Holders, All Saints coasted into the next round of the
Antrim Junior B Hurling championship with a comprehensive victory over Kickham’s
Ardoyne at St. Enda’s today. The Hightown pitch was in great shape as were the
Ballymena side as they raced into a 6-9 to 0-1 half time lead and the game was
as good as over at that stage.
With the wind at their back Ardoyne gave it everything after
the break and scored another 3-1 but the Slemish Park side, aided by the
immaculate striking of Damian Gillan added 11 points and never looked in any
serious trouble.
Gillan got All Saints on their way when he drove a close
range free to the net in the third minute and points from Cormac Magill, Ciaran
Butler, Liam Cassley and Gillan again from a ‘65’ saw them lead 1-5 to 0-0
after 13 minutes.
Niall McGarry set up Butler for an excellent goal in the 14th
minute and the towering full-forward repaid the complement when he placed
McGarry for goal number three as the one way traffic continued away from the pavilion
end.
Ciaran Butler and Niall McGarry were causing endless
problems for the Kickham’s defence and the big number 14 fielded a dropping
ball before firing to the net from close range and McGarry added two more
before the whistle as All Saints took a 26 point lead into the half time break.
Gillan extended that lead with a point on the restart but
Ardoyne’s efforts finally paid off in the 2nd and 3d minutes when
they struck with a couple of goals from Ciaran Kane to give their confidence a
boost.
With the strong wind at their back could Ardoyne close the
gap on their opponents? The answer was a quick no. All Saints got their act
together again as Damian Gillan (free), Ciaran Neeson, Gillan again, Liam
Cassley, Vinny Esler, Luke O’Rawe (0-2), Damian Gillan,(0-2), Liam Cassley
(0-2) and Gillan again sent over unanswered points.
Ardoyne, who battled throughout finally got some more reward for their efforts when a long range free from Jim Og McAuley got a touch from Sean Magill and ended in the net with time almost up to put a better look on the scoreline.
Ardoyne: Patrick McCullough, Connor Keenan, Pascal Clarke,
Paul McGuiness, Paul O’Halloran, Sean McGearty, Christopher McShane, Jim Og
McAuley, Ryan Stewart, Pearse Hull, Sean Magill, Hugh Grieve, Patrick McCabe,
Stephen Hill, Ryan Thompson. Subs: Luke Brady for Hugh Grieve
All Saints: Daire Hasson, Sean O’Rawe, Christopher McAffee,
Terence Diamond, Padhraig Magill, Colum Neeson, Brendan McDonnell, Damian
Gillan, Vincent Esler, Cormac Magill, Luke O’Rawe, Gary Miskella, Niall
McGarry, Ciaran Butler, Liam Cassley. Subs: Ciaran Neeson for Ciaran Butler,
Martin McNally, PJ O’Kane, Andrew Mitchell, Francis casey.
Official Spnonsors of Antrim Ladies Gaelic Football Saoirse Tennyson lifts the cup after her teams comeback win over Fermanagh
Antrim ladies got the better of Fermanagh at the fourth time
of asking after coming back from five-points behind at the break to defeat the
Erne ladies 0-18-2-09 at Clones in this afternoons TG4 Ulster Junior final.
There was a sense of déjà vu early on as Eimear Smyth rifled
home within the first quarter of a minute and the league champions hit their
second through captain Joanne Donnan after Antrim had closed the deficit and at
the break it was 2-06-0-07.
But Antrim battled back with Cathy Carey and Lara Dahunsi
leading the way in attack and Niamh Enright levelling affairs with a quarter of
the game remaining.
Mairead Cooper departed through injury at the end of the
opening period but upon her reintroduction gave her side the lead for the first
time and the Saffrons forged further ahead to finally get the better of
Fermanagh after three previous failings this season.
Three weeks to the day of the sides last meeting at the
Athletic Grounds; which Fermanagh comprehensively claimed 2-13-0-09 it was round
four at the scene of the sides last final back in May.
Antrims Aine Tubbirty
Fermanagh clinched promotion to division three on that day
thanks to an early goal from Eimear Smyth and the same script was in
circulation as Fermanagh turned over the throw-ball and Smyth took up the
reins, confidently burst forward and rifled past Anna McCann to make it
1-00-0-00 within fifteen seconds.
Cathy Carey pointed for Antrim in response but it was
Fermanagh who were in the ascendancy early on as Molly McGloin, Smyth (free) and Noelle Connolly extended their
sides lead to 1-03-0-01 after ten minutes of play.
Consecutive converted frees from Mairead Cooper and Cathy
Carey reduced the deficit to a goal at the midway point in the half – but Smyth
and Ernesiders captain Joanne Donnan responded with back to back points.
Antrim struck the woodwork twice the opening half – Mairead Cooper watched her high shot crash off the post and the St Pauls corner-forward saw her dipping shot scrambled to safety by Roisin Gleeson in the Fermanagh goal and agonisingly for the Saffrons Caitlin Taggart’s follow-up effort crashed off the crossbar.
Taggart would conjure up two magnificently angled points as
Antrim closed the gap to two for the second time (1-05-0-06 ), though Joanne
Donnan struck her second point of the afternoon and better was still to come
for the Fermanagh skipper.
Eimear Smyth’s free dropped short into the hands of Anna McCann and under pressure from Doonan – McCann spilled the ball and the number ten scrambled the ball into the empty net to make it 2-06-0-06 with just two minutes until the break.
Cathy Carey responded with a converted free for Antrim
before the break – but the Saffrons were dealt a blow as Mairead Cooper
departed through injury through impaired vision before the break and her side
trailed 2-06-0-07.
Lara Dahunsi battles with two Fermanagh opponents during the Ulster final win
Fermanagh increased their lead upon the resumption through
Danielle Maguire’s point – though it was to be her sides last score for ten
minutes as Antrim set upon the comeback trail.
Cathy Carey scored her fourth point of the afternoon and
first from play – the St Ergnat’s corner-forward then converted her fourth free
of the afternoon and further scores from Lara Dahunsi and Orla Corr closed the
gap to two-points with twenty minutes remaining (0-11-2-07).
Eimear Smyth converted her second free of the game – but
Antrim continued to enjoy a period of dominance in attack.
Lara Dahunsi shot over her second point of the half, Emma
Magee popped the ball off to Carey for her sixth score and the Saffrons
deservedly restored parity through Niamh Enright on the 45-minute to make it
0-14-2-08.
A titanic final quarter of saw a cat and mouse game between
the two foes – substitute Blaithin Bogue found space and gave her side the lead
for the second time in the game.
Cathy Carey who scored eight points in Antrims Ulster final win
But the determined Saffrons hit back through Lara Dahunsi’s
third point of the afternoon – with a little help from the crossbar.
Fermanagh missed the chance to restore their lead through
Eimear Smyth – the usually reliable full-forward got her angles wrong from a
free.
Smyth had the chance to atone for her miss, but her shot
dropped to Joanne Doonan at the back-post it looked as though Doonan was about
to slot home her second of the game – however the experienced Emma Kelly had
other ideas and scrambled the ball off the line.
Mairead Cooper declared herself fit to continue for a vital
ten minute period and upon her return to proceedings the St Pauls forward
conjured a vital score as her shot tailed to the right and over the bar to give
the Saffrons a 0-16-2-09 lead.
Antrim manager Sean O’Kane called for composure and his side
had the chance to double their lead through a free – Cathy Carey didn’t need a
second invitation and struck her seventh point of the afternoon through the
set-piece.
Game management was the name of the game and Antrim had the
chance to put three between the sides with little under two minutes until the
whistle. The ever reliable Carey converted her sixth free of game to make it
0-18-2-09.
Fermanagh pressed in desperation for a goal that would have
taken the game to extra-time but the Saffrons determination kept the Ernesiders
at bay and the final whistle brought scenes of joy as Antrim finally claimed a
win over Fermanagh at the fourth time of asking to claim their first Ulster
Junior title since 2016.
Saoirse Tennyson proudly accepted the trophy from Ulster
LGFA president Eileen Jones and raised it aloft to rapturous applause from the
Antrim support at St Tiernach’s Park.
The two sides will meet again for the fifth time in
All-Ireland series later in July and it would take a brave person to bet
against the familiar foes doing battle in GAA headquarters in September.
Antrim: A McCann, N Killen, M Hanna, O Corr (0-01), K
Farren, A McFarland, S Tennyson, E Kelly, L Dahunsi (0-03), C Taggart (0-02), A
Tubridy, S Haughey, M Cooper (0-02, 0-01f), N Enright (0-02), C Carey (0-08,
0-06f). Subs: E Magee for M Cooper (30 mins), M Cooper for C Taggart (50 mins).
Fermanagh: R Gleeson, A Maguire, E Murphy, M Flynn, M
McGloin (0-01), C Murphy, S McQuaid, R O’Reilly, A Flanaghan, J Doonan (1-02),
N Connolly (0-01), D Maguire (0-01), L Maguire, E Smyth (1-03, 0-02f), A
O’Brien. Subs: D McManus for A O’Brien (30 mins), A McGovern for M Flynn (38
mins), B Bogue (0-01) for L Maguire (43 mins), A Woods for D Maguire (47 mins),
S Courtney for N Connolly (58 mins).
A powerful
display of strong running and accurate finishing by Ronan McKillop and the
place kicking of Harry Wylie were the catalyst that powered All Saints to a five
point victory over a battling Erin’s Own in the Breslin Cup final in Ahoghill
today.
McKillop
proved unmarkable as his strong running opened up the opposition defence time
and again and was always willing to drop back to help out his own defence when
the occasion required. He scored five of his side’s points over the hour while
the accuracy of Wylie from the placed ball added another seven but they were
only two of the stars in a very focused All Saints side.
Having
slight advantage of the elements in the opening period the Ballymena lads recovered
from an early Conhuir Johnston goal which gave the Toome side a 1-1 to 0-3 lead
after 10 minutes but such was short lived.
A
50 metre free despatched between the posts with the minimum of fuss by Harry
Wylie in a contest which featured impressive place kicking from both the
finalists saw the Ballymena lads take the lead and when centre forward Cal O’Brien
was on hand to fire to the net after a rebound fell his way they were 1-12 to
1-04 ahead at the interval.
Cargin
matched their opponents score for score at the start of the second half but the
long range kicking of Harry Wylie from the placed ball saw All Saint’s lead
1-18 to 1-08, and seemingly strolling to an easy win.
Cargin came with a late surge however and it was the turn of the All Saints defence to earn their corn with Sean O’Callaghan, Michael Reid and Patrick Ferris getting through a power of work as their opponents staged a late rally.
It
was a case of backs against the wall for the Slemish Park side in the latter
stages as Cargin laid siege, but although they did add a handful of points they
were unable to close the gap suficiently.
All Saints were quickly into their stride and they had three points on the board as Ciaran Campbell, Oisin O’Mullan and Harry Wylie raised white flags apiece by the end of the 4th minute.
Cargin
opened account in the 5th minute as the early delivery to Conhuir
Johnston gained dividend as the full forward split the posts and when Eunan
Quinn claimed the high ball and quickly found Johnston again the former blasted
to the corner of the net.
An
indiscretion on Johnston after Diarmuid Mc Peake delivered long in the 6th
minute saw Eunan Quinn sent the award firmly over the bar and the Toome side
were two in front.
That
lead was to be short lived however as the pace laden Ronan McKillop responded
with a 10th minute point but Benen Kelly edged his side two in front
once more from a well struck long range free.
The Ballymena side responded as the strong running of McKillop and his colleagues began to find gaps in the opposition defence and a fine Oisin O’Mullan point signalled a period of All Saints dominance.
Harry
Wylie converted two frees and a couple of defence splitting runs by Ronan Mc
Killop found similar reward as All Saint’s moved into a 0-09 to 1-03 lead and
were now dictating matters.
Cargin
tried to stem the tide and Eunan Quinn replied from a pointed free but the
Toome lads were being forced into unforced errors and these were being punished
as Wylie took opportunity.
Harry
Wylie sent another long range 50 metre free over the bar with Ronan McKillop
quickly following suit as the All Saints offensive gathered momentum.
As
the game entered injury time the Ballymena side struck another decisive blow as
Cal O’ Brien was on hand to finish a rebound to the back of the net before
Pearse Esler followed with a 33rd minute point.
An
excellent half hour’s work from All Saint’s as they headed for the dressing
rooms with a half time advantage of 1-12 to 1-04.
Cargin
started the second half with a mountain to climb despite the favours of the
diagonal breeze and were first to strike as a foul on Tom Shivers was punished by
Benen Kelly who fired the resulting free firmly between the posts with the
minimum of fuss.
Harry
Wylie replied in kind at the other end, Ronan McKillop added another when he
nipped in from the right hand side to fist over and Wylie was on target again
with seven minutes of the new half gone.
A
Eunan Quinn pointed free which followed a foul on Conhuir Kelly was promptly
negated when Harry Wylie planted another long range free between the posts and
although Conhuir Johnston and Benen Kelly raised further whites in the Cargin
cause, Ryan McCartney and Oisin Mullan responded once more for the Slemish Park
lads.
All
Saint’s now led 1-18 to 1-08 and the Breslin cup looked on its way to Ballymena
but Cargin were not ready to throw in the towel and led by the example of Cahir
Donnelly in particular they were to finished with a flourish.
Late
replacement Ben McLarnon’s cute delivery paved the way for Conhuir Johnston to
raise white and a well struck free by Benen Kelly following a foul on Cahir Donnelly
closed the gap to eight.
Kelly
collected the resulting kick out to return the ball between the posts and the
All Saints defence was coming under a lot of pressure as their opponents pushed
forward again.
Eunan
Quinn followed with another score as he split the posts following a Ciaran
McPeake delivery but it was going to take a goal to get them back into
contention.
The
All Saint’s defence soaked up everything that came their way, led by full back
Patrick Ferris and a late Eunan Quinn point delivered from a close range free
after a foul on the hard grafting Tom Shivers was to prove Cargin’s lot.
The
long whistle quickly followed and the Breslin cup was Ballymena bound on a
winning scoreline of 1-18 to 1-13.
South West chairman, Jim McGrath presents the Breslin Cup to All Saints captain, Michael Read
All Saint’s: Daniel Mc Coy, Jude Casey,
Patrick Ferris, Paddy O’ Brien, Tyrone Mitchell, Michael Read, Ryan Mc Cartney,
Shaun O’ Callaghan, Harry Wylie (0-07), Ronan McKillop (0-05), Cal O’ Brien
(1-00), Pearse Esler (0-01), Oisin Mullan (0-03), Ciaran Campbell (0-02),
Joseph O’ Rawe
Subs
Tristan
Ferguson for J O’ Rawe
Cargin:
Shea Laverty, Hugh O’ Donnell, Cahir Donnelly, Diarmuid Mc Peake, Cahir O’
Boyle, Benen Kelly (0-05), Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-05), Charlie Mc Cann, Caomhinn
Kennedy, Tom Shivers, Conhuir Johnston (1-03), Cian Scullion
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass attempt to collect a third girl’s
title in a row came to an end when they lost in the semi-final to a good
Carryduff side after extra time. They set off on Friday morning with a view to
try and bring home the Feile Cup for the 3rd year in a row. With a very young
team this year they knew they had a big task ahead of them. They overcame all
in sight in the division 2 group which produced a very good standard of
football very but the Marion hill girls stepped up to the mark and from the
oldest to the youngest players, they all did played their part. But today it
came to a nail biting end as they met Carryduff of Dowm in the Semi Final. In a
game that produced some great end to end football the teams couldn’t be separated
at full tim. The St. Ergnats’ girls gave it everything in time added on but
were a little unfortunate to lose by two points.
What a Feile journey St. Ergnat’s have had. A massive well
down to our Antrim Champions Moneyglass
for reaching the semi-final stage in
Divison 2 All Ireland Feile.
A monster free from 85 yards from Barney McAuley, four and a half minutes into referee John Carson’s added stoppage time, proved to be the score which settled this Countess of Antrim final V Carey Faughs at St Patrick’s park Ballyvoy.
Loughgiel made a good start to the game through Barney McAuley, who registered the first two scores of the game with points from play. Carey replying with a James Black pointed free after five minutes, to get the home side on the scoreboard.
Another Barney McAuley free was answered by two Carey points from play by James Black and Fiachra McVeigh to leave the score all square at three points each with ten minutes played.
Play now swung back and forth with the lead changing hands on a regular basis. Scores from play for Loughgiel for Michael McGarry and Aodhan McFadden, plus three pointed close range frees from Shan McGrath, were answered for Carey by points from play for James Black and Caolan McCaughan, plus pointed frees from Conor McBride and Darren McGowan to leave the score Carey 0-7 Loughgiel 0-8 in the 29th minute of the first half.
In the remaining four minutes before the halftime whistle, Carey made a surge for the front, with Conor McBride latching onto a breaking ball inside the twenty metre line before lashing the ball into the roof of Clinton Hennessy’s net for what proved to be the only goal of the game. Cathal McAuley and John McBride knocked over two more points from play to extend Carey’s lead to 1-09 to 0-8 at the break.
It looked like Carey were taking control, when James Black got the first point of the second half from a free to extend their lead. Barney McAuley stopped the slide with a good point from play for the shamrocks and then after 34 minutes Carey’s Conor McBride popped over a short free.
Loughgiel then turned it up a gear. Between the 35th and 42nd minutes, they scored seven unanswered points. Paul Boyle and Shan McGrath knocking over one point each from play, Barney McAuley adding two frees and Shan McGrath three frees to leave the score 1-11 to 0-16.
Carey woke up from their slumber in the 45th minute with a Conor McBride pointed free, quickly followed by three more points from play by Fiachra McVeigh, Caolan McCaughan and John McBride to leave Carey two points ahead with just nine minutes left to play.
A Michael McGarry point in the 45th minute from play and a Shan McGrath free levelled proceedings again for Loughgiel. Conor McBride scored from play for Carey and Shan McGrath slotted over another short range free for the Shamrocks in the 58th minute to keep this pulsating contest on a knife edge at all square.
James Black broke free in the 59th minute for Carey, finding himself in space 35 metres out to slot over a great point, but once again Barney McAuley answered with a free from midfield as the clock ticked into additional time.
When Carey’s James Black was fouled two and a half minutes into injury time, Conor McBride stepped up to slot the free over the bar, for what looked potentially the winning point. Not so, said Loughgiel as deep into injury time, a Carey player was caught in possession in midfield, allowing a hand pass to Michael McGarry who made a weaving run before slotting a classy equalising point.
Carey won the resulting puck out, in a good attacking position, but again over played the ball, got caught in possession and conceded a free 85 metres out from their own goal. With 64 minutes and 20 seconds on the clock, Barney McAuley stepped up and launched the long range free straight over the black spot to put the Shamrocks one point up. When the ball was pucked out, referee John Carson called time on a great game. Loughgiel running out one point winners in a game neither side deserved to lose.
Carey Faughs: 1 Chris Butler, 2 Kevin Murphy, 3 Sean McBride, 4 Conaire Butler, 5 Colm McBride, 6 James McCouaig, 7 Peader McVeigh, 8 Patrick Butler, 9 Darren McGowan, 10 James Black, 26, Cathal McAuley, 12 Caolan McCaughan, 13 Fiachra McVeigh, 14 John McBride, 15 Conor McBride.
Carey scorers: Conor McBride 1-6 (0-4f) James Black 0-5 (0-2f) Caolan McCaughan 0-2, Fiachra McVeigh 0-2, Darren McGowan 0-1, John McBride 0-1, Cathal McAuley 0-1,
