Hurling & Camogie

Cushendall ratings - old hands and emerging stars lead the way

Young Joe McLaughlin celebrates a wonderful second half score as Cushendall got the better of Slaughtneil in Sunday's Ulster final
Young Joe McLaughlin celebrates a wonderful second half score as Cushendall got the better of Slaughtneil in Sunday's Ulster final

Conor McAllister: Had a couple of dodgy moments in the semi-final win over Portaferry, and survived an early fumble when collecting a harmless Shane McGuigan effort. Confident afterwards, and distribution throughout. 6.5

Paddy Burke: Looked to be in for a tough afternoon when two fouls on Rogers left him on a yellow card 16 minutes in. However, the Slaughtneil ace was left frustrated as his side stumbled, managing only one score. 7.5

Liam Gillan: Solid as a rock at the heart of the defence, kept tabs on Gerald Bradley then moved onto Se McGuigan when injury forced Bradley off and kept him to a solitary second half score. 7.5

Martin Burke: Kept a close watch on O’Doherty, whose influence from open play was minimal. 7

Scott Walsh: Given the slip by Eamon Cassidy for Slaughtneil’s first goal, but held strong thereafter and sent over one of the scores of the game late on as Cushendall headed for home. 7

Eoghan Campbell: His loose pass led to Slaughtneil’s first half goal, but brilliant either side of that error. Always so calm and composed in possession, granting his team-mates license to kick on. 7.5

Ruairi McCollan: A late replacement for Aidan McNaughton, McCollan was solid as a rock under the high ball time and again as Slaughtneil were kept at bay. 7

Francis McCurry: Always economical with the sliothar, though he didn’t see an awful lot of it. Gave everything to the cause. 6.5

Ryan McCambridge: Seemed to be everywhere, picking up breaks and breaking down Slaughtneil attacks. Hugely influential. 8.5

Ronan McAteer: The Cushendall half-forward line hassled the life out of Slaughtneil, with McAteer taking the fight to the Derry champions, including landing two scores of his own. 7.5

Niall McCormack: Only returned from Canada on Friday, and was comfortable in possession as Cushendall took control, spraying some lovely diagonal balls into the corners. 7

Fergus McCambridge: Worked his socks off, and his score eight minutes from time drew one of the biggest cheers of the day. 7

Ed McQuillan: Twisted and turned to engineer a goal chance early in the second half but lashed over - one of four points from play on a day he won’t forget any time soon. 8.5

Neil McManus: Won his titanic tussle with McKaigue, forcing and converting two early frees, winning ball all day and providing passes for scores from McLaughlin and Walsh. The focal point of this Cushendall side. 8

Joe McLaughlin: Quiet for a lot of the afternoon but exhilarating when exploding into life – lashing over a super score late in the first half, then picking O Mianain’s pocket for a crucial late score as Slaughtneil threatened a comeback. A serious talent. 7.5  

Substitutes

Alex Delargy: Replaced McCormack late on, and announced arrival with great block on O Mianain to keep the pressure on Slaughtneil. 6.5