Two Skerries goals, one immediately at the start of the second half and the other ten minutes from time sealed Cuala’s fate in this highly skilful game in Shankill.

CUALA 0-10             SKERRIES HARPS 2-12

 AHL 5 – 6TH JULY 2014 – SHANKILL

Up to the first goal Cuala were in command and were looking odds on to collect all the points. The full back line of Carl Schutte, Colman O’ Drisceoil  and Cian Mc Carroll were hardly troubled and with Ciaran Mc Dermot and Sean Dowling pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Cuala were in control and playing the more skilful hurling. Justin Byrne helped himself to a couple of points whilst Daragh Twoomey was unerring with two well taken points from frees. Liam O Dowd and Dave Ryan chipped in with a point each in the first half.

However five minutes before half time bad luck struck Cuala. Stephen Butler strained his back in dealing with a high catch and had to be substituted. Without a second keeper on the bench Daragh Twoomey stepped into goals and had a fine game between the sticks.

At half time Cuala lead by 0-7 to 0-6.

Immediately after the throw in a scramble on the Cuala goal line resulted in the ball being tapped into the Cuala net. A point from Skerries in the next minute had then level. The momentum was now with Skerries and they added two further points on the trot. Cuala battled very hard they couldn’t pull back the deficit and the game was over when Skerries second goal went in ten minutes from time. A Cuala penalty with six minutes to go briefly raised Cuala’s spirits but a fine save from the keeper extinguished any hope of a late come back.

With so many players missing or this was very good display from Cuala and a great introduction to Adult hurling for many of the minors who played.

Team : Stephen Butler ( Simon Cullen 25 mins) Karl Schutte, Colman O’ Drisceoil, Cian Mc Carroll, Conor Hayes, Colm Murphy, Brian Murphy, Ciaran Mc Dermott, Sean Dowling, Cillian Sheanon(0-1), Dave Ryan(0-1), Darragh Twoomey(0-2f), Justin Byrne (0-2), Liam O’ Dowd(0-2), Kevin O’ Shea ( Tom Sheehan (0-1)35 mins)