Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Glenariffe Oisins 3-25 Ballyalget 3-21

Glenariffe held off a late rally by visitors Ballygalget in the high-scoring game in Glenariffe on Sunday. The Oisins led by ten points at halftime and appeared to be comfortable, but the men from the Ards Peninsula staged a late comeback. Though their third goal came deep in injury time, there were still a few anxious moments for the home fans to suffer before match referee Tarlach Conway sounded the final whistle. The win brings their points tally to six and all but secures their place in the Division next season.

In the first half, Glenariffe opened the scoring with a point from play by Brogan O’Connor, but Ballygalget responded with a free of their own from Eoin Pucci. Glenariffe built momentum with multiple points from play, including scores by Oliver Kearney, Alex O’Boyle, and Seanie McIntosh. A well-worked team point by Glenariffe’s Oisín Gillan further extended their lead. Although Ballygalget struggled to keep in touch, they managed key scores from Eoin Pucci via a free and Owen McDermott from play. The Ballygalget goalkeeper made a crucial save at 25 minutes to deny Glenariffe’s Oisín Gillan what seemed a certain goal. However, Glenariffe secured a great goal from play by Alex O’Boyle in first-half injury time, giving his team a commanding ten-point lead at the break. ( Glenariffe Oisins 2-15, Ballygalget 0-11)

Ballygalget started the second half strong with a point from Fergal Gilmore and they could have had more but for the Glenariffe goalkeeper Paul McMullan who responded with a brilliant save from a 20-metre free to maintain his team’s advantage. Ballygalget worked to narrow the gap with points from a sixty-five by Marc Fisher and frees by Eoin Pucci but Glenariffe responded with points from Alex O’Boyle—who scored from a sideline cut and from frees, plus a team point from Seanie McIntosh. Ballygalget showed resilience during this stretch, landing a goal from a 20-metre free by Marc Fisher, a goal from play by Tim Prenter on 32 minutes, and an additional point from Dara Pucci. Glenariffe quickly responded with another goal from play by Oisín Gillan. Late points from frees by Alex O’Boyle helped Glenariffe secure the lead, despite a final goal for Ballygalget from an unknown scorer.1

Glenariffe Oisins: 1 Paul McMullan, 2 Donall Kearney, 3 Colla Ward, 4 Odhran Gillan, 5 Canice Mcintosh, 6 Daniel Kearney, 7 James Kearney, 8 Calum McIlwaine, 9 Niall Magee, 10 Brogan O’Connor, 11 Oliver Kearney, 12 Orrin O Connor, 13 Alex O’Boyle, 14 Seanie McIntosh, 15 Oisín Gillan.

Ballygalget: 1 Eoin Clarke, 2 Michael Toner, 3 Ben Teggart, 4 Caolan Coulter, 5 Jon Fisher, 6 Marc Fisher, 7 Cian Clarke, 8 Tim Prenter, 9 Eoin Pucci, 10 Oisin Coulter, 11 Shea Pucci, 12 Owen McDermott, 13 Daniel Toner, 14 Michael Dorrian, 15 John McManus.

Referee – Tarlach Conway

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