Antrim MHC "B" Semi Final - Rasharkin v St Gall's
[Photos in 2010]
Rasharkin edge out St. Gall's for a place in final
Thursday 28th August 2010 at St.Mary's Ahoghill
St.Mary's Rasharkin (0-16) v St.Enda's (1-10)
Rasharkin minor hurlers having disposed of Shaws Road side St.Pauls in the quarter final of the
Antrim Minor "B" Hurling Championship set up a showdown with St.Galls for the right to play in the decider.
With both sides competing is separate leagues this would be the first meeting of these teams at this level.
St.Mary's Ahoghill was the setting for this tie.
Rasharkin started the scoring through corner forward Ryan Lynch after three minutes, this was followed a minute
later from Enda McFerran with a quick thirty yard strike. Team Captain Daniel Doherty fired over two back to back
frees after five and ten minutes as St.Mary's soared into a five point lead. Mark Napier finally opened the St.Galls
account after twelve minutes from a well taken point from the left wing.
The south west's side dominance was clear from an early stage as the city side struggled to cope with the relentless
Rasharkin pressure. Shane Hasson, Conor McKeever and James O'Mullan added points apiece to open up a six point cushion.
Centre half forward Conor Burke tried to stem the tide with point for the Milltown side after seventeen before Centre back
Jackson McGreevy smacked over a sixty yard free after twenty minutes. Wing half back Ciaran Kelly broke through the St.Galls
defence to pop over a point after twenty five for St.Mary's.
Rasharkin were reduced to fourteen men after midfielder Eamon O'Boyle saw red five minutes from the half time break.
St.Galls responded with a flurry of three unanswered points Napier and McGreevy again along with a good long range effort
from corner back Aaron Mulheron. This brought the city side to within two points, but Rasharkin centre half forward Shane
Hasson grabbed a late effort in the fifth minute of added time to leave a half time score 0-9 to 0-6.
Starting the second half with a numerical disadvantage Rasharkin management found themselves having to reshuffle the pack.
Centre half forward Shane Hasson went to midfield, keeper James Scally found himself on the half forward line with corner
forward Fergus Lynch dropping into goals. The half time changes definitely paid off as Rasharkin scored three points in
six minutes, the first from Enda McFerran, another from Shane Hasson and a peach from James Scally from forty five yards.
Mark Napier was again the St Galls target man when he pointed after ten minutes but Rasharkin's fourteen men played with
belief and passion. Shane Hasson stroked over a thirty yard free after thirteen minutes as Kelan Darragh added another after
sixteen to open up a seven point lead. But back again came St Galls, two frees from centre half back Jackson McGreevy and a
point from full forward Michael Fox after twenty five minutes set up for an exciting finish.
This fixture was blown wide open as centre half forward Conor Burke flicked home from close range to raise the green flag and reduce the deficit to the minimum on the stroke of full time. This talented bunch showed a 'never say die' quality as they pulled out two further points in added time, one from James O'Mullan and a free from Shane Hasson, to give Rasharkin a three point victory and passage to the decider where they take on the winners of Kickhams, Creggan and Shane O'Neills, Glenarm.
This was a massive victory for the young Dreen men who played most of the game with fourteen men. They showed great hurling skills and determination against a resilient St Galls team who travelled to Clooney with big plans.
James Scally had a good first half between the posts but excelled himself in the second half upfront. Daniel McKay, James O'Mullan, Conor McKeever and Ciaran Kelly had great defensive displays. Daniel Doherty played the captain's role and plugged the back towards the later stages of the second half. Conor McGilligan, Shane Hasson and Enda McFerran can feel proud of their efforts upfront.
St Galls finishing on the loosing side can still feel proud of the efforts of Danny Clarke, Jackson McGreevy, James Gallagher, James Hopkins, Conor Burke and Mark Napier.
Rasharkin: James Scally, Anthony O'Kane, Daniel McKay, Turlough Kelly, James O'Mullan, Conor McKeever, Ciaran Kelly, Daniel Doherty (Capt) and Eamon O'Boyle, Conor McGilligan, Shane Hasson, Enda McFerran, Ryan Lynch, Fergus Lynch and Kelan Darragh
St Galls: Conor Lougher, Aaron Mulheron, Adam O'Hare, Curtis McGreevy (Capt), Daniel Clarke, Jackson McGreevy, Ruairi Wilson, James Gallagher and Paul Nolan, James Hopkins, Conor Burke, Brendan Bradley, Mark Napier, Michael Fox and Matt Murdock.
Referee: Harry Graham, St Mary's Ahoghill
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