Month / June 2018

by thesaffrongael

Gribbin Goal decisive in thrilling parish derby

A C League Division One (round 8)

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-15 Kickham’s Creggan 0-17

By Geordie McGuckin

A 45th minute Jamie Gribbin goal was the score that settled this hard fought Loughgshore derby at Toome on Friday night and sent the large home crowd home happy in the knowledge that they hold the parish bragging rights for another while.

Little had separated the parish rivals for most of the opening period but the Creggan men, who had only endured defeat for the first time in the league a week previous, enjoyed a 0-10 to 0-09 lead after a close opening period.

The Kickham’s men with Fintan Burke pulling the strings in the central zone looked to be in a strong position in the third quarter as a 41st minute Tiernan Mc Ateer point opened up a four point gap to the delight of those clad in the green and gold.

However Cargin were back on terms again when their ‘new kid on the block’ Gribbin nipped in from the left hand side, and after receiving a pin-point pass from Tomas McCann the teenager was in to raise the green flag.

The goal swung the momentum towards the home side, but Kevin Madden’s charges were quick to reply and following a second ‘water break’ they took charge and a disputed 56th minute free despatched without a hint of nerves by Kevin Small saw them a couple clear and the Creggan support were in jubilant form.

However a brace of Tomas Mc Cann points saw the Cargin men back on terms and when Paul Mc Cann was brought to ground on his way to the posts his sibling Tomas stepped forward to make it three scores in sequence and the 63rd minute score saw the Toome men collect the points, crossing the winning line by the narrowest of margins on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-17.

A splendid summer evening and the prospect of a local derby affair hastened a big gathering to the Lough Road on Friday evening as the current league champions, Erin’s Own Cargin played hosts to their near neighbours who arrived in search of an elusive victory, and intent on keeping up their own challenge for the league title alive.

Kevin Maddens charges had only lost on a single occasion previous to this one, and had beaten their neighbours in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, but well aware that any further set back would leave them a tough road ahead if they were to overhaul the front running St Gall’s men.

Little separated the sides in the opening phase and although the home teams pulled away to lead 0-04 to 0-01 by the 8th minute the visitors were soon back on terms.

Michael Mc Cann, Tomas Mc Cann, Jamie Gribbin and Michael Magill had raised those white flags for the Toome men with a 5th minute Liam Quinn score opening the Creggan account.

Cargin having had the better of things in the opening phase had looked good but back came the Creggan and three unanswered points from Tiernan Mc Ateer, Matthew Rogers, and Liam Quinn brought them level on 0-04 apiece.

The next period was to establish a tit for tat sequence as score at one end provoked reply in kind at the other.

Points apiece provided by Tomas Mc Cann, and Ciaran Bradley in answer to a Tiernan Mc Ateer score had the Cargin men in front but back to back Kevin Small pointed frees had the Kickham’s in front by the 22nd minute.

The last minutes of the first period did underline the fact that this was going to be a close one, and indeed a most watchable affair to keep the crowd guessing. In the event the Kickham’s men were just shading the issue and another point from the accurate boot of Kevin Small saw them take respite from the balmy conditions with a 0-10 to 0-09 lead.

15Matthew Gribbin celebrates the goal that brought his team back into the game. Pic by Damian McKee – Picture Magic Studios

All to play for in the second half, and although the impressive Jamie Gribbin split the posts in the opening minute as the Mc Cann brothers, Paul and Michael combined to send him on his way to the score. The home side were back on terms but not for long as the next period was to belong to the men in green and gold. A 33rd minute Tiernan Mc Cann point saw the visitors take the lead and when Ruairi Mc Cann, Liam Quinn and McCann again added further scores, they had opened up a four point lead and at this stage looked to be taking control.

Cargin required answers and such were forthcoming as Tomas Mc Cann punished an indiscretion on Michael Magill when he clipped the 35 metre free between the posts.The visitors still maintained advantage, but not for long as the hard grafting Michael Mc Cann found his sibling Tomas in space and when the latter forwarded to Jamie Gribbin the tricky forward danced away to plant the leather in the corner of the net to square the issue at the end of the third quarter.

Having been reeled in and seen a four point lead removed in a minute Creggan were not to linger on it and points apiece from David Mc Guckin and Conor Mc Cann saw them back in the vanguard. Even when Tomas Mc Cann’s 55th minute strike yielded a point at the other end Kevin Small’s reply seconds later saw the Creggan contingent up on their feet with a two point lead and the clock ticking onwards towards conclusion.

Cargin were not to settle for second best however and the Toome men were to dominate the latter stages with Tomas Mc Cann leading the way. Mc Cann stroked a 40 metre effort firmly between the posts in the 58th minute to cut the deficit to a single score, and when a Gerard Mc Corley intervention and a Kevin Mc Shane delivery opened the door the wing half forward added another to see his side back on terms. The last minutes saw both the sides strive in their respective efforts to gain the winner, and in the event it was the man of the moment Tomas Mc Cann who retained both his aim and his accuracy when his brother Paul was hauled to the turf to terminate his progress towards the target. With the clock now reaching the 63rd minute mark it was clear McCann’s free would be decisive either way, but he kept his cool under pressure to slot the ball between the posts and earn his team the win.

CARGIN

John Mc Nabb, James Laverty, Marty Kane, Gerard Mc Corley, Ciaran Bradley (0-01),Kevin Mc Shane, David Johnston (0-01), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, Tomas Mc Cann (0-08), Michael Mc Cann (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan, Michael Magill (0-01), Jamie Gribbin (1-03), Paul Mc Cann

Subs

Jamie Kennedy for M Kane (inj)

Brendan Laverty for G Mc Cann (inj)

David Mc Elhone for E Mc Grogan

CREGGAN

Oisin Kerr, Oistin Mc Ateer, Ricki Johnston, Aiden Maguire, Sam Maguire, Conor Mc Cann (0-01), Fintan Burke, Dermot Mc Cann, Ruairi Mc Cann (0-01), Tiernan Mc Ateer (0-04), Oran Mc Larnon, David Mc Guckin (0-01), Kevin Small (0-05), Liam Quinn (0-02)

Subs

Caolan Mc Cann for D Mc Cann

Jamie Mc Cann for D Mc Guckin (inj)

Referee B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)

Pics by Damian McKee – Picture Magic Studios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by thesaffrongael

Lámhs hold their nerve to down Aghagallon

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O’Neill’s Division One All-County Football League

Aghagallon 1-12-0-18 Lámh Dhearg

By Kevin Herron at Pairc Na nGael

Lámh Dhearg showed remarkable determination to leave Pairc Na nGael with two-league  points after a hard fought 1-12-0-18 win over Aghagallon this evening.

The warm elements and a water break a quarter of the way through the game helped the Lámhs -who found themselves 1-06-0-01 behind inside of ten minutes after Euan Walsh’s high ball dropped to the net.

Scores from Brendan McComb, Ryan Murray and Kevin Quinn kept the Hannahstown men in contention at the break and the game was on a knife-edge until late on when three unanswered points sealed back to back league victories.

Aghagallon came racing out the traps early on at Pairc Na nGael and shot themselves into a five-point lead before Lámh Dhearg were able to muster a response.

Euan Walsh popped up with the opening score before Ruairi Loughran converted a free, Dessie Marshall then conjured up a lovely score off the right foot and a double from Niall McShane had Aghagallon 0-05-0-00 ahead against the shell-shocked visitors.

A driving run from Ben Rice yielded Lámh Dhearg’s first response from the wing-half forward – but Dessie Marshall doubled his account for the evening before the a freakish opening goal had the hosts 1-06-0-01 to the good.

Euan Walsh looked to have hit his side’s seventh point of the evening but his high punt forward dropped and despite the best attempts of Mark McIlvenny in the Lámh Dhearg goal, the ball squirmed into the net and Aghagallon were on in dreamland.

Lámh Dhearg were in urgent need of a lift and three successive scores appeared to help their cause midway through the half – Brendan McComb’s marauding burst forward resulted in a fine point before Stephen Tully showed great vision to pop the ball over, then Ben Rice showed great tenacity to dispossess Aghagallon and after a cross field switch McComb conjured up his second of the evening to make it 1-06-0-04.

On the resumption of the water break Aghagallon inched 1-07-0-04 ahead through a second converted Ruairi Loughran free of the half, but Lámh Dhearg would outscore the hosts 0-06-0-03 in the lead up to the break.

Kevin Quinn converted a free in response to Loughran’s and despite Francis Bustard kicking his side six ahead once more three scores on the spin halved the deficit approaching the break – Christopher Nolan’s turnover in defence saw Lámh Dhearg hit the offensive and Ryan Murray struck his first of the evening.

A second would follow for the nippy corner-forward with Kevin Quinn splitting the posts in between as Aghagallon’s lead was cut to three, 1-08-0-08.

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Euan Walsh kicked his sides final score of the half but Murray and Quinn responded with late points as Lámh Dhearg trailed 1-09-0-10 at the break.

Lámh Dhearg cut the gap within thirty seconds of the restart – Pearse Fitzsimons broke the ball at midfield and an excellent burst from Kevin Quinn was followed by a score for his fourth of the evening.

Brendan McComb and Quinn both missed the chance to level but with almost ten minutes gone in the second period Ryan Murray converted a 45’ that was brought for dissent to level for the first time at 1-09-0-12.

Mark Finnegan and Domhnall Nugent then entered the fray for the visitors and Nugent made his presence felt and showed his great aerial ability under the high ball.

Aghagallon regained the initiative after referee Fionntan McCotter adjudged Michael Herron to have illegally fouled and substitute Shane Russell sent the free between the posts – though Ryan Murray converted a pressure kick at the other end from a converted free to level for the second time in the half.

Ruairi Loughran edged his side ahead once more but the hosts had goalkeeper Gavin O’Neill to thank for denying substitute Finnegan 12 minutes from time – Finnegan was slipped through and bore down on goal however his low drive was parried clear by a relieved O’Neill.

Instead it fell to Ryan Murray to tie the sides for the third time through a converted free from a difficult angle on the right and with ten minutes to play it was 1-11-0-14.

The Lámhs were ahead for the first time with nine minutes remaining through substitute Declan Lynch whose fine shot sailed between the posts – though it was a short-lived lead as Ruairi Loughran’s high drive dropped over the crossbar to restore parity for the fourth time.

With four minutes remaining Gerard Slane edged Lámh Dhearg in front for just the second time – though it would be decisive on this occasion as the visitors were able to execute their game management.

Ryan Murray kicked his seventh and final point of the evening from a converted free and three minutes into injury-time Kevin Quinn sealed the deal and Lámh Dhearg left Pairc Na nGael victorious – having lost both of the corresponding fixtures last season.

Aghagallon: R O’Neill, A Mulholland, D Donnelly, M McKenna, P Mulholland, P Branagan, M McStravick, E Walsh (1-02), J Lenehan, F Bustard (0-01), C Farr, C Brady, N McShane (0-02), D Marshall (0-02), R Loughran (0-04, 0-02f). Subs: S Russell (0-01f).

Lámh Dhearg: M McIlvenny, C Nolan, A McAufield, M McGarry, G Slane (0-01), M Herron, B McComb (0-02), P Fitzsimons, C Hannon, B Rice (0-01), C Flaherty, K Quinn (0-05, 0-01f), R Murray (0-07, 0-04f), S Tully (0-01), T McCrudden. Subs: M Finnegan for T McCrudden (40 mins), D Nugent for C Hannon (40 mins), D Lynch (0-01) for S Tully (50 mins), J Trainor for B McComb (52 mins), A Byrne for B Rice (59 mins).

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

 

 

 

by thesaffrongael

McGrady inspires St. Brigid’s to second win this week as they climb up the table

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St. Brigid’s Ronan McGrady, who inspired his side to victory over Moneyglass is challenged by Sean Kelly.

O’Neill’s ACFL Division 2

Moneyglass 0-11  St. Brigid’s 1-12

A Ronan McGrady inspired St. Brigid’s picked up their second win of the week when they travelled to Marrion Hill tonight to run out deserving winners over St. Ergnat’s and move a point above the Moneyglass men who suffered their second loss in three days.

The Musgrave Park side played the much more expansive football throughout to lead 0-9 to 0-6 at half time and a goal from the excellent McGrady at the end of the third quarter put them into a strong position at a time when the home side appeared to be gaining some momentum.

The goal came just after Kevin ‘Kindo’ Marron had been shown a second yellow card followed by red with McGrady extending the visitors lead to six soon after and it looked all over at this stage but Moneyglass kept battling to the end to score the last three points of the game but were never able to get through for the goal they needed.

It was the home side who were first off the mark when Liam Brady pointed a free in the second minute but St. Brigid’s were level within a minute as Ronan McGrady sent over from a 13 meter free at the other end.

Patrick Finnegan edged the visitors in front with a good point but Kevin Marron fisted over at the other end to tie the scores for the second time. The movement and precision of the visitors attack coupled with some excellent fielding from Cathal Conway started to open up the Moneyglass defence and they began to concede silly frees.

These were punished by the accuracy of McGrady as he fired over a trio of placed balls to edge his side three in front by the 12th minute before St. Ergnat’s hit back through two Liam Brady frees to close the gap to the minimum once more.

The Musgrave Park side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but McGrady was off target from a couple of frees and Finnegan shot wide before Kevin Marron fired over a long range effort at the other end to tie the contest with 19 minutes gone.

McGrady however recovered his composure to point another couple of frees to edge St. Brigid’s two in front before ‘Kindo’ Marron responded with the best score of the half, a massive point from 45 meters out to keep his side well in contention.

The speed and slick passing of St. Brigiid’s continued to cause problems however and as the foul count continued to rise Ronan McGrady added a couple more before the break to leave his side three in front at the short whistle.

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Jack Dowling extended the St. Brigid’s lead with a point at the start of the second half before they lost mid-fielder, Rory Finnegan to injury to be replaced by Niall McDonald. The home side hit back with a point from Kevin Marron and another fisted effort from Liam Brady following a strong solo run to close the gap to two.

Marron’s dismissal a few minutes later certainly didn’t help the St. Ergnat’s cause and as they tried to regroup they were struck a severe body blow when McGrady got on the end of a good build up to fire past Mark Carey.

Moneyglass kept going to the final whistle but got little change from a solid St. Brigid’s defence well marshalled by Andy Brennan and Thomas Corey. In the end they had to settle for a pointed free from Liam Brady and a couple of late efforts from Seanchann Duffin and it was the visitors who took the spoils.

St. Brigid’s now move onto 13 points, just one behind joint leaders Aldergrove and Gort na Mona but despite those defeats this week Moneyglass still remain in contention, just two behind the leading pair.

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St. Ergnat’s: Mark Carey, Miaran Neeson, Sean Kelly, Sean McGlinchy, Patrick McCormick, Conor Boyd, Padraig Mackle, Tiernan Duffin, Niall Boyd, Seanchann Duffin, Kivin Marron, Dermot McErlain, Gavin Murray, Ryan Boyd, Liam Brady. Subs: Kevin McPeake, Conal Prenter, Jack McCoy.

1

St. Brigid’s: Jamie Allen, Conor King, Tomas Corey, John Toner, Andy Brennan, Sean McKernan, Rory Finnegan, Cathal Conway, Patrick Finnegan, Jack Dowling, Oran Boyle, Peter Henvey, Ronan McGrady, Ben Leonard. Subs: Niall McDonald, Conor Taylor, Ciaran Mackle, Chris McCann

Referee: Paul Hanna (Glenavy)

by thesaffrongael

Win or bust for Saffrons

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Joe McDonagh/Christy Ring relegation/promotion playoff

Saturday June 30

Athletic Grounds, Armagh

Throw in: 12:45pm

Referee: David Hughes (Carlow)

By Brendan McTaggart

It’s not the match those who follow the Saffron hurlers were hoping for this weekend, but it’s every bit as important. Antrim travel to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh for a play-off with Christy Ring winners Kildare, the prize on offer? The right to participate in the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019.

After releasing a joint statement with the Kildare players on Thursday evening, the Saffron players and management have expressed their disappointment at the set-up and scheduling. The Lilywhites firmly of the belief that they have already earned that right when they defeated London at Croke Park in last Sunday’s Christy Ring Final and the scheduling of this match, just seven days after their first Christy Ring success since 2014 doesn’t help the situation much either.

The Antrim management have expressed their concerns around the play-off and the reasons – why break something that clearly isn’t broken is the trail of thought among Sambo, Woody, Neal Peden and Pappy and you would be hard pushed to find someone who would disagree with them, outside of GAA’s HQ. When we spoke with Dominic McKinley, he has sympathy for the Saffrons opponents on Saturday: “Look we’ve got ourselves in this situation and we’ve known the format from the start of the season. My own opinion is Kildare won the Christy Ring Cup and should be playing in the Joe McDonagh next year but I also think the McDonagh Cup should remain a six team competition.”

There is no doubting the McDonagh Cup has been a resounding success and McKinley is obviously eager to maintain Antrim’s status in the competition: “Some of the games have been outstanding. The games against Westmeath and Carlow were had fierce excitement and maybe wasn’t good for the managements health standing on the side line but I’m sure from a neutral’s perspective they were a spectacle. That’s the level of hurling that we as a county are at and we want to be playing in it next year again. Some of our hurling has been very, very good. You look at those first 20 minutes against Kerry and that’s what this team is capable off. We went off the boil and when that happens it’s difficult to get started again.”

Kildare come into the match ‘fresh’ from their dismantling of the Exiles. I say fresh but there is no doubting the Kildare men would have been hoping for at least another weeks grace before this playoff. The Lillywhites had 14 points to spare over London after the 70 minutes, thanks largely to goals from Jack Sheridan (two) and one from Shane Ryan along with the free taking ability of James Burke. A hugely impressive performance on an afternoon where they had 10 different scorers.

In recent matches Antrim have had the upper hand over Kildare, most recently the Saffrons had two points to spare on their way to securing promotion to Division 1b in March 2017. On that particular day in Cushendall, Ciaran Clarke top scored for the Saffrons with 1-6 but the Ballycastle man won’t be part of the squad at the Athletic Grounds: “We’ve known Clarkey’s situation all season,” added McKinley: “with his working commitments it was always a possibility he could miss this one and it’s turned out to be the case. The rest of the squad is much the same with no fresh injury concerns.” McKinley continued: “Some of the guys in this squad have been representing Antrim for the better part of 10 years. The squad enjoy being together and being part of Antrim hurling. They’re proud to represent their county and wear an Antrim shirt. There is no-one hurting more than they are right now for being in this playoff but we’re going to be doing everything we can to ensure we’re playing in the McDonagh Cup next year.”

Kildare will present a stern opposition for the Saffrons make no mistake about it. Their performances in the Christy Ring Cup were highly impressive highlighted by the fact they beat a strong London side and a Derry team littered with Slaughtneil players in the semi-final with eight points to spare. Under the tutelage of Joe Quaid they have made progress on the field of play and in Jack Sheridan they have one of the inform players in the country right now. Six goals in his three outings during the Christy Ring tells you Antrim will have to be mindful but the Saffrons have enough about them to edge this one. If they can replicate the intensity and form in recent times against Westmeath and Carlow they should keep their place in the McDonagh Cup for next season.

by thesaffrongael

St Brigid’s driven on by possibility of family encounters in Féile

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By Kevin Herron

All-County Féile football champions St Brigid’s will be driven to succeed and get to the later stages of this weekend’s All-Ireland tournament  in order to come up against siblings in neighbouring counties according to Féile co-ordinator Una McGurk.

Naomh Brid will participate in Division Two – Group C alongside host club St Fechin’s, Louth; Westport and Crossmaglen Rangers and should the Musgrave Park side progress through the weekend they may encounter Ulster opposition in the form of Burren and Clan Eireann with the possibility of coming up against family members from both clubs says McGurk.

“On 29th June 2018 the boys will take their place in the group stage matches along with the county champions from Mayo, Westport; their hosts St Fechin’s, Louth; and, Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh, who will have home advantage on the opening day” McGurk revealed.

“The results of the Division 2 group games may mean some of the Naomh Bríd players will have the opportunity to play against cousins from Burren, Down and the Armagh County Féile winners, Clan Eireann, Lurgan on Saturday and Sunday.  The prospect of those quarter final or semi-final games will spur the boys on in the group-stage matches”.

Naomh Brid clinched their first Féile success against St. Paul’s at Coláiste Feirste in April – despite losing out in a keenly contested group stage game against the Shaws Road side in the earlier round of the competition, before defeating South West champions Cargin in the All-County final to book their place in the All-Ireland series this weekend.

Success has not arrived overnight though as McGurk explains that the side has been a work in progress for six years.

“The 2018 Naomh Bríd U14 boys football team are delighted to be representing their club and county at the Féile Peile na nÓg 2018” insists McGurk.

“This team came together at U8 level in early 2012.  Since that time the boys have become great team mates on and off the pitch.  Winning the South Antrim final against St Pauls and the county final against Cargin, becoming county Féile A-team winners for the first time, were proud days for the squad and their coaches”.

Success at Féile often comes at a cost to clubs and St Brigid’s and the Féile team and mentors were actively busy in the aftermath of their victory over Cargin in fundraising towards their trip this weekend and McGurk outlined some of the fundraising activities that the club and the players and mentors undertook.

“It has been a busy time for the squad since the final against Cargin at Coláiste Feirste on 15th April 2018 with fundraising activities to help with their trip to Termonfeckin, Drogheda” McGurk admits.

“The boys hosted a ‘Guest Tea’ for family and friends, where they took part in a question and answer session about their matches and training in preparation for the Féile.  When asked about the South Antrim and County finals many boys said they recalled advice they got many times from their coaches, such as: “keep your eyes on the ball, not the man” and “leave everything on the pitch,” and they all agreed that in the Cargin match they “left everthing on the pitch” that day”.

“They also ran a ‘Big Breakfast’ at Harlequins, Deramore Park and were delighted that many club members, senior ladies and men’s team players, families and friends attended and gave generously to their fundraising – even though there were no bacon or sausage sandwiches left for the boys themselves by the end of the morning!”

“They have helped produce a commemorative programme, featuring pen pics of each player; notes from their coaches; and, a short history of the host club, St Fechin’s GAA and Naomh Bríd GAA.  Each player was kindly sponsored by local businesses who feature in the programme.  They finished off their fundraising activities at a church collection at St Brigid’s Church, Derryvolgie on Sunday 24th June 2018, where no member of the congregations at the 4 Masses was allowed to leave without a commemorative programme!”