Antrim Senior Hurling League Division 1

Venue: Páirc MacUilín

Ballycastle 3-14 St Enda’s 2-10

Ballycastle’s impressive run of league form continued at Páirc MacUilín as they ground out a hard-fought victory over a resilient St. Enda’s side, making it seven consecutive wins in the Antrim Senior Hurling League Division 1. In a contest that remained razor-close right up to the final whistle, MacUilín’s ability to weather the storm and find crucial scores at pivotal moments proved the difference.

The home side flew out of the traps in the opening exchanges, establishing early dominance. James Bakewell opened their account, followed quickly by a fine score from play by Seamus McAuley. Corner-back Oran Kearney then surged forward to add his name to the scoresheet, and when McAuley slotted over a free, Ballycastle found themselves looking comfortable with a 0-04 to 0-00 lead.

However, St. Enda’s are not a side to lie down easily. Finding their rhythm midway through the half, the Glengormley men hit a purple patch, stringing together five unanswered points to stun the home crowd and take a 0-05 to 0-04 lead.

The momentum had completely shifted, but Ballycastle dug deep to arrest the slide. Seamus McAuley stepped up once again to level affairs with a vital point from play. The turning point of the half came shortly after when MacUilín were awarded a penalty. Criostai McAuley took on the responsibility and made no mistake, driving the sliotar to the back of the net to restore the home side’s advantage. Oran Kearney capped off a superb first-half display with another point from play, sending Ballycastle into the dressing room with a 1-06 to 0-06 lead.

While the second half evolved into a tense, attritional battle with both defences tightening up, the groundwork laid in that late first-half resurgence proved invaluable. St. Enda’s kept the pressure on throughout the second period, keeping the margin incredibly tight, but Ballycastle’s defence held firm when it mattered most, getting over the line to secure their seventh win in a row.

Ballycastle scorers – Mac Uilín Scorers

• Seamus McAuley: 0-8 (4f)
• Diarmaid McShane: 1-1
• Lorcán Donnelly: 1-1
• Criostai McAuley: 1-0 (pen)
• Oran Kearney: 0-2
• James Bakewell: 0-1
• Eoin McAlonan: 0-1

Ballycastle (MacUilín CLG):

1. Eamonn Elliott
2. Oran Kearney
3. Conal Colgan
4. Cian Baudant
5. James Bakewell
6. Conor Boyd
7. Eoin McAlonan
8. Niall McClean
9. Ardan Kelly
10. Reuben McClean
11. Seamus McAuley
12. Darragh Kelly
13. Lorcan Donnelly
14. Criostai McAuley
15. Diarmaid McShane

St. Enda’s (Naomh Éanna CLG):

1. Niall McGivern
2. Ronan Eager
3. Ciarán McAllister
4. Aaron Quinn
5. Dara Maguire
6. Cian O’Connor
7. Eoin Maguire
8. Oisin O’Quinn
9. Malachi McGibbon
10. Manus Mullan
11. Cormac Jennings
12. Ruairi Donaghy
13. Brendan Cormican
14. Joe Maskey
15. Luke O’Connor