Antrim Senior Hurling Reserve Cup final
Loughgiel 1-21 Ballycastle 2-20
A large crowd gathered under the lights at Loughgiel’s training pitch for the Antrim Senior Reserve Hurling Final between Loughgiel Shamrocks and Ballycastle. While the pitch has been in use for a couple of years, this marked the first official game played on the surface. The high attendance was particularly notable given that Loughgiel had another team playing in a separate final 30 miles away at the same time. The tightly contested opening period ended with the Shamrocks holding a narrow 1-8 to 1-7 lead at the half-time break, Ballycastle’s first-half goal coming from James Bakewell who picked up a neat pass from Diarmaid McShane before drilling the ball home from close range on the right. Loughgiel’s opening goal was driven home by number 11 Shane O’Boyle, who brilliantly caught a high ball, beat his man, and found the back of the net. The first half featured a steady exchange of scores, with Ballycastle relying heavily on the accurate free-taking and open-play shooting of Lorcan Donnelly. Loughgiel kept the scoreboard moving through consistent points from ‘Bicky’ McGarry iand midfielder Cathal Hargan and their active full-forward line.
Loughgiel came out firing at the start of the second half, registering three unanswered points in as many minutes to build a commanding advantage. It appeared they might push on to win, but Ballycastle steadily clawed their way back into the contest. Lorcan Donnelly’s continued accuracy from frees and open play, including a well-struck 65, proved vital for Ballycastle’s resurgence. The decisive moment arrived in the 24th minute when Ballycastle was awarded a penalty following a head hightackle in the large square whiech Ballycastle’s substitute Cadhan Crawford stepped up and fired the ball to the net, providing a crucial second goal that ultimately proved to be the difference. Loughgiel fought back valiantly in the closing stages, scoring several fantastic points to reduce the deficit to just two. This late surge included an excellent left-sided strike from 30 yards by Shan McGrath and a fierce shot by Roan McGarry that flashed just over the bar when a goal seemed certain. Despite the late pressure, Ballycastle held on to record a 2-20 to 1-21 victory, with the final whistle sparking jubilant scenes of celebration among the travelling supporters.
Loughgiel Shamrocks: 1 Shea McDonnell, 2 Ashdon McGarry, 3 Enda McGowan, 4 Padraig Lynch, 5 Pearce Patterson, 6 Odhran McMullan, 7 Caolan Blair, 8 Tiago McGarry, 9 Cahal Hargan, 10 Eoin McGarry, 11 Shane O’Boyle, 12 Conor Mullan, 14 Oisin Connolly, 15 Donal Mullan, Subs – 16 Christie McGarry, 17 Darragh McKinley, 18 Conor Deery, 19 Roan McGarry, 20 Ronan Fitzgerald, 21 Stan McGrath, 22 Liam McGarry, 23 Liam Smyth, 24 Conan McQuaid.
Ballycastle: 1 Ruairi McShane, 2 Oisin McAuley, 3 Dermot Donnelly, 4 Oisin Donnelly, 5 Cormac Donnelly, 6 Ciaran McTeague, 7 Anton Kelly, 8 Conall Magee, 9 Marcus McClean, 10 Colm Campbell, 11 James Bakewell, 12 Lorcan Donnelly, 13 Diarmaid McShane, 14 Seamus McShane, 15 Reuben McClean, Subs – 16 Anton Mullan, 17 Padraig McLarnon, 18 Niall McClean, 19 Conor Mooney, 20 Seamus McIntyre, 21 Tadhg Donnelly, 22 Cormac Dallas, 23 Vincent O’Donoghue, 24 Gavin McToal, 25 Niall McGarry, 26 Cadhan Crawford, 27 Conal McColgan, 28 Sean McGowan.
Referee – Paul McSparran (Cushendun)
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