Minor Hurling Championship semi-final
Dunloy 3-9 Ballycastle 0-12
By Marraine McNeill 
Dunloy made it to their 3rd minor hurling final in a row with an excellent display against a Ballycastle who fancied their chances against the Cuchullains and for much of this game they gave them plenty to think about at wet and windy Glenariffe.
However goals win game and two in as many minutes just after the midway point of the first half the second of which saw Decky Smyth run through before hitting the top corner put Dunloy ahead and Ballycastle just couldn’t catch them.
The Castle couldn’t have asked for a better start sending over a brace of points against the breeze from Ryan Hill and Eamon Elliott before being pegged back by two Ryan McGarry 65s in the ninth minute.
Dunloy then edged ahead with a pointed free from Liam McCann but direct from the poc-out great work from Ballycastle saw they pass the ball out and work it to corner forward Seamus McAuley who fired over.
Dunloy had yet to score from play but in the absence of Seaan Elliott Decky Smyth got the Cuchullains their first from play.
Ballycastle were living dangerously at the back as Ronan Molloy had twice got in behind their defence and when a goalmouth scramble ensued Ronan Molloy got the vital touch to kick it over the line.
If Dunloy’s first goal was fortunate their second was a work of art as Callum Scullion picked out Declan Smyth who still had plenty to do. Racing through the Castle defence he unleashed a powerful drive to the roof of the net to open up a six point lead with 19 minutes played.
With half time fast approaching it was left for the two freetakers to trade points as Liam McCann and Ryan Hill for Ballycastle left the half time score Dunloy 2-5 Ballycastle 0-4 at the short whistle.
The second half saw Ballycastle start brightly hitting 0-3 without reply with Colm Butler and Seamus McAuley and two from ace free taker Ryan Hill cut the Dunloy lead to 0-4 but again Dunloy were able to weather the storm and in the 9th minute Ronan Molloy slammed home Dunloys third goal of the game.
Again Ballycastle got to within 0-4 with back to back points from Ryan Hill and indeed it took Dunloy until the 21st to record their first point of the half. Ballycastle now went in search of goal but Seamus McAuley was brilliantly denied by Adam Mooney in the Dunloy net.
Dunloy now with seven minutes remaining worked hard and points from Ronan Molloy and Sean O’Neill cancelled out earlier efforts from McAuley and HIll but in the closing stages a point from Anton McGrath ended the game on a 3-9 to 0-12.
How They Played
This was a game in which Ballycastle gave their all but this Dunloy side have been very impressive all season and despite the loss of Seaan Elliott to injury didn’t deter this Dunloy side who are now firm favourites to complete a treble of minor wins.
Ballycastle best were corner back Oran and Conal Colgan in defence. Conor Boyd was excellent at midfield while up front Ryan Hill and Seamus McAuley were best
For Dunloy their best came from man of the match Ryan McGarry who gave a display any senior hurler would have been proud off. He was simply outstanding and showed tremendous leadership. Adam Mooney, Aaron Crawford, Paddy Graffin in defence while at midfield Callum Scullion and Eoghan McGrath worked hard while up front Ronan Molloy Liam McCann and Decky Smyth were the difference.
Dunloy
Adam Mooney, Eoin McMullan, Aaron Crawford, Patrick Kinsella, Johnny Duffin, Ryan McGarry 0-2, Paddy Graffin, Eoghan McGrath, Callum Scullion, Ryan McFarlane, Liam McCann 0-3, Declan Symth 1-1, Nathan Richmond, Ronan Molloy 2-1, Anton McGrath 0-1. Subs used Sean O’Neill 0-1, Tiernan O’Boyle, Oisin McErlean
Ballycastle
Tiernan Smyth, Oran Colgan, Oisin McAuley, Oran Kearney, Conal Colagan, Cormac Donnelly, Ben McQuillan, Conor Boyd, Colm Butler, Dylan Hill, Ryan Hill, Eamon Elliott, Lorcan Donnelly, Oscar Egan, Seamus McAuley.
Referee Donal McKeown