Shield final win for Dunloy U16s

The game was abandoned after a Ballycastle player had to leave the fieled after her mother was taken to hospital. The decision was then taken to abandon the game at half time, but award the trophy to Dunloy.

This was a game dominated by Dunloy who flew out of the traps with an early point from Seaan Elliott from a 65, and when he cut inside and hit his first goal of the game in the 2nd minute Dunloy were well on top.

Dunloy were working well and in the 4th minute Declan Smyth passed outside to Anton McGrath who raced through before picking off a great point from play.

Ballycastle were defending with every part of their body and in the seventh minute they were again caught out at the back, and conceded a free which was sent over the bar by Seaan Elliott.

Dunloy now aided by the slight breeze began to take a stranglehold on the game with their defence standing tall with Cathair Henderson, Ryan McGarry and Eoin McMullan working well.

Ballycastle’s attacks were few and far between and all to often they were crowded out or hooked as they attempted to play the ball. In the 12th minute Ronan Molloy finished off a fine three man move with a point from a very acute angle and Dunloy were ahead 1-6 to 1-0.

Ballycastle worked hard and pushed forward with Ryan Hill winning his side a 45yd free which was tapped over the bar by Conor Boyd but again Dunloy cut a path through their defence and won a penalty. With a minute of injury time played Ryan Hill made a brilliant run forward and picked off the point to leave the half time score Dunloy 3-7 Ballycastle 1-3.

With the game thus abandoned the trophy was awarded to Dunloy and best wishes to the players mother who hopefully will make a full recovery.

Dunloy: Seaan Elliott 3-5 Ronan Molloy 0-1, Anton McGrath 0-1; Ballycastle: Seamus McAuley 1-0, Conor Boyd 0-2, Ryan Hill 0-1