Antrim Hurling League – Division 3

Glenravel 0-14 Armoy 3-19 – at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel

The last time these two Clubs met on the hurling field it was under lights in the 2025 Junior Hurling Championship  final in Ballycastle when Glenravel took the spoils. Today it was very different as Armoy avenged that defeat with a very strong second half performance securing a fourteen point winning margin. The home side were forced to field without six of the starting lineup that won the Abbey Shield midweek so it was always going to be an uphill struggle for them; and so it proved.

Armoy opened the scoring in the second  minute and were never level or behind from that point onwards. With four minutes gone they led by three, their points coming from the McBrides, Tarlach and PJ. Joe McKay pulled two points back from placed ball; indeed McKay helped himself to eleven of Glenravel’s scores overall – all from frees in what was a masterclass of the art and it was his free taking that kept Glenravel in the game up  until the Armoy goal fest in the second half which effectively killed the game as a contest. For most of the first half Armoy managed to maintain a four or five point advantage with Tarlach McBride providing most of them – again from placed balls. Armoy led by four on a 0-12 to 0-08 scoreline when the thirty minutes were up but Glenravel closed out the two added minutes with a couple of fine scores, one an eighty metre free from McKay and the other a lovely team move the length of the field allowing Ciaran Laverty to close the gap to two when referee Fergus McAllister blew for half time.

Glenravel brought on a couple of subs at the start of the second half with Odhran McAleenan and Stevie Acheson joining the fray but Armoy, buoyed by a strong breeze pointed in the opening minute and then Conor Christie found himself in an acre of space in front of goal and duly fired to the net. McKay would pull one back for the home team but defensive gaps were starting to appear at the wrong end of the field for Glenravel. Tarlach McBride pointed and Conor Christie popped up again with too much time and space which resulted in another green flag for the men in blue and white. Emmet O’Hara added to Glenravel’s misery and suddenly there was a ten point gap and only a quarter of the game remaining. Ciaran Laverty put over a nice score for the home side before Armoy recorded the best score of the game when Emmet O’Hara raised a white flag from a sideline cut from well out the field. Joe McKay would record another couple of scores for Glenravel but it was the visitors who finished stronger with three unanswered points from Emmet O’Hara, Thomas Burns and Arthur Devlin as they ran out convincing winners 3-19 to 0-14.

Armoy

1 Conor Watterson, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Liam Dillon, 4 Joseph McFetridge, 5 Colin Lordan, 6 Arthur Devlin, 7 Ciaran McCormick-McKenna, 8 Kieran McToal, 9 Eoin Bailey, 10 Thomas Burns, 11 Tarlach McBride, 12 Emmet O Hara, 13 Cormac Doherty, 14 Mark Christie, 15 PJ McBride.

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Con Magees

1 Michael McDonald, 2 Brian O’Neill, 3 James Duffin, 4 Oisin McKeown, 5 Harry Fyfe, 6 Caolan Lennon, 7 Eoin McCusker, 8 Fergus Donaghy, 9 Niall Dickson, 10 Luke Laughlin, 11 Ronan McCormick, 12 Conor Laverty, 13 Cormac McKeown, 14 Ciaran Laverty, 15 Joseph McKay.

Antrim Hurling League Division 1

Cushendall 2-22 Ballygalget 2-07

Venue: Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall

PICS BY SEAN PAUL McKILLOP

Ruairí Óg Cushendall delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure a comprehensive 15-point victory over Ballygalget in this Antrim Hurling League Division 1 clash at Pairc Mhuire. Despite a spirited first-half display from the visitors, which saw them briefly take the lead, Cushendall’s attacking firepower, led by a devastating 2-4 tally from Fintan Bradley, proved too much to handle.

The game began at a frantic pace, with veteran marksman Neil McManus opening the scoring from a free just nine seconds in. Ballygalget’s John McManus replied immediately from play, setting the tone for a tit-for-tat opening period.

Cushendall edged ahead with scores from Callagh Mooney and a massive long-range free from goalkeeper Conor McAllister. Ballygalget stayed well in touch, picking off impressive points from Oisin Coulter, a Marc Fisher free, and another from John McManus to keep the scoreboard tight.

The turning point of the half arrived in the 24th minute. Following an Eoin McDermott point that leveled the game at 0-6 apiece, Ballygalget’s Fearghal Gilmore found the back of the net to stun the hosts and give his side a sudden 1-6 to 0-6 advantage.

However, the Ardsmen’s lead was short-lived. Cushendall responded right away, reeling off four unanswered points before the short whistle. Sean McAuley and Edmond McQuillan found their range, while Neil McManus slotted two crucial late scores (one free, one from play) to send Cushendall into the dressing rooms with a narrow 0-10 to 1-6 lead.

The second half was largely a one-sided affair as Cushendall found another gear. Edmond McQuillan fired over straight from the restart, signaling the beginning of a relentless Ruairí Óg onslaught. Fiontan Bradley quickly added two frees to extend the gap.

Ballygalget managed their only point of the second half in the 38th minute through Brook Byers, but the game was soon put beyond doubt. In the 39th minute, Bradley struck for his first goal of the afternoon. Just four minutes later, the dynamic corner-forward raised his second green flag, completely taking the wind out of Ballygalget’s sails and stretching the lead to 2-13 to 1-7.

Cushendall’s bench also made a significant impact. Thomas McLaughlin, introduced for Christy McNaughton early in the half, registered two fine points from play. EdMcQuillan continued to cause havoc, finishing the day with 0-4, while Neil McManus, Callagh Mooney, Joseph McNaughton, and Austin Birt all tagged on scores to turn the result into a rout.

Deep into stoppage time, Ballygalget substitute Dara Pucci managed to breach the Cushendall defence to grab a late consolation goal, but it was purely academic at that stage.

Scorers for Ruairí Óg Cushendall:

• Fintan Bradley: 2-4 (0-3 frees)
• Neil McManus: 0-5 (0-2 frees)
• Edmond McQuillan: 0-4
• Callagh Mooney: 0-2
• Oisin Birt: 0-2
• Thomas McLaughlin: 0-2
• Conor McAllister: 0-1 (0-1 free)
• Sean McAuley: 0-1
• Joseph McNaughton: 0-1

Scorers for Baile Mhic Uileagóid (Ballygalget):

• Fearghal Gilmore: 1-0
• Dara Pucci: 1-0
• John McManus: 0-2
• Oisin Coulter: 0-1
• Marc Fisher: 0-1 (0-1 free)
• Michael Johnson: 0-1
• Eoin McDermott: 0-1
• Brook Byers: 0-1

Substitutions:

• Cushendall: Thomas McLaughlin for Christy McNaughton (36 mins), Nicholas McLaughlin for Neil McManus (50 mins).
• Ballygalget: Dara Pucci for Michael Johnson (61 mins).

Antrim Senior Hurling League – Division One

Dunloy 4-16 Glenariffe 0-17

Sunday 12 April

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy continued their winning start to the 2026 league campaign with an 11 point win over Glenariffe.  Two goals in either half proved to be the difference with a fast start by the home side laying the foundation for the victory.

Despite going nine points down after just over 10 minutes, Glenariffe hit six points unanswered to find their footing in the game but they never looked like they were going to add to their opening day victory.

Oisin McCallin added to his burgeoning reputation with a final tally of 1-6 while Aaron Crawford, Ciaran Elliott and Eamon Smyth all found the back of the net.  Aodhan McGarry had another busy performance while Ryan McGarry excelled at full back.

The Oisín’s were best served by Niall Magee, Orrin O’Connor and Alex O’Boyle – O’Boyle finishing top of their scoring charts with 0-6 while O’Connor and Oliver Kearney shared six points between them.  Despite the result, it was a strong performance from the Waterfoot men who showed they are well able for Division One hurling.

With the wind blowing towards the Academy, it favoured Glenariffe in the first half.  Despite this, the Cuchullains started superbly.  Ciaran Elliott’s goal with the home sides first attack coming via a super delivery into space from Ryan McGarry.  Elliott rounded his man and hammered home from close range to give Dunloy the perfect start.  McCallin and Nicky McKeague raised white flags either side of O’Connor’s first point of the game before Aaron Crawford fired in the second goal.  The home side cutting through the Glenariffe defence before Nigel Elliott’s reverse pass found Crawford in space.  The Dunloy man made no mistake from close range.

Scores from McCallin (free) and Aodhan McGarry followed but the home side wouldn’t register another score for 15 minutes as the Oisin’s found their feet in the game.  Four points from Alex O’Boyle along with scores from O’Connor and Michael O’Boyle brought Glenariffe to within three points with five minutes of the half remaining.

Dunloy responded with scores from McCallin, Smyth and Tom McFerran before Alex O’Boyle’s fifth white flag of the half left Dunloy 2-8 to 0-8 ahead at the interval.

Dunloy started the second half brightly with points coming from Smyth, Aodhan McGarry, McCallin and McKeague – Alex O’Boyle with the solitary response for Glenariffe in that opening 10 minute spell.

Points followed for the visitors from substitute Oisin Gillan and Oliver Kearney to keep Glenariffe within touching distance.  The home side responded with McCallin firing over either side of McKeague’s third white flag of the match and while Daniel Kearney left nine points between the sides going into the final 10 minutes, the home side scored their third goal of the game to all but end the hopes of a Glenariffe win.  Daire McMullan sent a free into the path of Ciaran Elliott who found Smyth running through the middle.  The half back had work to do but he finished superbly to put the difference into double digits.

Glenariffe responded well with three unanswered points in as many minutes – Gillan, Michael O’Boyle and Oliver Kearney with the scores.  Kearney bringing the best out of Ryan Elliott in the Dunloy goals with the Cuchullains ‘keeper deflecting his goal bound effort over the bar.

Substitute Chrissy McMahon dissected the uprights and while Glenariffe responded with points from O’Connor (free) and Oliver Kearney’s third of the match, Dunloy and McCallin had the final say.  McMahon this time with the assist as he unselfishly passed to McCallin who was unmarked to fire home from close range.

The Cuchullains are on their travels for their next game, heading to Ballygalget next Sunday while Glenariffe make a first trip to the City when they face Rossa on the same afternoon.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Ryan Elliott; Conor Kinsella, Ryan McGarry, Sean Og Blaney; Eamon Smyth, Paul Shiels, Daire McMullan; Aaron Crawford, Paudie McGilligan; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Aodhan McGarry; Ciaran Elliott, Oisin McCallin, Tom McFerran

Subs: Ben O’Kane for C Kinsella (42); Chrissy McMahon for N Elliott (42); Oisin McCamphill for N McKeague (47); Jack Martin for P McGilligan (52); Francis McMullan for A Crawford (56)

Scorers: O McCallin 1-6 (3fs); E Smyth 1-2; N McKeague 0-3; A Crawford 1-00; C Elliott 1-00; A McGarry 0-2; R McGarry 0-1; T McFerran 0-1; C McMahon 0-1

GLENARIFFE: Paul McMullan; Odhran Gillen, Colla Ward, Conor Patterson; Niall Magee, Daniel Kearney, James Kearney; Calum McIlwaine, Donall Kearney; Orrin O’Connor, Phelim Ward, Michael O’Boyle; Seanie McIntosh, Oliver Kearney, Alex O’Boyle

Subs: Oisin Gillan for P Ward (24); Cailin Devlin for D Kearney (40); Canice McIntosh for S McIntosh (54)

Scorers: A O’Boyle 0-6 (3fs, 2’65s); O O’Connor 0-3 (1f); O Kearney 0-3; M O’Boyle 0-2 (1’65); O Gillan 0-2; D Kearney 0-1

REFEREE: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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