Month / June 2019

by thesaffrongael

Fast start paves the way for emphatic Cargin victory

All County Minor Football League Division One

                        Erin’s Own Cargin 7-17 Cuchullian’s Dunloy 1-11

Cargin raced into an early 12 point lead by the end of the opening quarter to gain the verdict over visiting Dunloy in the All County minor football league in Toome on Sunday morning.

Pat Shivers found the net just seconds into proceedings and when the impressive Paudie Shivers collected a couple more in the opening phase the Toome lads had nipped into a 3-03 to 0-00 lead by the 15th minute.

The full forward who was to prove a thorn in the Cuchullian’s side from the outset followed with a trio of points which sandwiched a brace of trademark goals from mid-fielder Paudie Mc Laughlin.

McLaighlin who burst through the Dunloy defence to plant the leather in the net in the 10th minute and following suit a few minutes later and even at this stage it was hard to see a way back for the visitors.

Dunloy were denied by keeper Odhran Molloy who stood tall to deny both Dara Crawley and D J Campbell in the early exchanges were finding the home side’s defence a difficult path to navigate, opened account when Dara Crawley fired home in the 22nd to raise hopes but the home side were still in charge at the half way mark, 4-06 to 1-03.

P J Quinn had been the focal point of a precise move which involved Conan Kennedy, Sean og O’ Neill, Ewan Quinn and Benen Kelly and Pat Shivers in the before the wily corner forward finished in style to raise the 4th green flag.

The visitors collected a couple of points in the latter stages of the half as Bernard Mc Closkey and Conal Doherty raised white flags but Cargin finished with a flourish as Sean Mc Auley, and Pat Shivers (2) responded with points to ensure a healthy half time advantage of twelve points.

The reigning county champions needed a quick start to second period proceedings if they were to have hopes of reeling in the home side but in the event it was Erin’s Own who were to prove quicker out of the start traps.

Paudie Mc Laughlin opened with a 32nd minute point and when the high fielding Pat Shivers rose highest to claim the resultant kick out and return post haste between the posts Cargin looked in control.

Dunloy were finding the going tough but not about to raise any semblance of white as they attempted to respond.

A foul on the incoming Eoghan Mc Grath was despatched between the posts with the minimum of fuss by Dara Crawley and then the former seized the resultant kick out to return over the bar.

Cartgin responded again and Dunloy net minder Piaras McGarry denied Sean Mc Auley with an excellent save but Benen Kelly seized a Pat Shivers delivery to send into the net in the 42nd minute.

The home side were in control and Paudie McLaughlin followed suit to complete his hat trick at the end of the third quarter and the die was cast.

Cargin had moved into a more than healthy 6-09 to 1-05 and looked home and dry.

Eoghan Mc Grath pulled a point back for the Cuchullain’s but the home side were quick to respond as Pat Shivers, PJ Quinn and replacement Conor Kelly raised respective white flags.

Dunloy centre back Daithi McGuigan got his name on the score board with a 50th minute point but again the home side replied as PJ Quinn and Orrin Johnston collected a couple apiece and Paudie Mc Laughlin added another to complete their total.

The valiant Dunloy lads were down but certainly not out as they finished strongly with the eye catching Dara Crawley collecting a further treble raising whites in the 56th, 58th, and 59th minutes before mid-fielder Ryan McFarlane raced through to add another.

They were only consolation scores however as  home side breasted the winning line, points secured with a healthy 6-17 1-11 winning advantage.

Cargin: Odhran Molloy, Conan Kennedy, Sean og Quinn, Cahir Donnelly, Malachi Johnston, Sean og O’Neill, Conan Johnston, Paudie McLaughlin (3-02), Eunan Quinn, Orrin Johnston (0-02), Jack Mc Allister, Benen Kelly (1-00), P J Quinn (1-03), Pat Shivers (1-08), Sean McAuley (0-01)

Subs

Conor Kelly (0-01) for E Quinn

Shea Laverty for P Shivers

Shane Gribbin for S McAuley

Dunloy: Piaras McGarry, Eoin Mc Ferran, Cahir McCloskey, Odhran McGrath, Conal Kelly, Daithi McGuigan (0-01), Conor Mc Aleese, Ryan McFarlane (0-01), Eoghan McGrath (0-02), Bernard McCloskey (0-01), Ruairi Mullan, Conal Doherty (0-01), Dara Crawley (1-04),D J Campbell (0-02), Dara Watterson

Sub

Callum Mullan for D Watterson

Referee Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

by thesaffrongael

Shootout Heartbreak for Antrim in Templeport

All Ireland Platinum semi-final

Templeport Co. Cavan

Antrim 2-21 Galway 5:12

(Galway advance on 30m kicks 4-2)

Photographs: Elaine Kelly

By the time the final whistle had gone the Antrim girls were out on their feet. Having given everything on the pitch over the course of the game, extra time and kicks there was nothing left but pride, and they had every right to be proud.

Just before the start of the game the Antrim girls showed their class by giving a guard of honour to the Bronze semi -finalists, Derry won this game having withstood a late Louth comeback to book their All Ireland final place.

From the whistle the Saffrons showed their intent Órlaigh Lennon knocking  the ball down to Bronagh McGuinness, who worked the ball to Alex Burns resulting in a fine opening point.

Galway won their kick-out and it was a first test for the Antrim defence. Gemma McGroaty, Erin Duffin and Isabel Thompson were ready for them and the girls soaked up the early pressure a fine save by Emily McCoy was a defensive highlight.

The Antrim midfield started to click with Aileen McDonnell’s runs and Aoife Kelly’s passing the Galway defence was opening up. Órlaigh Lennon’s hold up play was superb as she passed the ball to Ciara Maguire and the number 13 had the nerve to slot it over from a very tight angle.

Antrim had found an outlet with Bronagh McGuinness and captain Tiernach Fegan again finding Ciara Maguire and she was able to add more damage, taking her points well. With Galway now getting a little heavy handed, especially with Orleigh McGuinness, the frees started to mount and up stepped Bronagh McGuinness with a couple of well taken frees.

Galway started to press again but with Gabrielle Monaghan and Sarah O’Neill breaking up good Galway play it wasn’t long before the ball broke to Bronagh McGuinness again who fed it into Órlaigh Lennon who placed Ciara Maguire and Maguire finished off a great build up with the goal it deserved.

Galway were not out of it and in a taste of what was to come in the second half managed to get a goal and a point late on to keep them in touch

Half time Antrim 1-9 Galway 1-2

Galway came flying out of the blocks in the second half with their halftime time team talk appearing to haveworked wonders. In the space of 5 minutes all of Antrim’s good first half work was undone. The momentum was shifting and it was all the Ulster Champions could do to hold on to the lead.

Aileen McDonnell again started to make her runs, scoring and setting up a couple of points which seemed to steady the Antrim ship.

But still Galway came and it was point for point now and it really was the epic battle you would expect for an All Ireland semi-final.

Then it happened Galway broke and scored a well worked goal putting them in the lead for the first time in the match. But the Antrim heads didn’t drop and when the ball came crashing off the Galway crossbar moments later Órlaigh Lennon reacted first and slotted it home for a well-deserved goal!

More points were traded as Antrim took the lead again and as they attempted to finish the game off lost the ball to Galway who had a forward in space one on one and they scored. It looked all over for the Saffron girls  but with a never say die attitude they took the game to Galway. With the seconds slipping away Antrim won a free but with a cool head up stepped Bronagh McGuinness to tie the game and send it to Extra time.

In extra time the girls were tiring. It had been a fantastic game of football and no side deserved to lose. Point for point again, there was no sign of any team getting the upper hand and when the final whistle went the teams were level.

FT Antrim 2-21(27) Galway 5-12(27)

It was time for the 30m kicks. Galway had lost the Connacht finals in this manner and it was perhaps that experience that they were able to draw on. Galway held their nerves this time and advance (4-2) to send them into an All Ireland final against Cork.

The journey is over this year for this inspirational group but the management and girls can hold their heads high, Ulster Champions and All Ireland semi-finalists, their achievements have certainly left their mark across the GAA world.

by thesaffrongael

McClean’s late burst not enough to disrupt the reigning champions

ACFL Division 1

Gortna Mona

Gort na Mona 2-8 Cargin 2-16

Gort na Mona substitute Dessie McClean hit 1-2 in the closing six minutes to put a more respectable look on the final scoreline but it failed to disguise the golf in class between the home side and visitors Cargin at Enright Park today.

The reigning senior champions had this one pretty much tied up at the break when they led by 1-7 to 0-1 and were on top all over the field during the opening half with the Enright Park side pulling 14 men behind the ball at times in an attempt to contain their opponents but with only limited success.

After the break the Gort na Mona threw off their defensive shackles and gave it a go but never really looked like getting back in contention despite goals from Shane Scullion and Dessie McLean  but will take some consolation from a strong second half performance.

Tomas McCann got the visitors on their way when he pointed a third minute free and he followed up with a goal from the penalty spot in the 7th minute before Padraig McHugh replied with a good point for the ‘Gorts’ in the 13th minute.

  • Cargin’s Tony Scullion breaks up a Gort na Mona attack as Padraig mcHugh challenges

It was to be the home side’s only score of the opening half though they did waste a number of chances as the Erin’s Own defence denied them space and time and it was the Toome side who went on to control matters with Tomas McCann punishing a number of poor challenges by the home defence.

McCann split the uprights in the 14th and 17th minute before Tony Scullion pulled up with a hamstring problem to be replaced by Ronan Gribbin in the 18th minute but it did little to disrupt the visitor’s momentum.

Enda McGroggan took advantage of a turn over to extend the Cargin lead and Ciaran Bradley added another as the pace and movement of the visitors attack began to open up the Gort na Mona defence.

David Johnston added another in the 23d minute and Cargin concluded the first half scoring as Tomas McCann converted another free to bring his first half total to 1-4 and leave his side nine ahead as the short whistle sounded.

Ciaran Close replaced Jimmy Gribbin at the start of the second half but it was Gort na Mona who threatened first and John McNabb in the Cargin goals had to be at full stretch to deal with an awkward delivery from Mark Rea with the ball cleared to safety.

  • Darren ‘Diesel’ Boyd fires over a Gort na Mona point

Frome the resulting clearance play swung to the other end and Ciaran Bradley split the post to put the visitors 10 in front after two minutes and the same player added another before David McErlean replied with a good point for the home side with seven minutes of the new half gone.

The visitors continued to threaten however as they moved the ball around confidently and with patience and Mark Keegan moved up-field to point before Darren ‘Diesel’ Boyd responded with Gort na Mona’s third point of the game when he fired over first time of the ground after the ball had been blocked into his path.

The Cargin reply was decisive and immediate however and after another measured build up Enda McGroggan fired through a ruck of players to send the ball to the corner of Ciaran Kelly’s net in the 13th minute and extend his side’s lead to 13 points with 13 minutes on the clock.

Gort na Mona introduced Christopher Devlin and he took over at full-back with Thomas McGoran moving to midfield as Boyd grabbed another point and Gort na Mona were beginning to enjoy a wee bit of success for the first time in the game.

They attacked again and after John McNabb pulled off a good save David McErlean gathered the rebound to set up Shane Scullion who finished to the net from close range  in the 15th minute but it only brought about another Erin’s Own response.

  • Tomas mcCann, who scored 1-7 for cargin, evades the challenge of Christopher Devlin

Tomas McCann from a 16th minute free, Enda McGroggan and McCann again added points and Mark Rea and Ciaran Close exchanged further minors before Mark Keegan got his second of the game to end any lingering hopes the home side might be harbouring.

To their credit Gort na Mona kept going right to the final whistle and Dessie Mclean’s late show gave the home support something to shout about while coming too late to have any influence on the final result.

Going into the day’s game Cargin were one of three sides on 14 points from nine starts with St. John’s and St. Gall’s the other two, only separated by score difference. Kickham’s Creggan and Lamh Dhearg follow on 12 with Portglenone close behind on 11 from the same number of games.

Today’s win moves Cargin two ahead with the chasing pack not scheduled to play until after Antrim All Ireland Qualifier against Kildare on Saturday and puts them in pole position as the league approaches the split at the end of the month.

Gort na Mona: Ciaran Kelly, Connor Connolly, Thomas McGoran, Mark Rea, Padraig Mulvenna, Aidan McDonagh, Christopher Browning, Paul Conlon, Caoimhin Magee, Padraig McHugh, Patrick McCaffrey, Conor Browning, David McErlean, Darren Boyd, Shane Scullion. Subs; Dessie McLean, Gary Doyle, Conor McCann, Brendan Barnes, Ciaran Donnell, Christopher Devlin

Cargin: John McNabb, Donagh McKeever, Justin Crozier, Michael Clarke, Tony Scullion, James Laverty, Mark Keegan, Kevin McShane, Gerard McCann, David Johnston, Tomas McCann, Ciaran Bradley, Enda McGrogan, Paul McCann, Jimmy Gribbin. Subs: Ronan Gribbin for Tony Scullion, Ciaran Close for Jimmy Gribbin

Referee: Finton McCotter (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

Young St Paul’s side beat Aldergove

A young St. Paul’s senior reserve team overcome St James at Aldegrove on Sunday evening in the league. St. Paul’s were the quicker to start with half forward, Courtney Peoples, stealing an early goal. Strong first half performances came from St Paul’s players Cara Mervyn and Niamh Richie, who both scored 1-2, put them on a strong footing, but Aldegrove player Aoife Taggart was also excellent for the home side but the visitors lead at half time by 4:07 – 2:04.

The second half was much the same as the first for St. Paul’s, racking up a score of 2:11 with 1:4 coming from substitute Suzy McKerr. Senior county players Aoife Taggart, Caitlin Taggart and Nicole Jones were the only three to get on the scoresheet for the Aldegrove ladies. Final score 6:18 – 2:7

Referee: Anthony Carleton

Pics by Damien McConville

by thesaffrongael

O’Neill’s late point ends Rossa’s unbeaten run

All County Football League – Division 2

Rossa 0-16 Tir na nÓg 1-14

A point from a Ciaran O’Neill free four minutes into added time ended Rossa’s unbeaten run in Division 2 of the All County Football League this season and gave visitors Tir na nÓg a morale boosting victory. The Randalstown men were on top for a lagre part of the game against a somewhat understrength Rossa side, but when the Belfast men hit five points on the trop in the last ten minutes to draw level you felt it would be them who would come out on top. They did have a chance when Colm Fleming won possession in the right corner but excellent work by Tir na nÓg full back Niall Cassidy snuffed out the danger and when the ball was cleared down to the other end the home side conceded a free which O’Neill slotted over to clinch victory.

My ball! Rossa’s Cormac McGettigan grabs a high ball as he and Ciran O’Neill battle for possession.

Two early Tir an nÓg points from Darragh Fagan sounded an early  warning to the visitors but thing appeared to be going to plan for the Belfast men when Colm Fleming (2), Dominic McEnhill and Tommy Morgan hit back with points to move two ahead. Ciaran Dobbin and Barry McCormick sent over points to bring the Randalstown men level and even though Padraig McGreevey and Fleming came back with two for Rossa the visitors hit a strong spell which saw Jack O’Mahoney and Ciaran O’Neill add points and Ciaran Dobbin grab a vital goal which helped his team to a 1-6 to 0-7 lead at half time.

Playing ‘up the slope’ and into a fresh breeze in the second half Rossa faced a tough task to get back into the game but an early Colm Fleming point must have them felling they could do it  ok. However when Tir na nÓg came back with three points in two minutes through Christy Sheerin, Daragh Fagan and Barry McCormick the home side’s task looked a lot harder than they had initially thought.

Eamon Og McAllister gets past Rossa’s Cricky McGuinness to score a point with his first touch of the ball after being introduced as a second half substitute.

Points from a Colm Fleming free and one from play by Sean Pat Donnelly brought Rossa right back into contention, but when the visitors hit three of the next four points to open a five point lead by the 50th minute they appeared to be home and dry. However Rossa never panicked and slowly but surely they dragged themselves back into contention as Gerard Walsh, Tommy Morgan, Colm Fleming and Sean Pat Donnelly picked off points to close the game to the minimum. When Fleming hit his eight point of the game to level matters on the stroke of full time it looked like they had done enough to maintain their unbeaten league record, but the Whitehill men finished strongly. Christy Sheerin and Eamon Og McAllister squandered chances of hitting the winner in added time but when they were awarded a free about thirty metres out on 64 minutes Ciaran O’Neill stepped up and curled over the winner.

ROSSA: Michael Byrne, Michael McGreevey, Gerard Walsh, Niall Crossan, Sean Finch, Cricky McGuinness, Padraig McGreevy, Eoghan McMenamin, Colm Fleming, Cormac McGettigan, Sean Pat Donnelly, Conal McDonald, Dominic McEnhill, Thomas Morgan, Donal Armstrong.

Rossa scorers: C. Fleming (0.8- 6 frees), D. McEnhill (0.1), T. Morgan (0.2), P. McGreevy (0.1), SP Donnelly (0.3- 1 free), G. Walsh (0.1)

TIR NA NÓG: 1. SP. McAtamney 2. C. Logan 3. N. Cassidy 4. P. Cullen 5. A. McNeilly 6. D. McCormick 7. C. McKeown 8. C. Duffin 9. C. Sheerin 10. C. O’Neill 11. D. Fagan 12. B. McCormick 13. C. Dobbin 14. K. Sheerin 15. J. O’Mahoney 17. E. Óg McAllister 18. D. O’Kane 19. D. Mallon 20. M. Duffin 21. K. Kerr

Subs used: E. Óg McAllister for D. Fagan (48mins)

Scorers: D. Fagan (0.3- 2 frees), C. Dobbin (1.2), B. McCormick (0.2), J. O’Mahoney (0.1), C. O’Neill (0.3- 1 free), C. Sheerin (0.1), D. McCormick (0.1), E. Óg McAllister (0.1)

Referee – Mark O’Neill (Glen Rovers, Armoy)