Champions Loughgiel got the job done against neighbours Cloughmills in last night's antrim shC quarter-final in Dunloy, winning 0-21 to 0-6, but credit must go to the Division Two side, who certainly weren't overcome by the occasion.
"Credit to Cloughmills, who made life difficult enough for us," said shamrocks manager pJ o'mullan.
Difficult perhaps, but st Brigid's were never going to stretch the champions. With a strong wind advantage they scored just three first half points through stephen smith (0-2) and James Doherty. at that stage, Loughgiel were well out of sight. shay Casey's 11th minute point, their first, levelled the game and they gradually pulled away.
Joey scullion and minor mel Connolly hit three each, while Declan Laverty and shay Casey chipped in with a couple apiece and midfielder mark mcFadden took their total to 0-11 at the interval.
From st Brigid's, who won the intermediate title last year, the second half aim was to contain the champions.
While they again scored just three points, two michael Devlin frees and another from smith, they should be happy enough with a 15-point defeat in their first senior championship game against the 2012 all-ireland champions.
"This was a massive step up for us," said full-back John mcGuckian.
"We put everything into it and, while well-beaten, we are delighted to be here and this is where we want to be.
"Loughgiel have set a great template for antrim hurling over the years and we want to get there."
Liam Watson, Barney mcauley and Donal mcKinley all made second half appearances for the shamrocks and all contributed to the scoring.
Watson converted three frees and got a late one from play while both mcauley and mcKinley were on target late in the game. aaron smylie, stephen smith, and Liam Kearns all were outstanding for st Brigid's.
SCORERS
Loughgiel: M Connolly, J Scullion,
L Watson (0-4 each), D Laverty,
B McCarry, S Casey (0-2 each),
M McFadden, B McAuley, D McKinley (0-1 each).
Cloughmills: S Smith (0-3), M Devlin (0-2), J Doherty (0-1).
Referee: A Kelly (St John's).