Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Hurling League Division One
Dunloy 3-13 Ballycran 2-14
Sunday June 27
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy recorded their third league win of the season on Sunday afternoon as they edged past Ballycran with just two points to spare. This was an entertaining game of hurling with both sides contributing to a compelling 60 minutes of hurling.
Chrissy McMahon top scored on the day with his 2-4 all coming from play as he formed a blistering inside forward line with Seaan Elliott. Elliott scoring the Cuchullains third goal and a further two points himself.
After a slow start, Ballycran matched the home side for long periods with Phelim Savage pulling the strings for the Ardsmen while Gerard Hughes at centre half looked to dictate. Huw Flynn top scored with all of his six points coming from placed ball on the day while Savage and James Clarke bagged the goals for the visitors to Pearse Park.
While the Cuchullains started like a house on fire with McMahon’s goal putting them in an early four point lead, Ballycran kept in touch with Savage finding the back of Callum Mullan’s net after good work from Ben Arthurs.
The second Cuchullain goal came soon after the first half water break, Seaan Elliott showing his searing pace before finishing superbly as the home side held a four point lead at the interval.
Dunloy started the second half in similar fashion to the opening of the game with three points in as many minutes from Elliott and substitute Shane Dooey opening a seven point lead but Ballycran hit back. They scored 1-5 without reply to take the lead for the first time in the game before the second half water break. The Down men’s second major coming from James Clarke as he rode a couple of heavy tackles before despatching the sliotar to the back of the Dunloy net.
The Cuchullains needed a response and they got it in the form of their third goal. Seaan Elliott producing a moment of magic, dancing his way through three challenges before testing the relexes of Cahal Lavery in the ‘Cran goals. The sliotar fell lose to McMahon and he swept home to give the Cuchullains the lead once again and one they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Dunloy entertain their old rivals Loughgiel in the Feis Cup semi final on Tuesday evening while Ballycran’s next league match is on Sunday 11th July as Cushendall make the journey down the Ards Penninsula.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Callum Mullan; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley, Conor Kinsella; Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry, Aaron Crawford; Eoin McFerran, Liam McCann; Nicky McKeague, Anton McGrath, Gabriel McTaggart; Chrissy McMahon, Ciaran Elliott, Seaan Elliott
Scorers: C McMahon 2-4; S Elliott 1-2; N McKeague 0-2 (2f); Paul Shiels 0-2 (2f); L McCann 0-1; Shane Dooey 0-1
Ballycran: Cahal Lavery; Rory Brown, Michael Hughes, Sean Ennis; Michael Ennis, Gerard Hughes, Aaron Dorrian; Scott Nicholson, Cormac McAllister; Ben Arthurs, Phelim Savage, Stuart Martin; James Clarke, Connor Dorrian, Huw Flynn
Scorers: H Flynn 0-6 (6fs); P Savage 1-2; J Clarke 1-1; C McAllister 0-1; S Martin 0-1; B Arthurs 0-1; C McAllister 0-1
Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)
