ANOTHER exhilarating weekend in Antrim saw all four tiers of hurling play out with semi-finals taking place across the Intermediate and Senior Championships leaving it all to play for across the two tiers.
The weekend saw Saturday kick off with the first Senior clash as Dunloy met with the former Intermediate high-flyers Glenariffe in a huge test, before Sunday saw the huge clash between Loughgiel and Cushendall with the sides looking inseparable.
And in the Intermediate, two superb clashes were in store with Creggan set to face Cushendun in the early Saturday clash, before Glenarm took on Carey Faugh's under the lights in Dunsilly.
Senior Hurling Championship - Semi-Finals
Dunloy 5-21 Glenariffe Oisín’s 0-6
Dunloy produced a ruthless display of attacking hurling to sweep aside Glenariffe Oisín’s, running out convincing winners after laying the foundations for victory with a devastating first-half performance.
Keelan Molloy struck for the opening goal inside two minutes, immediately putting Dunloy on the front foot and setting the tone for an afternoon of complete dominance.
Glenariffe struggled to contain the pace and movement of the Cuchullains, who punished every defensive lapse and kept the scoreboard ticking over with a relentless stream of points.
The gap between the sides was already stark by half-time, with Dunloy leading 2-12 to a single point in response.
Glenariffe found scores difficult to come by against a Dunloy defence that remained disciplined, while Ryan Elliot also produced an excellent reflex save to deny Colla Ward and prevent the visitors from gaining any encouragement.
Ciarán Elliot added Dunloy’s second goal in the 12th minute, further stretching the advantage as the Antrim champions took complete control of proceedings. Glenariffe had little answer to the hosts’ intensity, with the gulf in quality and sharpness becoming increasingly evident as the half progressed.
The second half brought no respite for Glenariffe. Nigel Elliot struck Dunloy’s third goal almost immediately after the restart, and substitute Chrissy McMahon added a fourth in the 35th minute to underline the gulf between the sides.
Conal Cunning continued to dictate matters from placed balls, while Molloy and Seaan Elliott contributed further scores as Dunloy maintained their grip. Glenariffe managed points through Michael O’Boyle and Alex O’Boyle, but they were unable to make any meaningful inroads into the deficit.
Nigel Elliott completed the five-goal haul in the 52nd minute, collecting a pass from his brother Seaan before blasting to the net.
Oliver and Daniel Kearney added late points for the Oisín’s, but Dunloy finished strongly to seal a comprehensive 5-21 to 0-6 victory.
The result sends Dunloy into the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final, where they will face Cushendall, after a performance that showcased their firepower, experience and championship pedigree.
Glenariffe battled throughout, but the Cuchullains were simply too strong, turning a semi-final into a one-sided affair and making a powerful statement ahead of the decider in two weeks' time.
Ruairí Óg Cushendall 2-16 Loughiel Shamrocks 0-20
Cushendall booked their place in the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final after holding off a determined Loughgiel Shamrocks challenge to claim a dramatic two-point victory in Ballycastle.
The Shamrocks pushed Cushendall all the way in a fiercely contested encounter, but the Ruairí's had the cutting edge when it mattered, with two goals proving decisive in a contest where scores were hard-earned and neither side was prepared to give an inch.
Loughgiel showed their intent from the outset, matching their opponents in an intense battle that saw both teams trade scores.
The Shamrocks’ ability to keep the scoreboard moving ensured Cushendall could never settle into a comfortable rhythm, with the sides locked in a battle that remained finely balanced throughout.
However, Cushendall’s greater efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved the difference.
While Loughgiel registered 20 points, they were unable to find the net, leaving them needing a near-perfect finish to overturn the deficit.
Cushendall’s decisive moment arrived in the 12th minute when Joseph McLaughlin reacted quickest after his initial effort was blocked, firing home to swing the momentum firmly in the Ruairí Óg's favour.
McLaughlin was outstanding throughout, finishing with a remarkable 1-8, while Neil McManus contributed five points.
Loughgiel refused to buckle, with Rian McMullan producing an excellent second-half display to finish with five points.
However, just as the Shamrocks appeared to have dragged themselves back into contention, substitute Fiontán Bradley struck the crucial second goal after Callagh Mooney supplied the pass, restoring Cushendall’s advantage.
The Shamrocks continued to press until the final whistle, but Cushendall’s defensive organisation stood firm. Conor McAlister produced important saves, while Scott Walsh worked tirelessly to limit the influence of James McNaughton.
Despite Loughgiel’s late efforts, Cushendall held on to seal a hard-earned two-point victory and set up a familiar showdown with Dunloy in the championship final.
Glenarm and Carey battled under the lights at Dunsilly
Cushendun 0-21 Creggan Kickhams 2-14
Cushendun produced a stirring second-half recovery to snatch a dramatic one-point victory over Creggan at Glenravel on Saturday, overturning an eight-point half-time deficit to book their place in the Intermediate Hurling Championship final.
Creggan looked firmly in control during the opening period, with Morgan Nelson and Kevin Rice causing serious problems for the Cushendun defence.
Rice struck the opening goal in the 13th minute before Nelson followed with another major three minutes later, leaving the Kickham’s men in a commanding position at the midway point of the half.
Conor McCann was outstanding at centre-back, dictating play and contributing six points from frees, while Rice and Nelson continued to threaten. Cushendun managed just eight first-half points, leaving them with a mountain to climb at the break.
But the Emmet’s refused to fold and a huge performance from Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill helped the coast men to take control, producing a magnificent display of free-taking and accuracy from distance as Cushendun steadily chipped away at the deficit.
Creggan’s scoring dried up after the restart, and the momentum swung decisively towards the north Antrim side.
McNeill landed a superb sideline cut and added a spectacular point from play, while Shane McQuillan, Jack McKay and Thomas Scally all contributed as Cushendun hauled themselves level.
With the pressure mounting, McNeill edged the Emmet’s in front before Sean Duffin briefly restored parity for Creggan. However, McNeill and Scally landed crucial late scores to put Cushendun two ahead.
Creggan had opportunities to force extra-time, but their late efforts from placed balls went astray. Cushendun held firm under pressure to secure a remarkable victory, with McNeill finishing on 14 points in a performance that carried his side into the final against Carey Faughs.
Carey Faughs 0-17 Glenarm 1-13
Carey Faughs held their nerve through a tense finish to defeat Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s and secure their place in the Intermediate Hurling Championship final against neighbours Cushendun.
Carey made the brighter start at Dunsilly, with Patrick Gillan and James ‘Rocket’ Black finding their range as the Faughs raced into an early lead. Gillan’s accuracy from placed balls proved a major asset, while Shea Hunter added important scores from distance to keep the pressure on Glenarm.
The north Antrim men refused to let Carey run away with the contest, however.
Niall McGarel and Michael Furey helped keep Glenarm within touching distance, while Sean O’Boyle also contributed as the sides traded scores in a fiercely competitive encounter.
Carey looked to have gained control during the closing stages, with Gillan continuing to punish Glenarm from frees. Caolan McCaughan and Fiachra McVeigh added valuable points from play, helping the Faughs establish what appeared to be a decisive cushion.
Glenarm, though, were not finished. McGarel continued to lead their scoring effort, and the Shane O’Neill’s men kept battling in search of a route back into the game.
Carey appeared to have done enough when Gillan converted another free to maintain their advantage, but the drama was far from over. Glenarm threw everything forward in the closing moments and were rewarded when substitute Paddy McAuley found the net with virtually the last puck of the game.
The late goal reduced the deficit to a single point, but Carey had done enough to survive the final assault and seal a victory by the minimum.
The Faugh's can now look forward to an all-north Antrim final against Cushendun, with the prospect of silverware providing the reward for two hard-fought championship performances.
