Antrim U17 Hurling League
All Saints 1-7 Oisins 6-20
A bit of history was made at Slemish Park Ballymena on Sunday when All Saints fielded a team in Division 1 of the Antrim Minor Hurling League for the first time. After successful runs in the lower age groups the Ballymena mentors decided they would try their hand at the top level. They were probably unlucky drawing Oisins for their first outing, as the Glenariffe boys are a polished outfit, but All Saints gave a good account of themselves and kept plugging away when the odds were stacked against them.
Goals from Peadar McDonnell, Calum McIlwaine, Brogan O’Connor and Ronan Leech helped wind assisted Oisins to a 4-11 to 0-3 lead.
All Saints had the wind in the second half and fared better but Glenariffe’s were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and two early second half goals from Peadar McDonnell really finished the game as a contest. To All Saints credit they continued to work hard with Aodhan McGarry to the fore, the midfielder finishing with 6 points, and centre back Kevin O’Boyle also prominent.
Glenariffe were able to spread their scores about more with Peadar McDonnell adding 3 points to finish the second half with 2-3, Orrin O’Connor getting 2pts, Phelim Ward 2pts, Niall Magee and Daniel Douthart getting a point each. Daniel Kelly grabbed a consolation goal for Ballymena for the game to finish on a scoreline of 6-20 to 1-7.
However the day was about All Saints move up to the top flight and as they get a bit more experience behind them it will stand them in good stead.
Cushendall 3-17 Ballycastle 3-11
Loughgiel 3-17 Corpus Christie Gael 0-6
Dunloy 7-20 Rossa 0-7
In the other games played in Division 1 Cushendall had a six point win over Ballycastle in a high score game at Pairc Mhuir, Loughgiel had a big 3-17 to 0-6 win over Corpus Christie Gaels at Fr Healy Park, while Dunloy were top scorers of the day at they hit 7-20 against Rossa at Pearse Park
Division 2
In Division 2 St Enda’s beat Ard na Rí by 4-16 to 5-8 in a great game at St Gall’s, Naomh Padraig beat St Paul’s by 4-13 to 5-5 in Cushendun, while Na Gael Óga travelled to Glenravel and beat the Con Magees by 8-12 to 1-14
