Antrim ace Joe McLaughlin stars as Cushendall lay down marker by scoring 10 goals in one-sided rout

The defending county champions hit last season’s Intermediate winners Carey Faughs for 10 goals without Neil McManus

Dunloy might be the bookies’ favourites to regain the Volunteer Cup, but holders Cushendall have laid down a serious marker with a stunning 10-28 to 0-18 rout of Carey at Glenravel on Sunday.

The 2023 and 2024 champions opted to rest star forward and former Antrim skipper Neil McManus for their second group game against last season’s Intermediate winners.

Carey have been hit with injuries and retirements this season and proved no match for Cushendall with Antrim ace Joe McLaughlin posting 4-6, including a first half hat-trick.

After beating Rossa in their Championship opener, it means the Ruairi Óg’s are sure to progress to the knockout stages and they’ll face rivals Loughgiel in round three for an automatic semi-final berth.

Carey briefly led 0-3 to 0-1 early on, but Tomas McLaughlin scored the first of his side’s 10 goals after 10 minutes.

McLaughlin bagged his first soon after before Fiontann Bradley found the net with McLaughlin completing his hat-trick late in the half. Dominic Delargy’s major on the cusp of half-time left Brian Delargy’s men leading 6-14 to 0-9 at the break.

Things didn’t get any better for the Faughs in the second half as the champions hit four more goals.

Ed McQuillan scored Cushendall’s seventh on the restart before McLaughlin scored his fourth shortly before being withdrawn midway through the second half.

His replacement, Oisin Woodhouse, scored his side’s 10th goal after Delargy found the net again before he too was taken off as Cushendall looked to their next Championship outing against the Shamrocks.

Carey must try and bounce back when they welcome Rossa to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday, September 7 for what is now a straight knockout clash for a place in the Antrim SHC quarter-finals.