By Michael McMullan

LOUGHGIEL needed a penalty save from Chrissy O’Connell to see off rivals Dunloy in a thrilling 3-18 to 2-18 home win on Sunday in the Antrim Senior League.

It was enough to put the Shamrocks into third place, behind St John’s and Cushendall, with a game in hand.

There was a return for Paul Boyle who hit 0-5 from play and it won’t have gone unnoticed by Antrim boss Darren Gleeson.

The Shamrocks led at half-time, 2-13 to 2-8, with impact sub Eoin McGarry hitting the net for the crucial third goal before O’Connell’s late dramatics won the game.

It’s St John’s who lead the way after four rounds and they raced out of the blocks for a 1-23 to 0-12 win at home to Ballycastle on Sunday.

Aaron Bradley, Shea Shannon, Michael Dudley and Conor Johnston were to the fore and the visitors needed a save from Ryan McGarry to keep them in contention.

Ballycastle had a second-half goal ruled out and scored an own goal at the other end to seal their fate.

Ulster champions Cushendall were four-point winners over Naomh Éanna at the weekend, their third win after losing out to Rossa in week one.

The ‘Dall take on St John’s on Friday night (7.30pm) with the chance to jump into second place.

In Division Two, Tír na nÓg Randalstown lead the way at the top thanks to Sean Duffin’s impact in their 1-16 to 2-12 win over Carey Faughs at the weekend.

After a stint in Australia, he came off the bench to notch the last three points to steer them over the line.

In a league where everyone is taking points off each other, St Paul’s and St Gall’s lie in second and third spot ahead of a range of teams on four points.

Goals from Colm McKeegan were the key moments as Cushendun saw off Clooney Gaels in another of the weekend’s high scoring encounters.