Month / September 2018

by thesaffrongael

St Patricks battle past 14 man Ardoyne

Antrim Junior Football Championship

St Patrick’s Lisburn 0-12 Ardoyne Kickhams 0-10

A strong second half display by St Patrick’s Lisburn saw them book a place in the semi-final of the Junior Football Championship at the expense of Ardoyne in Friday night’s quarter final at Woodlands. Trailing by two at half time the Lisburn men were a more assured side in the second half against 14 men Ardoyne and after drawing level just two minutes after the restart they pushed on to edge a hard fought battle.

Ardoyne had much the better of the first half and Cormac Mullan gave them the lead with an early point from a 45 and they had chances to add to their tally but some wayward shooting let them down. St Patrick’s drew level on seven minutes when centre forward Francis McMeel sent over a free but Jim Og McAuley put Ardoyne back in front and a great point from a narrow angle from corner forward Barry McKervey put them two clear in the 12th minute. However the Belfast men received a bad blow in the 15th minute when McKervey received a straight red card, a blow that put them under severe pressure. After the sending off St Patrick’s came back to level with points by John McMullan on 20 minutes and Francis McMeel on 21 but Ardoyne regained their composure and Kevin Lynch and Cormac Mullan put them two clear as the game entered first half injury time. Eoin Fay pointed for St Patricks to close the gap to the minimum but there was still time for Cormac Mullan to hit a magnificent point from the acutest of angles on the right to give his team a 0-6 to 0-4 half time lead.3

St Patrick’s came flying out of the traps and the start of the second half and points from McMeel and Eoin Fay brought them back level by the 37th minute. Cormac Mullan restored the Kickham’s lead on 39 minutes and after McMeel had brought St Patrick’s level again the Ardoyne centre forward once again gave his team the advantage. However being a man short was starting to take its toll as the gaps began to open up for St Patrick’s and after hitting three bad wides they made amends when Conor Dixon and Eoin Fay fired over to give them a one point lead by the 50th minute. A fantastic pointed free off the ground from 40 metres by Ardoyne’s Cormac Mullan put his team back on terms with eight minutes still to play but St Patrick’s were gaining and egde and points from Martin Kennedy and Josh McMullan put them two clear by the 55th minute. As the game entered injury time there was some anxious moments for the St Patrick’s fans as another Mullan free dropped in around the square and Ardoyne’s full back Gerard McFarlane and midfielder Gary McKernan rose, though it was unclear which one of them flicked the ball inches over the bar. The gap was back to one by the door was closed on Ardoyne when McMell pointed a free at the other end, but there was still another anxious moment for the Lisburn fans when Ardoyne full forward Ciaran McNeill came close to grabbing what would have been a match winning goal but Peter O’Neill in the St Patrick’s goal stayed strong to seal his team a semi-final spot

 

by thesaffrongael

Cardinal’s men edge thrilling quarter final

Antrim Junior Football Championship

O’Donnell’s 2-11 St Comgall’s 2-9

Report and pics by John McIlwaine

A hotly disputed goal in the opening minute of the second half helped O’Donnell’s to victory over St Comgall’s in Friday evening’s opening round of the Antrim Junior Football Championship at Woodlands. Just after the break with St Comgall’s leading by a point O’Donnell’s substitute Jamie Walker fired in a great shot from the right corner of goal only to be denied by Saints goalkeeper Ben Johnston who turned the ball away. However O’D’s centre half back Ben Johnston, who was coming in at the far post fired in the rebound, though the Antrim players and management were adamant the ball entered through the side netting. There was much confusion about the score but after consultation with his fellow officials the referee awarded thegoal and O’Donnell’s were back in front. Later in the half the men from Antrim town retook the lead with a goal of their own but O’Donnell’s hit back brilliantly in the final quarter to outscore their opponents by 5 points to 1 and secure a semi-final place.

St Comgall’s started the game with points from the excellent Miles Devine and one from fellow corner forward Conor McAuley to lead by two after six minutes but once they got going O’Donnell’s hit back with three on the trot through Caolan Loughran, Mark McKenna and Steven Seawright to edge ahead in the 11th minute. Patrick O’Connor brought St Comgall’s level on 12 minutes and though O’Donnell’s full forward Padraig McKissog edged O’Ds back ahead a Conor McAuley point was sandwiched between two well taken scores from Devine to put St comgall’s 0-6 to 0-4 in front after 22 minutes. That set up a terrific finish to the half which saw O’Donnell’s retake the lead with a goal from full forward Fergal McNerney, following good work on the left wing by Caolan Loughran, only to be rocked back on their heels again when Antrim’s Miles Devine was adjudged to have been upended in the ‘box’ and Conor McAuley slotted the penalty past Conor Walsh in the O’D’s goal. That score put St Comgall’s two ahead entering first half injury time but left half forward Ciaran Ferran pulled one back for the Cardinal’s men in first half injury time to leave them trailing by just a point at the break. (1-5 to 1-6)

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Conor O’Donnell’s disputed goal early in the second half saw this terrific game turn back in O’Donnell’s favour but Miles Devine cut the gap back to single point again with an excellent point four minutes later. Padraig McKissock put two between the sides again but a point from a Peter McAuley free was followed by a brilliant individual goal for Devine who weaved his way in along to the endline to finish from a narrow angle. However the next three scores came from O’D’s as Conor McLarnon, Padraig McKissock and Joseph Laverty fired between the posts to put their team a point ahead entering the home straight. Devine came to his team’s rescue again with a point two minutes from the end of normal time, but O’Donnell’s were not to be denied and two excellently struck injury time points from frees by Padraig McKissock saw them book a semi-final spot at the end of a highly entertaining game.

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O’DONNELL’S

Conor Walsh, Patrick J Meenan, Marc Mallon, Ciaran McKissock, Jim Donnelly, Conor O’Donnell, Kevin Kennedy, Conor Walsh, Steven Seawright, Caolan Loughran, Padraig McKissock, Ciaran Ferran, Mark McKearney, Fergal McNerney, John Lavery.

ST COMGALL’S

Ben Johnston, Paul Flanagan, Calum McCabe, James McLornan, Ryan McAuley, Paddy Quinn, Shane Og Gribbon, Darryl McNeill, Kieran Quinn, Dylan Murdock, Peter McAuley, Patrick O’Conor, Miles Devine, Patrick Cooke, Conor McAuley

Referee – Tomas Eastwood (St Enda’s)

 

by thesaffrongael

Eight goal Shamrocks take the title

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Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Junior finaldohertywoodshavings copy

Loughgiel Shamrocks 8-11 Brídíní Óga Glenravel 2-10

THERE is never a bad time to get a goal – and Loughgiel struck eight times last evening in Cloughmills to bounce back from defeat in last year’s Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Junior final and take the title for the first time in five seasons.

The goals came in many forms, some well worked, some off defensive errors and even a fortuitous one just before the break. But the first from Cara McIntyre was badly needed in the 13th minute after outsiders Brídíní Óga had opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead.

By half time Loughgiel led by 3-3 to 0-7 in an open enough game in which the Glenravel girls were unlucky not to find the net themselves. Had the goal-chances fallen to and been taken by Brídíní Óga, they could well have pushed on in the second half as impressively as the winners did.

Glenravel impressed with their pace and point scoring in the opening half with no fewer than six different players hitting the target and Beth McAuley’s the pick, collecting a long poc out and racing down the right wing to fire high over the bar.

But those scores were undone by the goals. Annie Lynn caught a misplaced poc out in the 13th minute and drew the defender before giving Cara McIntyre an easy finish.

It was 0-5 to 1-2 when the second goal came after 18 minutes from Joanne Gillan and the third was a point effort from a Bróna McIntyre free that dipped in at the last second.

However the winners really stepped up the pace at the start of the second half with a second goal from Cara McIntyre and, despite Maeve Mulholland responding for the Glenravel girls, McIntyre completed her hat-trick in the 37th minute and the title was in the bag from that point on.

There were two goals from Player of the Match Anna Connolly and an impressive 1-4 in the final quarter from Carla McGarry as Loughgiel went through to the Ulster series next weekend.

That little bit of experience told for the winners, but it was a fine effort from the up and coming Glenravel club, who will contest the Intermediate semi-final against Dunloy next weekend and, on this showing, some of the junior squad will be pushing for starting places.

Loughgiel : Shari Carey, Roisin Cummings, Sarah-Anne McGarry, Denise McGarry, Mary McKillen, Brona McIntyre (1-3 frees), Rebecca Hargan, Anna Connolly [2-0], Catherine McCormick, Annie Lynn (0-3), Meadhbh McCormick, Carla McGarry [1-4] Joanne Gillan [1-0], Cara McIntyre (3-2), Shauna McKillop.

Subs: Erin McMullan for S McKillop, Lynsey Higgins for J Gillan, Maeve Henry for C McCormick

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Brídíní Óga : Megan McKillop, Ashling Mulvenna, Caroline Donnelly capt, Lauren Edgar, Dara Martin, Maria McKenna, Leona Traynor, Beth McAuley (0-2), Úna McAleenan, Niamh Donnelly (1-4, 0-1 free), Niamh McKay (0-1), Eimear Higgins, Aimee Traynor (0-1), Oonagh Ward (0-1), Sabrina Spiers (0-1).

Subs: Maeve Mulholland (1-0) for Eimear, Alishia McPeake for S Spiers

Referee: Owen Elliott

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Saffron Gael Player of the Match Anna Connolly

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Captain of the Loughgiel Team Brona McIntyre

 

by thesaffrongael

O’Cahan Cup final tonight in Portglenone

Kickham’s Creggan v Erin’s Own Cargin (8-15)

There was some confusion regarding the timing of tonight’s O’Cahan Cup final in Portglenone but at the time of writing I’m told it’s at 8-15. Reports earlier had suggested both clubs wanted it moved to 7-30 but whatever the arguments the South West appear to be sticking to the original time.

Regardless of the time the meeting of Cargin and Creggan is sure to attract a bumper crowd to Portglenone’s  excellent new floodlight facility and with neither side due to play in the championship until later in the month both managers may see this as a useful opportunity for meaningful action.

Kickham’s Creggan have had an excellent season to date under the stewardship of Kevin Madden and a win over St. Gall’s in the league last week in Creggan saw them move to the top of division 1 with just two rounds of the league remaining.

O’Cahan Cup specialists, Erin’s Own sit three points behind them in third place in the league and barring a bizarre sequence of results in the concluding fixtures look unlikely to retain the league trophy they won last year. Ironically one of Creggan’s remaining games is against tonight’s opponents, the other against tonight’s hosts, Casement’s Portglenone.

Erin’s Own have virtually made the O’Cahan Cup their own property since its inception and the Toome men have won it more times than all the other clubs in the South West put together and despite trailing Creggan in the league will probably start tonight’s final as slight favourites.

Rumours regarding injury abound from both camps but whatever lineouts  take the field they are unlikely to give tonight’s decider anything less that 100%. There has been a deadly rivalry between these parish neighbours going back over the years and it should ensure a highly competitive final.

Recent league performances would suggest that Creggan will start tonight’s encounter as slight favourites but when it comes to meetings of these two,the form book goes out the window. Creggan of course are going well on two fronts with a place in the semi-final of the Intermediate hurling championship already secured and this may dictate the availability of players while Cargin have a number of key players unavailable due to injuries.

This one looks too close to call so I’m sitting on the fence regarding a prediction but the Saffron Gael will be there to cover what should be an interesting and entertaining contest.

P-Graham-Banner-Proof

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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY

 

If you have a business in the area of any of teams playing in this weekend’s games we offer you an opportunity to show your support for your side and in doing so helping us to maintain our coverage of all these games by placing a banner advert, wishing your side good luck.

 

The cost of the advert is £60-00 and will appear on your side’s match report and, if they advance it will appear again on subsequent reports for no extra charge. As a bonus we will also add your advert to this preview if you get it to us before Friday. We have included adverts from some of our sponsors and advertisers on this preview.

 

To place your advert contact us on ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk or john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk or for further information ring us on 07511111378 or 07885226348

 

 

by thesaffrongael

Early goals the key to success as Aldergrove proceed to the Final

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Report: Geordie McGuckin

Ciaran Doherty & Co Accountants Under-16 (A) League semi-final

St James Alder grove 3-11 Erin’s Own Cardin 0-07

St. James’ Aldergrove will start the forthcoming Ciaran Doherty & Co South West league final as firm favourites following this 13 point win over Cargin last night in Crumlin. The Aldergrove side struck with three early goals to leave their opponents a mountain to climb and while the visitors never gave up they were well beaten in the end.

The Crumlin lads had opened account less than a minute into proceedings as Conleth O’ Toole Palmed a precision based Glen Dunham cross to the back of the net and although the Cargin boys raised five unanswered white flags in reply to nip ahead back to back majors at the other end ensured the home side were back in front at the end of the opening quarter.

The clock had not registered a minute when, after making strong approach on the right hand side Glen Dunham’s cross opened the way for Conleth O’ Toole to finish to the net.

An excellent start for the Crumlin lads on their own patch but Cargin were soon to find their feet and the Toome lads were off the mark in the 3rd minute when Benen Kelly slotted a 35 meter free kick between the posts.

They were back alongside their hosts as PJ Quinn, aided by a good Eunan Quinn delivery split the posts and early replacement Shay McCusker’s intervention sent Peter John McAleese away to add another.

The visitors certainly had found their feet and continued to put their hosts under pressure with good return in the early stages as Peter John McAleese’s 12th minute pointed free and another from Conor Kelly following a strong approach saw them 0-05 to 1-00 ahead and looking good in the process.

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The Aldergrove lads who had entered the fray as firm favourites were to regain advantage by the 14th minute as the impressive Rory O’ Neill converted a penalty and when center forward Aaron O’ Connor seized on a loose delivery to return to the back of the net they were at 3-00 to 0-05.

The Toome side were rocked by those early goals and struggled to regain composure as further white flags raised in turn by Rory O’ Neill and Eoin Magee saw the home side at 3-02 to 0-05 ahead.

The Erin’s Own boys returned to the positive again in the latter stages of the half and indeed may well have celebrated a couple of major scores of their own but Lady Luck was not on their side.

Paudie McLaughlin made impressive approach and was just off target with his finish which whizzed past the post and the woodwork came to the aid of the home side as PJ Quinn’s goal bound effort rebounded off an upright.

A Tom Shivers point proved Cargin’s only reward for a period in which they had dominance and when Rory O’ Neill raised an injury time white Aldergrove had earned a 3-03 to 0-06 interval advantage.

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Cargin needed a good start to the second half and better return from chances created if they were to entertain aspirations on the under-16 title but in the event it was to be Aldergrove who were to hit the sod running.

A 31st minute Rory O’ Neill point added to the Aldergrove lead and with the Cargin lads looking less than confident they found themselves punished for unforced errors as Ryan McCarthy delivered back to back points.

A Peter John McAleese point punished an indiscretion on the advancing Paudie McLaughlin to breathe life back into the Cargin lads and they returned to the offensive again for a time.

Chances were created with the stout defensive efforts of Odhran Molloy and Shay Mc Cusker paying dividends but although chances arrived the Toome lads just could not find the target and several chances came and went unrewarded as the wide tally increased.

Aldergrove had no such problems when they attacked with the sterling efforts of Aaron O’ Connor, Logan Henry, David Aiken, and Eoin Hamill leading the charge.

Back to back Glen Dunham points followed and the die was cast as the home side had raced into a seven point lead.

Cargin tried to rally but St. James’ were on top and dominating the last phase with late points from Conleth O’ Toole and Rory O’ Neill (2) ushering Aldergrove over the winning line and on the way to the under-16 final at 3-11 to 0-07.

St. James will now renew acquaintances with All Saints Ballymena who were less than impressive in their win over Tir na nOg in the other semi-final in Ballymena and after hitting 8 goals against the Ballymena side last week in the league, will start as firm favourites.

01/03/09

Aldergrove: Rory McBrian in, Conor Ferguson, David Aiken, Lee McCusker, Eoin Gough, Logan Fleming, Eoin Magee (0-01), Eoin Hamill, Emmett Ervine, Conleth O’ Toole (1-01), Aaron O’ Connor (1-00), Glen Dunham (0-020, Michael Blayney, Ryan McCarthy (0-02), Rory O’ Neill (1-05)

Subs

Aiden Ervine for E Gough

Gaelic

 

Cargin: Conor Johnston, Conan Johnston, Odhran Molloy, Dermot Mc Peake, Conan Kennedy, Paudie Mc Laughlin, Malachi Johnston, Eunan Quinn, Conor Kelly (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-01),Benen Kelly (0-01), Shane Gribbin< Sean og O’ Neill, Peter J Mc Aleese (0-02), PJ Quinn (0-02)

Subs

Shay Mc Cusker for Conan Johnston

Shea Laverty for S Gribbin

Cahir Donnelly for C Kelly

Sean Gribbin for T Shivers

Cahir O’ Boyle for Conor Johnston

Referee: Sean McAtamney (Tir na nOg)