In association with Madden's Bar
THE second fixture round in the 2026 Bathshack Antrim GAA Senior Hurling Championship took place last weekend with some big results and wins and losses which could prove defining for clubs involved in the top-tier.
The action took place across all neutral venues, with the current holders St John's hoping to reignite their defence of the title on Saturday afternoon in Ballymena, with Rossa entertaining last season's finalists Loughgiel in a huge clash on Saturday evening.
Sunday saw the culmination of the round with Dunloy facing Naomh Éanna with the Hightown side hoping to cause an upset, before the fixtures were rounded off with a derby clash in North Antrim when Glenariff hoped to stamp their authority back at the big time when they faced their rivals Cushendall.
Group One
Ballycastle 1-18 St John’s 1-22
At Slemish Park
St John’s secured their place in the knockout stages of the Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship with a hard-fought four-point victory over Ballycastle at Slemish Park, Ballymena.
Ballycastle made the brighter start, with Cadhan Crawford and Ronan Laverty helping them build a three-point lead. St John’s gradually found their rhythm, with Oisin Mac Manus, Aaron Bradley, Conal Morgan, Michael Bradley and Conall Bohill all contributing as they moved two points ahead at half-time.
The second half began at a frantic pace, with both sides trading scores before Eoin McAlonan’s long-range delivery deceived St John’s goalkeeper Domhnall Nugent and found the net, bringing Ballycastle level.
The decisive moment came in the 40th minute when Aaron Bradley burst through the Ballycastle defence to score St John’s goal. Nugent then added a superb long-range free, while substitute Ronan Donnelly chipped in with important late scores.
Ballycastle continued to battle and had chances to close the gap, but five consecutive wides damaged their comeback hopes. Nugent also produced a crucial late save from Conor Donnelly to preserve St John’s advantage.
The result sends St John’s into the knockouts, while Ballycastle must now beat Rossa in their final group game to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Rossa 0-15 Loughgiel Shamrocks 2-21
At Randalstown
Loughgiel kept their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship alive with a convincing 12-point victory over Rossa at Randalstown.
The Shamrocks controlled the opening half with Shan McGrath, Rosie Fitzgerald, Rian McMullan and Roan McGarry all contributing as they built a 0-13 to 0-6 half-time lead. Rossa struggled to match Loughgiel’s scoring power, although Tiarnan Murphy, Dáire Murphy and Luca McCusker kept the Shaws Road side on the scoreboard.
Rossa produced a determined second-half comeback. Points from McCusker, Liam McEnhill and Dáire Murphy reduced the deficit to just two points with eight minutes remaining, leaving Loughgiel under serious pressure.
However, the Shamrocks responded decisively. Roan McGarry struck a crucial goal in the 52nd minute, before adding two frees to restore Loughgiel’s control. McGrath continued to contribute, while Paul Boyle sealed the victory with a second goal in added time.
Rossa’s evening ended on a sour note when Gerard Walsh was sent off late on.
Loughgiel now face champions St John’s in their final group game, while Rossa need at least a draw against Ballycastle to secure a quarter-final place.
The Johnnies are off the mark to retain their title with a win
Group Two
Naomh Éanna 0-12 Dunloy 3-28
At Ahoghill
Dunloy made a blistering start to their comprehensive victory over Naomh Éanna, with Nigel Elliott finding the net after just 30 seconds.
Coby Cunning added two early frees before Eoin O’Neill struck a second goal inside six minutes.
Dunloy continued to dominate, with Cunning, Chrissy McMahon and Keelan Molloy adding points before Molloy found the net to put the Cuchullains 3-9 ahead after 20 minutes.
Naomh Éanna battled bravely, with Ruairi Donaghy and Cormac Jennings providing their main scoring threat, but Dunloy’s pace, movement and accuracy proved too much. The Hightown side trailed heavily at the interval and faced an even greater deficit after the restart.
Dunloy continued to rack up scores through Cunning, O’Neill, Molloy, Barry Scott and substitutes Paul Shiels and Luke McFerran. Naomh Éanna never stopped fighting, but the result was never in doubt.
Dunloy now face Cushendall in their final group game, while Naomh Éanna need victory over Glenariff to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
Glenariff Oisin's 0-11 Cushendall 2-16
At Pairc Mac Úilín
Cushendall secured a convincing victory over Glenariffe in their Antrim Senior Hurling Championship round-robin clash at Páirc Mac Uílín.
The opening half was closely contested, with Glenariffe matching Cushendall for long periods. Thomas McLaughlin led the Cushendall scoring, while Daniel Kearney, Colla Ward and Alex O’Boyle kept Glenariffe within touching distance. Neil McManus’ late free gave Cushendall a 0-9 to 0-7 half-time lead.
The game changed dramatically after the restart. Ed McQuillan and McLaughlin struck quickfire goals inside the opening three minutes, giving Cushendall a decisive advantage. Glenariffe responded through O’Boyle and substitute Oisín Gillan, but Cushendall soon regained control.
Fergus McCambridge, Seány McIntosh, McLaughlin and Conor McCann added further scores as the Ruairis pulled clear. McLaughlin capped an excellent individual display with another point late on, while O’Boyle converted a final free for Glenariffe.
Despite defeat, Glenariffe remain in contention for a quarter-final place and will need victory over St Enda’s in their final group game to keep their championship campaign alive.
