Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Venue: Páirc MacUílín, Ballycastle

Final Score: Ballycastle 1-16 | St. John’s 1-15

Ballycastle withstood a late rally by visitors St John’s to securea hard-fought 1-16 to 1-15 victory over the county champions in a tightly contested All County Hurling League Division One clash, to record their second consecutive win of the campaign.

The game began with high energy as Ballycastle’s Niall McClean opened the scoring. St. John’s were quick to respond, with their sharpshooter Oisin MacManus immediately leveling the game. The early stages were a tight affair, with Ballycastle’s Seamus McAuley trading points with the St. John’s attack to keep the sides deadlocked at 0-2 apiece.

Ballycastle began to find their rhythm as McAuley capitalized on a series of frees to build a lead. The pivotal moment of the first half came following a strong, flowing team move that culminated in a crucial goal from Tiernan Smyth. Smyth quickly followed up with a point from play, putting St. John’s on the back foot.

However, the county champions showed their resilience. MacManus kept St. John’s well within striking distance, punishing Ballycastle’s indiscretions with multiple successful frees, cutting the deficit to a single point at various stages. However late first-half points from Conor Donnelly and Niall McAuley gave Ballycastle some breathing room, sending them into the halftime break with a 1-9 to 0-9 advantage.

Ballycastle started the second half exactly as they finished the first. Seamus McAuley fired over two quick points to set the tone, and another well-worked move allowed Tiernan Smyth to add to his tally. When Niall McAuley raised another white flag, Ballycastle had stretched their lead to six points (1-13 to 0-10) and looked firmly in control.

St. John’s, however, refused to lie down. Oisin MacManus continued his masterclass from dead balls, methodically chipping away at the Ballycastle lead. In response, Diarmaid McShane and the ever-reliable Seamus McAuley landed crucial scores to keep the hosts ahead as the game entered its twilight.

The momentum violently swung back to the visitors in the 31st minute when St. John’s were awarded and converted a vital penalty goal, Shea Shannon stepping up to the mark to fire home, and when McManus followed it with yet another free, suddenly bringing the deficit down to the bare minimum.

Despite intense late pressure from the champions, the Ballycastle defense held firm in the dying moments. The final whistle sounded to the relief of the home crowd, sealing a dramatic one-point victory for Mac Uilín CLG and making it two wins from two starts.

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Teams

#	Ballycastle McQuillans	St. John’s
1	Eamonn Elliott	Simon Doherty
2	Oran Kearney	Michael Dudley
3	Eoin McAlonan	Ciaran Johnston
4	Conal Colgan	Sean Boyle
5	Ardan Kelly	Ronan Donnelly
6	Conor Boal	Enda McGurk
7	Cathair Donnelly	Lorcan McCallin
8	Niall McClean	Sean Wilson
9	Reuben McClean	Caomhan Mooney
10	Darragh Kelly	Michael Bradley
11	Seamus McAuley	Shea Shannon
12	Niall McAuley	Oisin MacManus
13	Conor Donnelly	Donall Carson
14	Tiernan Smyth	Aaron Bradley
15	Diarmaid McShane	Ruairi Galbraith

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Senior Hurling League Division One

Dunloy 6-20 Loughgiel 1-16

Sunday 29 March

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy opened up their 2026 league campaign with a resounding victory over Loughgiel at Pearse Park.  The Cuchullains started the game strongly with three goals in the first seven minutes of the match setting the tone.  They took full advantage of the wind in their favour and put the Shamrocks under pressure for the majority of the first half – outscoring Loughgiel 3-9 to 0-1 in a 15 minute period that saw the Cuchullains put serious daylight between the sides.

Dunloy had six different goal scorers with Nicky McKeague top scoring with 1-7 while Oisin McCallin ended with 1-6 before coming off with a little over five minutes of the game remaining.

Rian McMullan finished top of the scoring charts for the Shamrocks, finishing the hour with five of his eight points coming from open play and gave the Dunloy defence plenty to think about.  Roan McGarry grabbed Loughgiel’s goal in the second half and finished with 1-3, his turn and finish for the major a rare highlight for the travelling support.

Dunloy’s ability to keep the scoreboard ticking in the second half put away any thoughts of an unlikely turnaround having built a 22 point lead and while the Shamrocks did fare much better after the interval, they never looked like making inroads into the Cuchullains lead.

Loughgiel actually made a great start and had the opening two points on the board before the clock reached one minute.  Roan McGarry and Darragh Patterson with the points but Dunloy’s ability to create major chances and force turnover ball in the Loughgiel defence meant they had the Shamrocks on the back foot.  Goals from Oisin McCallin, Tom McFerran and Nigel Elliott putting the home side into a healthy position.

A run of eight points in as many minutes from the home side with a solitary point from Rian McMullan had the Cuchullains in a 14 point lead before they scored their fourth goal of the game.  Ciaran Elliott this time applying the finish as the Dunloy forwards forced another error in the Loughgiel defence.

McCallin and McKeague would do the majority of the scoring with Aaron Crawford getting in on the act to stretch the Dunloy lead while Rian McMullan’s third point of the half left the half time score 4-15 to 0-5 in Dunloy’s favour.

With the wind blowing towards the Academy at Pearse Park, Loughgiel looked to make inroads into the Dunloy lead.  They opened the scoring through Darragh Patterson only for Dunloy to score their fifth major.  Nicky McKeague applying the finish as Dunloy showed their clinical touch.

The second half lacked the fluency of the first with Loughgiel showing more tenacity and Dunloy controlling the game as much as they could.  The Shamrocks challenge was hurt with Darragh Patterson sent off in the 45^th minute but realistically, it had no bearing on the result.

Dunloy’s sixth goal came in the 50^th minute, substitute Oisin McCamphill finding the back of the net with his first touch.  Nigel Elliott with the assist, his reverse pass catching the Loughgiel defence on the hop and put McCamphill through on goal.

Roan McGarry took his tally to 1-3 for the match, collecting a crossfield ball and turning his man before firing beyond Ryan Elliott in the 52^nd but Loughgiel were in damage limitation territory with eight minutes remaining.

Loughgiel will hope for better when they welcome Rossa to Healy Park on Sunday 12 April for their next game while Dunloy will welcome Glenariffe to Pearse Park on the same day.

DUNLOY: Ryan Elliott; Conor Kinsella, Daire McMullan, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Paul Shiels, Paudie McGilligan; Aaron Crawford, Reece Cunning; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Barry Scott; Ciaran Elliott, Oisin McCallin, Tom McFerran

Subs: Jack Martin for C Kinsella (40); Oisin McCamphill for C Elliott (49); Michael Traynor for O Quinn (54); Francis McMullan for O McCallin (54); Anton McGrath for N Elliott (60+1)

Scorers: N McKeague 1-7 (2fs); O McCallin 1-6 (4fs); T McFerran 1-2; N Elliott 1-2; C Elliott 1-00; O McCamphill 1-00; A Crawford 0-2; B Scott 0-1

LOUGHGIEL: Shea McDonnell; Tiernan Coyle, Enda Og McGarry, Tiago McGarry; Conall McCloskey, Liam Glackin, Caolan Blair; Declan McCloskey, Ryan McKee; Rian McMullan, Darragh Patterson, Eoin McGarry; Roan McGarry, Pearce Patterson, Conan Johnstone

Subs: Connor Dickson for R McKee (30+1); Cahal Hargan for C Johnstone (41); Eddie Smyth for T McGarry (48)

Scorers: R McMullan 0-8 (3fs); R McGarry 1-3; D Patterson 0-2; E McGarry 0-1; D McCloskey 0-1; C Blair 0-1

Referee: Barry Winters (Dungannon)

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Senior Hurling League – Division One

Ballycastle 1-21 Rossa 0-16

Sunday 6 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Mac Uílín, Ballycastle

Ballycastle rounded off their league campaign with a comprehensive win over newly crowned league champions, Rossa.  An eight point win, largely down to an excellent second half that saw them hold the men from the Shaw’s Road to just five points from frees in the 30 plus minutes after the half time interval.

Seamus McAuley finished top of the scoring charts for the Town, three of his 11 points coming from open play in an all-round excellent performance while Conor Donnelly chipped in with 1-2.  Niall McKenna was at the heart of it all again for his side, adding three points in an all action performance while Conor Boyd, Darragh Donnelly and Conal Colgan all excelled in defence.

To be fair, Rossa were missing more than a few from what might be perceived as their first 15.  Deaglan Murphy top scored with all of his nine points coming from placed ball but they had excellent performances from Stephen Shannon and Stephen Beatty in the half back line, Corey Walsh in midfield while the work rate of Declan McCartney, James Connolly and Dara Rocks could never be questioned.

In a close first half, it was the home side that played with more cohesion with McKenna prominent in the opening exchanges.  They couldn’t put any daylight between the sides though as the visitors managed to get the scoreboard ticking and were certainly more economical than the home side.

Going into the final 10 minutes of the first half, Ballycastle held a one point lead with the scores eight points to seven before Conor Donnelly scored the only goal of the game.  Neal McAuley gathering the sliotar on the left hand side before taking a second to survey his options.  He found Donnelly 25 yards from goal but in a more central position, the Rossa defence looked to swarm him out but the Ballycastle forward showed great composure before firing the sliotar to the back of the net.

Rossa almost responded in perfect fashion but goalkeeper Anthony Mullan was equal to Deaglan Murphy’s effort.  A Seamus McAuley free put five between the sides with a little over five minutes of the first half remaining but Rossa finished with a flourish reeling off four unanswered points in the time that remained.  Scores coming from Murphy (free), Dara Rocks, Aodhan O’Brien and Stephen Shannon.  It could have been even better for the Jeremiah’s but Rocks flashed his effort to the wrong side of the posts.

With just one point between the sides, the game was still in the balance but the home side started the second half superbly.  Four unanswered points from Cathair Donnelly, Seamus McAuley, Conor Donnelly and Ardan Kelly put five between the sides and the home side in control.

Rossa were slow at getting their challenge going again in the second half with their first point coming in the 40^th minute – the first of five second half frees from Deaglan Murphy.  They had another couple of sights of the Ballycastle goal in those opening exchanges of the second half with James Connelly and Deaglan Murphy combining but Murphy’s was denied by a magic piece of defending from Seamus McAuley just as he was about to pull the trigger.  Not long after, Rocks saw his effort well saved by Anthony Mullan.  The angle was far from favourable for the Rossa man but his effort was well struck and Mullan did well to keep the effort out of the goals.

The last quarter of the game belonged to Seamus McAuley with the Town midfielder firing over another five points while Tiarnan Smyth and McKenna also chipped in with scores. 

Rossa’s accuracy in front of the target wasn’t economical enough to sustain their challenge with a number of uncharacteristic wides.  Murphy’s frees kept their side of the scoreboard ticking but it wasn’t enough to reel in the home side.

Both sides now have a four week break before they turn their attention to the championship in the first weekend in August.  Rossa will begin their campaign in good spirits despite this result with a first Division One league title in almost 30 years while Ballycastle are a side that have been improving with every league game.  They have strength all over the pitch and an attacking unit that have speed and guile.  Both sides will have lofty ambitions as the race for the Volunteer Cup begins.

TEAMS

BALLYCASTLE: Anthony Mullan; Ryan McCook, Ronan Laverty, Conal Colgan; Mark McClean, Conor Boyd, Darragh Donnelly; Seamus McAuley, Cathair Donnelly; James Bakewell, Niall McKenna, Ardan Kelly; Conor Donnelly, Neal McAuley, Tiarnan Smyth

Scorers: S McAuley 0-11 (8fs); Conor Donnelly 1-2; N McKenna 0-3; D Donnelly 0-1; Cathair Donnelly 0-1; A Kelly 0-1; N McAuley 0-1; T Smyth 0-1

ROSSA: Donal Armstrong; Oisin McVicker, Joseph Mulholland, Darragh Morriarity; Stephen Shannon, Aodhan O’Brien, Stephen Beatty; Corey Walsh, Deaglan Murphy; Liam McEnhill, Declan McCartney, Conor O’Neill; Eoghan McMenamin, James Connolly, Dara Rocks

Scorers: D Murphy 0-9 (5fs 1’65); S Shannon 0-1; A O’Brien 0-1; C Walsh 0-1; L McEnhill 0-1; D McCartney 0-1; E McMenamin 0-1; D Rocks 0-1

REFEREE: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Dessie Donnelly presents the Division 1 Hurling League trophy to team captain Declan McCartney. Pic by Bert Trowlen

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Senior Hurling League – Division One

Dunloy 1-14 Loughgiel 4-11

Friday 4 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Loughgiel rounded off their league campaign with a convincing win over a depleted Dunloy side on Friday evening to end the Cuchullains hopes of winning the league title.  Six points separated the sides at the end of the hour, all off which means that Rossa have been crowned winners of the Divison One league title for the first time in 30 years.

Goals were the difference on the scoreboard at Pearse Park with the Shamrocks plundering in four over the hour, despite a missed penalty and a plethora of saves from Dunloy ‘keeper Eoghan Richmond.

With Paul Boyle threatening to cut loose playing on the edge of the square and James McNaughton closing in on his impish best, this victory was built around a solid defensive display that saw the Shamrocks hold Dunloy to just 1-6 from open play.  Rory and Declan McCloskey catching the eye while Tiarnan Coyle never gave an inch of space.

Both sides were missing regulars, Dunloy’s strength in depth was certainly tested to its limit with no less than nine players missing from their match against St John’s last Sunday.  Seaan Elliott top scored for the home side, raising nine white flags over the hour while Keelan Molloy top scored from open play with four points.  The returning Chrissy McMahon got Dunloy’s goal mid-way through the second half but the Shamrock’s always had the edge overall.

Played in conditions that were more akin to that of the month of October than the first week in July, it was Loughgiel who got out of the blocks quickest.  Rian ‘Betty’ McKee opened the scoring with barely 25 seconds on the clock.  Both sides were wasteful infront of the target before Loughgiel were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jack McCloskey.  James McNaughton stepped up but his effort was well saved by Richmond.

Richmond was called into action soon after with McNaughton testing his reflexes once again while Deaglan Smith split the uprights for Dunloy to open their account in the 6^th minute.

The Shamrocks created another major chance and this time it was Paul Boyle who was presented with the opportunity.  Haring in from the left, he made no mistake after just eight minutes.

Dunloy responded with a trio of unanswered points to bring the sides level mid-way through the first half but it was a brief respite from the Loughgiel assault on the Dunloy goal.  Ruairi McCormick going close but again Richmond with a brilliant save before the second Loughgiel goal came in the 18^th minute.  Paul Boyle turning provider this time as McNaughton finally beat Richmond to put five points between the sides.

The home side finished the half on top however with scores coming from Keelan Molloy and four frees from Seaan Elliott.  Molloy’s score coming after a brilliant catch among a group of players and with a swing of his wrists, instinctively finding the target.  Ruairi McCormick split the uprights in the same time period for Loughgiel to leave the half time score 2-4 to 0-9 in the Shamrocks favour.

As the rain became heavier, it didn’t dampen the Shamrocks spirit at the start of the second half.  Keelan Molloy did level the sides with the opening score of the half but before the home side would register another score, Loughgiel found the back of the Dunloy net.  Points from McNaughton and Roan McGarry preceded the third major in the 36^th minute – James McNaughton creating the chance and while it looked like Richmond had dealt with his effort, he spilled the sliotar over the line and when Rian McMullan pointed soon after, Loughgiel had opened a six point advantage.

Dunloy responded with another brace of points from Seaan Elliott, scoring his seventh free and first from open play before the Shamrocks responded with a free from Declan McCloskey and Boyle.

Dunloy’s hopes were revitalised when Chrissy McMahon found the back of Odhran McFadden’s net, collecting the sliotar from a Seaan Elliott pass, McMahon made no mistake with a rasping drive to leave three between the sides.

Loughgiel responded by creating another goal chance soon after.  McNaughton blasting the sliotar to the bottom corner but Richmond dived at full length to turn the sliotar away.

McNaughton (free) and Keelan Molloy swapped scores going into the final 10 minutes before the Loughgiel man would strike a contender for score of the game.  Running down the right hand side and with the Dunloy defence in close quarters, McNaughton swung the sliotar off the hurl to split the uprights.  An outrageous score given the weather conditions, the challenges put in and angle.

Loughgiel’s fourth goal came from wing half back Ben McGarry.  He fired the sliotar to the back of the net from the most acute angle and while Dunloy responded with a free from Seaan Elliott in injury time, they rarely looked like eating into the Loughgiel lead.

This was far from a classic between these two great rivals and both will be disappointed with the number of missed chances.  All thoughts now turn to the race for the Volunteer Cup however with these two harbouring serious ambitions of claiming silverware.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Phelim Duffin, Sean Og Blaney, Oran Quinn; Conor Kinsella, Kevin Molloy, Eamon Smyth; Jack Martin, Ciaran Elliott; Deaglan Smith, Padraig McGilligan, Keelan Molloy; Chrissy McMahon, Gabriel McTaggart, Seaan Elliott

Subs: Aaron Crawford for S Og Blaney (HT); Paul Shiels for J Martin (45)

Scorers: S Elliott 0-9 (8fs); Keelan Molloy 0-4; C McMahon 1-00; D Smith 0-1

LOUGHGIEL: Odhran McFadden; Tiarnan Coyle, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Declan McCloskey, Rory McCloskey, Ben McGarry; Rian McKee, Ruairi McCormick; Rian McMullan, James McNaughton, Darragh Patterson; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Jack McCloskey

Subs: Eoin McGarry for D Patterson (54); Donal McKinley for R McCormick (57); Patrick Laverty for L Glackin (Inj)

Scorers: J McNaughton 1-4 (2fs); P Boyle 1-1; B McGarry 1-00; J McCloskey 0-1; R McGarry 0-1; R McMullan 0-1; R McCormick 0-1; R McKee 0-1; D McCloskey 0-1 (1f)

REFEREE: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

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