Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Ballycastle 3-33 Ballygalget 1-10

Ballycastle McQuillans’ formidable start to the Senior Division 1 Hurling League campaign shows no signs of slowing down. They laid the groundwork for their fifth consecutive victory with a devastating opening 20-minute spell against Ballygalget, effectively putting the game to bed before the first quarter had fully concluded.

The Ards Peninsula men, making the long journey up to North Antrim to compete in the county leagues, were simply blown away by the hosts’ early intensity, pace, and clinical finishing.

Right from the throw-in, MacUilín signalled their intent. Diarmaid McShane opened the scoring with a well-taken point, which was quickly followed by a trademark free from the ever-reliable Seamy McAuley. The relentless early pressure paid massive dividends shortly after when Cadhan Crawford rattled the back of the net, giving the home side a 1-02 to 0-00 lead before Ballygalget could settle into the rhythm of the game.

The Ards men eventually managed to get on the board with a point, but it did little to stem the Black and Amber tide. McShane struck for Ballycastle’s second goal of the half to instantly kill off any building momentum from the visitors.

With the forwards clicking perfectly, the scores began to flow from all angles. Reuben McClean and Niall McClean both got their names on the scoresheet, raising white flags from play. Interspersed with another McAuley free, Ballycastle surged to a 2-06 to 0-01 advantage, the Ballygalget point coming from Cathal Coulter.

Even when Ballygalget managed back-to-back points through Michael Dorrian and Oisin Coulter to bring their tally to three, the McQuillans’ response was ruthless. A quick flurry of points from the dangerous attacking trio of McAuley, McShane, and Crawford stretched the lead even further to 2-10 to 0-03.

As the clock ticked toward the 20-minute mark, McAuley remained heavily involved, popping over two more points to keep the scoreboard ticking over. At 2-12 to 0-04 with just 20 minutes played, Ballycastle had built a14-point cushion. As half time approached the home side added four more points to their tally through Ronan McCarry, Seamus McAuley, Cadhán Crawford and Cathair Donnelly, while the visitors came back with a  few of their own through Owen McDermot and Cathal Coulter (2) to leave the half time score Ballycaste 2-16 to 0-08

If Ballygalget harboured any hopes of a second-half fightback, they were immediately extinguished as right from the throw-in, Ballycastle went on the offensive, and “Rambo” McCarry made an instant impact by raising a green flag. This third goal for MacUilín pushed the scoreline out to 3-16 to 0-08 and effectively ended the match as a contest. With the result secured, Ballycastle’s forwards put on a shooting clinic, picking off points from all over the park. Cadhan Crawford and Diarmaid McShane kept their personal tallies ticking over with well-struck scores.

The relentless pressure yielded scores from both established marksmen and new contributors. Seamy McAuley continued his exceptional form with a pair of points from play, while Niall McClean and Ardan Kelly also split the posts.

As the half progressed, Conor Boyd injected further energy into the attack, floating over a fine point from play. Reuben McClean swiftly followed suit, pushing the scoreboard to a staggering 3-24 to 0-09.

To their credit, the Ards men kept battling despite the massive deficit. Their persistence finally paid off when their full-forward Daniel Tonery managed to breach the Ballycastle defence and fire home a goal, bringing their tally to 1-09

 Ballycastle, however, had the final say in this segment of the game. Connor Donnelly got his name on the scoresheet with a point, and Conor Boyd capped off an excellent cameo by pointing for the second time. Overall another good win for the Town, though they will be  well aware there are much tougher contests to come in the near future. However it is fair to say that five wins from five would have been above anyone’s expectations.

Ballycastle will face Down opposition again next time out when they travel to Portaferry next Friday evening, with a 7-45 throw-in.

Mac Uílín CLG: 1 Eamonn Elliott, 2 Oran Kearney, 3 Cian Baudant, 4 Conal Colgan, 5 Ardan Kelly, 6 Conor Boyd, 7 Eoin McAlonan, 8 Ronan Laverty, 9 Cathair Donnelly, 10 Reuben McClean, 11 Seamus McAuley, 12 Ronan McCarry, 13 Diarmaid McShane, 14 Cadhan Crawford, 15 Niall McClean.

Baile Mhic Uileagóid: 1 Eoin Clarke, 2 Michael Toner, 3 Conall Fay, 4 Conaire Monan, 5 Cian Clarke, 6 Ciaran Watson, 7 Caolan Coulter, 8 Eoin Pucci, 9 Cathal Coulter, 10 Owen McDermott, 11 Oisin Coulter, 12 Michael Dorrian, 13 Eoin Dorrian, 14 Daniel Toner, 15 Matthew Dorrian.

ACFL Division 4

Belfast Saints 4-22 All Saints 4-3

All Saints recorded a convincing 4-22 to 4-03 win over Belfast Saints, with a strong all-round display and far better accuracy in front of goal. They made a great start and took control early in the first half. Goals from Paddy Doherty, Jack Magill and Damian Gillan gave them a solid lead, and they kept the scoreboard moving with a steady run of points. Even when Belfast Saints hit the net at the other end, All Saints always had an answer. Damian Gillan led the scoring, finishing with 2-08, including six frees, and he added his second goal in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Doherty (1-03) and Jack Magill (1-00) also made important contributions in attack, while Cormac Magill added 0-06 (one free). Further scores came from Michael Connolly (0-03), Vinney Esler and substitute Tiernan McGurk. Around the middle third, All Saints also impressed, with strong performances from Cormac Lemon, Harry Connon and Gary Miskella, who worked tirelessly to win possession and drive their side forward throughout the game. Belfast Saints led by Phillip Maguire did manage to score four goals, but they struggled badly for points, finishing with just three. That proved decisive, as All Saints’ ability to keep adding points saw them pull clear and secure a comfortable win.

Senior Hurling League – Division One

Cushendall 3-11 Dunloy 0-11

Sunday 3 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Cushendall

Goals were the difference between these two north Antrim giants as Cushendall recorded their fourth league win of the season.  Majors from Joseph McLaughlin in either half and another from Ed McQuillan were the foundations for Cushendall to control this contest against Dunloy.

In a low scoring affair, both sides were guilty of overplaying with the home side proving to be more clinical when it mattered.  Dunloy will look at their profligacy in front of the target when they review this game.  A serious number of wides and efforts dropping short while the delivery into their forwards lacked any real precision for long periods.  A lot of that was down to the work rate and intensity of the Ruairi Og’s however who were on top in the middle third, dictating the game and kept the visitors at arm’s length.

Dunloy couldn’t match the Ruairi’s ball retention and ability to break lines at speed.  Despite a slow start, once they clicked into gear, Cushendall were defensively on top and always threatening at the other end of the pitch.  The home side never scored in the opening 14 minutes with the Cuchullains settling well and there was just a point between the sides at half way mark but the second half belonged to the Ruairi’s.

While Dunloy settled more quickly into the game than Cushendall, they didn’t make the most of it.  They recorded three points before Fred McCurry opened the scoring for Cushendall, those coming from Ciaran Elliott, Chrissy McMahon and a ’65 from Nicky McKeague.

Dunloy would go 12 minutes without registering another score however with Charlie McAuley adding a point before the opening goal of the game in the 18^th minute.  Ed McQuilland with the break before playing a brilliant pass finding the run of Joseph McLaughlin on his left.  ‘Pep’ still had word to do with a scrambling Dunloy defence but he finished superbly.

The remainder of the half was fairly even with Eamon Smyth, Aodhan McGarry and McKeague (free) finding the target for Dunloy while a brace of white flags from Neil McManus (one free) left the half time score 1-4 to 0-6 in Cushendall’s favour.

Cushendall started the second half superbly and had their second goal three minutes after the restart.  McQuillan and Joseph McLaughlin combining once again before Pep fired the sliotar beyond Ryan Elliott in the Dunloy goals.

A brace of points from McManus (frees) and Oisin Woodhouse got the score board ticking for Cushendall while Paudie McGilligan (two) and McKeague (’65) points left five between the sides going into the final 10 minutes.

The third Cushendall goal put the game beyond Dunloy’s reach and while McQuillan finished superbly, it owed much to the indecision in the Cuchullains defence.  McQuillan reacted fastest to the loose ball and made no mistake.  Points followed from McManus (’65) and Woodhouse to open a 10 point lead for the Ruairi’s by the 57^th minute.

Dunloy laid siege on the Cushendall goal with a series of high balls into the Cushendall defence but the Ruairi’s dealt with everything that came their way.  Points followed from McMahon and McKeague (’65) either side of a point from substitute Joseph McNaughton in the time that remained as Cushendall were well worth their margin of victory at the end of the hour.

Cushendall’s next match will be next Friday night when they travel to face their neighbours, Glenariffe while Dunloy will travel to Rossa Park on the same night.

TEAMS

CUSHENDALL: Conor McAllister; Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Francis McCurry; Scott Walsh, Stephen Walsh, Austin Birt; Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McLaughlin, Neil McManus; Oisin Woodhouse, Thomas McLaughlin, Fiontan Bradley

Subs: Liam Gillan for S Walsh (52); Joseph McNaughton for T McLaughlin (53)

Scorers: J McLaughlin 2-00; N McManus 0-5 (3fs, 1’65); O Woodhouse 0-3; E McQuillan 1-00; F McCurry 0-1; C McAuley 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1

DUNLOY: Ryan Elliott; Aaron Crawford, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Jack Martin, Paudie McGilligan; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ciaran Elliott, Barry Scott, Chrissy McMahon

Subs: Paul Shiels for J Martin (HT); Oisin McCallin for B Scott (HT); Francis McMullan for T McFerran (57)

Scorers: N McKeague 0-4 (3’65s, 1f); C McMahon 0-2; P McGilligan 0-2; E Smyth 0-1; A McGarry 0-1; C Elliott 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

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