TWO goals in the final 12 minutes eased Cushendall into the Ulster SHC final, their superior skill and greater finishing power finally ending Dungiven’s stubborn resistance.
Until that late scoring burst the Derry champions had resisted splendidly, their hard-tackling and close-marking defence making life very difficult for a Cushendall attack which shot 15 wides over the hour.
Full-back McGilligan did a good marking job on Ruairi McNaughton until the classy full-forward struck for the first goal 12 minutes from time.
On the flanks Carson and Terence McNaughton had tremendous duels with Kieran McKeever and Barry Kelly, the free-taking skills of Carson and the deft touches of McNaughton telling factors in the ‘Dall victory.
Kevin Lynch’s, Dungiven: James Donaghy (capt), D McCloskey, B McGilligan, C O’Donnell, K McKeever, N Mullan, B Kelly, D McGilligan, R McCloskey, M McCracken, M McGonigle, E McKeever, K Hinphey, G McGonigle (1-7, 0-7 from frees), J A Mullan. Subs: R Murphy for K Hinphey, E McCloskey for D McGilligan, G McLaughlin for M McGonigle.
Ruairi Og, Cushendall: C McNaughton, R McNeill, A McAteer, J McNaughton, D McNaughton, L McKeegan, C McCambridge, J McKillop (1-0), M McCambridge (0-2), J Carson (0-8), F McAllister (capt) (0-1), T McNaughton (0-2), A Delargy (0-1), R McNaughton (1-2), A McGuile.
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CLIFTONVILLE boss Marty Quinn may move into the League of Ireland transfer market this week following Saturday’s shambolic 3-2 defeat away to Carrick Rangers which cost the club a potentially lucrative place in the quarter finals of the Sun Life Gold Cup.
“I will speak to St Pat’s Athletic manager Brian Kerr, who is my main contact down south, to see who is available,” said Quinn.
The Reds manager has made it clear to his players that sub-standard performances, such as the one against Carrick, are unacceptable.
“Our supporters turned out in their numbers, and they deserve better. I will be trying to make sure they don’t have to suffer a display like that again. The players need to have a look at themselves.
“It was a demoralising day for us.”
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THOMAS Bjorn became the first Dane to win a European Tour event when he showed no sign of nerves to collect the £125,000 first prize at the Loch Lomond World Invitational golf championship.
Bjorn, playing in his first season on the Tour, shot a fourth round 70 for a 72-hole aggregate of 277 – seven under par – to beat Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who finished in 71 yesterday, by one shot and Australian Robert Allenby (70 for 281) by four.
Colin Montgomerie, with an unwelcome double bogey six at the 14th, finished joint fourth with England’s Jonathan Lomas on 282 but Nick Faldo stumbled to a six over par 77 and could only tie for 37th place on 291.
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LEICESTER’S man-of-the-match Emile Heskey had a firm message for those who continue to view his side as relegation certainties.
“We’re very determined to prove people wrong,” insisted Heskey after the Midlands side surprised Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
“We’ve done well against the teams we’ve played this season, lost a couple, but shown how well we can play. Today we’ve battled in there. They can write us off, but we’ll still be there.”
Steve Claridge gave Leicester the lead in the first half before Clive Wilson levelled matters from the spot in the 64th minute and Ian Marshall gave the Foxes victory with a late headed winner.
