Ulster Hurling League Sunday 5th February 2012 Carryduff - v - All Saints, Ballymena
Carryduff's opening game in the Ulster Hurling League was the proverbial game of two halfs. A lackluster first half performance from Carryduff saw All Saints greet the half-time break with double the Carryduff score to their credit. All Saints opened the scoring in the 2nd minute before Eoin Conway registered Carryduff's first score from a free in the 11th minute. He followed this with a second point a minute later but All Saints equalized from a free in the 13th. Sean O Callaghan added points for Carryduff (15th and 18th) to put Carryduff two in front. All saints reduced the deficit to the minimum with a point in the 20th minute. Eoin Conway re-established the Carryduff lead in the 21st but All Saints found the Carryduff net five minutes from the break. Carryduff needed an injection of concentration and discipline as a number of players appeared to lose direction in this period, allowing All Saints to add a further point (27th) and a second goal two minutes from the break.
The half-time score-line of Carryduff 0-05 All Saints 2-04 was a fair reflection of the hurling in the first half.
Whatever was said during the break had the desired effect as the Carryduff players showed much greater heart and determination throughout the second half. Playing with some commitment and a sense of purpose they held All Saints to a single point in the 48th minute. Consistent performances from O'Neill, McConville and O'Callaghan enabled Carryduff to take control of the middle section of the field and Eoin Conway exerted a greater influence on the game operating out around the half-forward line. Six points from Eoin Conway (four frees) and three from Early (one free), two points from Michael Conway and one from O'Calllaghan and James Lavery's knock-on to the net of a sideline puck from Conall Early saw Carryduff enjoy a nine point victory on a final score-line of Carryduff 1-17 All Saints 2-05.
Justin McCormick will be pleased with the character shown in the second half and will doubtless take the opportunity to impress upon his charges what they can achieve with greater focus and determination in their approach.

The Carryduff team was;- Luke Elliott, Conor McCormick, Conor Cassidy, Cormac McCrory, Ciaran Goodwin, Conor O'Neill, Aaron McEneaney, Conall Early, Seán O'Callaghan, James Lavery, Michael Conway, Mark McConville, Niall Rodgers, Eóin Conway, Gareth Lynch.
Substitutes; - Michael Holland for McEneaney, Danny McKay for Lynch

Congratulations from all at the club to Seán O’Callaghan who, after Carryduff’s victory in the All-County Minor Hurling Championship last year, has been selected as Down County Minor Hurling team captain for the forthcoming season. Best wishes to Seán and all members of the County panel for the forthcoming season.