Month / September 2018

by thesaffrongael

Early goal provides impetus as Aghagallon Secure Title

A28

Congratulations to St. Mary’s U14’s on winning the South West league final

Thomas Devlin Car Sales under-Under-14 League  (Final)

St Mary’s Aghagallon 1-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 1-05

St Mary’s Aghagallon are the South West division’s under-14 league champions for 2018 after an early goal provided the impetus for their eventual victory gained over a gallant Cargin side at a pleasant if windy Hightown on Sunday afternoon.

Having the wind as assistant on the St Enda’s elevated arena the St Mary’s side made good use of the friendly elements in the early phase, and after Enda Mc Cartan, who was to complete as top scorer opened their account with a 4th minute point Gareth Reavey added a goal a couple of minutes later as the center forward collected from the penalty spot.

The man in the middle had adjudged Enda McCartan was the victim of an illegal challenge inside the area and although the decision did prompt protestations from the bystanders in the Cargin corner the decision stood, and centre forward Reavey slotted the leather confidently to the corner of the net.

Away to a great start in pursuit of the under-14 title the Aghagallon lads with the proverbial ‘wind in their sails’ went in search of further scores.

The Cargin lads, who had claimed the ‘Feile’ title early in the season were finding the going tough facing a strong fifteen in opposition with an obviously physical superiority quite apparent, and with the wind in their faces as well problems were evident.

Erin’s Own were not overawed and Tom Shivers was just off target in the 10th minute before the intervention of the Aghagallon net-minder Gavin Behan prevented them opening account.

Cahir O’ Boyle had collected the ball away on the right hand side after a Conhuir Johnston strike was caught in the breeze and it took the smart intervention of the keeper to prevent the crisply delivered ‘daisy cutter’ from finding the corner of the net.

A smart save at one end was quickly replicated at the other however and Cargin keeper Shea Laverty was seen at his best when Jonny Hannon sent the strong running Enda Mc Cartan in on target but with a goal seemingly at his mercy he was denied access by the Cargin net minder.

Despite the Toome lads standing tall in resistance with Callum Gribbin and Ciaran Mc Peake working hard in defence a strong and direct run from Aghagallon center-forward Gareth Reavey, who had claimed an early goal from the penalty strike, added a point in the 16th minute.

Cargin did get to open their scoring account in the 18th minute when Tom Shivers defied the wind to send directly over the bar after a strong Conan Johnston run opened the gap but the St Mary’s lads had the final say on the board in the opening quarter when the strong running Jonny Hannon delivered a 20th minute point to see his side at 1-05 to 0-01 at the short whistle.

With the wind as a friend in the second twenty minutes Cargin went looking for an early score but in the event it was to be Aghagallon who were first away with an early point from left winger Conor Toland.

Cargin replied shortly after as Tom Shivers despatched a close free over the bar when Conhuir Johnston looked to have been impeded inside the square.

The talented full forward had been very closely attended by Eddie Wilson throughout but on more than one occasion the envisaged danger posed by the former was curtailed by several with a positive return.

Despite facing the elements in the second half Aghagallon continued to dominate and working as a unit they proceeded to take the game to the Toome lads.

Full back Eddie Wilson was out in front again to intercept and after proceeding with the ball in hand for an eye catching solo dash he was halted in flight by an illegal challenge.

Enda Mc Cartan despatched the resultant award directly over the bar.

The St Mary’s lads had the impetus as full forward McCartan proceeded to add another brace of points to see his side in the calm waters afforded by a 1-09 to 0-02 lead.

The Cargin cause did look forlorn as the game clock ticked onwards but they were not to lose focus as they continued to push forward and a chink of light was to be sighted at the end of the tunnel in the 35th minute as Conhuir Johnston found the net.

Tom Shivers had delivered a rasper towards the net after Callum Gribbin, who had an excellent outing delivered into the danger area and after consultation with his linesman awarded a penalty which the Cargin full forward blasted to the back of the net,

Little time remained for the Erin’s Own lads but the relocation of Cahir Donnelly out from his full back role to a more forward role proved  a positive move and Cargin finished with a flourish.

Conhuir Johnston was fouled close to the  ‘box’ in the 37th minute bur a free was the verdict instead of a penalty with the close placed effort easily sent between the posts.

Aghagallon responded as another gut wrenching approach by full back Eddie Wilson opened the way for another Enda Cartan score as he forwarded between the posts.

The die had long since been cast and although the gallant Toome lads had the last say as another indiscretion on Conhuir Johnston was despatched between the posts by Tom Shivers such was obviously in consolation as the St Mary’s lads crossed the winning line as under-14 league champions at 1-10 to 1-05.

Aghagallon: Gavin Behan, Eoin Magill, Eddie Wilson, Sam Thomas, James Mc Cormick, Ciaran Mc Guinness, James Hamill, Jonny Hannon (0-02), Paudie Gowdy, Callum Mulholland, Gareth Reavey (1-01), Conor Toland (0-01), Joseph Mc Donald (0-01), Enda Mc Cartan (0-05), Nathan Gowdy

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Jack Harney, Cahir Donnelly, Hugh O’ Donnell, Callum Gribbin, Craig Thornton, Ciaran Mc Peake, Conan Johnston, Charlie Mc Cann, Cahir O’ Boyle, Tom Shivers (0-03), Caomhinn Kennedy, Ben Mc Larnon, Conhuir Johnston (1-02), Diarmuid Quinn

AGH2

Subs: Brogan McNally for D Quinn

 

Referee John Hasson (All Saint’s)

 

by thesaffrongael

All Saints GAC Family Fun Charity 5k Run cheque presentation

Following a weekend of fun activities at the All Saints GAC Annual Family Fun Weekend the club recently made a presentation to local charity – Chest, Heart and Stroke NI. The total amount raised was £1023 with the funds coming from donations from runners and walkers participating in the Crebilly 5k race and at other events across the weekend. The club wishes to thank everyone who supported the events. Particular thanks go to Ballymena Runners Athletic Club for their continued support of the run. Pictured are Chest, Heart & Stroke NI representative Valerie Saunders, Club Chairperson Jim Brady and several club juvenile players

by thesaffrongael

St Enda’s progress to quarter finals

LOCC Solicitors Intermediate Football Championship

St Enda’s 2-08-1-04 St Pauls

By Kevin Herron at Chapel Hill

St Enda’s had enough in the tank to see off St Pauls in a game that will quickly be consigned to the history books following a 2-08-1-04 win at Chapel Hill this afternoon.

Both sides slow approach play and patience did little to set the pulses racing – St Enda’s were 0-05-0-02 to the good before the opening goal arrived courtesy of Ruairi Scott’s palm to the net early in the second-half.

St Paul’s briefly rallied and appeared to set up a grandstand finish as Damian Martin fisted to the net a minute into injury-time. The Hightown Road men failed to panic though and secured the win thanks to a second from Scott deep into additional time to set up a quarter-final clash with Davitts.

Frank Fitzsimons side were favourites to progress to the last eight at the expense of St Pauls who suffered back to back relegations following a derby defeat against Sarsfields last mid-week.

St Enda’s made the brighter start at Chapel Hill and led through Ciaran O’Neill’s point – Odhrán Eastwood then robbed Niall Peoples of possession and fed Ruairi Scott who popped the ball to Donal Walsh for number two inside the first five minutes.

Micky-Joe Cooper got St Pauls off the mark with and halved the deficit with a converted 6th minute free – despite Odhrán Eastwood responding through the same scenario St Paul’s trailed 0-03-0-02 at the midway point in the half after Stephen Rooney and Conor McCartan linked up to find Liam Carland whose excellent long range shot dropped over the crossbar.

That was to be St Paul’s last point of the opening half-hour – St Enda’s restored their two-point lead for a third time as Sean Bradley was adjudged to have pushed Conor Morgan in the back and Eastwood converted the resulting free for his second in the space of five minutes.

The first goal chance of the game arrived with the game 22 minutes old, though Conor Morgan could only palm a hanging ball to the back post into the side netting and wide of Kiefer Toolan’s goal.

Two minutes into first-time injury-time St Enda’s stretched their lead to three after Joe Maskey picked out Donal Walsh in space and the corner-forward conjured up his second point of the half to ensure his side led 0-05-0-02 at the end of a dull first thirty minutes.

Five minutes into the second period the opening goal arrived at Chapel Hill – the large post denied St Enda’s a sixth point of the game and Ciaran O’Neill got to the loose ball first and fisted the ball to  Ruairi Scott who palmed to the net unmarked to give Enda’s at 1-05-0-02 lead.

20St Paul’s responded positively through a Patrick Copeland point ten minutes into the half and Niall Peoples then converted a free to close the gap to four by the midway point in the second period, 1-05-0-04.

Both sides continued to persist with a patient approach in attack and this did little to excite either support – the game did remain in the balance nonetheless.

It took St Enda’s 23 minutes of the second period before they hit their opening point; once more patience was the key as Peter Healy curled the ball over the bar at the end of a string of passes that eventually broke St Paul’s defensive system.

Odhrán Eastwood appeared to seal victory for St Enda’s with a third converted free on the stroke of full-time – though there was to be late drama at Chapel Hill.

Two minutes into an additional five St Paul’s set-up a grandstand finish as substitute Paddy Doyle picked up the loose ball and floated it back into the danger area where Damian Martin was lurking to fist the ball over the head of Paddy Flood and into the net to put three between the sides, 1-07-1-04.

St Enda’s weren’t about to panic though and a fisted point from Cormac Morgan was followed by a second goal with the final move of the game – Odhrán Eastwood switched the play to scorer of the first goal Scott who burst forward and shot past Kiefer Toolan to double his tally for the afternoon and ensure his side would run out 2-08-1-04 winners at the end of a largely forgettable afternoon at Chapel Hill.

St Enda’s: P Flood, C Jennings, M McNamee, C Eastwood, C Lyttle, J McAuley, C McAuley, P Curran, J Maskey, C Morgan, R Scott (2-00), O Eastwood (0-03f), D Walsh (0-02), P Healy (0-01), C O’Neill (0-01). Subs: G Crossey for D Walsh (42 mins), C Morgan (0-01) for C Morgan (48 mins), R Kennedy for C McAuley (57 mins).

St Pauls: K Toolan, K Gallagher, S Bradley, P Copeland (0-01), A Kavanagh, D Burns, C Hughes, L Carland (0-01), D Martin (1-00), J Duffy, S Rooney, N Peoples (0-01f), J Farrell, C McCartan, MJ Cooper (0-01f). Subs: C McLarnon for A Kavanagh (40 mins), P Doyle for MJ Cooper (45 mins), M Connelly for C McCartan (48 mins).

Referee: Eamon McAuley (Cargin)

Pic by John McIlwaine

by thesaffrongael

Holders emerge unscathed from prelim clash

A28

WELL DONE TO OUR U14’S AND COMISSERATIONS TO OUR SENIORS

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship

Lámh Dhearg 2-15-0-09 Aghagallon

By Kevin Herron at Chapel Hill

Senior Football Champions Lámh Dhearg started the defence of their crown with a 2-15-0-09 win over Aghgallon at Chapel Hill this evening.

Goals from Paddy Cunningham and Ben Rice inside the opening eighteen minutes had the Hannahstown men in the box-seat, though Aghgallon rallied late in the second quarter with corner-forward Gareth Magee rising to the occasion to ensure his side were still in the game at the break, trailing 2-06-0-07.

The second period was a little more one sided though as Lámh Dhearg outscored Aghagallon 0-09-0-02 with points from Michael Herron, Declan Lynch and Marc McGarry and only a terrific and brave block from Gavin O’Neill in the St. Mary’s goal denied Ben Rice from scoring his second major of the afternoon.

All eyes were focused and fixed on Chapel Hill since the Championship draw back in January against the extraordinary backdrop that saw Kevin Murray face his former club and younger sibling Ryan Murray in the defence of their crown. Most of the pre-match talk surrounded the possibility of an upset – though Lámh Dhearg came firing out of the blocks.

Declan Lynch released corner-forward Ben Rice who burst forward and raised the white flag within the first twenty seconds – Paddy Cunningham converted a free to double his sides lead and on the sixth minute the veteran corner-forward came up with the game’s first goal.

Paddy Larkin did well to turn the ball over in defence and start a counter attack – Ciaran Flaherty popped the ball into the path of Michael Herron who in turn slipped Cunningham in one-on-one and Cunningham was not going to miss, rifling low past Gavin O’Neill to give the champions a 1-02-0-00 lead.

Gareth Magee responded for Aghagallon from a converted free after a foul by Declan Lynch though Cunningham added his second placed ball of the evening to restore his sides five point lead.

Aghagallon hit their second score of the half just beyond the midway point through a second Magee free – though trouble wasn’t far away as Lámh Dhearg hit their second goal of the game on the 18th minute.

Kevin Quinn turned the ball over and quickly sent Ben Rice on his way and the corner-forward confidently used his pace and burst towards the target before picking his spot past O’Neill to give the Hannahstown men a seven-point advantage, 2-03-0-02.

Ryan Murray added a quick point – though Aghagallon grew into the game in the final ten minutes of the half and outscored the Lámhs 0-05-0-02.

Corner-forward Gareth Magee landed his third placed ball of the afternoon and then let fly with an outstanding effort that sailed between the posts.

Ciaran Flaherty responded for Lámh Dhearg after a smart one-two with Michael Herron – though Ruairi McCann shot over the bar after Ben Rice’s shot dropped short and St. Mary’s countered.

Aghagallon had Lámh Dhearg on the back foot for the final five minutes – Caolan Farr twice turned the ball over from John Finucane’s kick-outs in the aftermath of McCann’s point and on both occasions it yielded scores through Gareth Magee and Ciaran Brady as Aghagallon closed the deficit to four, 2-05-0-07.

Lámh Dhearg would stretch their lead to five at the interval through a fine Paddy Cunningham point and with the wind advantage in the second period the holders were in pole position at the break.28

Eoghan McKeown kicked the opening score of the second period after a trademark jink by the number ten and Paddy Cunningham converted his third free of the evening in the aftermath.

Gareth Magee was proving to be Aghagallon’s go to man – the corner-forward converted his fourth placed ball of the evening to ensure his side stayed in contention.

The Aghagallon defence were struggling to keep tabs on confident Cunningham who split the posts after a fine turnover out of defence by Aaron McAufield.

On 42 minutes Ben Rice should have killed the game off after Cunningham popped the ball into the danger man whose certain goal bound shot was parried via the face of brave Aghagallon goalkeeper Gavin O’Neill who required treatment in the aftermath.

When play resumed once more Gareth Magee struck his seventh point of the evening to reduce the deficit to six for the second time in the half, 2-09-0-09.

Thereafter it was Lámh Dhearg who ended the game on the front foot with six unanswered points – Ben Rice squeezed inside the post for his second point of the evening, then after pressing the Aghagallon kick-out high up the field Declan Lynch stroked the ball over the bar to get on the score sheet.

Michael Herron let fly with a left foot effort that sailed between the posts and Paddy Cunningham brought his afternoon tally to 1-06 with a fourth converted free of the contest.

Marc McGarry may have added a third goal late on, but after Michael Herron popped the ball into the path of the attacking wing-half back McGarry opted to blast over the top and make it 2-15-0-09.

Referee Fionntan McCotter sounded his final whistle shortly after and Lámh Dhearg had survived the dreaded banana skin in the prelim round to set-up a mouth watering meeting with Cargin in two-weeks time.18

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, C Nolan, A McAufield, P Larkin, R Straney, D Lynch (0-01), M McGarry (0-01), P Fitzsimons, K Quinn, E McKeown (0-01), C Flaherty (0-02), R Murray (0-01), P Cunningham (1-06, 0-04f), M Herron (0-01), B Rice (1-02). Subs: M Finnegan for E McKeown (52 mins), B McComb for P Larkin (54 mins), R Fegan for B Rice (57 mins), D Dunne for P Fitzsimons (62 mins), C Hannon for M Herron (64 mins).

Aghagallon: G O’Neill, A Doherty, D Donnelly, M McKenna, A Mulholland, J Lenehan, P Mulholland, O Lenehan, E Walsh, C Brady (0-01), R McCann (0-01), F Bustard, G Magee (0-07, 0-04f), D Marshall, C Farr. Subs: R Loughran for M McKenna (31 mins), J Harbinson for C Farr (48 mins), D McAlernon for D Marshall (58 mins).

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

Pics by John McIlwaine

by thesaffrongael

Ports pushed all the way by a battling Rossa

P-Graham-Banner-Proof

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship preliminary round

Casement’s, Portglenone 3-12

O’Donovan Rossa 3-8

Casement’s Portglenone went into this game as strong favourites against a Rossa team staring down the barrel of relegation but in the event they were made to fight all the way by a side who battled to the end and might well have caused an upset

A STRONG second quarter by Portglenone turned this highly entertaining contest in their favour as they  built a healthy lead but they were never able to totally shake off Jim Close’s side.

In what turned out to be a  game of changing fortunes, the goals came thick and fast and it was the Shaw’s Road side who made the early running as they raced into a lead that might have been greater had fortune favoured them.

It was Rossa who opened first as Colm Fleming sent over after Sean Finch was pulled down in full flight in the third minute but Michael Hagan replied for the Bannsider’s in the 6th minute to tie the contest.

Rossa returned fire immediately with a fine move that saw the ball transferred between Darren Grego and Dominic McEnhill before finding its way to Richie Gowdy who pointed.

0R6A8505

Niall McKeever was an excellent target from kick-outs and after fielding, he set Niall Delargy through to equalise once again.

However, Rossa were going well in the early stages and James Cooley gave them the lead once more as Stephen Beatty’s dropping shot was punched into his path and on 11 minutes they looked to have struck with the game’s opening goal  when Sean Fleming finished a good move to the net but referee Karol Doherty had blown for an earlier foul.

Colm Fleming tapped over the free and despite their obvious disappointment Rossa would have been happy with their start to the game but their joy was to be short lived.

Portglenone responded with a goal in the 14th minute when Dermot McAleese played a long ball into the right corner where Gerard McAleese gained possession and spotted the run of Conal Delargy who had escaped his marker, and the full-forward rounded Rossa keeper, Michael Byrne before tapping into an empty net.

A minute later Rossa responded with a goal of their own to go back ahead when Gowdy set up Sean Pat Donnelly who hammered it to the net. Before the crowd could draw breath Casement’s struck again  as Michael Hagan hand-passed in from the left and Delargy rose to palm home and establish a 2-2 to 1-4 lead for Portglenone.

During the closing stages of the half the South West side began to get on top, holding their opponents scoreless as Niall McKeever played in Caolan Tierney for a good point, while the towering midfielder turned scorer himself with a good effort off his left boot.

Hagan (two) and Conal Delargy kicked three frees between them before McKeever finished off their first-half scoring with a good effort to leave it 2-8 to 1-4 at the break and the Portglenone men looked in control as the half time whistle sounded.

With the wind at their backs now, Rossa needed to hit the ground running in the second half, but were to kick three wides early which didn’t help their cause. Portglenone looked to have wrapped up the game when McKeever found Michael Hagan and he found the in rushing Dermot McAleese with a deft hand pass and the centre forward made no mistake.

0R6A8538

Rossa refused to throw in the towel however and  after Fleming tapped over a free, they were awarded a penalty on 45 minutes that Sean Pat Donnelly rifled into the top corner of the net and it was game on again.

Portglenone responded with the  next four scores through Dermott McAleese, Hagan (free), Paddy Kelly (free) and McKeever to move 10 ahead with eight minutes remaining and it looked as good as over at this stage.

It was during the closing stages and the five minutes of added time that followed that Rossa showed their indomitable spirit as they hit back with a third goal on 55 minutes when Beatty rose to flick Donnelly’s free to the net.

Donnelly added a point and another from a Fleming free cut the gap to five, but they couldn’t carve out the goal they needed as the Casement’s defence stood firm. It’s Casement’s who now go forward to a quarter-final meeting against a St. Gall’s side who will start as firm favourites despite losing twice to the Portglenone men this year.

Christopher McGuinness returned for Rossa and this certainly helped steady the team, while Michael Armstrong was also sprung from the bench to boost Paul Close’s men, but Portglenone had the answers on the day with Niall McKeever central to most of their play, while Conal Delargy and Dermot McAleese were also prominent for the Bannsider’s.

0R6A8459

PORTGLENONE: B McManus; R Convery, S Delargy, T Convery; R Delargy, K McKenna, M Kelly; N McKeever (0-3), N Delargy (0-1); D McAleese (1-2), P Kelly (0-2, 1 free), C Tierney (0-1); M Hagan (0-3 frees), C Delargy (2-1, 0-1 free), G McAleese.

0R6A8451

ROSSA: M Byrne; C McGowan, C Orchin, N Crossan; R Gowdy (0-1), C McGuinness, S Finch; S Beatty (1-0), O McVicker; D Grego, SP Donnelly (2-1, 1-0 pen), J Cooley (0-1); D McEnhill, C Fleming (0-5 frees), T Morgan. Subs: C McGettigan for D Grego (HT), M Armstrong for O McVicker (HT)

REFEREE: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)