St. Joseph’s GAC, Glenavy, are holding a charity Big Breakfast this Sunday 14th January from 10am to 1pm in St. Clare’s Community Hall in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in memory of former player and member, Mathew Bradley RIP who died in a hit and run accident in Liverpool last year. Why not come along and support this very worthy cause.
Dr. McKenna Cup Round 3
Antrim appear to be in good spirit as they go into round 3 of the Dr McKenna Cup where they will face St. Mary’s University at Woodlands 4G tomorrow night (Wednesday). New manager Lenny Harbison has trawled the county for new faces since his appointment at the start of the season and has managed to add a few names to the Antrim squad while sensibly holding onto a lot of last year’s panel.
Quite a number of those new faces saw action against McKenna cup holders, Tyrone in the opening round and got a glimpse of just what is required to compete at this level with the Saffrons conceding heavily against the Red Hands at the Athletic Grounds.
Significantly Antrim scored 2-11 in that game so when they faced Cavan on Sunday at tomorrow night’s venue it was important that they tightened up considerably at the back. The starting line-up on Sunday past had a much more experienced and solid look about it and in a very entertaining encounter Antrim ran out winners by two points against a fairly experimental Breffni side.
Chris Kerr returned in goals and Conor Hamill and Niall Delargy came into the full-back line against the Breffni Blues with Niall McKeever and Sean Burke making a return to the side at mid-field but Burke limped out of the contest after 20 minutes and McKeever was replaced by Sean McVeigh at half-time.
It was in attack that the return of Paddy McBride and Conor Murray paid the greater dividends however with Murray turning in a man of the match performance and McBride not far behind and the Antrim management will be delighted with a return of 4-10 and indeed by a much improved defensive performance.
Again manager Harbison took the opportunity to use all five subs as he attempts to give game time to all the panel and may again change the starting line-up for their clash with St. Mary’s tomorrow night in a game (if results go their way elsewhere) could see them gain a quarter-final place if they can overcome the students.
St. Mary’s will not be easily beaten however and despite losing both their games have been very competitive and look an excellent side as they prepare for Sigerson later in the year. They lost by three points to Cavan at Breffni Park in their opening game and gave Tyrone plenty to think about last time out.
Antrim will need to be at their best if they are to win this one and a victory would certainly add to the positive feeling that appears to be developing in the camp as they get ready for life in division 4 of the National Football league in the coming season where the main goal will be promotion in 2018.
Left: Conor Murray and Paddy McBride who were both in great form in the Antrim attack against Cavan on Sunday.
FIXTURES:
10-01-2018 (Wed)
Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup
Round 3
Section A
Kingspan Breffni 20:00 Cavan V Tyrone
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)
Woodlands 4G 20:00 Antrim V St Mary’s University
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)
Section B
Athletic Grounds 20:00 Armagh V Ulster University
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)
Celtic Park 20:00 Derry V Down
Referee: Anthony Marron (Monaghan)
Section C
Castleblayney 20:00 Monaghan V Queen’s University
Referee: Pat Clarke (Cavan)
Páirc Mac Cumhaill 20:00 Donegal V Fermanagh
Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)
13-01-2018 (Sat)
Bank of Ireland Conor McGurk Cup
Final
Dub Arena, QUB 19:00 Antrim V Down
Referee: Tarlach Conway (Derry)
14-01-2018 (Sun)
Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup
Section B
Athletic Grounds 14:00 Armagh V Derry
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
Burren 14:00 Down V Ulster University
Referee: Karol Doherty (Antrim)
Section C
Clones 14:00 Monaghan V Donegal
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
NB
It is intended to play one of the Semi Finals (Section A Winner V Section C Winner) on Sunday 14th January if both group winners are determined by Wednesday.
Otherwise both Semi Finals (Section A Winner v Section C Winner and Section B Winner V Best Runner Up) will take place on Wednesday 17th January. The final will take place on either Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st January.
Man of the match, Conor Murray (22) fires past Cavan keeper Raymond Galligan as the Saffron’s recoded a fine win at Woodlands 4G pitch on Sunday in round 2 of the McKenna Cup
Dr McKenna Cup (round two)
Antrim 4-10 Cavan 2-14
Following a defeat to McKenna Cup holders Tyrone on the opening day of the 2018 version Lenny Harbinson’s men returned to the fray in the second round fully refreshed, and proved just too strong for the visiting Cavan men in a hugely watchable affair at Woodland’s on Sunday.
The Breffni men had started with a win gained over St Mary’s in their mid-week opener and looked likely to double their points tally when they nipped away to an early lead as corner forward Bryan Magee, who had raised a 2nd minute white flag followed up with a goal, a minute later.
The Saffron’s had missed a first minute opportunity to draw first blood when Michael McCarry fired just wide of the posts, but they were on the board in the 6th minute when Patrick McBride steered a 30 metre free kick between the posts following a foul on the dashing Conor Murray. The latter followed to double the tally a minute later when he raced through the middle to split the posts.
Both McBride and Murray were set to cause Cavan a lot of problems with their direct running throughout and although the Breffni men extended their advantage again when Oisin Kernan seized upon a loose pass to transfer over the bar, the home side were soon back on the offensive when Patrick McBride hoisted a further three white flags in succession to leave it 0-05 to 1-02.
The St John’s man was unerring in his finishing as he firmly punished respective indiscretions on Conor Murray, Odhran Eastwood, and Paddy McAleer and the Saffron’s looked on the march.
The visitors were struggling to deal with the direct assault on the posts and the strong direct running game by the Antrim men, led by Patrick McBride and Conor Murray and with Niall McKeever and Paddy McAleer also to the fore.
The Saffron’s having dominated since the early minutes were gaining in composure and when Niall McKeever and Conor Murray combined to send Patrick McBride in to grab a scintillating 21st minute goal Lenny Harbinson’s men had nicked the lead, 1-05 to 1-02.
Cavan’s goal scorer Bryan Magee did split to posts to halt the one way flow but Antrim were soon back on the forward march again with Conor Murray and Patrick McBride in the vanguard as the latter sent the former in to grab a 23rd minute goal and ensure a five point lead for the home side.
Left:Paddy McBride fires to the Cavan net. Right: Matt Fitzpatrick takes on David Phillips
Having been on the back foot for a while the Breffni men regained the initiative for a time as Niall McKiernan (2), and Oisin Kernan raised white flags apiece but it was Antrim who had the last say of the opening half as another forceful approach and slick finish earned a late point to ensure the home side went in at the break full value for a 2-06 to 1-06 lead.
Cavan started the second half as they had in the first on the positive and as Antrim were forced on the defensive the visitors made the opening mark as Bryan Magee sent a 25-metre free over the bar in the 37th minute.
The home side seemed to have lost composure during the opening exchanges and after Paddy Gallagher went forward to send just wide of the target the resultant kick out saw Cavan replacement Niall Clerkin collect and signal arrival with a 43rd minute point.
Antrim were reduced to a slender one point lead but when Matthew Fitzpatrick and Michael McCarry combined to send substitute Ryan Murray in to blast to the net in the 50th minute they seemed reinvigorated.
A precision based build up and a slick finish restored a four point lead and after Cavan made reply via Connor Madden’s 52nd minute point the Saffron’s were back occupying the driving seat and seemingly in control when Conor Murray added a goal shortly thereafter.
Stephen Beatty had intercepted at the back and after his clearance found Matthew Fitzpatrick who passed onward to the strong running Conor Murray via his sibling Ryan the finish was excellent from the wing half forward.
Murray, who was to earn ‘the man of the match award’, planted the leather in the corner of the net to see the home side step forward to a healthy 4-06 to 1-09 advantage.
Cavan looked down, but in the event the Breffni Blues were far from out and back they came strongly. Bryan Magee split the posts and although Conor Murray replied with a similar score, Padraig Faulkner picked up a loose clearance to open the way for Niall McKiernan to fire to the back of the Antrim net in the 61st minute. Enda Flanagan added a point and the margin was reduced to a couple of points and the home side looked in a bit of trouble.
They replied through a Mark Sweeney point in the 65th minute to increase the gap to three points but Cavan were now in full flight and points from Connor Brady, and Enda Flanagan saw just the minimum separate the sides as the game clock ticked towards the 70 minutes mark.
A Ryan Murray point seemed to have settled the issue with Antrim a couple ahead as ‘injury time’ progressed but the Cavan men were far from finished.
Bryan Magee held his nerve, and indeed his aim when he directed a 30 metre free between the posts in the 71st minute but when presented with a similar chance within a minute the corner forward saw his effort go astray and opened the way for the Saffron’s to counter.
Conor Murray dashed up-field with Patrick McBride in attendance and as the former supplied the latter the result was a fine 73rd minute point and a 4-10 to 2-14 win for Antrim.
Referee J Corcoran (Fear Manach)
Antrim:Chris Kerr, Conor Hamill, Paddy Gallagher, Niall Delargy, Kevin O’ Boyle, Mark Sweeney (0-01), Paddy McAleer, Sean Burke, Niall McKeever, Patrick McBride (1-05), Connor Murray (2-03), Matthew Fitzpatrick, Michael McCarry, Colum Duffin, Odhran Eastwood.
Subs
Stephen Beatty for S Burke
Sean McVeigh for N McKeever
James Laverty for P McAleer
Pat Brannigan for K O’ Boyle
Connell Lemon for C Hamill
Cavan: Raymond Galligan, Jason McLoughlin, Damien McIntyre, David Phillips, Darragh Kennedy, Ciaran Brady, Dan Wharton, Sean McCormack, David Brady, Connor Bradley, Jack Wharton, Oisin Kernan (0-02), Niall McKernan (1-02), Adrian Cole, Bryan Magee (1-05)
Subs
Jack Wharton for A Cole
Donal Monahan for S McCormack
Conor Brady (0-02) for N Clerkin
Enda Flanagan (0-02) for C Bradley
Niall Clerkin (0-01) for J Wharton
Ulster chairman, Michael Hasson presents the man of the match award to Antrim’s Conor Murray. Included in the photograph is Terry McCrudden of sponsors Bank of Ireland.
Bord na Móna Walsh Cup @ Parnell Park, Dublin
Antrim captain Conor McKinley in action against Dublin in Sunday’s Walsh Cup game at Parnell Park. Pic by John McIlwaine
Antrim 0-17 Dublin 4-16
By Brendan McTaggart
Antrim suffered an 11 point defeat to Dublin in their last match of the 2018 Walsh Cup on Sunday afternoon. Despite a good performance, Dublin’s ability to carve open goal chances while showing greater composure under pressure proved to be the difference between the sides. The Saffrons hit 16 wides over the 70 minutes while the home side were much more economical with just six. Antrim were reliant on the free taking ability of Neil McManus throughout the contest, especially in the first half. The Cushendall man finished the match with 0-11 to his name but ultimately the Dubs were a step too far for the Saffrons.
Antrim got off to a superb start at a sun kissed Parnell Park and opened the scoring thanks to a McManus free in the first minute. Two further Saffron wides followed but with the midfield duo of McManus and Gerard Walsh along with the Antrim half back line firing well in the early stages, Antrim were able to keep pressure on the Dublin defence.
By the seventh minute, Antrim had a five point lead with frees from McManus (three) and Clarke but they were dealt an early hammer blow when the home side scored the first goal of the match with their first meaningful attack. Killian Costello with the assist and Paul Crummey applying the smart finish despite the best efforts of Chrissy O’Connell in the Antrim goals.
The goal was the opening the Saffrons Division 1b rivals required. Dublin followed the major by rattling off five unanswered points in the space of eight minutes, Paul Winters (two frees), Paul Crummey and Darragh Gray raising the white flags.
Antrim were still battling well all over the pitch and were unlucky not to have a goal of their own in the opening quarter. McManus brought the best out of Gary Maguire in the Dublin goals with his riffled 21 yard free and the Antrim forward scored his fifth point of the match soon after to reduce the Dublin lead to two point, stopping the rot for the Saffrons and scoring their first point for 12 minutes.
Crummey’s goal separated the sides when the Dubs scored their second major after 26 minutes, Paul Winters with the rebound after Alan Moore’s effort cannoned off the crossbar. The goals were harsh on the Saffron defence who had by enlarge dealt well with the lively Dublin attack in the first half. The Saffrons were battling well all over the field but the home side gained confidence with each goal and held a six point lead at the interval.
Antrim played with whatever wind advantage was available in the second half and like the first half, began well. McManus with the first score after the restart with a free but two wides in as many minutes hurt their chances of eating into the Dublin lead. The home side took full advantage of the Saffrons lack of accuracy when like the first half, they scored a goal with their first attack of the half. Alan Moore with the finish after judging the flight of the sliotar perfectly and leaving his marker for dead.
Moore doubled his goals tally just five minutes later, pouncing on a lose sliotar 21 yards out before firing to the bottom corner of Chrissy O’Connell’s net to all but end any hopes Antrim had causing an upset. They did continue to battle hard however, McManus continuing to be accurate from frees with Nigel Elliott and Gerard Walsh also chipping in with some beautiful scores but they needed goals to get back into the contest and the Dublin defence were in no mood to let their lead go.
Conor Johnston scored back to back points for the Saffrons in the 54th and 55th minute, the first time Antrim scored unanswered points in the contest since their opening flurry but Dublin ended the match on top scoring four further points in the time that remained to advance to a home semi-final with Wexford in seven days time.
Antrim now turn their attentions to their National League campaign and the small matter of an away journey to All-Ireland champions Galway in four weeks time.
Dublin: Gary Maguire; Paddy Smyth; Bill O’Carroll; Cian Hendricken; Shane Barrett; Darren Kelly; Chris Crummey; John McCaffrey; Tomás Connolly; Killian Costello; Darragh Gray; Paul Crummey; Alan Moore; Paul Winters; Robert Mahon
Scores: Alan Moore 2-1; Paul Winters 1-4 (3 f’s); Robert Mahon 0-6 (2 f’s, 1 ’65); Paul Crummey 1-1; Darragh Gray 0-3; John McCaffrey 0-1
Subs: Ronan Smith for Tomás Connolly (26 mins); Cian McBride for Paul Winters (44 mins); Seán Ó’Riain (49 mins); Conor Ryan for Killian Costello (51 mins)
Yellow Cards: Shane Barrett (31 mins); Paul Crummey (37 mins); Chris Crummey (58 mins)
Antrim: Chris O’Connell; David Kearney; Arron Graffin; Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey; John Dillon; Conor McKinley; Neil McManus, Gerard Walsh; Conor McCann; Conor Johnston; Nigel Elliott; James McNaughton; Conor Carson; Ciaran Clarke
Scores: Neil McManus 0-11 (10 frees); Conor Johnston 0-2; Conor McCann 0-1; Nigel Elliott 0-1; Gerard Walsh 0-1, Ciaran Clark 0-1 (1 free)
Subs: Eoin O’Neill for Conor Carson (48 mins); James Connolly for Ciaran Clarke (48 mins); Maol Connolly for Conor McCann (57 mins); Conor Boyd for John Dillon (65 mins); Daniel McCloskey for Nigel Elliott (70 mins)
Yellow Cards: Joe Maskey (21 mins), Stephen Rooney (53 mins), Conor McCann (55 mins)
Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)
Tyrone’s Damien Casey sends over one of the 12 points he scored in his team’s draw with Antrim in the Bank of Ireland Conor McGurk Cup at QUB. Pic by John McIlwaineA fringe Antrim side managed to salvage a draw with Tyrone and in the process qualify for the McGurk Cup final next Saturday after a 0-14-0-14 draw with Tyrone at the Dub this afternoon.
The game was largely a free-taking contest between Damien Casey of Tyrone and Deaglan Murphy of Antrim and despite trailing for almost the entire seventy minute encounter – Murphy would grab his side an arguably undeserved share of the spoils.
From the throw-in Tyrone earned themselves a free from the 65’ and Casey duly stroked the ball over the black spot.
The next score didn’t arrive until the 14th minute and between Casey’s score and Deaglan Murphy’s leveller, both sides shooting was slightly askew.
Casey was amongst the guilty party as he sent numerous frees wide and watched on as his 11th minute goal shot was repelled by Chris O’Connell in the Antrim goal.
Just before the midway point in the first-half Nicky McKeague combined with Deaglan Murphy whose shot snuck inside the large posts for the leveller.
Casey restored Tyrone’s lead with a 16th minute free and the red hands stretched to lead to four with a further three unanswered points.
A third point of the afternoon on the turn from Casey made 0-03-0-01 before Aidan Kelly linked-up with Tiarnan Morgan for a third successive score.
By the 23rd minute Tyrone lead 0-05-0-01 thanks to another free from Casey, a minute before Deaglan Murphy picked out Darragh McGuinness for a goal chance that was well-blocked by Tyrone goalkeeper John Devlin.
Antrim’s second score of the half arrived after 26 minutes courtesy of a Deaglan Murphy free, but Casey converted his fourth free of the afternoon within sixty seconds.
Antrim upped the ante before the break and cut the deficit to a bare minimum, on the half hour mark Deaglan Murphy converted a free and within a minute McKeague picked out Murphy for a second in quick succession. Murphy conjured up a third point on the spin after a sublime pass found McKeague – the Dunloy native returned the favour and Murphy fired over to make it 0-05-0-06.
Casey looked to have given Tyrone a two-point lead at the break after evading traffic and firing over the bar, however Nicky McKeague responded to leave the Saffrons trailing 0-06-0-07 at the interval.
Antrim were quickest out the traps after the restart and McKeague hit his second point of the afternoon to drag his side level for the first time since the 16th minute.
Tyrone regained the lead on 42 minutes though and it was ace marksman Casey who converted his fifth free of the afternoon to bring his overall tally to 0-07 and his sides to 0-08.
Casey doubled his sides lead twice within a four minute spell – converting a 65’ and a free in between a third consecutive point from Nicky McKeague as the red hands were 0-08-0-10 ahead with twenty minutes remaining.
Aidan Kelly stretched Tyrone’s lead to three points a minute later and became his sides’ third scorer of the contest.
Antrim narrowed the deficit to two-points with a Eoin O’Neill shot that dipped over the crossbar but back to back Casey points; one from a free and another from play gave Tyrone a 0-09-0-13 lead with ten minutes to play.
The Saffrons were in grave danger of falling to defeat until Deaglan Murphy rose to the occasion, Antrim’s go to man converted back to back frees to half the deficit, a third successive score followed through Daniel McCloskey before Murphy converted a third free within six-minutes to level the contest at 0-13-0-13.
Damien Casey edged Tyrone ahead with two minutes to go through his ninth free of the afternoon but on the stroke of full-time Murphy levelled the game and saved Antrim’s blushes with his ninth point of the afternoon as the game finished 0-14 apiece. The Saffrons will play Down in next Saturday’s final at the Dub at 7pm.
Antrim: C O’Connell, R McNulty, N McAuley, C Carson, C Johnston, M Donnelly, E Smyth, E McQuillan, D McGuinness, S Duffin, N McKeague (0-03), C Sheerin, D Murphy (0-09, 0-06f), E O’Neill (0-01), D McCloskey (0-01).
Tyrone: J Devlin, D Begley, B Begley, T Morgan (0-01), L Devlin, S Donnelly, C Cairns, C Cross, R McKernan, D Casey (0-12, 0-09f), P O’Kelly, D McCrudden, B McGurk, A Kelly (0-01), L Armstrong.
Referee: Tarlach Conway (Derry)
Left – The Antrim management team of Dominic McKinley, Gary O’Kane, Terence McNaughton and Neill Peden. Right – Tyrone manager Mattie Lennon
Deaghlan Murphy whose accuracy from frees helped Antrim to earn a draw against Tyrone