Month / October 2017

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half sees Rossa progress

U21 ‘A’ Football Championship  – First Round

Bert 1St Galls 0-6 Rossa 3-9

By Brendan McTaggart

Rossa were made to fight all the way for their progression in the U21 Championship on Sunday afternoon.  After five minutes of the second half, the sides were level but the Jeremiah’s went through the gears to finish the opening round proper of the ‘A’ championship superbly.  Dominic McEnhill again top scoring for the U21 favourites, 1-3 of his 1-4 coming in the second half – all the more impressive considering St Galls had been double marking him from the first whistle.  Daire Matthews with the first major in the opening half while a late and rather fortuitous goal from substitute Caolan Walsh put an unfair reflection on the score line for St Galls who were closer to their west Belfast neighbours than the result suggested.

Right from the first whistle, this was a fascinating and keenly contested encounter.  Both sides started at a frenetic pace with tackles hard and fair.  End to end stuff, owed much to the officiating of referee Collie McKnight.

The opening score of the match came in the seventh minute thanks to a Daire Matthews major.  Despite dominating the possession in the opening exchanges, Rossa were struggling to make any real penetration in an organised St Galls defence.  A rare foray into the Rossa half resulted in a turnover and counter, led by Captain Deaglan Murphy.  He ran almost the length of the field before offloading to Matthews who found the bottom corner of Niall McCurdy’s net with a drilled finish.

Fresh from his antics in recent weeks, McEnhill was always going to be a marked man but he did manage to evade the challenges of two St Galls defenders before scoring the first point of the match in the 14th minute.  St Galls responded immediately when Jack McCaffrey split the posts, finishing a swift move and kick starting the home sides challenge.

Cormac McGettigan stretched the Rossa lead to four points once again in the 21st minute but that was their last score of the half as St Galls ended the half on top.  Points from Conaill Murray, a superb strike from Eoghan McCabe from a side line and a point from Captain Ryan Irvine left the minimum between the sides at the short whistle.

The first half was played at a fast pace, but it was the organisation of the home side that was the most impressive and decisive factor.  Rossa lorded possession for long periods but couldn’t find any space and time when it mattered most.  The Milltown Row side were much more economical with McCabe a major influence as the half progressed.

A point from marauding midfielder Emmet Loughran brought parity to the sides early in the first half and St Galls looked like they were picking up where they left off before the short whistle.

With the match in the melting pot, both sides were guilty of indiscretions in the tackle, Kevin Bradley and Cormac McGettigan both receiving black cards, but it was Rossa who began to find consistency in attack with McEnhill in particular finding his range.  He put his side ahead once again before substitute Caolan Walsh opened a two-point advantage for the Shaws Road men.

Further scores from Gerard Walsh (free), Darren Grego and McEnhill (free) gave Rossa a five-point lead before they scored their second goal of the match in the 51st minute.  Caolan Walsh with the long ball into the edge of the square where McEnhill was surrounded by the St Galls defence.  Looking second favourite for possession, the Rossa starlet managed to gather the loose ball and evading the St Galls challenged before firing an unstoppable shot beyond McCurdy.

St Galls responded with a Che Ferguson point to keep their fading hopes of causing an upset alive, but it proved to be a false dawn with Rossa in no mood to open the door for a St Galls recovery.  Caolan Walsh and McEnhill (free) added gloss to the score line for the visitors before Walsh scored the third major of the contest for the Shaws Road men.  Retrieving the ball wide on the left, Walsh shot looking for his second point of the match but McCurdy misjudged the flight and the ball found the corner of the St Galls net.

12 points the difference between the sides and Rossa progress to a quarter-final meeting with neighbours St John’s next Sunday.

TEAMS

St Galls: Niall McCurdy; Che Ferguson; Marcus Donnelly; Conaill Murray; John McCaffrey; Ryan Irvine; Jack Hopkins; Thomas Bunting; Emmet Loughran; Conor McManus; Michael Hopkins; Oran Delaney; Eoghan McCabe; Caolan Chada; Kevin Bradley

Rossa: Michael Byrne; Jack Morris; Conor McGowan; Niall Crossan; Tiarnan Murphy; Conor Slane; Michael McGreevey; Eoghan McMenamin; Gerard Walsh; Cormac McGettigan; Darren Grego; Deaglan Murphy; Daire Matthews; Dominic McEnhill; Michael Close

SCORERS

St Galls: Che Ferguson 0-1; Conaill Murray 0-1; John McCaffrey 0-1; Ryan Irvine 0-1; Emmet Loughran 0-1; Eoghan McCabe 0-1

Rossa: Dominic McEnhill 1-4 (2 frees); Caolan Walsh 1-1; Daire Matthews 1-00; Darren Grego 0-1 (1 free); Cormac McGettigan 0-1; Gerard Walsh 0-1 (1 free); Padraig McParland 0-1

Referee: Collie McKnight (St Johns)

Pics by Bert Trowlen and Brendan McTaggart

 

by thesaffrongael

St Enda’s grab victory in extra-time

South West Antrim Under 16 Hurling final

01

St Enda’s who beat Tir na nÓg in the South West B final in Ballymena.

St Enda’s 3-13 Tir na nÓg 1-17 (AET)

Three points in second half of extra time by midfielder Brian Rogers earned St Enda’s victory over Tir na nÓg Randalstown in Sunday’s final of the South West Antrim Under 16 final at Quinn Park, Ballymena on Sunday. Tir na nÓg appeared to be in a strong position when they turned around at half time in extra time with a one point lead, and when Conor O’Rawe increased that lead to two a minute after the restart the trophy appeared to be heading to Randalstown. However St Enda’s, who had been reduced to fourteen men at this stage, showed great character and three points on the trot from placed ball (two 65s and one free) put the Glengormley boys ahead with time almost up, and Emmet Burns sealed a two point win with the last puck of the game.

I a thrilling game of hurling the sides were deadlocked at half time with Tir na nÓg knocking over seven point and St Enda’s reply with 1-4, the goal coming from Ciaran McCreight.

During an exciting second half the teams matched each other point for point until the last ten minutes. Tir na nÓg appeared to gain the upper hand as they went three clear with just two minutes remaining but Declan Breen set up full forward McCreight for his team second goal of the game. Tir na nÓg needed a quick response and it came within thirty seconds when Josh Higgins caught the puck-out and his delivery from distance went all the way to the St Enda’s net.

St Enda’s appeared to be beaten but Niall O’Connor came to the rescue when he fired in a goal from a free to take the game to extra time.

That extra time was as pulsating as what came before and when Tir na nÓg when two up early in the second period the appeared to be home and hosed. However Brian Rogers came to the Saints rescue with three outstanding points and Burns sealed it with the last action of the game.

St Enda’s

Pearse Rodgers, Dara Maguire, Oran McRuagain, Cathal Morgan, Ryan McCloskey, Owen Kenneddy, Conor McNicholl, Nial O’Connor, Brian Rogers, Declan Breen, Emmet Burns, Pol Magee, Michael Devenny, Ciarnan McCreight, Oscar Smyth.

Tír na nÓg

Dominic Martin, Oliver McAtamney, Ricardo Cozcapy, Adam Reid, Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Conor McCamphill, Eamon Og McAllister, Justina Venckus, Joshua Higgins, Conor O’Rawe, Ethan Higgins, Emmet Murray, Kevin Brady, Brian Fitzgerald.

Referee – Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

Pics below by Dessie O’Neill, Tir na nÓg

by thesaffrongael

Brilliant McBride steers CPC to 3-in-a-row

Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Camogie – Corn Eimhear Final

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CPC’s Riana McBride who scored 3-7 in her team’s Ulster final win over St Catherine’s Armagh at Ballinderry. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 9-14 St Catherine’s Armagh 4-7

By Seamus McAleenan

Cross & Passion College won their third Corn Eimhear title in three years when they saw the challenge of St Catherine’s Armagh in a high scoring final in Ballinderry. The Ballycastle college dominated the opening 20 minutes and appeared to be in cruise control when they led by thirteen points at 4-6 to 1-2, but the Armagh girls produced a brilliant fightback as they hit 2-4 without reply to close the gap to just three at the break.

CPC appeared to be in a spot of bother, so dominant were the Armagh girls in that last ten minutes of the opening half, but they regrouped at half time and went out and dominated the second half to complete a memorable 3-in-a-row of titles. Team leaders, Ciara Laverty in defence, Katie Laverty at midfield and Riana McBride up front took over for the second half and put the game out of Armagh’s reach.

In the end of the day, the winners had seven players, including sharp substitute Clodagh O’Kane, who were able to hit the target more than once, while St Catherine’s overly depended on Caoimhe Donnelly and Casey Mullen for their scores. Donnelly and Mullan were magnificent for St Catherines and caused the CPC defence a world of problems, especially in the opening half.

CPC’s Riana McBride finished with a personal tally of 3-7, in a player of the match performance, her first goal coming after just three minutes in response to an opening free from Caoimhe Donnelly.

Ballycastle had gone 1-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 10th minute when Casey Mullen stabbed home a goal for Armagh. However Nuala Devlin skilfully set up McBride for her second a couple of minutes later and further goals from Alicia Butler and a brilliant strike from Orlagh Laverty left Ballycastle 13 points ahead and seemingly in control.

Then Caoimhe Donnelly hit back with a goal direct from a free and when Ciara O’Kane finished off another in the 24th minute, it brought the game back to life and Armagh finished the half strongly with the gap now just a goal.

Riana McBride set the tone for the second half with an early point which was followed by goals for Alicia Butler and then McBride direct from a free.

Armagh continued to work hard in search of scores, but Ballycastle were clinical on the break and further goals followed for sub Clodagh O’Kane (2) and Aine Magill.

The excellent Caoimhe Donnelly goaled direct from a free in the 59th minute but Riana McBride fittingly finished the scoring with a super point from play, to seal the win and their third Ulster on the trot.

CPC : B Ellis, C McArthur, M McGarry, E Kyle, F Toner, C Laverty, C Hegarty, K Laverty, E McShane, N Devlin 0-2, A Lynn 0-2, A Magill 1-2, A Butler 2-0, R McBride 3-7, 1-3 frees, O Laverty 1-1

Subs : C O’Kane 2-0 for F Toner (23), C Hamilton for E Kyle (55), S McKillop for A Butler (55).

St Catherine’s : C Kelly, S Nugent, S Gildernew, C Conlon, S McCreesh, E Lavery, A McCreesh, O O’Kane, F Fitzpatrick, H Duffy, C Donnelly 2-4, 2-3 frees, B McClelland, C O’Kane 1-0, C Mullen 1-2, M Horsfield

Subs : A McMahon for C Mullen (50),

CPC : Becky Ellis, Cassie McArthur, Megan McGarry, Erin Kyle, Fionnuala Toner, Ciara Laverty, Caitlin Hegarty, Katie Laverty, Enya McShane, Nuala Devlin 0-2, Annie Lynn 0-2, Aine Magill 1-2, Alishia Butler 2-0, Riana McBride 3-7, 1-3 frees, Orlagh Laverty 1-1

Subs : Clodagh O’Kane 2-0 for F Toner (23), Christina Hamilton for E Kyle (55), Shauna McKillop for A Butler (55), Brid Magill, Bronagh Magill, Naomi Williams, Shauna Huey, Aoife McCurry, Grainne O’Neill, Nuala McCaughan, Maillie Donnelly, Fionnuala Kelly.

St Catherine’s : Chloe Kelly, Sarah Nugent, Shannon Gildernew, Clara Conlon, Sara McCreesh, Ellen Lavery, Alanna McCreesh, Orla O’Kane, Faye Fitzpatrick, Hannah Duffy, Caoimhe Donnelly 2-4, 2-3 frees, Brodie McClelland, Clara O’Kane 1-0, Casey Mullen 1-2, Morgan Horsfield

Subs : Ashlinn McMahon for C Mullen (50), Emily McKernan, Aiveen Grew, Alannah Webster, Alice Convie, Stephanie Fox, Rosie Donnelly

Pics by Dylan McIlwaine

 

by thesaffrongael

Classy Coby helps Cuchullain’s sink Aldergrove

U21 ‘B’ Football Championship

First Round

Aldergrove 1-7 Dunloy 4-8

Saturday October 28

By Brendan McTaggart

Dunloy advanced to the quarter-finals of the U21 ‘B’ football championship on Saturday afternoon with a 10 point win over 14 man Aldergrove.  The Cuchullains showed no sign of a hangover from their heavy defeat to Rossa in the grading round as they accounted for the Crumlin side comfortably to set up a meeting with All Saints.

The Cuchullains cause was helped by a man of the match performance from dual star Conal ‘Coby’ Cunning, the Dunloy forward put on a stellar show for his side finishing the match with a personal tally of 2-5 while the other majors for the winners came from Keelan Molloy and Liam McCann.

The home side lost Michael Brazier late in the game, the Aldergrove man seeing red for a strike on one of the Cuchullains when the game threatened to descend into a fracas with a number of incidents bringing an abrupt end to the contest but the Cuchullains victory was already assured by that stage.

Playing with the wind in the first half at a soggy St James’ pitch, Dunloy were dominant from the first whistle with their pace and agility all over the pitch leaving Aldergrove chasing shadows for long periods of the first 30 minutes.  Despite this though, they could only muster one point from their efforts in the opening nine minutes, Molloy with the first point of the match in the fourth minute.

The Cuchullains racked up four wides in the opening exchanges and while Aldergrove’s forays into the Dunloy half were few and far between, the fact that Dunloy hadn’t made the most of their control would have given them belief.

The Cuchullains persisted though, dominating possession and they were rewarded for their efforts with Cunning’s first goal of the match.  Molloy providing the assist and Coby firing low beyond Christopher Teggart in the Aldergrove goals.

Indeed, were it not for the brilliance of Teggart between the sticks for the home side, the score line could have been even more favourable in the Cuchullains favour.  Three times throughout the hour Teggart thwarted Dunloy when they looked nailed on to find the back of the net.

Full forward Paddy Morris scored the home sides first point of the match in the 14th minute but Cunning had already split the posts moments before to extend the Cuchullains lead.  The second Dunloy goal came when forward Liam McCann intercepted a short kick out from Teggart.  Taking full advantage and slotting low to find the back of the net in the 21st minute.

The third Dunloy major came just four minutes later, Cunning with the finish and Molloy with the assist again but Teggart was desperately unlucky to have been beaten when he superbly saved Cunning’s initial effort.  Coby reacted quickest to the loose ball and found the back of the net in the 25th minute.

By the time star Aldergrove forward Seamus McGarry pointed a free in the 28th minute the Dunloy lead was already at 12 points and the home side had an uphill task in front of them after the restart.  At the short whistle, the score was Dunloy 3-4 Aldergrove 0-2.

The sides swapped white flags in the opening exchanges with Brendan O’Callaghan and Cunning finding the range for their sides when a piece of individual brilliance from McGarry gave Aldergrove a glimmer of hope.  Cutting through the heart of the Cuchullains defence, McGarry fired his shot goal ward but Frankie Cochrane was equal to his effort.  The ball fell loose and McGarry made no mistake with his rebound to reduce the Aldergrove arrears to eight points after six second half minutes.  Michael McCarthy pointed his first of three second half points to breathe further live into the St James’ side challenge but a brace of frees from Cunning in the 41st and 45th minute steadied the ship for the Cuchullains.

Nine points separated the sides when McCarthy scored back to back points for the home side in the 46th and 50th minutes but a superb individual goal from the rampaging Molloy in the 51st minute all but ensured the Cuchullains passage to the next round.

Molloy and McGarry swapped frees in the time that remained as the Cuchullains saw out the remainder of the game comfortably.  The home side were reduced to 14 men in injury time, referee Kevin Parke sending Brazier off for an off the ball incident involving Callum Scullion when tempers threatened to fray but the dismissal had no effect on the outcome of the game.  The Cuchullains advance after an impressive victory.

TEAMS

Aldergrove: Christopher Teggart; Michael Brazier; Stephen Johnson; Michael McCarthy; Brendan O’Callaghan; Tomás O’Callaghan; Michael Sheridan; Padraig Hanna; Ryan Owens; Gary Duffy; Seamus McGarry; Eoin Masterson; Michael Smart; Paddy Morris; Brendan McGuinness

 

Dunloy: Frankie Cochrane; Anton McGrath; Conor Kinsella; Aaron Crawford; Ciaran Doherty; Deaglan Smith; Chrissy McMahon; Oisin McPoland; Callum Scullion; Oran Shivers; Keelan Molloy; Ryan Elliott; Conal Cunning; Eoin O’Neill; Liam McCann

SCORERS

Aldergrove: Seamus McGarry 1-2 (2 frees); Michael McCarthy 0-3; Brendan O’Callaghan 0-1; Paddy Morris 0-1

Dunloy: Conal Cunning 2-5 (3 frees); Keelan Molloy 1-3 (2 frees); Liam McCann 1-00

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

PHOTOGRAPHS: BERT TROWLEN

by thesaffrongael

Antrim put their best foot, and shoebox, forward in support of SVP

Saffron Aid Appeal

For some families in desperate need, the fast-approaching festive season is something to dread rather than celebrate. Many households already have to choose between providing food or heat to family members and the added stress of ensuring there is ‘something to open on Christmas morning’ can become insurmountable.

GAA clubs in County Antrim have once again committed help, putting their best foot forward and collecting shoebox donations through their charity initiative #SaffronAid2. St Vincent de Paul (SVP), which works in families in need across every community of Northern Ireland, will distribute these to the most vulnerable in our society, helping to make sure that as many families as possible wake up to something special on 25 December.

Clubs across the county will collect donations through their #SaffronAid2 fundraising campaign which was the brainchild of Antrim GAA PRO, Sean Kelly and Co Antrim Gaels are being encouraged to back the shoebox appeal.

Sean Kelly explained: “GAA clubs and supporters are extremely big-hearted and we are delighted to do what we can to help those less fortunate that ourselves. This is the second year we have run this appeal. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our members and supporters last Christmas and are anticipating that it will be even bigger this year.

“It can be hard to imagine Christmas as just another day trying to keep warm, eating enough or struggling to do the most basic of things but this can be the case for so many people, who don’t have the very basics we take for granted. It is wonderful to see so many Gaels with empathy for those in need.

“Clubs across the county will be getting involved by encouraging their members to donate a shoebox containing a few items for families in need or alternatively a gift for a child, and having their premises available as collection points for SVP.

“It’s very simple to make a shoebox donation. The next time you’re out and about, pick up a few extra items, place them in a shoebox, wrap the box and mark on it whether it is suitable for a man or woman. Suitable items for the shoebox could be things such as shower gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, gloves, hats, small towels, chocolate, hand cream, to name just a few. Or you can provide a new, unwrapped gift for child up to 16 years old – we are also keen to take more gifts for teenage boys this year. SVP will then collect all donations from your local GAA club.”

Brendan O’Neill, Regional President of SVP, added: “I would like to thank the GAA for running this appeal again this year and bringing it to the attention of their players and supporters. We know it is a busy and very expensive time of year but picking up just one extra toy or a few small items for this appeal could bring a smile to someone who might otherwise wake up with nothing on Christmas morning.

“Each year thousands of families approach SVP for support at Christmas time alone so this campaign really will make a huge difference to so many people in our communities and with your help, Christmas may become a little bit brighter for some families.”

The closing date for receipt of donations to all clubs is 25 November 2017. For further information on Antrim GAA’s #SaffronAid2 campaign, please visit antrim.gaa.ie