Antrim SHC: Seaan Elliott stars as Dunloy power past St John’s to book semi-final date

Sean Elliott scored 2-6 in the first half before being taken off with Dunloy also in action in the football quarter-finals next weekend

Bathshack Antrim SHC Group Two: St John’s 3-19 Dunloy 5-23

Dunloy sealed their place in the last four of the Antrim SHC after seeing off St John’s in a high-scoring shootout in Corrigan Park.

However, the north Antrim men were the better team by some distance, despite the hosts getting in for a few soft goals in the second half.

Antrim star Seaan Elliott was pretty much unremarkable for the first half, scoring 2-6, including 2-2 from play, but he was replaced at half-time with Dunloy 10 points ahead.

The Cuchullain’s face St Brigid’s in the Antrim SFC quarter-final next weekend and will now also have a four-week break in the hurling.

Elliott was among the early point scorers for Dunloy while Seah Shannon and Aaron Bradley were on target for St John’s.

Dunloy hit the first of their five goal after seven minutes with Kevin Molloy and Elliott linking up to set up Eoin O’Neill for a well-worked goal.

A ha-trick of frees from Elliott and another from play from O’Neill gave Dunloy the upper hand after the first quarter and the signs were ominous for the Johnnies when Elliott struck for their second goal after 18 minutes.

St John’s were wasteful at the other end, registering eight wides in the first half, including a goal chance from Donal Carson midway through the half.

The rallied briefly towards the end of the half with a brace of points from Oisin Mac Manus and another from Bradley.

However, Elliott third goal illustrated the gulf between the teams. Taking a pass from Kevin Molloy, Elliott was already past Ryan McNulty within a split second of winning possession. He then burned Conal Bohill before firing past Domhnall Nugent.

With 10 points between the teams at the break, 3-10 to 0-9, Shane Elliott and Liam Richmond, introduced Chrissy McMahon and Eamon Smyth for the second half for Elliott and Nicky McKeague.

Yet, St John’s continued create chances with Sean Wilson firing wide when his side needed a better finish.

They clicked into gear midway through the second half with Conor Johnston hitting three classy points, although they conceded another goal before finding the net themselves.

Luke McKerran hit 1-1 inside 90 seconds before Enda McGurk plundered a goal in reply for St John’s.

They hinted at a revival moments later when substitute Peter McCallin got in behind the Dunloy rearguard and shot past Ryan Elliott.

Each time they hit a few scores, Dunloy were able to break and extend their lead once more.

Points from Aodhan McGarry, McMahon and the industrious Kevin Molloy kept the scoreboard ticking over for Dunloy before O’Neill got in for his second goal in the final five minutes to put the game beyond any doubt.

Daragh McGuinness raised a green flag in the closing minutes and Johnston’s fifth point from play in stoppage-time left 10 points between the sides at the full-time whistle, just as it had been at the short whistle.

St John’s will play the third-placed team in Group and could face west Belfast rivals Rossa in the last eight should the Shaws Road side defeat Carey on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Ballycastle kept their Championship alive with a five-point win over St Enda’s and will face the runners-up in Group One, either Cushendall or Loughgiel, in the quarter-finals.

Dunloy scorers: Sean Elliott 2-6 (0-2fs), Eoin O’Neill 2-1, Luke McFerran 1-1, Kevin Molloy 0-2, Keelan Molloy 0-2, Nigel Elliott 0-2, Tom McFerran 0-2, Aodhan McGarry 0-2 (0-1f), Chrissy McMahon 0-2, Nicky McKeague 0-1, Deaglan Smith 0-1, Reece Cunning 0-1.

St John’s: Shea Shannon 0-5 (0-4fs, Conor Johnston 0-5, Aaron Bradley 0-3, Oisin Mac Manus 0-3 (0-1f), Enda McGurk 1-0, Peter McCallin 1-0, Daragh McGuinness 1-0, Michial Dudley 0-2, Oisin Donnelly 0-1.