06 June 2011
Sarsfields caused the shock of the night when they beat reigning champions Ballycastle in Monday evening’s semi-final of the Antrim Under 21 Hurling Championship at Hightown.
With the McKernan brothers Daniel and Kevin in fine form the Belfast side had the better of a tight opening half and led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, despite having left-half back Ryan O’Neill sent off (two yellow card) midway through the half.
Ballycastle edged in front after the break but a point from midfielder Kevin McKernan brought them level, before brother Daniel, playing at corner-forward, hit the vital goal twelve minutes from time to seal a 1-10 to 0-9 win.
SARSFIELDS – Ryan Willoby, Peter Corr, Conor Willoby, Conor Laverty, Miachael Callahan, Niall McAlea, Ryan O’Neill, Kevin McKernan, Eamon Quinn, Niall McKenna, Caolin Mervyn, Michael Bradely, Daniel McKernan, Daragh McGuinness, Gary Lennon.
Loughgiel, the minor champions of three years ago, were emphatic 1-16 to 1-04 winners in their semi-final against a disappointing Cushendall side in Armoy. Cushendall competed well early on and were only 0-4 to 0-2 in arrears at the end of the opening quarter but Loughgiel’s superior team work saw them slowly but surely get on top and they went on to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.
The second half saw the Shamrocks take complete control and with Seamus Dobbin dominating at centre-back, Liam McKillop lording midfield and Turlough McCarry ruling the roost on the ‘40’ they piled on the scores, despite the best efforts of Cushendall's Eoin Laverty and Mark Donaghy. Loughgiel's goal come from substitute Aiden McKinley in the fifty-second minute.
LOUGHGIEL – Chris Quinn, Tiernan Coyle, Ronan Gillan, Ronan McCloskey, Daniel McPeake, Seamus Dobbin, Conor Gillan, Conal McMahon, Liam McKillop, Dan McCloskey, Turlough McCarry, Donal McKinley, Kevin Lee Traynor, Tony McCloksey, Aiden Campbell.
