Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Ballygalget 1-19 Ballycastle 2-18

An injury time goal from Ballycastle captain Ronan ‘Rambo’ McCarry secured the league points when McQuillan’s made the long trip down the Ards peninsula on Sunday afternoon.

Early scores were exchanged in Ballygalget, Ardan Kelly, playing at number 7, with his first of 3 for the visitors, 2 of which were superb scores from the half back line.

Ballygalget went 0-03 0-01 up with Eoin Pucci on target from the dead ball for 2 of the opening scores.

Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly, who collected his Ulster Colleges All Star on Friday night, took charge & wrestled through for the game’s first goal to give his team the lead again.

The town’s captain, McCarry, got his first score of the day with a well taken point before young Ardan Kelly picked off his second from long range. The home side answered that with a goal of their own, a superb effort from full forward Shea Pucci who rifled the sliotar to the top corner of the Ballycastle net.

Points were exchanged as the game remained a closely contested affair, the pick of the scores a long range effort from McQuillan’s Seamus McAuley that sailed between the uprights from inside his own half.

The Down men went into the break 2 points to the good at 1-11 to 1-09.

Ballygalget came out of the blocks fastest for the second 30 minutes, and went 4 points up with Eoin Pucci’s accuracy from frees aiding his team’s cause.

Seamus McAuley was able to match that accuracy for Ballycastle though to keep his team within touching distance.

Points from Daragh Donnelly, Kelly and McCarry then brought the game level. The teams would be tied on two more occasions, Ballycastle’s substitute Criostai McAuley making an impact, before Captain McCarry hit the telling blow, after good work from substitute Daragh Kelly. ‘Rambo’ made no mistake seeing the sliotar to the net to give Ballycastle the advantage deep in injury time. Although Ballygalget mustered another point from the poc out, the lobbed effort from the corner dropping just over the bar as they attempted to seek out a goal opportunity, there was no time for a comeback as the long whistle sounded on the poc out and the points were set to head back up the road with the travelling town men.

Teams

Ballygalget

Eoin Clarke, James Higgins, Ciaran Watson, Joseph Smyth, Ben Teggert, Cathal Coulter, Rory Taggart, Cormac Coulter, Michael Toner, Eoin Pucci, Eoin McDermott, Michael Dorian, Ben Murray, Shea Pucci, Daniel Toner

Ballycastle

Eamonn Elliott, Oran Kearney, Conal Colgan, Ryan McCook, Mark McClean, Ronan Laverty, Ardan Kelly, Seamus McAuley, Cathair Donnelly, Ronan McCarry, Orann Donnelly, Daragh Donnelly, Conor Donnelly, Neal McAuley, James McShane

Subs Used

Criostai McAuley, Eoin McAlonan, Darragh Kelly.