Antrim Hurling League – Division 2
Louhghgiel 2-21Glenarm 1-26 at Fr Healy Park
Report and pics by Pete Hyndman
Glenarm scored a great win at Fr Healy Park on Sunday when they beat Loughgiel 2nd in a highly entertaining game. The visitors had 9 different scorers which pleased the management, plus the fact they had a couple back from County duties. Still missing a couple from long term injuries but for those that took to the pitch today will be hoping to claim a regular slot in the team.
Darren Hamill scored 5 points from free’s and was a constant threat for the Loughgiel defence. Dylan Mc Laughlin drove over 5 also, with Niall Mc Garel, put the disappointment of his Croke Park defeat with Tyrone by hitting a half dozen points. Sean O Hare bagged himself a goal and a point, with Ciaran Magill (McGarel’s Tyrone teammate) Sean O Boyle Aidan Scullion also claiming a point each. Liam O Neill stepped up into the senior squad and scored a brace. Working on the wing three quarter line young Sean Mc Dermott led the defenders ragged and slotted over 4 excellent points from play.
For the hosts they had 7 different scorer’s and played a lot of lovely hurling spraying the ball well. Tiago Mc Garry added 1-07 (05 f) to his tally. The very tall presence of Shane O Boyle had a great game for the Shamrocks drilling over five points and a goal, Ryan Hill and Donal Mc Kinley hitting a hat-trick each. And Conor O Mullan hit a brace. Ronan Mc Collum and Finn Henry both scoring a point each.
Before the start there was a 1 minute silence in memory of Jane Bakker and Robert Quinn from Carnlough who both had family connections to Shane Uí Neills GAC, the silence was held impeccably.
There was a slight breeze blowing downfield towards the pavilion, the pitch had a lush grass surface as the referee blew to start the game.
Both teams started in a real ding dong pace as just after the first 4 minutes it was 2 points each. Dylan Mc Laughlin pointed for the visitors, with Tiago Mc Garry slotting over an early free. Niall Mc Garel replied with a point before Donal Mc Kinley levelled the scoreline for the hosts.
Sean Mc Dermott got his first point from play as he collected a ball out on the wing and split the uprights. Straight away though Loughgiel’s Donal Mc Kinley returned the favour with a point.
Liam O Neill picked up a loose sliotar and working out on the sideline struck a delightful effort over the bar. The home side levelled this game again as Donal Mc Kinley pointed.
A few moments later the visitors scored a brace of points with a cute hand pass from Ciaran O Boyle feeding Mc Laughlin scoring his second point. Sean Mc Dermott also pointed in front of the posts for a nice score.
Ryan Hill reduced the deficit with a point from out near the sideline, but Ciaran Magill was next to point for the team in blue as he ran up the pitch and struck a great point over the bar.
Shane O Boyle replied for the hosts with two points in a 2 minute spell to level this tight tussle for the third time in the first half.
Glenarm’s Mc Garel pounced on a low hit ball and turned his marker before lobbing over for a point.
Back came Loughgiel as a slick move resulted in Shane O Boyle catching a ball and driving it beyond Michael Abram in the Glenarm goal’s!!
Niall Mc Garel offered a quick response as he punished the home team with a brace of score’s to level this fixture. Liam O Neill added a point also, but again Tiago Mc Garry for the red and white’s slotted over a point from a free.
Sean Mc Dermott added to his tally with his third score before a reply from Finn Henry.
After some great stickwork and stealing the ball Niall Mc Garel, unselfishly passed the ball to Sean O Hare who obliged by sending an absolute rocket beyond Shay Mc Donnell in the Loughgiel nets.
A free was pointed next for the hosts off the stick of Tiago Mc Garry.
Just before the short whistle with the visitors raising the tempo, O Hare and Mc Laughlin both hitting white flag efforts.
Ronan Mc Collum replied for the home team with a point to leave the visitors in control by three at the break.
HALFTIME Loughgiel 1-11 Shane Uí Neills 1-14
Five seconds had barely gone in the second period as Glenarm’s Aidan Scullion burst through and pointed a great effort.
Sean O Boyle, who came on as a second half sub for the visitors, showed his intent in this great game and pierced the afternoon sky with a lovely point.
A five point lead was added to as Glenarm where finding openings in the Loughgiel rearguard, with Mc Garel and Hamill slotting over a point each, Hamill’s effort from a free.
Shane O Boyle on two occasions found himself in space and reduced the deficit to 5 points, before Hamill made it a six point lead with a converted free.
Donal Mc Kinley hit his third point of the game a moment later and both teams had their star free-takers to thank next as Darren Hamill and Tiago Mc Garry both hit 2 free’s each in a ten minute spell.
Dylan Mc Laughlin added to the Glenarm score with a nice solo effort as he evaded a couple of tackle’s and pointed, but not to be outdone back came the hosts as Ryan Hill hit an equally great score.
Mc Garel again carved a gap for himself and scored a good score before Loughgiel’s Conor O Mullan pointed.
The Feystown boys tally was mounting with further points from a free off the stick of Darren Hamill, and another score from young Sean Mc Dermott.
In the closing minute’s Loughgiel hit a purple patch bagging 1-03 without reply leaving the bare minimum between the teams.
Tiago Mc Garry s truck a 40 yard free which totally evaded a Glenarm defender and nestled in the back of the net.
Hill and O Mullan added further score’s, Mc Garry hitting a free leaving a single point deficit.
With the game on the blow Glenarm hit an insurance point from Dylan Mc Laughlin to take the win, to end this entertaining game.
Loughgiel
Shay Mc Donnell, Cahir Connolly, Eddie Smyth, Ashdon Mc Garry, Tomas Mc Nulty, Finn Henry0-01, Niall Mc Closkey, Conor Deery, Tiago Mc Garry 1-06, 05f, Ryan Hill 0-03, Shane O Boyle 1-05, Ronan Mc Collum 0-01, Conan Johnston, Donal Mc Kinley0-03, Danny Mc Auley.
subs
Conor O Mullan 0-02, Liam Mc Garry, Liam Smyth, Dylan O Boyle
Shane Uí Neill’s
Michael Abram, Liam Og Mc Loughlin, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O Boyle, Ciaran Magill 0-01, Michael Fury, Dylan Mc Laughlin 0-05, Aidan Scullion 0-01, Sean Mc Dermott 0-04, Niall Mc Garel 0-06, Liam O Neill0-02, Paddy Mc Auley, Darren Hamill 0-05f, Sean O Hare 1-01.
subs
Sean O Boyle 0-01 for Paddy Mc Auley H/T, Rory Mulvenna for L O Neill 58 mins, Liam Mulvenna, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Aidan O Neill, Charlie Ward
REITEÓIR Fionntan Mc Cotter
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