Molloy leaves it late to rescue Dunloy
DUNLOY Cuchullains got their defence of the Antrim senior hurling Championship under way in the group games yesterday, and by the end of their first game – at home to Mcquillan’s, Ballycastle, they were relieved to come away with a share of the spoils.
There were six minutes of injury time added on during a baking hot day and while the champions just clung on to a 0-17 each scoreline, they will be concerned at how Ballycastle did enjoy serious success against them.
It took a late, late point from Keelan Molloy to rescue them from defeat.
In the other big game in Antrim, 2018 champions Cushendall were taken down by Loughgiel away from home on a final scoreline of 2-13 to 2-10.
The Ruairí Ógs had a chance to rescue a draw at the very end when they were awarded a penalty.
Goalkeeper Conor Mcalister had already nailed a goal from a close-in free halfway through the second half but this time he didn’t quite get the meat of the hurley behind it and the chance was lost.
There was a real rip-roaring Belfast derby with St John’s just about edging O’donovan Rossa 1-16 to 0-20, while St Enda’s could not follow up their impressive win over St John’s, this time falling to St Gall’s on a 2-17 to 0-12 score.
In Armagh, the round of 16 was played and old favourites Crossmaglen made light of their early season blip against Ballymacnab
when they got past a fancied Silverbridge at The Athletic Grounds, 3-10 to 1-8.
They will now face Mullaghbawn in the quarter-final.
The other pairings for the quarter-finals, due to take place over next weekend are Clann Eireann against Maghery, Madden will play Pearse Ógs, and Armagh Harps to square off against Killeavy.
A repeat of last year’s county final was hosted in the Derry Championship, but this time the result was very different as Glen triumphed 0-11 to Magherafelt’s 1-5.
Slaughtneil are on the move again and they went top of their group, following a stonking win over Kilrea last week, with another handsome margin of victory over Coleraine, 2-12 to 1-5. Shane Mcguigan tucked away a neat penalty and the second goal arrived when the ball fell kindly to Sé Mcguigan.
Swatragh opened their account last week with a decent win at home to Dungiven, but had a slight slip up when they could only secure a draw with Claudy.
Lavey got past Kilrea 3-9 to 0-14, Bellaghy were better than Foreglen to the tune of 2-16 to 0-13, Ballinascreen piled on the pressure for Dungiven with a 4-15 to 2-12 score, Glenullin conquered Limavady 1-19 to 1-15 and Loup squeezed past Newbridge 2-8 to 1-10.
In the late game, Ballinderry managed to overcome Banagher 4-10 to 1-9.