Antrim SHC - Round Three
Rossa 2-17
Ballycastle 1-21
At Shaws Road
WHEN Liam McEnhill managed to turn the ball into the net in the final minute it looked like destiny for Rossa to turn the game on its head and earn themselves the draw to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship.
Moments later Daire Murphy had the chance to level, but the Rossa forward could not turn the ball between the posts and the travelling support erupted, confirming the Town's place in the next round after surviving a dramatic late fightback.
Ballycastle looked to have done enough when they established a five-point advantage heading into the final stages, but Rossa refused to surrender and a late goal set up a grandstand finish on the Shaws Road.
Ballycastle try clear their lines but the goal for Rossa was given
Ballycastle made the perfect start, with Cathair Donnelly and Niall McClean finding the target inside the opening minute before Cadhan Crawford added two quick scores to give the visitors early control.
Rossa responded through Aodhan O’Brien, who registered their first score before producing an even bigger moment minutes later when he found the net to bring the hosts right back into contention.
The home side continued to chip away at the deficit with Conor Boyd converting a free, but Ballycastle were making good use of the strong wind at their backs. Donnelly added another fine point before Niall McKenna extended the Town’s advantage.
Daire Murphy began to exert his influence for Rossa, converting a number of frees as the hosts tried to stay within touching distance. Crawford remained equally accurate for Ballycastle, including a superb score from a 65, while McAlonan also got on to the scoresheet.
With the wind playing a major role, every score was proving crucial. Thomas Rogan and Seamus McAuley contributed for Rossa, but Ballycastle continued to find answers as the first half progressed.
By half-time the visitors had established a five-point lead, with the scoreboard reading Rossa 1-7 Ballycastle 0-15.
Rossa had the advantage of the wind to come after the interval and the home supporters would have believed a comeback was possible.
Stephen Beatty opened the second-half scoring for Rossa with a quick point before Niall McClean responded for Ballycastle. Crawford then added another free, while Murphy continued his excellent evening from placed balls.
A lengthy delay preceded Daire Murphy’s 65th-minute effort, but the Rossa man made no mistake to keep the pressure on the visitors.
Ballycastle appeared to have weathered the storm when Jack McGowan, introduced from the bench, found the net to give the Town a significant boost. The substitute’s goal looked set to be the decisive moment as Ballycastle moved further ahead.
Liam McEnhill produced a terrific score off the puck-out to cut the gap to four, before Ronan McCarry responded for Ballycastle. Eoin Trainor then landed a big point for the hosts, ensuring the contest remained alive.
Murphy added another free before McEnhill struck again, reducing the deficit further. Crawford replied to make it a five-point game once more, but the closing stages belonged to Rossa.
Murphy continued to punish Ballycastle from placed balls, while Crawford kept the scoreboard moving at the other end. With just minutes remaining the tension around the ground was palpable.
EMOTIONAL: Cadhan Crawford points to the heavens after scoring just hours after his grandfather's passing
Then came the drama.
A late Rossa attack resulted in a scramble inside the Ballycastle defence and, amid a frantic goalmouth exchange, the sliotar was eventually forced over the line after Liam McEnhill connected with the ball and suddenly what had looked like a comfortable Ballycastle victory became a nervous finish.
Rossa threw everything forward in the closing seconds, while Ballycastle desperately tried to hold their lead. Ronan McCarry converted a short free with just a minute remaining, but the Town still had to survive one final assault.
The final whistle eventually sounded in the 64th minute, confirming Ballycastle as winners and sending them through after one of the most dramatic endings of the Championship.
For Rossa, there was heartbreak after their magnificent second-half effort, but Ballycastle deserve enormous credit for holding their nerve when the pressure was at its highest.
It was a game packed with momentum swings, goals, frees and late drama and one that Ballycastle will remember fondly as they march on in the Championship with either Dunloy or Cushendall awaiting in the quarter-finals.
Mac UíLín CLG - Eamon Elliott; Oran Kearney, Conal Colgan, Cathair Donnelly; Darragh Donnelly, Conor Boyd, Eoin McAlonan; Ronan Laverty, Ronan McCarry; Neal McAuley, Seamus McAuley, Darragh Kelly; Conor Donnelly, Niall McKenna, Diarmaid McShane
O’Donovan Rossa - Donal Armstrong; Niall Crossan, Ciarán Orchin, Corey Walsh; Declan McCartney, Christopher McGuinness, Diarmaid Rogan; Dominic McEnhill, Eoin Trainor,; Liam McEnhill Dáire Murphy, Luca McCusker; Aodhan O'Brien, Stephen Beatty, Thomas Morgan
Rossa scorers: Daire Murphy 0-8 (0-7F), Liam McEnhill 1-2, Aodhan O’Brien, 1-1, Deaglan Murphy 0-2, Thomas Rogan 0-1, Stephen Beatty 0-1, Eoin Trainor 0-1, Dominic McEnhill
Ballycastle scorers: Cadhan Crawford 0-9 (0-5F), Jack McGowan 1-0, Cathair Donnelly 0-3, Niall McClean 0-2, Conor Boyd 0-2 (0-2F) Ronan McCarry 0-2, Eoin McAlonan 0-1, Niall McKenna 0-1, Seamus McAuley 0-1
