ACHL Division 2

St. Gall’s 0-14 Tir na nOg 1-16

Tír na nÓg withstood a ferocious second-half fightback from St. Gall’s to claim a vital 1-16 to 0-14 victory at Milltown on Sunday, with Caleb Smith’s first-half goal ultimately proving to be the difference.

St. Gall’s exploded out of the blocks, with corner-forward Dara Delaney splitting the posts just 30 seconds after the throw-in. The Belfast side nearly doubled their advantage moments later, but Tír na nÓg goalkeeper Matthew Dimphinall pulled off a spectacular, crucial save to deny Patrick Friel.

Spurred on by that defensive stand, Tír na nÓg found their rhythm. Emmet Murray levelled the scoring three minutes in, before midfielder Sean Duffin hit two quick-fire points from play. Tomas O’Ciarain hit back for St. Gall’s in the 9th minute, but Joe McCormick immediately responded for the visitors to make it 0-4 to 0-2 at the 10-minute mark.

St. Gall’s rallied dynamically over the next five minutes. Points from Ronan Crossan and Dubhaltach MacLiam dragged the home side back on level terms at 0-4 apiece by the quarter-hour mark.

From that point on, Tír na nÓg completely took over the midfield battle. Tiarnan Bonnes restored their lead with a well-struck free, followed quickly by another white flag. Sean McKinley then punishing a misplaced St. Gall’s puck-out to register a point. The Randalstown surge continued with unanswered points from Emmet Murray and Sean McKinley.

Sean Duffin then extended the lead further by drilling a monster 70-metre free over the bar. A 20-metre free from Dubhaltach MacLiam briefly halted the bleeding for St. Gall’s, but Tír na nÓg hit back through McKinley and another long-range 70-metre free from Sean Duffin on the 30-minute mark.

The decisive blow arrived in the 31st minute. A slick attacking move found corner-forward Caleb Smith on the right side of the square. Smith made no mistake, unleashing a powerful drive across Kurtis McGreevey into the keeper’s right-hand corner to leave Tír na nÓg firmly in the driving seat at the break.

Half-Time Score: St. Gall’s 0-05  Tír na nÓg 1-11

The Belfast men threw everything at the Randalstown side in the second period, inspired by a brilliant performance from substitute Anto Healey (20), but the visitors held their nerve in injury time to secure the two points.

St. Gall’s introduced Anto Healey at the break, and the tactical switch paid immediate dividends. Just 30 seconds into the half, Ronan Crossan blasted over his second point of the day. Tír na nÓg replied instantly when midfielder Sean Duffin showcased his accuracy again, converting a 60-metre free. Crossan responded for the hosts to cut the deficit, but both sides then endured a frustrating, tense period where the woodwork denied clear scoring opportunities, with shots from both teams rattling back off the posts.

Tiarnan Bonnes settled Tír na nÓg with a well-taken free, but Healey then took centre stage for St. Gall’s. The substitute hit a fine point from play, and after Dubhaltach MacLiam converted a free, Healey struck again to leave the scoreboard reading 1-14 to 0-10.

The momentum was firmly with the home side. Wing-back Aaron Mackle surged forward to hit a point, narrowing the gap to six. Tír na nÓg substitute Ciaran McCamphill temporarily halted the charge with a vital response, but St. Gall’s kept pressing. In the 21st minute, Ronan Crossan hit a spectacular point from play, before a MacLiam free in the 26th minute left just four points between the teams.

When the unstoppable Healey struck his third point of the half on the 30-minute mark, a grandstand finish looked guaranteed with St. Gall’s trailing by just three. However, Tír na nÓg showed great composure in injury time. Tiarnan Bonnes won a crucial free and expertly slotted it over in the 31st minute, killing off the comeback and ensuring a five-point victory for the visitors.

St. Gall’s: 1 Kurtis McGreevey, 2 Daniel Churchill, 3 Gairech MacAdhaim, 4 Eoghan McCurdy, 5 Aaron Mackle, 6 Gregory McGreevey, 7 Tom Ghee, 8 Oran McIlhatton, 9 Patrick Friel, 10 Ethan Walsh, 11 Ronan Crossan, 12 Tomas O’Ciarain, 13 Dubhaltach MacLiam, 14 Niall Fallon, 15 Dara Delaney, 20 Anto Healey, 19 Joshua Southern,   

Tir na nOg: 1 Matthew Dimphinall 2 Dara Martin 3 Brandon Mclarnon 4 Manus Smith 5 Ryan O’Neill 6 Caoimhin Duffin 7 Ciaran O’Neill 8 Sean Duffin 9 Connor McCamphill 10 Sean McKinley 11 Emmet Murray 12 Tiarnan Bonnes 13 Joe McCormick 14 Ciaran Logan 15 Caleb Smith 17 Conor O’Neill 18 Jude Storie 19 Kevin Sheerin 20 Ciaran McCamphill 21 Conlith Martin 22 Declan Mallon

Referee: Niall Clifford

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ACHL Division 2

Cloney Gael 2-19 Bredagh 2-24

Bredagh climb above Cloney Gaels at the bottom of the ACHL Division 2 table following this five point win over the Ahoghill men in an entertaining game of hurling at a sun kissed Cloney on Wednesday night.

It was the Ahoghill side who got off to the better start with a goal in the first minute from Dan O’Neill with Colla McDonnell, Ronan Graham and Patrick Graham adding point to keep their side three ahead by the 8^th minute.

The Bredagh points came from the sticks of Sean McCollum, Donal Hughes and John Dougan and at this stage it was end to end with Colla McDonnell 0-2 and Ronan Graham adding to the Cloney score card and Eoin Kennedy 0-2, Ben Christie, Luke Doran and Christie again bringing the Bredagh total to 8 by the 20^th minute.

Fionnbar O’Neill and Colla McDonnell replied for the home side and a second goal of the evening from Dan O’Neill put the ‘Gaels’ in a strong position going into half time where they led by five.

It was visitors Bredagh who made a quick reply at the start of the second half with Donal Hughes, Sean McCollum and Ben Christie all pointing in the opening minute before Colla McDonnell edged the home side three ahead again with 3 minutes gone.

Tim Rankin responded for the Belfast men but a couple in quick succession from James O’Connell kept the Cloney noses ahead before McCollum and O’Connell exchanged further minors.

Further exchanges between Patrick Graham for the hosts and Eoin Kennedy for Bredagh kept it finally balanced in favour of the Ahoghill side but the visitors were beginning to get on top.

Eoin Kennedy had been proving a handful and he fired home his side’s opening goal in the 20^th minute and it seemed to fire his colleagues into action as they dominated the closing exchanges.

Ben Christie 0-2, Sean McCollum 0-2 and two excellent points from mid-fielder, Donal Hughes swung it decisively in favour of the visitors with Ahoghill’s only response coming from Fionnbar O’Neill, James O’Connell and Colla McDonnell.

A good win for Bredagh which sees them climb out of the bottom two and as they get their county men back on board I would expect them to climb further up the table.

Cloney Gaels were missing a few themselves and they should improve as the season progresses if they get everyone fit and for a good part of Wednesday night’s contest they looked to be heading for victory.

Cloney Gaels: 1 Martin Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Patrick Dougan, 4 Ryan Martin, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Bernard Graham, 7 Eoin Graham, 8 Eamonn Brady, 9 Paul Crossey, 10 Patrick Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Jack McFall, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Dan O’Neill, 15 James O’Connell

Bredagh: 1 Ian Galway, 2 Odhran Morgan-Little, 3 Michael Woods, 4 Mel Lavery, 5 Patrick McGarry, 6 Niall McFarland, 7 Liam Hogan, 8 Cormac Hughes, 9 Donal Hughes, 10 Luke Doran, 11 Tim Rankin, 12 John Dougan, 13 Sean McCollum, 14 Eoin Kennedy, 15 Ben Christie

Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)

ACHL Division 2

Venue: CushLig an Airgid.

Referee: Fionntan McCotter

Carey Faughs secured a well-deserved 2-15 to 1-13 victory over Cushendun Emmet’s in this ACHL Division 2 clash on Wednesday evening, with a devastating four-minute spell from Conor McBride proving to be the decisive factor.

McBride was the dominant scoring figure throughout the hour. His unerring accuracy from both open play and dead balls kept the scoreboard ticking for the Carey men, ultimately proving too much for the home side to handle

The opening twenty minutes were a tight, point-for-point affair. McBride opened the scoring in the third minute, but Cushendun quickly responded through Pierce McKeegan. The sides traded blows with Dominic Sharkey, ‘Loaf’ McNeill, and Calum Kilgore raising white flags for the Emmet’s, while McBride and Conail McGlynn kept Carey right in the mix with accurate frees.

By the 19th minute, a point from Cushendun’s Fiontan McQuillan left the game finely balanced. However, the momentum shifted entirely in a decisive four-minute window. In the 22nd minute, McBride breached the Cushendun defence to rattle the net for the game’s opening goal. Before the home side could fully regroup, McBride struck again in the 26th minute, grabbing his second major to put Carey firmly in the driving seat.

Late first-half points from John McBride and another Conor McBride free sent Carey into the dressing rooms with a commanding 2-08 to 0-07 lead at the interval.

Cushendun emerged for the second half determined to eat into the deficit, with ‘Loaf’ pointing a free straight after the restart. Carey, however, quickly reasserted their dominance. McBride knocked over three consecutive frees in a three-minute purple patch, followed quickly by a score from Caolan McCaughan to stretch the lead further.

To their credit, the Emmet’s refused to throw in the towel. Conor McHugh hit a quick-fire double, and ‘Loaf’ added another free to keep the scoreboard moving. On the 16-minute mark, Donncha Laverty provided a real lifeline for Cushendun when he found the back of the net, narrowing the gap to 2-14 to 1-11 and giving the home support something to shout about.

Jack McKay followed up with a point to close the gap further, but Carey’s first-half foundation proved too solid to crack. Fiachra McVeigh and Conail McGlynn had chipped in with crucial second-half points to keep Cushendun at arm’s length. Fittingly, it was McBride who tapped over another free to help see the game out. ‘Loaf’ managed one final point for Cushendun in the closing stages, but the Faughs held firm to take the points back to Ballyvoy.

Match Scorers

Cushendun Emmet’s:

• Donncha Laverty (1-00)
• ‘Loaf’ McNeill (0-05, 4f, 1 ’65’)
• Calum Kilgore (0-02)
• Conor McHugh (0-02)
• Pierce McKeegan (0-01)
• Dominic Sharkey (0-01)
• Fiontan McQuillan (0-01)
• Jack McKay (0-01)

Carey Faughs:

• Conor McBride (2-09, 7f)
• Conail McGlynn (0-03, 3f)
• John McBride (0-01)
• Caolan McCaughan (0-01)
• Fiachra McVeigh (0-01)

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ACHL Division 2

Tír na nÓg Randalstown 0-22 – Mac Uílín Ballycastle 2-14

Venue: Randalstown – Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2026

Match report: Gerard Kelly | Photos: Dominic Kelly

Tír na nÓg claimed a hard-earned two-point victory over Mac Uílín Ballycastle in a thrilling Antrim ACHL Division 2 encounter at Randalstown on a glorious sun-drenched evening.

The final scoreline of 0-22 to 2-14 tells only part of the story of a contest that fluctuated dramatically, but through it all one player stood head and shoulders above the rest — Sean Duffin, whose long-range striking was nothing short of magnificent from the first minute to the last.

A late Dermot Donnelly goal for the visitors reduced the margin to a single point deep in injury time and ensured a nervy finish for the home support, but Duffin’s earlier intervention in the 63rd minute had already added the crucial insurance score, and Randalstown held onto take the points in a match that neither side deserved to lose.

Randalstown Storm Out Of The Blocks

Playing in perfect summer conditions, Randalstown set about their opponents from the very first puck and produced a stunning opening spell that immediately put Ballycastle on theback foot.

Duffin opened the scoring inside the first minute — a trademark long-range effort that set the tone for what was to follow — and Joe McCormick doubled the lead on 2 minutes.

Further points followed in quick succession as Connor McCamphill (6th), Ciarán Logan (8th) and Tiaman Bonnes — twice, in the 10th and 12th minutes — had the home crowd roaring.

Callum Campbell had provided Ballycastle’s only reply in the 2nd minute, and when Duffin drove over another stunning long-range point in the 14th, the home side led 0-08 to 0-01.

It was one of the most dominant opening quarters seen at this ground in recent years.

Ballycastle, credit to them, refused to capitulate. Cormac Dallas pointed on 15, James McLister on 16, and Dallas again on 20. Críostai McAuley — playing under the cloud of a booking picked up in the 13th minute — added his own contribution, as did Conall Magee and Seán Brogan to gradually close the gap.

Duffin split the posts once more on 30 for good measure, and the sides went to the interval with Randalstown leading 0-11 to 0-09 — a two-point advantage that flattered Ballycastle given the opening quarter.

Campbell’s Goal Rocks Randalstown

The second half produced end-to-end hurling of the highest quality. Brogan and McAuley struck quickly for Ballycastle to level proceedings, and in the 36th minute, Campbell found the net to edge the visitors in front for the first time.

Randalstown’s Emmet Murray responded immediately on 37 to retake the lead, but McLister added two in the 38th and 39th minutes and Campbell pointed again on 43 as Ballycastle threatened to take control.

Randalstown, however, were not for turning. Tiaman Bonnes, outstanding throughout with five points from play, continued to lead the charge, and Sean McKinley — lively after his introduction — landed two excellent scores in the 46th and 47th minutes to swing momentum back toward the home side.

Ciarán O’Neill (48th), Daire Martin (49th) and Bonnes (50th) followed in a three-point burst that pushed Randalstown four clear. Duffin’s sixth point of the evening in the 51st minute, another thunderous long-range effort, extended the advantage further.

Nervy Finish But Randalstown Hold On

Ballycastle refused to go quietly. Mark McClean pointed on 55, and McAuley added two further scores in the closing minutes to reduce the deficit as the game entered the final stages. Then, deep in injury time, Dermot Donnelly buried a goal to make it 0-21 to 2-13 — a single point in it — and set up a breathless finish.

But it was Duffin who had the final say. The Randalstown number seven, ice cool under pressure, drove over a point in the 63rd minute to make it 0-22 to 2-14 and secure a two- point win that his individual performance richly merited.

The final whistle was met with roars of relief and delight from the home faithful.

The Verdict

This was as entertaining an evening of hurling as you could wish for. Randalstown’s early dominance was exceptional, and their ability to withstand Ballycastle’s rallies — twice —showed real character throughout the squad.

Duffin’s tally of six long-range points was the performance of the evening, but Tiaman Bonnes (0-5) and the contributions of McKinley, Logan and the ever-busy Bonnes gave Randalstown a breadth of scoring that Ballycastle simply couldn’t match.

For the visitors, Callum Campbell (1-2), Dermot Donnelly (1-0) and McAuley’s five points made for an admirable collective effort, and they will feel that on another day they might have taken something from this game. But on this occasion, Randalstown deserved their win.

TÍR NA NÓG RANDALSTOWN: Kevin Sheerin; Daire Martin (0-1), Oliver McAtamney, Manus

Smith; Ryan O’Neill, Caoimhín Duffin, Sean Duffin (0-6); Connor McCamphill (0-1), Ciarán O’Neill (0-1); Emmet Murray (0-1), Ciarán Logan (0-2), Tiaman Bonnes (0-5); Joe McCormick (0-1), Colm Duffin, Sean McKinley (0-2). Also used: Jude Storrie for R. O’Neill.

MAC UÍLÍN BALLYCASTLE: Anthony Mullan; Oisín Donnelly, Oisín McAuley, Conor Mooney; Sean McGowan, Cormac Donnelly, Sean Brogan (0-1); Conall Magee (0-1), Mark McClean (0-1); Callum Campbell (1-2), Cormac Dallas (0-2), Feargal McKiernan; James McLister (0-3), Dermot Donnelly (1-0), Críostai McAuley (0-4).

Also used: Eoin Boylan for F. McKiernan,Tadhg Donnelly for S. McGowan, Niall McGarry for C. Campbell, [24] for C. McAuley

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Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Cloney Gaels Ahoghill 1-14 – 1-21 Cushendun Emmets

Referee: Sean Elliot

Pics by Micky Morgan

Cushendun Emmets got their ACHL Division 2 promotion hopes firmly back on track with an incredibly resilient second-half display against Cloney Gaels in Ahoghill on Sunday. Despite going down to 14 men early in the second half, the Emmets completely dominated the final thirty minutes, overturning a half-time deficit and restricting the home side to just two points from placed balls after the break.

The game started at a frantic pace, with Cloney taking early control. After Conor McHugh opened the scoring for Cushendun in the first minute, the home side hit five unanswered points in a blistering four-minute spell. Fionbarr O’Neill was accurate from the dead ball, while Ronan Graham and Donal Graham both found their range from play to give Ahoghill a 0-05 to 0-01 lead by the fifth minute.

Calum Kilgore kept Cushendun ticking over with two fine scores, but Ahoghill continued to dictate the early exchanges. Ronan Graham was causing serious problems for the Emmets’ defense, and points from Noah Friel and Donal Graham extended the home side’s advantage to 0-10 to 0-04 by the 12th minute.

Slowly but surely, Cushendun found their feet. Conlaoth Loaf McNeill began to make his presence felt, knocking over consecutive points (one free) to narrow the gap. Then, in the 21st minute, the game’s first major turning point arrived. A long-range effort from Calum Kilgore dropped dangerously onto the edge of the square, where Colm McKeegan caught it cleanly and fired past Aiden Graham in the Ahoghill net.

That goal sparked a major momentum shift. McKeegan and McNeill quickly added points to put Cushendun back in front. However, right on the stroke of half-time, Ahoghill struck a crucial blow. A 21-yard free was saved on the line by the Cushendun defence, but Ronan Graham was the quickest to react, pulling the breaking ball on the ground into the net to restore Ahoghill’s lead going into the dressing rooms: 1-12 to 1-10.

Whatever was said in the Cushendun huddle at half-time clearly worked, as they emerged for the second half with serious intent. They hit four points in the opening six minutes through Conor Bannon, Conor McHugh, Calum Kilgore, and Andrew Breslin to snatch back the lead.

But disaster struck for the Emmets in the 8th minute when goalscorer Colm McKeegan was shown a red card, leaving them to play the remaining 22 minutes with 14 men.

If Ahoghill thought the numerical advantage would swing the game back in their favor, they were sorely mistaken. The Cushendun defense tightened their grip remarkably, completely shutting down the Ahoghill attack from open play. In fact, the home side would only register two more points for the entire half—both coming from Conor Crossey frees in the 20th and 21st minutes.

At the other end, the 14 men of Cushendun played with superb composure and efficiency. Calum Kilgore added three more points to his tally, putting in a massive shift around the middle, while Andrew Breslin and Conlaoth McNeill kept the scoreboard ticking over. Substitutes were used to great effect to keep the legs fresh, and Dominic Sharkey put the icing on the cake with a well-taken point in the 32nd minute to seal a highly impressive 1-21 to 1-14 victory.

This was a massive win for Cushendun, built on a foundation of second-half grit and defensive organization, and it firmly places them back in the promotion conversation.

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Teams & Scorers

CUSHENDUN EMMETS: John V Morgan; Calum Kilgore (0-6), Mark McSparran, Paddy Morgan; Andrew Breslin (0-2), Thomas Scally, Matthew McCartin; Pierce McKeegan, Colm McKeegan (1-1); Conor McHugh (0-2), Archie McSparran, John-Joe O’Connell; Conor Bannon (0-2), Conlaoth McNeill (0-7, 0-3 frees), Pierce Bannon (0-1). Subs Used: Fiontan McQuillan for JJ O’Connell, Dominic Sharkey (0-1) for C Bannon, Liam Magee for P Bannon.

ST MARY’S AHOGHILL: Aiden Graham; Patrick Dougan, Fionbarr O’Neill (0-3, 0-2 frees), Bernard Graham; Eoin Graham, Eamon Brady, Conor Crossey (0-2 frees); Ronan Graham (1-4, 0-2 frees), Jack McFall, Donal Graham (0-3); Owen Jr. Neeson (0-1), Daniel O’Neill, Noah Friel (0-1). Subs Used: Ben Friel for J McFall, Michael Martin for N Friel.