Under 16 A Hurling Championship

Loughgiel 3-23 Ard na Rí 2-06

Loughgiel secured a place in the final of the Under 16 A Hurling Championship with a comprehensive win over Ard na Rí at Fr Healy Park on Tuesday evening. Ard na Rí had caused a real sensation when they beat runaway league leaders Dunloy in last week’s opening round of the championship and travelled down to Loughgiel in confident mood, but without their star forward Padraig Kelly. However they were no match on the night for a razor sharp Shamrocks side who performed at the highest level.

Ard na Rí played with the strong wind in their favour in the opening half and a goal from Odhran Bellew and points from Bellew and Conal Dempsey had them 1-02 to 0-02 ahead after nine minutes. However Loughgiel were growing into the game and points from Joe Deery, Cahir McCloskey and Cahir McErlean plus a goal from Cody McGarry gave them a lead they would not lose.

Ard na Rí came back with two pointed frees from Conall Dempsey but the final ten minutes of the half belonged to the home side as they hit a goal and six points without reply, the goal coming from Joe Casey and points from Logan McConville (2), Casey, Dee Laverty, Cahir MCloskey and Cody McGarry to lead by 2-11 to 1-03 at half time.

With the wind behind them in the second half there was no way back for Ard na Rí, though to their credit they matched their first half score of 1-03, but Loughgiel tacked on another  1-12, the goal coming from Joe Casey.

In the other semi-final St Paul’s had a big win over Naomh Padraig at Shaw’s Road scoring a massive 7-24. The two will meet next week in the final, probably at Dunsilly in what promises to be a great final.

LOUGHGIEL

Ciaran Hennessy, Lorcan Murtagh, Joe McFadden, Aaron Gillan, JJ McGarry, Domnhall McKay, Caolan Christie, Cahir McErlean, Conor McCann, Dee Laverty, Logan McConville, Joe Deery, Cahir McCloskey, Cody McGarry, Joe Casey.

Loughgiel scorers – Joe Casey 2.5, Cody Mc Garry 1.4 ( 3f ), Cahir Mc Closkey 0.5, Joe Deery 0.3 ( 3f ), Logan Mc Conville 0.4, Conor Mc Cann 0.1, Damian Laverty 0.

ARD NA RÍ

Eoin Rodger, Lorcan Gallagher, Cairbre Mac Adhaimh, Evan Matthews, Conor McIlhatton, Odhran Bellew, Aaron McHenry, Séagh McEwan, Dan McAuley, Finn Smyth, Ruairi McIlhatton, Daniel Doran, Conan Mulligan, Conall Dempsey, Barra Bellew.

Referee – Ray Mattews

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