Mc Caughan Cup Final. Latharna Óg Páirc. Sun 10th Aug. 2014. Glenravels ten match unbeaten run comes to an end in the final of Larnes McCaughan Cup!! Glenravel : 06 Cushendun 2 : 15 Winning the league and promotion was always our main objective this year, and a bite at the Junior Championship. Anything after that was to be a bonus, todays competition I think, came a week or two too early!! The reason being last Wednesday we won the League with 2 games remaining, after a hard fought win over nearest rivals O Donnells. This match, which gained us promotion to Div. 3, was an epic tussle, but at a cost, losing two players with major hand injuries. On to todays game......we arrived at the Brustin Brae pitch, which stood fairly well against the elements! The wind was blowing strong from the Cairncastle end towards the town. The early downpours had the surface soaking and wet underfoot, but playable. We had to field an under-strength team due to injuries and work commitments, which led to six unwanted changes. Rory McQuillan and Conleith Mc Neill gave the Dun two early scores. Ron working at his corner forward berth found a couple of early loose balls but unfortunately they fell wide. Another ball fell towards McCann who passed to James Duffin who slotted over a Glenravel point. On the tenth minute Niall levelled this Cup final with a converted seventy yard free, and then took the lead with a well taken 65. Our forwards were getting loads of ball but couldnt turn them into scores. Management decided to change things by bringing on Dean Kerr for Mick Scally to add more height in our forward line. Cushenduns Alex Mc Mullan pointed from the wing to level things, before another ball was pounced on by Ron, who sent the ball crossfield to Padge who split the uprights from fifty yards. A defensive error for Con Magees resulted in Don Whelan pegging over another equalising score for the sea-siders. With half-time fast approaching Conleith McNeill hit a thirty yard free to take a one point advantage on the short whistle. HT Glenravel : 04 Cushendun : 05 After the break we conceded 4 quick scores which knocked the stuffing out of us. Worse was to come when Ched pulled off a fantastic save but only parried the ball to McQuillan who pulled on the ball past a diving McCann and into his net. Some needless fouling crept into our game and this was to cost us dearly, as another couple of scores were put over our bar from frees. It wasnt until the forty eighth minute that we got our first score against the wind when Mick Magee collected a ball from a hard working Padge, and obliged by powering over a point. This was followed up by Niall slotting over a high ball from distance. Young Mc Mullan got Cushenduns second major of the afternoon, which was added to with two more converted frees, and a brace of scores from play, to end this final. For Cushendun, this was their second successive title in this McCaughan Cup competition. Playing two divisions above Glenravel and making more use of the open spaces proved crucial. Conleith Mc Neill for the sea-siders hit most of their scores. FT - Con Magees 0-6 Cushendun 2-15 Chris McCann in goals pulled off a string of great saves but will feel aggrieved with the first goal, as he had previously blocked down the point blank effort. Our hard working backs were under severe pressure and on numerous occasions were called into action to clear the ball. Mick Magee deserves a mention as does Conor D. and Paul OHagan. James Duffin and Shanlee had solid games as did Niall and Padge. Overall, for the second match running, Brian ONeill put in a superb performance and gave his all in this Final. Over the hour we had loads of possession but couldnt convert our chances, which we need to work on, on the training field as the Championship is fast approaching. The guys themselves know that they didnt perform to their usual standard, and can improve dramatically in the coming weeks. We can also look forward to facing Cushendall next week in the re-fixed Junior Feis Final. Line up: Chris Mc Cann, Paul O Hagan, Conor Donnelly, Damien O Hagan, Fred Scullion, Brian O Neill, Mick Magee(-01), Padge O Neill(-01), Shanlee Kerr, Niall Donnelly(-03), James Duffin(-01), Stevie Atcheson, Shane O Neill, Mick Scally, Ron Mc Cann.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:09:09 +0000
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