North Antrim Under 16 Hurling Final
Cloney Gaels 4-12 Shane O’Neill 1-5
Cloney Gaels won the North Antrim Under 16 B Hurling title when they beat Glenarm in Friday night’s final at Quinn Park, Balymena. In a game played in a constant downpour the Ahoghill boys got off to a good start and were never headed. The lead by 3-6 to 0-4 at half time and pushed on in the second half to win by sixteen points.
Owen Elliott presents the trophy to Cloney Gaels captain Colla McDonnell
Corner forward Charlie McCloskey got the Gaels opening goal and while Niall McGarel replied with a point for Glenarm three points from team captain Colla McDonnell were followed by a goal from full forward Joe Logan. Luke Mullen added another point for the Ahoghill before McCloskey grabbed his second goal when he blocked the attempted clearance by the Glenarm goalkeeper back into the net. Glenarm ended the half strongly with points from Niall McGarrel and Sean O’Boyle and when they started the second half with one from midfielder Aidan Scullion there were signs that they might still be in the game. However there Colla McDonnell points from placed balls, plus a goal from the same player ended any hopes Glenarm may have had. Aidan Scullion pulled a goal back for Glenarm but it was to be their last score and points from Luke Mulholland and Colla McDonnell wrapped it all up for the Ahoghill side.
Glenarm centre back Liam McLoughlin in action
Cloney Gaels – Patrick Dougan, John O’Kane, Jack McFall, Matthew Mullen, Daniel McNicholl, Shea Neeson, Sean O’Neill, Harry O’Donnell, Luke Mulholland, Luke Mullen, Shane McGuigan, Conhuir Johnston, Colla McDonnell, Joe Logan, Charlie McCloskey.
Subs – Ben Friel, Noah Friel.
Glenarm – Anthony Berry, Odhran Daly, Matthew Black, Coire Mellon, Michael McGarel, Liam McLoughlin, Ronan Rodgers, Jay Rowan, Aidan Scullion, Eamann Duffy, Sean O’Boyle, Shea McGregor, James O’Kane, Niall McGarel, Patrick McLoughlin.
Subs – Conor O’Kane, Calum Burleigh.
Referee – Malachy McToal (All Saints)
Pics by John McIlwaine