Darragh Cup success for Cushendall minor hurlers

Cushendall 4-21, Loughgiel 3-18

AFTER their semi final success earlier in the week, the Ruairi Ogs and Shamrocks went head to head in the Minor hurling championship decider.
In a close run thing the Darragh Cup returned to Cushendall after an 11 year absence.
They held off a strong second half challenge from Loughgiel to win by six in a great final played in Cushendall.
When the Ruairi Ogs went in at half time with a nine point lead, 3-11 to 1-8, it looked as if they were racing home untroubled and rightly so as that gap was still nine with just five minutes of normal time remaining.
Goals, however, can change things dramatically and a couple in the 53rd and 57th minutes from Logan McConville and Conan Johnston saw the Shamrocks right back in it behind by just three.
There were a few very anxious looks at the clock by the home fans as Loughgiel searched for an equaliser, but Cushendall slammed the door on the Shamrocks with two late points from Nicholas McNaughton and Ryan McAuley to get their hands back on the John Darragh Memorial Cup.
A point within seconds of the throw in from Cahir McCambridge put Cushendall ahead but Ryan O’Boyle had Loughgiel level two minutes later.
Conleth McNaughton then edged Cushendall back ahead but two in a row from the Shamrocks from Ryan O’Boyle and Conan Johnston gave Loughgiel the lead by the fifth minute.
A goal from Fiontan Bradley a couple of minutes later kick started a Cushendall surge and though Caolan McCollum came back with a point for the visitors, the Ruairi Ogs were starting to hit their stride.
Five unanswered points from Fiontan Bradley, Thomas McLaughlin, Ryan McAuley, Oran McCambridge and Bradley saw them again ahead, 1-7 to 0-4 ahead by the end of the first quarter.
Caolan McCollum pulled one back for the Shamrocks but the winners hit back with a devastating double blow when Cahir and Conor McCambridge hit two goals in as many minutes.
Two further points from Fiontan Bradley pushed the gap out even further and even though Dan O’Mullan pulled a goal back for Shamrocks the Ruairi Ogs went in at the break with a nine point cushion, 3-11 to 1-8.
Not surprisingly the scoring dropped off somewhat during the third quarter, but still the home side increased their lead to a dozen.
Ryan O’Boyle and Logan McConville kept Loughgiel’s hopes alive but when Conlaith McNaughton fired home the 'Dall’s fourth goal this final looked done and dusted
Never known to roll over easily the Shamrocks hit four of the next five points and when Logan McConville and Conan Johnston fired home late goals it was game on once more.
The home 'Dall teenagers held their nerve however and points further points from Nicholas McNaughton and Ryan McAuley saw them crowned Glens minor hurling champions.

Cushendall: Shane Coulter, Paddy Morgan, Conor McCann, Charlie McAlister, Patrick McCambridge, Aidan Campbell, Diarmuid McManus, Callagh Mooney, Thomas McLaughlin, Ryan McAuley, Oran McCambridge, Nicholas McLaughlin, Cahir McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Connlaodh McNaughton.
Loughgiel: Sean Douthart, Eunan Johnston, Eddie Smyth, Thomas McNulty, Ger McFadden, Ashton McGarry, Niall McCloskey, Donal McKay, Logan McConville, Ryan O’Boyle, Oisin Connolly, Liam McGarry, Caolan McCollum, Dan O’Mullan, Conan Johnston.
Referee: Colm Cunning (Dunloy)

Cushendall captain Thomas McLaughlin receives the John Darragh Memorial Cup from John's parents Kathleen and Malachy Darragh after the Ruairis final win over Loughgiel at Pairc Mhuire. Above is a portrait of the late John Darragh on the Wall of the Heroes at Pairc Mhuire. Pic by John McIlwaine