Pairc MacUilin in Ballycastle - which played host to the Antrim hurlers' home games this year - was damaged by vandals last week.

Graffiti was sprayed onto the entrance walls and the clubhouse in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15. The attack, which is being investigated by the PSNI, has been widely condemned with local Independent Councillor and club member Padraig McShane telling the Ballycastle Chronicle: "The club has gone from strength to strength in the last number of years. The modern facilities have been promoted to the number one county ground as Casement Park undergoes redevelopment.

"Gaels locally are proud the venue played host to county league and championship fixtures in the last few months when the hurlers of Cork, Offaly and Wexford visited.

"McQuillans have a zero-tolerance to racism or sectarianism. Members are drawn from all backgrounds. A team of volunteers will gather and remove the damage this evening because the club has a magnificent place within the community."

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said: "This attack was abhorrent and mindless. People in Ballycastle have no time for this behaviour that serves only to negatively impact on the town.

"These attacks need to now end and anyone with information pertaining to it should bring it forward to the police or club officials. It is 2014 and it is beyond time that such attacks and the rising of tensions over the summer was dealt with once and for all." Tweet

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