Con Magees Glenravel produced a strong second half to overcome Cargin in Sunday’s Under 12 A final at Dreen Rasharkin to take the title by a four goal margin.
The Toome lads had impressed in their semi-final win over Aghagallon and were well in contention at the break, the Con Magees just a couple of points ahead on 3-04 to 1-08. However Glenravel stepped on the gas in the second period and by the conclusion they were twelve to the good and cruising.
Cargin started well with Niall Quinn skipping over the Dreen sod only seconds into proceedings before claiming a goal.Glenravel were quick to reply however and back to back majors provided in turn by Thomas Mc Laughlin and Daire Higgins saw them assume control.
Further scores provided by Joseph Mc Kay, and a couple from the very accurate Daire Higgins saw the Con Magees earn a good advantage but Cargin, with Jack O’ Neill gaining foothold at midfield, and Eoin Scullion resolute in defence, were settling into the game and Patrick O’ Neill raised three white flags in succession and one from McCann to close the gap. Con Magees hit back with a 16th minute goal which arrived against the run of play but the Erin’s Own lads held their own during the second quarter as Jack O’Neill from play and Patrick O’ Neill from a free closed the gap, but the winners responded when Harry Fyfe grabbed his team’s third goal.
Cargin kept battling away in the latter stages of the half and with Patrick O’ Neill firing over three points from play they reduced the deficit to just a couple of points by the time referee Cathal McDermott sounded the half time whistle. (Con Magees 3-04 – Cargin 1-08.)
It looked anyone’s game at this stage
but the Con Magees opened with back to back points through ace marksman Daire
Higgins and when Coola Ward added a 26th minute goal the writing was
evident on the wall for the boys from Toome.
Cargin did work hard to get back into the game but as the second period progressed Con Magees maintained the pressure as Daire Higgins raised four white flags in succession, and when Thomas Mc Laughlin found the net the title was on its way back to Fr Maginn Park.
Although they were down the Cargin boys were not about to be counted out and even though it was evident that the way back was mission impossible they retained focus until the end and replacement Cillian Scullion went on to raise three white flags in consolation with the Glenravel lads crossing the finish line 5-11 to 1-11 clear.
Glenravel
Oisin Mc Keown, Sean Og O’ Neill, Alex Mc Cambridge, Niall Mc Keown, Oran Mc Cambridge, Luke Mc Quillan, Callagh Mooney, Coola Ward (1-00), Charlie McIlhatton, Daire Higgins (1-07), Joseph Mc Kay (0-02), Thomas Mc Laughlin (2-01), Harry Fyfe (1-01)
Cargin
Conleth Hamill, Eoin Scullion,
Darragh Mc Auley, Orlaigh Johnston, Fiontan O’ Donnell, Ewan Mc Laverty, Jack
O’ Neill (0-01),Patrick O’ Neill (0-06), Carl Mc Cann (0-01), Dara O’ Boyle,
Fiontan Hardy, Ryan Mc Peake, Niall Quinn (1-00)
Loughgiel bridged an eleven year gap at Pairc MacUílín on Sunday when they won their first minor title since 2008 with a 4-14 to 1-11 win over McQuillan’s Ballycastle. In a hard fought game that had a total of fifteen minutes injury time (7 in the first half and 8 in the second) the Shamrocks ability to grab goals at vital times was the main difference between the sides. Two quick goals midway through the first half, the first of them a sublime lob from corner forward Rian McMullan, put Loughgiel in the driving seat but Ballycastle fought back with four points on the trot to close the gap to just three entering injury time at the end of the first half. With wind advantage to come in the second period Ballycastle appeared to be well in the game but they had a man sent off just before the break and in the time remaining they conceded their third goal, plus another two points, and suddenly they had a real mountain to climb.
A goal early
in the second half gave Ballycastle renewed hope but Rian McMullan settled the
nerves soon afterwards with another neat goal finish and from then on there was
only one winner as the Shamrocks cruised home with a bit to spare.
Rian McMullan jumps for joy after scoring the first of his two goals in Sunday’s win over Ballycastle
Loughgiel
started strongly and were three points to the good after six minutes through
Ryan Hill, Michael McGarry and Rian McMullan, but Ballycastle began to settle
and two pointed free by Seamus McAuley in the 8th and 14th
minutes brought them back to within one by the end of the opening quarter.
Michael McGarry pointed a free to put the Shamrocks two clear on 17 minutes and
two minutes later McMullan grabbed the first goal of the game with a finish
right out of the top drawer. Fearghal McKiernan responded with great point at
the other end for the ‘Town’ but in the Shamrocks next attack Michael McGarry
responded well to a fumble in the Ballycastle defence and batted the ball home
from close range to put his team in command.
Joe McToal celebrates after scoring a point early in the second half.
To their credit Ballycastle responded well and during the next ten minutes they added four points without reply through Tiernan Smyth (2), Joe McToal and Seamus McAuley left just three between the side four minutes into the seven allotted minutes of injury time. The remaining three minutes of injury time were to prove costly for Ballycastle as they had a man sent off and conceded 1-2, the goal coming from Odhran McGrath, as Loughgiel headed to the changing rooms back in command, leading by 3-6 to 0-7.
A superb
point from the excellent Joe McToal just after the restart cut Ballycastle’s deficit
to seven and when they grabbed a goal a minute later the gap was back to just
four. However Loughgiel responded well and a pointed free by Michael McGarry
was followed by a well taken goal from a narrow angle from Rian McMullan which
all but ended the Ballycastle challenge. A well worked score was well finished
off by McGarry midway through the second half before big Shane O’Boyle soloed
through for another well taken point on the run. Ryan Hill added one from play
and Michael McGarry added two more from frees and though Seamus McAuley knocked
over two late consolation scores the destiny of the cup had long been decided.
Loughgiel’s Declan McCloskey, Kevin McAuley and Ruairi McCloskey celebrate at the final whistle.
LOUGHGIEL:
Kevin McAuley, Conor Henry, Ruairi McCloskey, Christy Dickson, Enda Og McGarry,
Declan McCloskey (capt), Tiernan McAlonan, Shane O’Boyle, Cathal Hargan, Ryan Hill, Michael McGarry,
Frank Boyle, Rian McMullan, Odhran McGrath, Christy McGarry.
Subs used – Conor McCormick, Conor O’Mullan, Conor McCormick and Damien Quinn
BALLYCASTLE:
James Bakewell, Jack Colgan, Cormac Donnelly, Mark McClean, Jack McGowan, Sean
Brogan, Ronan Laverty, Seamus McAuley, Reuben McClean, Eoin Maybin, Caolan O’Connor,
Feargal McKiernan, Tiernan Smyth, Eoin Magee, Joe McToal.
Referee – Kevin Rice (Naomh Eanna)
County chairman Ciaran McCavana presents the Minor Hurling Championship Cup to Loughgiel captain Declan McCloskey
It was a big weekend for Ballycastle selector Stevie McGarry who on Saturday married the lovely Ciara McLarnon while on Sunday he was along the line with his beloved McQuillan’s as they lost out to the Shamrocks.
Loughgiel captain Declan McCloskey clears from defence during his team’s win over Ballycastle at Pairc MacUílín
Loughgiel midfielder Cathal Hargan in action against Ballycastle’s Seamus McAuley during Sunday’s minor final at Pairc MacUílín.
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Mac Uílín,
Ballycastle
Pulsating, intense, bewildering skill and ultimately an
incredible hour of hurling. All played
out in front of a raucous support packed into Páirc Mac Uílín. Everything you want from county final day and
by the end of the hour, we had a winner.
Dunloy Cuchullains, county champions for the 13th
time in their history and second in three years and while there was four points
between them and the Ruairi Og’s at the final whistle, where the Volunteer Cup
would reside wasn’t decided until the death.
Nigel Elliott celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal seconds before half time in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling final win over Cushendall at Pairc MacUílín, Ballycastle.
Two goals in as many minutes at the end of the hour from substitute
Seaan Elliott ultimately proved to be decisive at the end of a close
contest. Cushendall held a one point
lead at the interval in a half where the Cuchullains hit double figures in
wides. The Ruairi’s were to build a four
point lead at one point in the opening 30 minutes with Neil McManus deadly
accurate from placed ball, Paddy McGill causing the Dunloy defence plenty of
problems and Fergus McCambridge taking advantage of some indecision between the
sticks from Ryan Elliott. The Dunloy
‘keeper would go on and more than atone for that indiscretion with three
outstanding saves in the second half but the pivotal moment came in first half
injury time when Nigel Elliott scored the Cuchullains first goal. It brought them to within touching distance
of Cushendall at a time when it felt like the Cuchullains challenge was in
danger of wilting.
The second half was full of drama with both sides
improving. Cushendall certainly played
much better after the break while the Cuchullains improved their accuracy in
front of the posts. The sides were tied
on three occasions with Cushendall holding a two point lead on two
occasions. It was the Cuchullains who
finished superbly however with the changes made having a major impact. Not only with Seaan Elliott’s two majors but
Gabriel McTaggart’s impact and assist for Elliott’s first major.
Cushendall, to their eternal credit pushed to the end like all great champions do but Ryan Elliott was immense in those closing stages and although Christy McNaughton got a goal in the sixth minute of injury time, it was too little too late.
STARTED WELL
Nickey McKeague sends over an early Dunloy point.
The Cuchullains started the final well and looked more
fluent in the opening exchanges. Nicky
McKeague fired over the opening point of the final while McManus split the
uprights in the third minute for his first of ten points over the hour. The Dunloy forward line were at their impish
best with Keelan Molloy and Nigel Elliott splitting the posts to give the
Cuchullains a solid start after six minutes.
McManus and Conal Cunning exchanged frees but ‘Coby’s’ 11th
minute free was the Cuchullains last score for nine minutes when the Ruairi’s
hit a purple patch.
Another McManus free brought Cushendall to within a single white flag before Fergus McNaughton scored the opening goal of the final in the 15th minute. 45 yards from goal, his effort for a point went high and caught in the breeze, Ryan Elliott misjudged the dropping sliotar and the ball bundled over the line. A soft goal which was compounded by wides at the other end of the field for the Cuchullains and two frees from McManus to give Cushendall a four point lead with ten minutes of the first half remaining. A point from Eoin O’Neill got Dunloy firing again before Fergus McCambridge restored Cushendall’s four point lead with a well taken point seconds later.
Cushendall were more clinical in front of goal in the first half and while Dunloy played more of the hurling , their lack of accuracy was threatening to derail their challenge. They found some form with a trio of unanswered scored coming from Coby Cunning (one free) before Cushendall did the same. Eoghan Campbell, Alex Delargy and McManus (free) but the Cuchullains had the final say of the half.
Nigel Elliott collecting the sliotar wide on the left and making a dart for goal. He fired low, bouncing the sliotar in front of the Conor McAllister with the bounce of the sliotar deceiving the Cushendall net minder.
Half time: Cushendall 1-9 Dunloy 1-8
Cushendall’s talisman Neill McManus celebrates after scoring a long range point early in the second half.
The goal at the end of the half was crucial for the Cuchullains challenge and while Cushendall would have been disappointed but they showed no signs of that at the start of the second half. Fergus McCambridge forcing a top save from Ryan Elliott with barely a minute played after the restart. McManus opened the scoring while the points were tit for tat in the early second half exchanges. A trio of frees from Coby Cunning in answer to two points from McManus and while Cushendall held a one point lead, they wouldn’t register another score for ten minutes. Points apiece from Paul Shiels and Cunning (free) brought Dunloy in front once again.
Cushendall responded with McManus (free) and McGill with an
outstanding and instinctive point to edge the Ruairi’s ahead once again with 11
minutes of normal time remaining. It was
the Cuchullains who hit back this time with Keelan Molloy producing a moment of
magic to land his second point of the match.
Cushendall’s challenge was now being hurt with a trio of wides in front of the target and while Coby edged the Cuchullain’s once again, the final changed in the 58th minute. Substitute Gabriel McTaggart plucking the sliotar from the clouds before playing the perfect ball into Seaan Elliott on the inside forward line. The 19 year old picked up at the second attempt and made no mistake with his effort, finding the back of McAllister’s net to give Dunloy a four point lead for the first time.
Conal Coby Cunning who scored nine points in Cuchullains win over Cushendall.
Cushendall responded with McManus landing his 10th
white flag and eighth free of the hour but their fate was sealed with the next
attack. The was sliotar sent down the
right where McTaggart was involved again.
Nigel Elliott retrieving the ball from a ruck and sending the cutest of
passes into the path of his brother Seaan to his left. The chance looked to have gone but Elliott
got the better of his marker before scoring his second goal in the space of two
minutes.
A seemingly unassailable six point lead going into injury
time but Dunloy had to defend for their lives in those closing stages. Keelan Molloy added his third of the
afternoon but the Ruairi’s pushed for the goals they needed. The Dunloy defence were immense in those
scrambles and Ryan Elliott outstanding but substitute Christy McNaughton did
breach the Dunloy goal line in the sixth minute of injury time.
It wasn’t enough for the Ruairi’s as Dunloy saw out the
little time that remained to win the Volunteer Cup.
A superb game of hurling and a fine advert for the game
within our county. Dunloy were the
victors on the day but Cushendall played like the great team they are and more
than played their part in one of the best county finals in living memory.
Cuchullains advance to an Ulster semi-final with Ballycran
on Sunday October 27.
Dunloy captain Paul Shiels lifts the cup after his team’s win over Cushendall in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley,
Aaron Crawford; Eamon Smyth, Kevin McKeague, Ryan McGarry; Paul Shiels, Ronan
Molloy; Keelan Molloy, Chrissy Brogan, Nigel Elliott; Eoin O’Neill, Conal
Cunning, Nicky McKeague
Subs: Conor Kinsella for A Crawford (34);Seaan
Elliott for N McKeague (40); Shane Dooey for C Brogan (53); Gabriel McTaggart
for R Molloy (57).
Cushendall: Conor McAllister; Martin Burke, Paddy
Burke, Sean Delargy; Fred McCurry, Eoghan Campbell, Stephen Walsh; Niall
McCormick, Scott Walsh; Neil McManus, Fergus McCambridge, Ryan McCambridge;
Arron Graffin, Paddy McGill, Alex Delargy
Subs: Natty McNaughton for S Walsh (HT); Christy
McNaughton for S Delargy (49); Eunan McKillop for A Graffin (57)
Dunloy full forward Conal Cunning in action against Cushendall’s Niall McCormick during Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaine
Dunloy’s Keelan Molloy celebrates after scoing the insurance point in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final win over Cushendall at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaine
Nigel Elliott celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal seconds before half time in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling final win over Cushendall at Pairc MacUílín, Ballycastle.
Cushendall’s talisman Neill McManus celebrates after scoring a long range point early in the second half.
The football championship semi-final replay to top all
football championship replays moves to Ballymena tomorrow night when Casements
Portglenone and Lamh Dhearg meet for the third time in this year’s knock out
competition and trying to predict an outcome looks as difficult as ever.
The Ports came with a late surge in Creggan eight days ago
to grab a second bite at the cherry with a Paddy Kelly point and an injury time
penalty ensuring a comeback of Lazarus proportions as the Hannastown side and
their supporters shook their heads in disbelief.
They met again in the second part of what has now turned
into a trilogy at the ‘Dub’ on Thursday night and another large crowd were
treated to a compelling contest that swung one way then another but with the
same result after 60 plus minutes sending the game into extra time.
Ten minutes each way of frantic action saw well chewed finger nails bit down to the bone as both sets of supporters roared their sides to one last moment of excellence that might bring a result and both sides will look to a plethora of missed chances over the 80 minutes as they try to find the key that might at last unlock the door to a place in the final against Cargin.
We were then treated to the novelty of a free taking
shootout. Paddy Cunningham converted the first kick of a dramatic end to
proceedings but Patrick Kelly was denied by the post and it was advantage Lamh
Dhearg.
Conor Murray made it two from two before Ronan Kelly got the
Ports off the mark and Terry McCrudden and Michael Hagan traded further points.
Ryan Straney’s miss would gift Portglenone the chance to level, which Gerard
McAleese accepted to make it 3-3 with a kick remaining each.
Mark Finnegan and Conall Delargy would successfully convert
the final two kicks to bring it to sudden death.
At the second time of asking Kelly and Straney atoned for
their original misses as everyone scored to make it 9-9.
With the sides still level County Chairman, Ciaran McCavana intervened and after consolation with both managers and referee Colm McDonald, it was decided that there would be no further kicks and the sides would meet again next week to try and set the record straight.
There have been different opinions expressed about the
county chairman’s intervention but personally I feel it was the right one. The
way both sets of players were kicking it could have went on for an eternity and
would have been cruel on the individual who would finally have missed.
So it’s on to Ballymena on Monday night with the outcome as
difficult to predict as ever. Injuries sustained over the last eight days could
play a part and at the time of writing we don’t know who will start.
An injury to Lamh Dhearg’s Pearse Fitzsimmons which saw the
big mid-fielder collapse in agony after contesting a high ball looks the most
serious and after treatment he was removed from the field on a stretcher and
looks an unlikely starter tomorrow night.
Both teams will have niggles and sores from nearly two and a half hours frantic action but with a place in the final at stake no one will want to miss tomorrow night’s action if possible. The game is likely to attract a record crowd to Quinn Park so get there early to ensure a parking space.
A nice touch by the aNTRIM County Board. All proceeds from tonights gate will be shared equally between the charities deterMND, Friends of the Cancer Centre and in memory of the late Paul McKeever, Cancer Focus NI.
Our own ‘St Brendan’ has already given his
prediction, unsurprisingly going for a Dunloy win so we decided to ask a few
other media types and managers from around the county for their thoughts on the
senior final…..
Hugh McCann – Loughgiel, Shamrocks Manager
It’s very hard to call. Cushendall are reigning champions and have proved time and again that they will fight to the end and are very strong defensively. Dunloy have a good blend of experienced players and some brilliant young players who if given the space will do a lot of damage.
They’ve already proved that they can mix it up in
championship hurling, that along with the loss of some of Cushendall’s
exoerienced players, I would have to say Dunloy for the win.
Verdict: Dunloy
Tony McNulty – St Johns Manager
I think that if Dunloy can stay disciplined in the tackle
and don’t concede frees, they can come through but from experience, if
Cushendall get a sniff of a chance, they’ll not give up.
Dunloy to win but there won’t be much between the sides.
Verdict: Dunloy
David Mohan – Belfast Media Group
One thing’s
for sure: tomorrow’s final will have a much different level of intensity to the
meeting between Dunloy and Cushendall in the group stages.
While
Dunloy edged that fixture by one, the game was certainly lacking the bite of a
straight-up knockout affair that ensures this repeat of the 2017 decider that
was won by Gregory O’Kane’s Cuchullians will differ greatly.
Not that we
can write-off that game altogether, as Cushendall did provide a bit of a
blueprint of how they can get at the Dunloy defence.
Cormac
McAllister’s long poc-outs and their tactic of going long and early did cause
Dunloy some headaches and this could well be their approach again as they try
to isolate Paddy McGill and Alex Delargy inside, flood the middle and not give
Dunloy time or space to get into their stride.
Dunloy are
best served by using pace and trying to hit their flying forwards with quality
ball to get a gallop up. They should be aiming to use quick, incisive passes to
create openings, while non-stop movement could be the key to unlocking a
formidable full-back line.
The middle sector is where this game is likely to be won and lost with both half-back lines not just required to repel attacks, but launch their own so the delivery from this sector into the forwards is likely to have a huge bearing.
Cushendall
are champions and won’t relinquish their title without a struggle, but that
extra, bruising game against St John’s just seven days prior could come into
play and for that reason, Dunloy may be a little fresher down the stretch to
prevail by a couple.
Verdict:
Dunloy
Liam Tunney – Unit Updates
Dunloy’s title defence last year ran into a savvy Loughgiel
challenge and the pre-match shenanigans around the dugout both delayed the
throw-in and de-railed Cúchullain minds.
Another year wiser and their young side exorcised those
ghosts, grinding out a victory over Loughgiel that was born out of grit and
character.
Ruairí Óg have again taken the long road to the Final having
taken two games to dispatch the Johnnies but a sturdy defence and their uncanny
knack for winning tight games booked their place.
It’s easy to bill this as Cushendall’s brawn meets Dunloy’s
agility, but both teams have a healthy blend. The likes of Kevin Molloy and
Conor McKinley provide strength for Cúchullain’s, while Ruairí Óg’s Alex
Delargy and Niall McCormick can confidently dance their way through defences.
Ruairí Óg come in with that winning experience and will be
rightly confident as reigning champions, but Dunloy appear to have added the
bite that was so sorely absent last season as Loughgiel’s mocking grins leered
at them through the Ballycastle rain.
The pups have matured and are hungry for more.
Verdict: Dunloy
Kevin Heron – Saffron Gael
I’m going to back Dunloy in Sunday’s hurling final.
Purely based on the fact that many of my early memories
of Croke Park was going down to watch Dunloy on All-Ireland club hurling final
day. We’d have been packed in the car down to go down and watch the Green and
Gold.
Hopefully it’s a great final with plenty of drama, but
the Cuchullains by five.
