Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Glenariffe Oisin 3-15 Ballycastle McQuillan’s 1-22

Ballycastle McQuillans made it four wins out of four in the Antrim Hurling League Division 1 after edging out last season’s Intermediate champions, Glenariffe Oisins, in an absolute nail-biter in Waterfoot. Just like their previous three outings, Ballycastle found themselves in a game that went right down to the wire, ultimately surviving a breathless conclusion to win by a single point. The story of the match was undoubtedly the spectacular scoring duel between Ballycastle’s Seamus McAuley and Glenariffe’s Alex O’Boyle. Both talismanic forwards were in scintillating form, trading blows throughout a contest that truly could have gone either way.

Ballycastle started brightly, opening the scoring with early points from Diarmuid McShane and Tiernan Smith. However, Glenariffe responded emphatically. Alex O’Boyle quickly made his mark, hitting a point and firing home a goal to give the Oisins an early 1-1 to 0-2 advantage. The McQuillans refused to panic and clawed their way back. By the seventh minute, scores from Niall McClean and a Seamus McAuley free leveled the tie at four apiece. Glenariffe quickly regained their rhythm, with O’Boyle converting another free before Brogan O’Connor found the back of the net, capitalizing on a sharp pass from his brother Orrin to extend the Oisins’ lead.

As the half progressed, the sides matched each other stride for stride. O’Boyle and McAuley traded frees, while Aaron Cosgrove and Ballycastle’s Reuben McClean swapped points from play. A point from Glenariffe’s James Kearney kept the pressure on, but the momentum shifted just before the break. After O’Boyle slotted another free, Ballycastle struck a crucial blow, and following a long free into the danger zone, Tiernan Smith gained possession and fired home from close range. McAuley, after an earlier miss, found his range from distance, and McShane tacked on two more points to send Ballycastle into the dressing rooms with a narrow lead, 1-12 to 2-07.

The second half opened with McAuley extending Ballycastle’s lead via a free, only for O’Boyle to instantly reply at the other end. The action flowed end-to-end as Orrin O’Connor split the posts for Glenariffe, while Conor Boyd and Ronan McCarry contributed vital scores to keep Ballycastle’s noses in front. The midway point of the half produced the game’s highlight reel moments. First, McAuley launched a towering free from around 70 meters out. Not to be outdone, O’Boyle stepped up and executed a remarkable sideline cut straight over the bar, dragging Glenariffe back to within two points.

McAuley and O’Boyle traded scores once again, before Brogan O’Connor reduced the deficit to the bare minimum. The tension peaked in the 28th minute when O’Boyle held his nerve to convert a free, leveling the match. However Ballycastle’s response was immediate, with McAuley tapping over a close-range free to restore their one-point cushion. As the clock ticked into injury time, Glenariffe pushed desperately for an equalizer and found it through Oliver Kearney, setting up a grandstand finish.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Seamus McAuley kept his cool to tap over a close range free and split the uprights to put Ballycastle ahead one last time. Glenariffe had one final roll of the dice, but David Kearney’s long-distance effort drifted agonizingly wide in the dying seconds. Ultimately, Ballycastle had that little bit of luck youn need down the stretch saw them scrape by with a one-point victory, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

Glenariffe Oisins: 1. Paul McMullan, 2. Michael Haughey, 3. David Kearney, 4. Conor Patterson, 5. Donall Kearney, 6. Daniel Kearney, 7. Cailin Devlin, 8. James Kearney, 9. Calum McIlwaine, 10. Orrin O’connor, 11. Oliver Kearney, 12. Michael O’Boyle, 13. Alex O’Boyle, 14. Brogan O’connor, 15. Aaron Cosgrove.

Ballycastle McQuillans: 1. Eamonn Elliott, 2. Oran Kearney, 3. Ryan McCook, 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. Tiernàn Smyth, 15. Niall McClean.

Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

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Antrim Hurling League Division

Ballygalget 0-08 Loughgiel Shamrocks 4-23

Loughgiel Shamrocks recorded a massive 4-32 to 0-8 victory over Ballygalget in a highly one-sided Antrim Hurling League Division 1 encounter. The Shamrocks were simply too good for the men from the Ards peninsula, cruising to an emphatic win from the very first whistle. Establishing control early on, Loughgiel dominated the opening exchanges with a flurry of points from play. Declan McCloskey, Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Eoin McGarry, and Roan McGarry all found their range quickly, leaving the Ballygalget defense scrambling to keep pace.

A standout moment of the first half came just six and a half minutes in when Tiernan Coyle launched a spectacular long-range point from deep inside his own half. Ballygalget’s goalkeeper, Eoin Clarke, did well to pull off a brilliant save shortly after, briefly stemming the relentless tide. Despite facing a sharp and aggressive Loughgiel defense, Ballygalget managed to put some scores on the board, largely thanks to Eoin Pucci, who pointed from play and accurately converted a 65 just past the fifteen-minute mark. However, Loughgiel’s forwards continued to split the posts even under pressure, with Ryan McKee and Roan McGarry adding to a commanding 2-19 to 0-06 half-time lead.

The second half offered no respite for the visiting Ards men as Loughgiel continued their clinical performance. The Shamrocks kept the scoreboard ticking over with a mix of frees and points from play, orchestrated primarily by Declan McCloskey, Rian McMullan, and Roan McGarry. Ballygalget’s Marc Fisher managed to strike a point from a 65 a quarter of the way into the half, but it was a rare moment of offensive success against an uncompromising Loughgiel backline.

As the game entered its final stages, Loughgiel capitalized on their momentum to find the back of the net twice more. Rian McMullan struck for a goal from a free in the 51st minute, and ten minutes later, Ryan McKee caught the defense napping with a well-taken goal from a quick free. The Shamrocks closed out the totally dominant display with a final string of points from Ben McGarry, Ryan McKee, Ronan Fitzgerald, Roan McGarry, and Ruairi McCormick, cementing a resounding 4-32 to 0-8 victory.

Ballygalget: 1 Eoin Clarke, 2 Michael Toner, 3 Ciaran Watson, 4 Caolan Coulter, 5 Marc Fisher, 7 Brook Byers, 8 Eoin Pucci, 9 Jordan Doran, 10 Oisin Coulter, 11 Michael Dorrian, 12 Cathal Coulter, 13 Owen McDermott, 14 Daniel Toner, 15 Dara Pucci

Loughgiel Shamrocks: 1 John Francis Connolly, 2 Liam Glackin, 3 Enda Og McGarry, 4 Caolan Blair, 5 Conall McCloskey, 6 Tiernan Coyle, 7 Ben McGarry, 8 Ryan McKee, 9 Declan McCloskey, 10 Rian McMullan, 11 Ronan Fitzgerald, 12 Eoin McGarry, 13 Roan McGarry, 14 Pearce Patterson, 15 Daniel McCloskey.

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Antrim Hurling League Division 1

Rossa 0-19 Oisins 0-16

Last year’s Division 2 winners Glenariffe traveled to Pairc Rossa and delivered a performance full of grit and quality, but it was the home side who ultimately secured the points in this highly competitive Antrim Senior Hurling Division 1 encounter. Surviving a missed penalty and immense pressure, Rossa finished strongly to record a 0-19 to 0-16 victory in a match where both sets of forwards showcased exceptional long-range shooting.

Rossa opened the scoring through Eoghan McMenamin, but Glenariffe quickly demonstrated they were more than up for the challenge. Alex O’Boyle was in scintillating form early on, leveling the game from play before showcasing his dead-ball prowess with a free and a beautifully struck sideline cut. The defining moment of the first half arrived when Rossa was awarded a penalty. Deaglan Murphy stepped up to take it, but Glenariffe goalkeeper Paul McMullan produced a stunning, full-stretch save to deny the hosts a crucial goal. Unfazed, Murphy converted the resulting ’65 and added a pair of long-range frees to keep Rossa ticking over.

Glenariffe’s defense put in some unbelievable blocks, keeping the Rossa attack at bay while their forwards capitalized at the other end. Orrin O’Connor slotted over a brilliant point under severe pressure from the right flank, and Aaron Cosgrove finished off a well-worked team move with back-to-back points. However, Rossa managed to edge ahead before the break thanks to fine scores from Sean McEnhill and Dáire Murphy, taking a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 lead into halftime after a hard fought half.

Rossa burst out of the gates in the second half, registering two quick points in the opening minute through Dáire Murphy and Daire Rocks to establish a cushion. The second half soon turned into a spectacular shootout, featuring some extraordinary long-range striking. Glenariffe’s Alex O’Boyle was phenomenal, launching a massive point from the edge of his own ‘D’ and converting another free from deep inside his own half. The Glenariffe sideline made a tactical switch, bringing on Michael O’Boyle for Colla Ward, and it paid immediate dividends as the substitute hit the ground running.

Michael O’Boyle scored twice from play, including a magnificent over-the-shoulder point from the far left wing, while Calum McIlwaine also added his name to the scoresheet with a great point under severe pressure. Despite Glenariffe’s heroics, Rossa’s experience and accuracy ultimately told. Deaglan Murphy was relentless from placed balls, punishing any Glenariffe indiscipline, and Sean McEnhill stepped up in the crucial closing stages, landing two fantastic long-range scores under heavy pressure from the right wing. Despite some frustrations aired on the sidelines regarding the officiating, it was a thoroughly entertaining game. Rossa’s late surge saw them close out the match with a final scoreline of 0-19 to 0-16, but newly promoted Glenariffe will take massive positives from a performance that proved they belong in the top flight.

Rossa

1. Donal Armstrong
2. Niall Crossan
3. Ciarán Orchin
4. Conall Shortt
5. Diarmaid Rogan
6. Declan McCartney
7. Jack O’Loughlin
8. Eoin Trainor
9. Deaglan Murphy
10. Liam McEnhill
11. Pearce Short
12. Conor Boyle
13. Dara Rocks
14. Dáire Murphy
15. Eoghan McMenamin

Oisín CLG (Glenariffe)

1. Paul McMullan
2. Odhran Gillan
3. Colla Ward
4. Conor Patterson
5. Cailin Devlin
6. Daniel Kearney
7. Donall Kearney
8. Calum McIlwaine
9. James Kearney
10. Niall Magee
11. Oliver Kearney
12. Orrin O’Connor
13. Alex O’Boyle
14. David Kearney
15. Aaron Cosgrove

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Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-20 to Ballycastle’s 1-19.

McQuillan’s Ballycastle maintained their perfect start to the Division 1 campaign, making it three wins from three after a pulsating encounter at Fr Healy Park on Sunday. In a game defined by The Town’s clinical efficiency versus Loughgiel’s wayward shooting, a late surge inspired by the return of Niall McKenna saw the visitors snatch a two-point victory in injury time, concluding with a final score of Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-20 to Ballycastle’s 1-19.

The opening period was dominated by the hosts, but their superiority on the pitch was not reflected on the scoreboard. While the Shamrocks found their range early with points from play by Ronan Fitzgerald, Rian McMullan, and Declan McCloskey, they were guilty of squandering numerous easy opportunities from both frees and open play. Ballycastle manager Cian Waldron was honest about the overall outcome saying “we should have been dead and buried by half time. However his team stayed in touch through the unerring accuracy of Seamus McAuley. Despite trailing 0-7 to 0-3 after another Fitzgerald point and a fine score from Loughgiel’s Eoin McGarry, McAuley’s proficiency from placed balls and long range steadily narrowed the gap. A point from play by Tiernan Smyth eventually brought the sides level, before Ryan McKee restored a slender 0-8 to 0-7 lead for Loughgiel at the interval.

The game ignited just two minutes after the restart when Tiernan Smyth turned provider, feeding Diarmaid McShane, who showed great composure to pull the ball into the Loughgiel net. The Shamrocks responded well to the setback, with Rian McMullan and Eoin McGarry adding clever points from play to keep them honest, while Roan McGarry found his rhythm from frees to level the game at 0-12 to 1-09. The lead traded hands several times; Cathair Donnelly won a free for McAuley to convert for Ballycastle, only for Loughgiel’s Ben McGarry to respond with a fine score. Following another Seamus McAuley free after a foul on Eoin McAlonan, Loughgiel appeared to find their second wind. Two quickfire scores from Roan McGarry pushed the Shamrocks into a three-point lead at 0-18 to 1-12 with fifteen minutes remaining.

The momentum shifted dramatically with the introduction of former county star Niall McKenna, returning from a long-term injury for Ballycastle. McKenna made an immediate impact, scoring a sublime point from the left wing with his first touch. At the other end, Ballycastle goalkeeper Eamonn Elliott proved to be the hero, producing two world-class saves to deny Loughgiel certain goals. Those stops proved vital as Tiernan Smyth and another McKenna effort, following a brilliant catch from a puck-out, cut the deficit to just one. After Roan McGarry and Seamus McAuley exchanged points, Eoin McAlonan landed a massive long-range score to level the game on twenty-nine minutes. In a frantic period of injury time, Diarmaid McShane put Ballycastle ahead, only for the ever-reliable Roan McGarry to level it once more for the Shamrocks. However, Ballycastle had the final say. Showing superior fitness and nerves of steel, McKenna and Seamus McAuley both raised white flags in the dying embers of the game to seal the 1-19 to 0-20 victory for the visitors.

Loughgiel Shamrocks – John Francis Connolly, Liam Glackin, Enda Og McGarry, Caolan Blair, Conall McCloskey, Tiernan Coyle, Ben McGarry, Ryan McKee, Declan McCloskey, Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Eoin McGarry, Roan McGarry, Pearce Patterson, Dan McCloskey.

Ballycastle – Eamonn Elliott, Oran Kearney, Ryan McCook, Conal Colgan, Eoin McAlonan, Conor Boyd, Cathair Donnelly, Reuben McClean, Ardan Kelly, Darragh Kelly, Seamus McAuley, Niall McClean, Ronan McCarry, Tiernan Smyth, Diarmaid McShane.

Subs used – Niall McKenna, Cadhan Crawford, Ronan Laverty,

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