30 May 2011
Holders Ballycastle will play Sarsfields while Cushendall will face Loughgiel in next week’s semi-finals of the Under 21 Hurling Championship after wins for the four sides in Monday evening’s games.
Despite making a great start, which saw them pull 2-2 to 0-0 clear after ten minutes, Ballycastle were made to work for their 3-10 to 0-11 win over Gortnamona at Pairc MacUilin. Early goals from corner-forward Conor McCurdy put Ballycastle in control but when Gortnamona eventually got going they began to make a fight of it. They were eight behind at half-time but came out determined after half-time and thanks to some fine point taking by Dessie McLean they closed to within four with twenty minutes left for play.
Ballycastle eventually found their rhythm again however and an opportunist goal from corner-forward John McLister sealed the win and booked a win against Sarsfields who beat St Gall’s by 1-12 to 1-8
Up in Loughgiel conditions were very different as torrential rain made the playing surface treacherous but the Shamrocks were undeterred and first-half goals from Aiden Campbell, Seamus Dobbin and Tony McCloskey all but sealed the win. St John’s did have plenty of possession in the second-half but shot some bad wides and Loughgiel went through on a 3-8 to 0-7 scoreline
The Shamrocks will face Cushendall in next week’s semi-final after the Ruairis scored a comprehensive 3-13 to 0-3 win over St Paul’s in Cushendall. Loughiel and Cushendall met in the corresponding minor final three years ago with the Shamrocks grabbing victory after a replay so next week’s clash should be one worth seeing.
Sarsfields 1-12 1-8 St Galls
Cushendall 3-13 0-3 St Pauls
Ballycastle 3-10 0-11 Gort Na Mona
Loughgiel 3-8 0-7 St Johns