Antrim Junior B Hurling Championship
All Saints 6-21 Ardoyne 3-2
Holders, All Saints coasted into the next round of the Antrim Junior B Hurling championship with a comprehensive victory over Kickham’s Ardoyne at St. Enda’s today. The Hightown pitch was in great shape as were the Ballymena side as they raced into a 6-9 to 0-1 half time lead and the game was as good as over at that stage.
With the wind at their back Ardoyne gave it everything after the break and scored another 3-1 but the Slemish Park side, aided by the immaculate striking of Damian Gillan added 11 points and never looked in any serious trouble.
Gillan got All Saints on their way when he drove a close range free to the net in the third minute and points from Cormac Magill, Ciaran Butler, Liam Cassley and Gillan again from a ‘65’ saw them lead 1-5 to 0-0 after 13 minutes.
Niall McGarry set up Butler for an excellent goal in the 14th minute and the towering full-forward repaid the complement when he placed McGarry for goal number three as the one way traffic continued away from the pavilion end.
Ciaran Butler and Niall McGarry were causing endless problems for the Kickham’s defence and the big number 14 fielded a dropping ball before firing to the net from close range and McGarry added two more before the whistle as All Saints took a 26 point lead into the half time break.
Gillan extended that lead with a point on the restart but Ardoyne’s efforts finally paid off in the 2nd and 3d minutes when they struck with a couple of goals from Ciaran Kane to give their confidence a boost.
With the strong wind at their back could Ardoyne close the gap on their opponents? The answer was a quick no. All Saints got their act together again as Damian Gillan (free), Ciaran Neeson, Gillan again, Liam Cassley, Vinny Esler, Luke O’Rawe (0-2), Damian Gillan,(0-2), Liam Cassley (0-2) and Gillan again sent over unanswered points.
Ardoyne, who battled throughout finally got some more reward for their efforts when a long range free from Jim Og McAuley got a touch from Sean Magill and ended in the net with time almost up to put a better look on the scoreline.
Ardoyne: Patrick McCullough, Connor Keenan, Pascal Clarke, Paul McGuiness, Paul O’Halloran, Sean McGearty, Christopher McShane, Jim Og McAuley, Ryan Stewart, Pearse Hull, Sean Magill, Hugh Grieve, Patrick McCabe, Stephen Hill, Ryan Thompson. Subs: Luke Brady for Hugh Grieve
All Saints: Daire Hasson, Sean O’Rawe, Christopher McAffee, Terence Diamond, Padhraig Magill, Colum Neeson, Brendan McDonnell, Damian Gillan, Vincent Esler, Cormac Magill, Luke O’Rawe, Gary Miskella, Niall McGarry, Ciaran Butler, Liam Cassley. Subs: Ciaran Neeson for Ciaran Butler, Martin McNally, PJ O’Kane, Andrew Mitchell, Francis casey.
Referee: Paul Hughes (O’Donnell’s)
