15/08/05 Antrim Minor Hurling Championship Preliminary Round

Corrigan Park

St. Johns: 2:10(16) Ballycastle 3:07(16)

St. Johns failed to capitalize on home advantage in this close and exciting first round encounter in Corrigan Park in a game either team could have won. Ryan Donnelly opened the Glensmen account on three minutes and this was followed by a further three points to give the ‘Castle a four point cushion on 12 minutes. St. Johns then replied with a consistent string of 6 points to go in at the interval 0:06 to 0:04 in front and looking well capable of taking the game with the 2nd half wind advantage.

But with Conor Donnelly goaling early in the second period for Ballycastle the game stepped up a gear and continuous exchanges of scores from both sides kept everyone on their toes with St.Johns Conal Maskey managing a point in the final minute to give both teams a deserved draw. Ballycastle produced a solid workman like team performance in all sectors. St. Johns had excellent performances from Simon McCrory and full forward Paul Gribbin who was superb. Aodh Hamilton, Anthony Moore, Conal Maskey and Barry McFall all performed well in the Johnnies defence. Eoghan Caldwell and Gerard McCann had a good hour at centrefield with Kevin McGuinness,Aodhan Mulholland and Paul Gribbin starring in a subdued Johnnies forward line.

St.Johns: 1.Brian Holmes 2.Aodh Hamilton 3.Ciaran McCurdy 4.Anthony Moore 5.Simon McCrory 6.Conal Maskey 7.Barry McFall 8.Eoghan Caldwell 9.Gerard McCann 10.Tony Ferran 11.Kevin McGuinness 12.Fionntain McKillop 13.Conor McSteen 14.Paul Gribbin 15.Aodhan Mulholland.

St.Johns Scorers: Paul Gribbin 2:02, Tony Ferran 0:02, Conal Maskey 0:02(1f), Eoghan Caldwell 0:01, Gerard McCann 0:01,Barry McFall 0:01(1f), Simon McCrory 0:01.

St.Johns Wides: 7

Ballycastle: 1.Fergal McIlroy 2.Gary Gallagher 3.Michael Dallat 4.Brian McAuley 5.Conor McAuley 6.Cormac Donnelly 7.Gareth Hynman 8.Ryan Donnelly 9.Michael Scally 10.Peter Dallat 11.Karl Fenton 12.Kevin Barry McShane 13.Conor Donnelly 14.Gerard Elliott 15.Gerard Laverty

Ballycastle Scorers: Conor Donnelly 2:00, Ryan Donnelly 0:04, Gerard Elliott 1:00, Peter Dallat 0:02, Cormac Donnelly 0:02(1f).

Ballycastle Wides: 9

Referee: Jim Kane Naomh Eanna.