Cushendall book place in Antrim SHC decider
Goals prove the difference in tight encounter
Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship semi-final
Pairc MacUílín, Ballycastle
Cushendall 2-16 | Loughgiel 0-20
Cushendall secured their place in the Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship final with a hard-fought two-point victory over Loughgiel.
Goals from Joseph McLaughlin and substitute Fiontan Bradley proved the difference in a gripping, high-intensity semi-final played on a heavy surface.
Cushendall struck first when McLaughlin - who finished as top scorer with an impressive 1-8 - hammered home a rebound following a shot from Neil McManus.
McManus was instrumental throughout, contributing 0-6, while goalkeeper Conor McAllister produced a vital first-half save against James McNaughton to help Cushendall into a 1-11 to 0-10 half-time lead.
Loughgiel surged out of the blocks after the break, erasing the four-point deficit within seven minutes.
Rian McMullan led the charge for the Shamrocks, firing over five excellent second-half points.
However, just as Loughgiel was enjoying their best spell, Cushendall substitute Fiontan Bradley found the net just three minutes after coming on.
Despite intense late pressure and another superb save by McAllister to deny Loughgiel's Darragh Patterson a late goal, crucial closing points from McLaughlin kept the Shamrocks at bay.
Cushendall now advance to meet rivals Dunloy in the decider, on Sunday marking their tenth final appearance in 14 years.
Cushendall - Conor McAlister; Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Fred McCurry; Scott Walsh, Austin Birt, Charlie McAuley; Eoghan Campbell, Callagh Mooney; Thomas McLaughlin, Ed McQuillan, Ryan McCambridge; Fergus McCambridge, Neil McManus, Joseph McLaughlin
Subs: Fiontan Bradley for E Campbell (47); Sean McAfee for R McCambridge (54)
Scorers: J McLaughlin 1-8 (4f); N McManus 0-6 (2f); F Bradley 1-00; E McQuillan 0-2
Loughgiel Starting XV: Cormac McFadden; Rory McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ruairi McCormick, Declan McCloskey, Ben McGarry; Rian McKee, James McNaughton; Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Shan McGrath; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Jack McCloskey
Subs: Christy McGarry for J McCloskey (44); Darragh Patterson for R Fitzgerald (49); Pearce Patterson for R McKee (60+1), Eoin McGarry for R McGarry (60+1)
Scorers: R McMullan 0-5; J McNaughton 0-4 (1f, 1’65); S McGrath 0-2; E Og McGarry 0-1; L Glackin 0-1; R McCormick 0-1; B McGarry 0-1; P Boyle 0-1; J McCloskey 0-1
Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)