Cú Chulainn Adult Club Hurling League 2024 

Wednesday 19/06/24 in Lios Béal Átha/Lisbellaw 

NCC V Cluainín Iomáint/Glencar Manorhamilton 

Our senior hurlers know how Willie Nelson feels as they were 'on the road again' for the third week in a row when they made the journey to Lios Béal Átha/Lisbellaw in Fermanagh to cross camáin with Cluainín Iomáint/Glencar Manorhamilton of 'lovely' Leitrim for round two of the Croke Park organised Cú Chulainn Adult Club Hurling League.

The Cilles played uphill and into the low lying sun in the first half and might as well use that as an excuse for the concession of four first half goals! The Leitrim men made hay in the opening thirty minutes and took a nine point lead in with them at half time as they built up what seemed like an unassailable 4-7 to 1-7 deficit. 

AJ McCann, playing at full forward provided great resistance to the opposition by posting 1-5 (0-3 frees) of our 1-7 first half tally with centre half forward Chris Kearns and Rónán Maguire each splitting the posts once to keep the Black and Red in the fight. 

This correspondent was resigned to defeat as the half time time whistle sounded and only hoped that the lads would put a bit of respectability on the scoreboard before full time but whatever Seámy and the management said at half time seemed to have the desired effect as by the fiftieth minute the Cilles had clawed their way back into the contest and had brought the scores level as the teams headed for the home straight. 

AJ McCann led the NCC charge and had 4-10 to his name by the finish with his excellent first touch and direct play leading to the bulk of his side's scores. He finished with 4-3 from play and did much to secure the two points on the night. 

Chris Kearns continued his stellar form of late and found his radar in the second half with the former county star rifling over a further five points from play to finish with six points to his credit. 

Half forward Gary Mulgrew added a point to the cause as well to ensure the victory with the scoreline finishing 4-18 to 6-11 in NCC'S favour.  

Seámy will be pleased with the second half fighting qualities of his team and with the fact that we managed to pull this one out of the fire but will no doubt address the issues that left us in such a perilous half time position!

We had good performances all over the field with Poc Fada champion Seán Kelly, the experienced Ryan Dubh, young Odhrán McMurray and replacement Darragh Coney the pick of the defence. Vinny McCann, Rónán Maguire and Conor Doherty worked hard in the middle third with Powder Kearns and laoch na himeartha AJ McCann shooting the lights out on the scoring front!

The club wishes a speedy recovery to our long serving hurler Paul Maguire after sustaining a leg injury last night, to young Conor Doherty who went off as well and a mention also to Paddy McCusker who picked up an injury a few weeks ago. Hopefully it's not long before they're firing on all cylinders again!

Foireann NCC: Eric Kirwan, Liam McIllvenna, Irwin Donnellan, Odhrán McMurray, Ryan Dubh O'Neill, Seán Kelly, Vinny McCann, Rónán Maguire (0-1), Chris Kearns (0-6), Conor Doherty, Gary Mulgrew (0-1), AJ McCann (4-10, 0-7 frees), Lughaidh Mór Ó Néill 

Fir Ionaid: Paul Maguire, Rory Poncánach Ó Néill, Aaron McCann, Darragh Coney, Shea Coney, Fionnán Ó Bradáin