Loughgiel had too much for understrength Ballycran

O’Neill Sportswear Hurling League – Division 1

Loughgiel Shamrocks 2-28 Ballycran 1-15

This top of the table clash between the two unbeaten sides in the division, Loughgiel and Ballycran, turned out to be a disappointment as the Shamrocks proved much too strong for a Ballycran side who were short a good few regulars. The Down men started promisingly and were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after six minutes, but once they got going Loughgiel beat them with relative ease, with an impressive scoring performance which saw them win the end by sixteen points

**Loughgiel’s Paul Boyle in action during his team’s win over Ballycran**

Two points from Paul Sheehan and one from James Coyle, in reply to one by Cathal Hargan gave Ballycran a good start, but they were soon reeled in by a slick moving Shamrocks side, and two Shan McGrath points brought the home side level. A great solo run and shot by Paul Boyle forced a great double save from Ballycran keeper Stephen Keith, but Declan McCloskey pointed the resultant 65 and when Rian ‘Bubbles’ McMullan got in for the first goal of the game the Shamrocks were in command and points quickly followed from McMullan (2), James McNaughton (2) and Cathal Hargan to take a firm grip on the game. Nearing half time Ballycran hit three in a row, two from Sheehan and one from Woods, but an excellent point from Shan McGrath just before half time gave the home team a 1-10 to 0-6 lead at half time.

***Loughiel’s Tiernan Coyle clears the ball from defence***

Two early points from Declan McCloskey and Rian McMullan stretched the lead to eight in the opening minute of the second half and it was clear the visitors had an uphill struggle in their hands. Phelim Savage, who had played at centre back in the first half, moved further up the field and he hit two great points to keep his team in touch, but two quick points from Shan McGrath were followed by a second goal from Bubbles McMullan and the only thing in doubt was the size of the winning margin.

Savage and Sheehan kept things ticking over for Ballycran with some excellent scores and Sheehan got a goal from a brilliantly struck 20 meter free three minutes from time, but the Loughgiel forward line were really flying and struck a succession of top class points to seal an impressive win

LOUGHGIEL

Chrissy O’Connell, Tiernan Coyle, Daniel McPeake, Rory McCloskey, Caolan Blair, Declan McCloskey, Damon McMullan, Ruairi McCloskey, James McNaughton, Paul Boyle, Cathal Hargan, Rian McMullan, Daniel McCloskey, Shan McGrath, Christy McGarry

BALLYCRAN

Stephen Keith, Michael Hughes, Patrick Hughes, Brett Hughes, Brett Nicholson, Phelim Savage, Stephen Gilliland, Philip Miskimmin, Scott Nicholson, Ethan Bell, Conor Woods, Paul Sheehan, James Coyle, James Miskimmin.

Referee – Kevin Parke