Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship
St Gall’s 1-14 Creggan Kickhams 1-13
Milltown
A superb injury-time point from Dubhaltach Mac Liam earned St Gall’s a dramatic one-point victory over Creggan Kickhams at Milltown and secured their first appearance in the knockout stages of the Intermediate Championship since 2019.
The contest appeared destined to finish level when Conor McCann converted a 65 at the third attempt to bring Creggan alongside in the closing moments. However, St Gall’s produced one final attack and Mac Liam raced onto Ethan Walsh’s pass before firing over the winning score.
St Gall’s made an excellent start, establishing an early five-point advantage. Mac Liam found his range from placed balls and added a fine score from the right wing, while Walsh and Mark Napier were also on target.
Morgan Nelson eventually opened Creggan’s account, and the visitors gradually worked their way into the contest. Although St Gall’s enjoyed plenty of possession, mistakes in the difficult conditions allowed the Kickhams to remain within touching distance.
The game’s opening goal arrived following an indirect free in the 16th minute. Mac Liam sent the sliotar into the goalmouth, where the experienced Sean Burke rose above the Creggan defence and directed it into the net.
That score gave St Gall’s some breathing space, but the home side were unable to take complete control. Conor McCann assumed responsibility for Creggan’s frees and began reducing the deficit, while Thomas McCann also contributed from play.
Mac Liam responded with another point before the interval, leaving St Gall’s four ahead at the end of a competitive opening half.
Creggan increased the pressure after the restart as the game became increasingly physical. Conor McCann punished a series of St Gall’s fouls from placed balls, while Thomas McCann repeatedly found space close to goal.
With the momentum beginning to shift, Mac Liam converted another free to keep St Gall’s narrowly in front. Oran McIlhatton then landed an excellent point which restored the home side’s four-point cushion approaching the final quarter.
Creggan refused to go away and were rewarded when Kevin Rice powered through the St Gall’s defence and found the net. Goalkeeper Paddy Friel had denied Rice moments earlier, but the Creggan forward made no mistake when presented with another opportunity.
Friel, a late addition to the St Gall’s line-up because of a hamstring problem, produced another important intervention when he reached high to prevent what appeared certain to be an equalising point.
St Gall’s then went almost ten minutes without a score, giving Creggan the opportunity to draw level. McCann eventually did so with a pressure 65 in added time, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance.
There was still time for one final twist. Friel’s puck-out found Walsh, who managed to release Mac Liam. The St Gall’s sharpshooter accelerated beyond the covering defenders and sent over a magnificent winning point, sparking jubilant scenes among the home support.
The final whistle followed moments later, confirming a memorable victory and St Gall’s long-awaited return to the knockout stages.
St Gall’s: P Friel; E Rush, M Marlow, A Mackel; G Adams, G McGreevy, J Hopkins; T O’Ciarain, O McIlhatton 0-1; E Walsh 0-1, F Donnelly, M Napier 0-1; D Mac Liam 0-11 (0-8 frees), S Burke 1-0.
Creggan Kickhams: C Rice; J McAteer, A McKeown, P McGuckian; S O’Boyle, C McCann 0-5 (0-5 frees), K McCann; R McGuckian, S Maguire; S Duffin 0-1, T McCann 0-4, D Doran; S McAuley 0-1, K Rice 1-0, M Nelson 0-2 (0-2 frees).