Bredagh Hurlers into Ulster Final

Bredagh 5-6 Rasharkin 1-10
Bredagh's senior hurlers created history at the weekend by reaching the Ulster Division 3 Final when they hit Rasharkin with a five goal blitz in the final quarter to seal an emphatic win at the Ballycastle venue.

Conditions on the evening were not ideal for hurling with a gale force wind which Bredagh decided to play against in the first half. Bredagh started off well and Eoghan Donnelly got the first score of the match from an acute angle on the right. Rasharkin replied with two of their own and were exerting severe pressure on the Bredagh defence who kept the Rasharkin forwards under pressure resulting in a number of wides for the St Mary's outfit. Things were looking good for Bredagh trailing by a point as the game moved into the second quarter and it looked even better when McLoughney was through one-on-one with the keeper only to see his shot scrape over the bar for a minor when a goal looked more likely. At this stage Rasharkin started to find their scoring boots rifling over three points without reply, Galway drove over a free to bring the margin back to two before Rasharkin added to further points to take a four point lead into the changing rooms.

With a gale wind in their backs for the second half Bredagh were quietly confident in getting enough scores to win the match. However it was Rasharkin from a free that put the first point of the half on the scoreboard to extend their lead to five. There was very little scoring in the 3rd quarter with Bredagh, like Rasharkin in the first half, being guilty of a number of bad wides. Bredagh introduced McKillop for McMullan (broken wrist) at half time and it was McKillop who got things going when he broke the ball for McLoughney to solo in on goal, his first shot was saved but he made sure of the rebound finding the bottom right hand corner of the net. This was the turning point of the game, Bredagh were dominating the middle third and good low ball was being fed into the full forward line, McLoughney added another point before McKillop goalled to put Bredagh two in front. Rasharkin hit back with a point of their own before Bredagh set up another attack with Connolly clearing to the industrious Murray at midfield who found Donnelly in the right corner, he rounded his man and crossed for McLoughney who drilled a lot shot for his second major and an impressive personal haul of 2-2. Another attack down the right saw Galway's cut won by Mckillop who worked his way in from the end line and his tradesmark drop shot sent the sliothar into the left corner to give Bredagh what looked like an unassailable lead with five minutes to go. But Rasharkin hadn't given up the ghost and were searching all out for goals to get back into the game and that they got along with a point to bring the margin back to three. Further chances came their way but Galway made two excellent clearance and full back McDonnell made a timely interception to snuff out another goal chance. The game was set up for an exciting finish, a long Dillon clearance was won in the corner by McLoughney who cut in from the wing and crossed what looked like a ball that was too high for Donnelly but he controlled it expertly with his caman and spun round the advancing keeper before roofing the net. This strike was accompanied with the loudest cheer of the night from the large travelling Bredagh support. Galway pointed from a 45 metre free and McCamphill knocked over an insurance point just before the final whistle signalled Bredagh's advance to the final.

This match wasn't one for the purist as the conditions didn't allow for stylish hurling but both teams showed great determination and committment battling all the way to the end. Normally it's Bredagh's middle third who stand out but this time it was the last line of Galway, Connolly, McDonnell and Dillon who shone with dour resistance in the first half and winning and hitting quality ball into the forwards in the second half. Equally so the full forward line in the final quarter did the real damage with McLoughney, McKillop and Donnelly scoring five goals between them in a ten minute purple patch. That said Mark Heron at left half back probably edged the man-of-the-match award with a great display of ball winning and effective clearances while his fellow wing half Whyte closed down Rasharkin's main forward threat when introduced early in the second half. In midfield, Murray ran Heron close for the man-of-the-match accolade and Burke worked hard in support especially in the second half. Up front the three full forwards excelled in the last quarter with Donnelly being a different class giving his marker a torrid time and showing his Ballycastle cousins his full reportoire of skills. The front line were well supported by Captain McCollum, McCamphill and Galway with young Doole unlucky not to make the scoresheet near the end. Young Michael Mullan also came off the bench to good effect in the closing stages.

Ulster,Down and Ballycran veteran Danny Hughes couldn't contain his delight at the final whistle stating that he will be just as proud wearing the maroon of Bredagh on finals day as he was when wearing the black and amber of his birth club. Coach Rory Galway felt the team should have scored more points when having the wind advantage but felt they done enough in the first half to curtail their opponents to a four point advantage. That said he felt Bredagh would have to up their performance considerably for the final and that starts with a full turn out at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Bredagh are County Down's only representaives left in Ulster and are due to meet Mullahoran, Co Cavan in the final, the Cavan boys overcame Tyrone's Naomh Colum Cille by two points in their semi-final. The venue and date are to be confirmed. Bredagh's next match is at home to Shamrocks on Tuesday 8th August with a 7.30 throw-in.

Panel and Scorers: Rory Galway, Brian Connolly, Fintan McDonnell, Charlie Dillon, Michael McKervey, Danny Hughes, Mark Heron, Colin Murray, Mike Burke, Liam McCollum (Capt), Fergal McCamphill 0-1, Ian Galway 0-2, Seamus McLoughney 2-2, Lorenzo McMullan, Eoghan Donnelly 1-1, Seamus McKillop 2-0, Michael Whyte, Paul Doole, Paul Boyle, Ultan Power, Michael Mullan, Mark Sidebottom, Paddy Mcgrenaghan, Colin O'Neill, Donncha Hanrahan, Paddy Byrne, Rowen Smart, Rory McCaughey.

http://www.bredaghgac.com/2006Hurling/senior.shtml