Antrim Hurling League Division 3:

Michael Davitt’s 0-10 | Con Magees Glenravel 1-21

Con Magees Glenravel made the 40-mile journey to West Belfast’s Davitt Park well worth the trip, bringing home the two points after a dominant second-half display against Michael Davitt’s. While the first half was a tightly contested, point-for-point battle, the visitors found another gear after the break with the strong wind at their backs to secure a comprehensive 1-21 to 0-10 victory in Division 3 of the Antrim Hurling League.

The game started with high intensity, with Davitt’s drawing first blood through a point just two minutes in. Con Magees responded swiftly via Conor Laverty , before Davitt’s retook the lead thanks to a well-struck 40-meter point from Caoimhin Rainey and the 6th minute, Davitt’s Stephen Thompson had extended their lead.

Glenravel’s Joseph McKay quickly made his presence felt, knocking over consecutive points in the 9th and 12th minutes to reel the hosts back in before Conleth O’Loan found his rhythm for Con Magees, slotting three points in a rapid four-minute spell (including two frees) to swing the momentum.

However, the final ten minutes of the half belonged to Davitt’s Christopher Gallagher. Operating with pinpoint accuracy, Gallagher launched an aerial assault, scoring four massive long-range points between the 20th and 29th minutes—including one from a ’65. Just before the whistle, Darragh Donaghy managed to scrape a crucial equalizer for Con Magees, leaving the sides deadlocked at the interval.

The visitors came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. Joseph McKay hit an early free, though Davitt’s managed to stay in the fight with points from Cormac Maguire and Sean Og Smyth to keep the margins tight.

The turning point came around the 10-minute mark. Following a score from Fergus Donaghy Conleth O’Loan found the back of the net for the only goal of the game, breaking Davitt’s resistance.

From that moment, Con Magees dictated the terms. Fergus Donaghy immediately followed up the goal with another point, sparking an unrelenting scoring streak. Rian Lennon and Joseph McKay kept the scoreboard ticking, while Niall McKeown added his name to the scoresheet with a pair of well-taken points. Davitt’s scoring dried up completely in the final quarter as Glenravel’s attack pulled away, eventually sealing a commanding 14-point win.

Michael Davitt’s (Micheál Mac Daibhéid)

1. Gearoid Mac Oscar (Gearoid Cosgrove)
2. Peter Carleton
3. Tomás Ó Tuathaláin (Thomas Toland)
4. Michael Og O’Caorthanainn (Michael Og Rowntree)
5. Oskar Deevy Persson
6. Deagian Ó Maonaigh (Deagian Mooney)
7. Criostóir Ó Gallchobhair (Christopher Gallagher)
8. Stephen Mag Uidhrin (Stephen McGivern)
9. Cormac Mag Uidhir (Cormac Maguire)
10. Caoimhin Ó Rálne (Caoimhin Rainey)
11. Colm McKee
12. Stiofán Mac Tomáis (Stephen Thompson)
13. Pádraig Ó Fhinin (Padraig Keenan)
14. Sean Ó Ceallaigh
15. Seán Mac Gabhann (Sean Og Smyth)

Con Magees Glenravel (Conn Mag Aoidh)

1. Rónán Ó Donnghaile (Ronan Donnelly)
2. Stiofán Mac Aiclin (Stephen Atcheson)
3. James Duffin
4. Oisín MacEoghan (Oisin McKeown)
5. Harry Fyfe
6. Rian Lennon
7. Caolán Lennon
8. Fergus Donaghy
9. Céagán McAuley
10. Luke Loughlin
11. Ciarán Ó Laibheartaigh (Ciaran Laverty)
12. Darach Mac Donnchaidh (Darragh Donaghy)
13. Conchubhar Ó Laibheartaigh (Conor Laverty)
14. Connlaodh Oluain (Conleth O’Loan)
15. Joseph McKay

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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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ACHL Division 2

Tir na nOg 1-15 Cloney Gaels 1-13

Tir na nOg rode the gale-force storm that blew into their face in the second half to secure an opening day win in division 2 of the ACHL when they withstood the challenge of Cloney Gaels in the proverbial game of two halves.

Despite playing into the elements in the opening half it was the Ahoghill side who opened first through a Colla McDonnell free in the 4^th minute but the home side slowly settled and Emmet Murray and Kevin McCann edged them ahead for the first time with 6 minutes on the clock.

Cloney Gaels were back on terms when Fionnbar O’Neill struck a free from distance and as the Randalstown side began to adjust to the difficult breeze, Tiarnan Bonnes edged them ahead again from a 65 meter free.

Colla McDonnell, who top scored for Cloney Gaels misjudges the flight of the sliothar as Manus Smith Challenges

Colla McDonnell tied the contest for the third time from a 16^th minute free and given the strength of the wind, the Ahoghill management would have been happy how things were developing.

Slowly though the Whitehill side began to stamp their authority on proceedings as Kevin McCann edged them ahead and Connor McCamphill struck two excellent points from distance as they began to find their range.

The momentum was now very much with Tir na nOg as Sean McKinley, Tiarnan Bonnes and Joshua Higgins moved them seven ahead before Fionnbar O’Neill finally got Ahoghill’s final point of the half from a ‘65’ in the 29^th minute.

There would be one final play and Declan Mallon split the posts to leave Tir na nOg 0-11 to 0-4 ahead at the break but given the strength of the breeze, the Cloney side certainly didn’t look out of it.

With the wind now firmly at their backs Cloney Gaels were expected to push on but it was the home side who extended their lead when Colm Duffin pointed in the 3d minute.

The Gaels came back strongly however with points from Diarmaid Graham 0-2, and Colla McDonnell 0-2 f’s and another from play but Tiarnan Bonnes and Daniel Martin kept the score board ticking at the other end before Colla McDonnell finished to the net after 13 minutes for the Ahoghill side.

McDonnell’s goal left just two between the sides and it still looked anybody’s game at this stage of the contest though Cloney’s insistence on going for long distance scores was failing to pay dividends.

They were made to pay when after a period of dominance from the visitors, Tir na nOg struck decisively and Emmet Murray started and finished a move which saw him bat to the net from close range.

Ryan O’Neill on the attack for Tir na nOg

Murray’s goal would prove the difference in the end though Cloney Gaels replied with points from Colla McDonnell, Fionnbar O’Neill 0-2 and Patrick Graham, it was Colm Duffin who sent over the final point of the game to see the Whitehill side home by two points.

Emmet Murray, Colm Duffin, Tiarnan Bonnes and Ryan O’Neill were excellent for a solid Tir na nOg while Colla McDonnell was the outstanding performer for a Cloney Gaels side who missed too many scoring chances.

Tir na nOg: 1 Caoimhin Duffin, 2 Brandon McLarnon, 3 Oliver McAtamney, 4 Manus Smith, 5 Ryan O’Neill, 6 Ciaran O’Neill, 7 Daniel Martin, 8 Connor McCamphill, 9 Emmet Murray, 10 Kevin McCann, 11 Sean McKinley, 12 Joshua Higgins, 13 Tiarnan Bonnes, 14 Declan Mallon, 15 Colm Duffin

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Bernard Graham, 8 Eamonn Brady, 9 10 Patrick Graham, 11 Jack McFall, 12 Patrick Graham, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Eoin Graham, 15 Noah Friel, 17 Ben Friel, 18 Conall Walls, 19 Daniel O’Neill, 20 Donal Graham

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

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