul Boyle (0-3), Christy McGarry (0-1).

Replacements: Jack McCloskey for P Boyle, Ben McGarry for R McKee

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Photos: John McIlwaine.

Report: Jim Smith.