Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Group 1

With qualification for the top 2 places already decided in Group 1 the prize for the winners of Loughgiel and Rossa tomorrow would be immediate qualification to the semi-final.

Both side have two win from two starts with Rossa looking very impressive when I covered their game with Naomh Eanna at Hightown last Saturday, running out 4-24 to 3-11 winners in a game they dominated from start to finish.

Loughgiel were given a stiffer test when they travelled to Ballycastle the same day but still had enough to deal with the challenger of the McQuillan’s and will be hoping that home advantage will give them the edge over visitors Rossa.

Rossa go into this game with a superior score difference and a draw would be enough to see Colly Murphy’s side top the group and the Shaw’s Road side would certainly benefit from the game less a win or a draw would afford them as they are still in the Senior Football championship with hopes of advancing to the play-offs still very much alive.

 In the other game in Group 1 between Ballycastle and Naomh Eanna at Leyland Road there is still plenty to play for with the winners securing a place in the quarter-final by qualifying in third place and Ballycastle look the side who have performed better against both Rossa and Loughgiel, scoring 2-14 at Shaw’s Road and 2-20 against the Shamrock’s but still lost both games.

Naomh Eanna have struggled to hit top form to date but will be happy that they are still in with a shout of qualifying and they certainly can’t be ruled out but home advantage and the knowledge that a draw would be enough for McQuillan’s suggests that they should advance to the quarter finals.

Group 2

Things are slightly less clear in Group 2 with St. John’s needing a win over visitors Dunloy to finish in the top two and the Johnnies at Corrigan with their backs to the wall is never an inviting prospect for any visiting team but the Cuchullain’s will relish the challenge.

Dunloy had to settle for a draw in their opening group game against Cushendall at Pearse Park before recording a facile victory over Tir na nOg last day while Ruair Og were beating St. John’s by 10 points in Cushendall but Dunloy top the group on a massive score difference.

Whoever loses tomorrow’s clash at Corrigan should still have the opportunity to advance as third placed team in Group 2 but anything other than a Dunloy win seems unlikely but they are sure to be pushed all the way on the Whiterock.

The other game looks easier to call with Tir na nOg giving a descent account of themselves on day one against St. John’s before suffering a very heavy defeat to Dunloy last day out and it is sure to have knocked their confidence. Cushendall are unlikely to show much mercy tomorrow and should win comfortably.

Regardless of the results tomorrow Dunloy, Cushendall and St. John’s will reach the play-offs but the automatic semi-final spot is the one up for grabs and my money is on Dunloy to claim it tomorrow.

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 2

Cushendall: 2-23 (29)  St Johns: 1-16(19)

A strong start and finish by Cushendall saw them overcome St John’s in their Group 2, Round 2 game at Paric Mhuire on Saturday to move into second place in the Group table, behind Dunloy on score difference.

When the Ruairs moved 2-7 to 0-1 clear nearing the end of the opening quarter the only thing that appeared to be in question was the size of their winning margin. It didn’t look much better for the Johnnies at half time when they trailed by ten points (2-11 to 0-7), but things took a dramatic turn in the third quarter as the Corrigan Park men took control of the game and incredibly closed the gap to just two points by the second water break.

It appeared to be be anyone’s game at this stage, but Cushendall found their form again and hit a series of late scores to win by ten in the end.

Two points from play by Christy McNaughton had the Ruairis ahead after just two minutes, but two minutes later Shea Shannon cut the deficit in half with a pointed free. Cushendall were dominating the play and they hit the next seven scores between the 6^th and 12^th minutes, each one of them from play, to take control of the game.

Neil McMauns, Aidan McNaughton, Eoghan Campbell and Christy McNaughtom all added points before McManus grabbed the first goal of the game on 10 minutes. Just over a minute later Paddy Burke, playing in the half forward line added another goal and when corner forward Fred McCurry popped over a point the lead was out to l2.

Two points in quick succession by St John’s Michael Dudley and Aidan McMahon settled them a little, though Christy McMahon came back with one for the home team a minute later. Three on the trot from the Johnnies through Shea Shannon (2) and Mick Bradley lifted the visiting fans’ spirits a little but McNaughton and Fergus McCambridge replied for the home team and by half time the Cushendall lead was still out at 10 points.

Going into the second half it was clear St John’s had a mountain to climb, but they started to find their range a few early points lifted their spirits. They had cut the gap back to nine by the 38^th minute and when Mick Bradley fired the ball to the Cushendall net they were up and running again, and two more points by Domhnall Nugent left just four points between the sides.

A Fred McCurry point for Cushendall stopped the slide briefly but three in a row from Bradley (2) and substitute Peter McCallin left just two points in it at the second half water break.

For water-break read momentum-break, and as is the case on so many occasions things too a dramatic turn in the restart. Scores were had to come by for another few minutes but when Neill McManus got one from afree eight minutes from time the scores bean to flow. McManus got another two from play, Chirsty McNaughton added a couple and Fergus McCambridge and Eoghan Campbell go on the act push the lead back out to ten and secure the win.

CUSHENDALL

Eoin Gillan, Ryan McCambridge, Martin Burke, Shane McKenna, Scott Walsh, Aaron Graffin, Ruairi McCollum, Eoghan Campbell, Alex Delargy, Paddy Burke, Christy McNaughton, Aidan McNaughton, Paddy McGill, Neil McManus, Francis McCurry.

ST JOHN’S

Simon Doherty, Aidan McMahon, Conal Morgan, Conor Carson, Ciaran Kerr, Stephen Tierney, Conall Bohill, Shea Shannon, Andy Magowan, Michael Dudley, Oisin Donnelly, Domhnall Nugent, Donal Carson, Michael Bradley, Aaron Bradley.

Referee – Mark O’Neill.

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Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1 – Round 2

Loughgiel: 1-27  Ballycastle : 2-20

A spell of dominance on either side of half time saw Loughiel secure at least a quarter final place in the Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Champions at Paric MacUilin on Saturday at the expense of Ballycastle. In a high scoring and exciting game Ballycastle played some great hurling and led at the first half water break. However the ten minutes before half time and the opening minutes of the second half saw the game get away from them and though they fought back to within four points at the end, that spell in the second quarter had left them too much to do.

The semi-final place in this group will be decided next Saturday in Loughgiel when the Shamrocks host fellow Group 1 leaders Rossa in what promised to be a great contest. Despite suffering two defeats in their two opening game Ballycastle are still in the mix, as indeed are their opponents next weekend, Naomh Eanna, and their game at Pairc MacUilin next Saturday is a showdown for a quarter final spot.

With Ciaran Clarke leading the line the Town started well in this game and two pointed frees by the corner forward put them ahead. It was score for score for a while as Clarke’s county team mate James McNaughton started finding the target for the Shamrocks and the home team’s lead fluctuated between 1 and 2 points and Clarke (3), Conor Boyd and Ciaran Butler found the target for the Town, while McNaughton (2), Paul Boyle and Dan McCloskey replied for the Shamrocks.

0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the first water break Ballycastle got a great boost when Ciaran Clarke cut through for a great individual goal at the start of the second quarter to put his team four clear on in the 17^th minute.

James McNaughton came back with three in a row for Loughgiel, two from frees and one from play, and though Clarke replied with one at the other end, a goal from McNaughton put Loughgiel in front for the first time.

That goal produced a big momentum swing as the next six points came from Loughgiel sticks as McNaughton hit three while Christy McGarry, Paul Boyle and Dan McCloskey hit one apiece to open up a seven point gap, though Clarke showed his class again as he sent over three points in as many minutes to cut the gap to four at the break.

Just when it appeared Ballycastle were getting to grips again Loughgiel pulled away with four points inside two minutes at the start of the second half and the lead was out to eight, but they clawed their way back with a series of good points, and when a long free from inside his own half dropped in around the Loughgiel ‘square’ Conor Boyd got a touch to send it to the Loughgiel net.

It was game-on once again as the teams went down the home straight, but Loughgiel were able to hold the Town at bay and in the end four points separated the sides

BALLYCASTLE – Ryan McGarry, Oran Kearney, Tommy McIlroy, Ronan Laverty, Conor Boyd, Matthew Donnelly, Neal McAuley, Reuben McLean, Seamus McAuley, Ciara Butler, KB McShane, Cormac Donnelly, Tiernan Smyth, James McLister, Ciaran Clarke.

Subs – Diarmaid McShane, Feargal McKiernan, Rambo McCarry

LOUGHGIEL – Chrissy O’Connell, Tiernan Coyle, Tony McCloskey, Ronan McCloskey, Damon McMullan, Seamus Dobbin, Declan McCloskey, James McNaughton, Shan McGrath, Donal McKinley, Eddie McCloskey, Paul Boyle, Christy McGarry, Daniel McCloskey, John Francis Connolly.

Referee – Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

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Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Group 2

Tir na nOg 0-7 Dunloy 4-38

Saturday August 28

Brendan McTaggart reports from Whitehill

If Tuesday day night was them blowing off the cobwebs, today was the Cuchullains throwing the shackles off.  This was as close to a 60 minute performance from the reigning champions as they put a message out to the rest of the county, they are still the team to beat.  It was unfortunate for Tir na nOg that Gregory O’Kane’s men had put this type of performance in against them.  Dunloy were irresistible, relentless, efficient, just plain class as they tore the home side apart from the first whistle.

Dunloy made one change from their drawn game against Cushendall with Eamon Smyth coming in for Paul Shiels.  Aaron Crawford pushed into midfield to allow Smyth to play at centre half and both Cuchullains excelled.  

It was the Dunloy attack that was simply awesome however.  4-33 from open play, 11 different scorers with seven points coming from their bench in the second half.  Dunloy purred quickly into top gear and remained there for the vast majority of the hour, exposing a gulf between the two sides that proved to be insurmountable for the 2020 Intermediate Champions.

Sean Duffin did the majority of the scoring for the Randalstown side with two of his five points coming from open play but the Whitehill men couldn’t get any change from a hugely impressive and disciplined Dunloy defence.  The Cuchullains defensive unit didn’t concede a free within scoring range until the 28^th minute of the game and that was close to the half way line.

Keelan Molloy added to his highly impressive display against Cushendall with a further four points from midfield while Conal Cunning top scored with 1-9 before coming off after the second half waterbreak, his partnership with Chrissy McMahon on the inside forward line continues to blossom with McMahon raising five white flags over the hour.  Cunning’s goal came just before the first half water break after good work from Elliott on the left to find space and pick a pass for ‘Coby’ and the Dunloy man made no mistake.  

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The three remaining Dunloy goals came from Seaan Elliott (two) and Eoin O’Neill, all in the second half as the Cuchullains showed no signs of dropping their intensity levels.  There was already 20 points between the sides when O’Neill punished an error in the Tir na nOg defence after a poc out from Kevin Sheerin went loose.

Seaan Elliott’s goal came from similar circumstances with the Cuchullains pressurising the Tir na nOg restart while the fourth goal was cruel on the home side.  O’Neill’s shot was stopped superbly by Sheerin but Elliott was on hand to finish and add further gloss to the scoreline for the Cuchullains.

Tir na nOg had chances at the other end but the Dunloy defence were imperious, superbly marshalled by Conor McKinley and organised by Ryan Elliott in goals throughout.

Both sides are on their travels next Sunday with Cushendall hosting Tir na nOg while Dunloy visit Corrigan Park and while it looks likely the Randalstown men’s championship race will finish in Pairc Mhuire, who goes directly through to the semi-final is still up for grabs but the Cuchullains have put themselves in pole position with this display.

TEAMS
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley, Conor Kinsella; Ryan McGarry, Eamon Smyth, Ronan Molloy; Aaron Crawford, Keelan Molloy; Eoin O’Neill, Kevin Molloy, Eoin McFerran; Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Chrissy McMahon

Scorers: C Cunning 1-9 (1 ’65, 3f); S Elliott 2-5 (1f); E O’Neill 1-3; C McMahon 0-5; Keelan Molloy 0-4; Gabriel McTaggart 0-3; Nicky McKeague 0-3; A Crawford 0-2; E McFerran 0-2; Kevin Molloy 0-1; Anton McGrath 0-1

Tir na nOg: Kevin Sheerin; Daniel Martin, Ryan O’Neill, Brendan Kerr; Ciaran O’Neill, Caoimhin Duffin, Declan Molloy; Aaron McNeilly, Ciaran McKeown; Sean Duffin, Ciaran Logan, Kevin Kerr; Niall Devlin, Eamon Og McAllister, Sean McKinley

Scorers: S Duffin 0-5 (3f); C Logan 0-1; N Devlin 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)

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Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship, Group One

Naomh Éanna 2-11 O’Donovan Rossa 4-24

Naom Eanna failed to cope with the intensity and pace of a totally focused Rossa in this Bathshack Antrim Senior |Hurling championship game at Hightown this afternoon. The visitors controlled matters from early in the contest and at no time did the Glengormley men look like getting into contention.

The outcome of this clash was decided long before the final whistle as the West Belfast side were nine clear at the break and at one stage led by 20 but a couple of late Naomh Eanna goals put a better reflection on the final score-line.

Rossa were long out of sight at this stage however and will head to Loughgiel next Sunday with the opportunity to top the group and earn a bye into the semi-final.

Right from the start the visitors showed a greater appetite for the contest, winning the most of the dirty ball and time after time they emerged from the ruck with possession as St. Enda’s struggled to match them in this department.

It was the hosts who enjoyed an early lead thanks to a Cormac Jennings free, but it lasted less than a minute as Gerard Walsh nipped in to intercept and fire over at the other end before Tiernan Murphy opened his account to give the visitors a lead they would hold until the final whistle.

Daire Murphy added another beforeJoe Maskey replied at the other end but it was all Rossa as they hit the next five points on he bounce to lead 0-8 to 0-2 at the water break with the pick of the scores coming from Chris McGuinness who got on the end of a long pass from deep in defence.

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Naomh Éanna were first to score after the water break through Luke O’Connor, but Tiernan Murphy responded and then when Daire Murphy got in for a goal in the 22^nd minute after being placed by Dominic McEnhill it looked as good as over.

The teams shared the final eight points of the half between them with another McGuinness effort from a tight angle for Rossa and a monster point by Naomh Éanna’s Ruairi Donaghy the pick of them, but it was Rossa who looked in control at the half-time whistle as they led by 1-13 to 0-7.

There was no respite for the Hightown side as play resumed for the second half with Rossa outscoring the hosts by seven to two in the third quarter with the Murphy trio of Deaglan, Daire and Tiernan all on target, while Dominic McEnhill landed two brilliant points, one from play and another from an acute angle while all the hosts replied through two Cormac Jenning’s frees.

There was no way back for Naomh Éanna as Rossa pushed forward relentlessly with Stephen Beatty blasting home a 50th minute goal, substitute Eoin Trainor added a fine point and Deaglan Murphy fired home his side’s third goal.

Points from Tiernan Murphy, Conal Shannon and Seaghan Shannon increased the Rossa total but to their credit Naomh Eanna kept battling against impossible odss and received some reward with a great goal from Eddie O’Connor who shrugged off a challenge to guide his shot from outside the penalty area into the top corner.

While Cormac McGettigan responded in kind at the other end with a fine finish after being set up by Conal Shannon, Naomh Éanna had the final say with Philip Curran finding the net from a 20-metre free but it came much too late to influence the outcome

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Naomh Eanna still have an outside chance of joining today’s opponents in the play-offs should they beat Ballycastle next Sunday, while Rossa will have ambitions of toping the group and earning a bye that would be most welcome given their dual status.

NAOMH ÉANNA: M Curran; C Ross, R Gillan, R Bogue; M Donaghy, N P’Connor, E O’Connor (1-0); D Maguire, L O’Connor (0-2); R Diamond, R Donaghy (0-3), J Maskey (0-1); D Lowry, C Jennings (0-4 frees), M O’Hare (0-1).

Subs: P Curran (1-0 free) for D Lowry (24), K Jennings for R Bogue (39), E Maguire for M O’Hare (55).

ROSSA: D Armstrong; C Orchin, A Kennelly, A Orchin; Stephen Shannon, M Armstrong, A O’Brien; G Walsh (0-1), Seaghan Shannon (0-2); Daire Murphy (0-3, 1 free), S Beatty (1-0), D McEnhill (1-2); T Murphy (0-4), C McGuinness (0-2), Deaglan Murphy (1-7, 0-6 frees).

Subs: C Shannon (0-1) for M Armstrong (11), D Rocks for C McGuinness (47), E Trainor (0-1) for S Beatty (50), C McGettigan (1-0) for D McEnhill (52).

REFEREE: Hugh Torney (Ballycran)

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