Loughgiel hurlers, Dalriada rugby team and Ballymoney Utd footballers suffer cup exits

DISAPPOINTMENT came in triplicate at the weekend as local hopes evaporated in three cup competitions.
Devastation for Loughgiel at the final whistle as goal scorer Benny McCarry slumps to the ground.
 Picture: John McIlwaine - ©INPHO/PresseyeDevastation for Loughgiel at the final whistle as goal scorer Benny McCarry slumps to the ground.
 Picture: John McIlwaine - ©INPHO/Presseye
Devastation for Loughgiel at the final whistle as goal scorer Benny McCarry slumps to the ground. Picture: John McIlwaine - ©INPHO/Presseye

Loughgiel hurlers suffered a narrow defeat in the semi-final of the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship; Dalriada lost out at home to RBAI in the big Schools’ Cup tie and Ballymoney United went down 4-0 in Belfast against Crusaders in football’s Irish Cup.

In Newry Loughgiel Shamrocks lost by a point to Carlow’s Mount Leinster Rangers so there will be no repeat this year of the famous All-Ireland success Loughgiel secured not so long ago.

And Dalriada gave their all in the Schools’ Cup in Ballymoney on Saturday morning but although they scored late on could not overhaul the visitors RBAI who reached the final of the competition last season.

Dalriada can now concentrate on the subsidiary competition where they will be hoping to advance.

And Ballymoney United became the latest side to be floored by the towering Jordan Owens of Crusaders.

Many teams in the Irish League struggle to cope with the big man in the air and after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat - including a hat-trick for Owens - Ballymoney boss John Fall admitted Owens destroyed his side.

However Ballymoney still have cup interest this weekend when they travel to Queen’s University in the Intermediate Cup.

Queen’s will be no pushovers as they are going well this season having reached the last eight of the Irish Cup and in the Intermediate Cup they defeated Glentoran Seconds.

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