Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – Division 1

Loughgiel 1-10 Ballycastle 2-8

Ballycastle withstood a late rally by Loughgiel to edge out their opponents by a single point in the opening game of the Antrim Minor Hurling League Division 1 at Fr Healy Park on Sunday.

In a game where both teams were guilty of a series of missed chances the Ballycastle boys apeeared to have it wrapped up when they five clear going into the final quarter, but they failed to score again despite a number of excellent chances and had to hold on grimly at the end to get the win.

A Cadhan Crawford goal early in the game gave the visitors the upper hand, but Dan O’Mullan hit back with one for the Shamrocks and just a point separated the sides at half time.

A smart save by Ballycastle goalkeeper Anthony Mullan denied Loughgiel’s Conan Johnston early early in the second half and Ballycastle took advantage as they hit four of the next five points two of them from Crawford and one each from Cathair Donnelly and Conor Connelly .

Liam Glackin and Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly exchanged points entering the final quarter when Ballycastle struck a telling blow with a goal from Oisin Coyles, who was sent clear by Conor Donnelly. That score put the visitors five ahead, but they failed to score again, despite having a series of good chances and Loughgiel closed to within a point as Liam Smyth, Roan Mcgarry, Ronan Fitzgerald and Conan Johnston left just a point between the sides going into injury time.

The home side did have other chances but some great hooking and blocking by the Ballycastle defence held them at bay.