On Saturday clubs from across the country switched on their floodlights and took part in Gaelic Games in the Light Up for Paul event to commemorate Casements player, club official and referee Paul McKeever and to raise funds for Cancer charities.
Duing the day his home club organised a youth tournament with clubs from all over the county and beyond taking part. Cathal McOscar went along for the Saffron Gael to capture the action.
Reserve Football Championship final
Casements 2-12 Creggan 1-6
By Liam Tunney
Eight Niall Kelly frees saw Casement’s Portglenone put Thursday’s late night exploits behind them as they defeated Kickham’s Creggan in the Antrim Reserve Football Championship Final at a sun-kissed Rasharkin.
An early goal settled Portglenone and although the Kickham’s side had the better of the midfield exchanges in the first half, a profligate 7 wides allowed Casement’s to regain control towards the end of the first period.
Creggan fired home an early second-half goal from Stephen McAuley, but an immediate Oisín Doherty response chastened any thought of a comeback and Kelly’s accuracy ensured they clinched the title.
The early exchanges were fraught with errors as both sides wrestled for control and it took 7 minutes for Ryan O’Reilly’s umpires to be called into action. Mark Graham’s neat ball found Peter Duffin in acres of space and the corner-forward wriggled his way across the goalmouth to fire past Murtagh McKeague.
Mark Dougan replied instantly for Creggan with a close-range free before his side had a penalty claim refused, Frank McAuley tumbling in the Portglenone six-yard box. With nothing given, Mark Graham compounded their frustration by slotting over from 35 yards to restore the three-point gap.
Creggan were creating chances but a combination of poor shooting and tenacious defence was denying them scores. Brian McManus showed his excellent shot-stopping prowess in the 13th minute with a superb double save from Frank McAuley before Dougan pulled the resultant 45 wide of the Dreen posts.
A further three Creggan wides followed before Mark Dougan registered his second of the afternoon from 25 yards but despite winning four consecutive Portglenone kick outs, Kickham’s were unable to close the gap further.
Casement’s half-back Aidan Kearney then broke down the left wing, shrugging off a challenge and sending the ball sailing between the uprights with the outside of his left boot, before Aidan McAteer swung over from the right for Kickham’s.
Portglenone found their feet in the remainder of the half, a brace of Niall Kelly frees and a neat Mark Graham effort form the left flank leaving five between them at the break.
Kickham’s needed a reaction in the second half and they got it almost immediately, Stephen McAuley collecting the breaking ball from a Mark Dougan free and hammering past McManus to the delight of their bench.
That delight, however, was short-lived as Portglenone roared back with a 1-01 haul, Niall Kelly popping over a free before Peter Duffin’s perfectly weighted ball found the run of captain Oisín Doherty and he found the bottom corner to open a six-point gap.
Another Dougan free hit back for Creggan before Dominic McAteer stung the palms of McManus once more, but Portglenone regained their composure and Kelly punished another foul in the 44th minute.
A further brace of Kelly frees followed as Kickham’s began to tire and a 49th minute Peter Duffin effort left his side eight in front, but Oran McCann signalled that Creggan were not lying down by rattling Brian McManus’ crossbar minutes later and Dougan converting the free that followed.
Casement’s edged further in front with two more Kelly frees before substitute Matthew Rodgers hit back for Creggan, but it was the Portglenone shooter who had the final say, converting in the 58th minute for the last score of the game.
If Portglenone were fatigued from their mid-week epic, their Reserve side didn’t show it and this was a confident display from the Senior Semi-Finalists in the Dreen sunshine as they take home what the club will hope will not be their last trophy of the season.
Casement’s: Brian McManus, Adrian McKeever, Adrian Anderson, Declan Dobbin, Connor McGee, Paddy Carey, Aidan Kearney (0-01), Stephen Kelly, Brendan Donnelly, Oisín Doherty (1-00), Mark Graham (0-02), Paddy Graffin, Peter Duffin (1-01), Niall Kelly (0-08f), Corey McLaughlin.
Subs: Tony Convery for Adrian Anderson 41’, Owen Doherty for Peter Duffin 53’, Declan McErlain for Adrian McKeever 58’, Christy Convery for Declan Dobbin 61’.
Kickham’s: Murtagh McKeague, Michael Dougan, Dermot McCann, Conor McAuley, Jake McAteer, Jamie McCann, Ethan Carey, Aidan McKeown, Oran McCann, Liam McCann, Mark Dougan (0-01, 0-03f), Declan McCann, Stephen McAuley (1-00), Frank McAuley, Dominic McAteer.
Subs: Matthew Rodgers (0-01) for Declan McCann HT, Killian Burke for Liam McCann 44’, Peter McCollum for Stephen McAuley 56’.
Referee: Ryan O’Reilly – Con Magee’s Glenravel
A look back at the Loughgiel v Ballycastle final in 2019
Antrim Senior championship final
Loughgiel 2-10 Ballycastle 1-9
IT is a long time since Loughgiel got as stern a test as they did on Saturday afternoon in an Antrim championship game. But the Shamrocks were still able to ride the Ballycastle storm and stretch their run to a sixth successive senior crown.Ballycastle probably produced their best performance of the season, bringing huge intensity to the clash and not allowing their opponents to settle or open up play in the forward line.
That statement of intent was made right from the throw-in with Nuala Devlin and Áine Donnelly winning frees in the opening 90 seconds and Caoimhe Wright supplied the points.Devlin, and Rianna McBride in the other corner, seriously troubled Loughgiel with their pace in the opening half, while the deployment of Tara O’Neill as a third midfielder backed up the tigerish work of Maeve Kelly and Emma Laverty to close down the game.
However Maeve Connolly, left regularly without a marker, picked up a lot of ball at centre-half back for the winners and her deliveries to the wings helped release her forwards for key scores especially during the first half. During the second half, Loughgiel registered just two points, probably their lowest return for 30 plus minutes in quite some time and that is a huge credit to the Ballycastle defence.
After Wright’s opening points for Ballycastle, Loughgiel hit back with scores from Ciara Laverty and Roisin McCormick before Caitrin Dobbin found an opening and cracked home her first goal in the fifth minute. Although Áine Donnelly spun well for Ballycastle’s third point, Emma McMullan pointed twice from play and twice from frees to make it 2-6 to 0-3 after 18 minutes and the game seemed to be going to script. That was until Nuala Devlin picked up a free from Niamh Donnelly in the corner and cut across to fire home a goal for the Town. However Loughgiel came back with a couple of points before Maeve Connolly released Caitrin Dobbin with a huge clearance into the corner and the fleet-footed winger raced through for her second goal and an interval advantage of 2-8 to 1-4.
Niamh Donnelly hit a point from a free on the re-start, the only score of the third quarter and at the midway point of the half Anna Connolly and Emma McMullan clipped over two fine points – but those were Loughgiel’s final scores. Caoimhe Wright added two frees at the other end before Cliodhna Donnelly was taken down for a penalty. Sister Niamh took it, but her shoulder high shot was turned over for a point by Megan Coyle. The challengers exerted plenty of pressure over the final minutes but could only add another Niamh Donnelly free as Loughgiel saw the game out for their 22nd title.
Loughgiel : Megan Coyle, Chloe Higgins, Charlene Campbell, Maria Lynn, Clare McKillop, Maeve Connolly, Shauna Devlin, Amy Boyle, Lucia McNaughton, Emma McMullan 0-6, 0-3 frees, Anna Connolly 0-1, Caitrin Dobbin 2-1, Ciara Laverty 0-1, Christine Laverty, Roisin McCormick 0-1.
Ballycastle : Danielle McMichael, Niamh Anne Donnelly, Catherine McShane, Bronagh McCaughan, Enya McShane, Niamh Donnelly 0-3, 2 frees, 1 pen, Bronagh McKeague, Maeve Kelly, Emma Laverty, Maria Bakewell, Tara O’Neill, Caoimhe Wright 0-5 frees, Nuala Devlin 1-0, Aine Donnelly 0-1, Rianna McBride.Sub : Cliodhna Donnelly for M Bakewell (24)
Referee : Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)
Casements Social Club
Junior Hurling Championship final
Gort na Mona 0-20 St. Paul’s 0-14
Dessie McClean scored 0-11 as Gort na Mona proved too good in the end for a battling St. Paul’s side who kept going right until the final whistle. The former county man gave an outstanding exhibition of free taking, landing at least four from beyond 70 meters and punished every foul that the opposition conceded.
McClean got the Turf Lodge men off the mark from a free in the opening minute before Sean O’Carroll equalised with a point from play with two minutes on the clock. O’Carroll fired over when he might have had a goal and it was Gort na Mona who went on to dominate the opening exchanges.
Patrick McCafferty restored their lead with a good point from play with Dessie McClean (free) and Thomas McCaffery moving them 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after nine minutes. Sean Lawell raised the Shaw’s Road side’s second point but Gort na Mona replied immediately through Darren Diesel Boyd as they continued to hold the upper hand.
St. Paul’s were badly in need of inspiration and suddenly they began to find a bit of momentum as substitute Cairbre O’Caireallain split the uprights and points from Colm McLarnon and Gerard Carberry had them on level terms by the 15th minute as their supporters roared their approval.
Gort na Mona were soon back on the ascendancy however as Dessie McClean pointed a ‘65’ and followed with another from 70 meters before Patrick McCaffery added another from play to leave them three in front by the 23d minute.
Cairbre O’Caireallain pulled one back for the Hoops but another couple of long range efforts from the brilliant McClean had the Gorts four in front by the 29th minute and they again looked to be taking control.
St. Paul’s were fighting with everything they had to keep in touch however and Colm McLarnon replied from two pointed frees to leave just two in it again as the game moved into injury time. The final scores of the half were to go the way of the Turf Lodge men however as Patrick McCaffery and Dessie McClean concluded the first half scoring to restore their four point advantage as the half time whistle sounded.
St. Paul’s need a good start to the second half if they were to get back into contention and Colm McLarnon raised their hopes when he pointed a free in the opening minute but as the hits continued to go in thick and fast Dessie McClean replied from frees in the 33d and 42nd minutes at the other end.
St. Paul’s were enjoying their fair share of possession at this stage but Sean O’Carroll held his head in frustration after his goal bound shot came back of an upright but they continued to press and were rewarded with a pointed free from Colm McLarnon and a superb long range point from corner-back, Chris Murray.
Dessie McClean again eased the pressure from another free but Gort na Mona were then dealt a blow when James Connolly was shown red after a dangerous pull.
Could this be the turning point in the game? The answer was a definitive no as Gort na Mona came storming forward, led by the impressive McCaffery and the big mid-fielder hit a fine point with Dessie McClean and Steven Rooney following suit to put a bit of daylight between the sides.
A Colm McLarnon free with four minutes of normal time remaining and another from Stephen Rooney gave St. Paul’s a bit of encouragement but it was too little, too late with Dessie McClean and Martin Ward concluding the Gort na Mona scoring and Rooney responding with St. Paul’s final point of the game.
A very competitive game of hurling with little quarter asked or given but it was Gort na Mona who had the greater experience and fire power and they never really looked like losing this one.
They were solid in defence where keeper Padraig Fryer, Niall Henry, Padraig McHugh and Mark Rea excelled. Patrick McCaffery and Declan Hughes dominated at mid-field while Dessie McClean and Thomas McCaffery were superb in a sharp attack.
St. Paul’s gave it everything they had and were unfortunate to come up against a Gort na Mona side who were simply flying. Joe Gillan never put a foot wrong in goals while Ciaran Hetherington, Sean Lawell, Fionntan Gamble, Colm McLarnon and Sean O’Carroll impressed
GORT NA MÓNA: P Fryers; J Connolly, N Henry, C Devlin; G McKenna, P McHugh, C McCann; D Hughes (0-1), P McCaffrey (0-2); T McCaffrey (0-1), M Ward (0-1), L Dixon; B Quinn (0-1), D Boyd (0-1), D McClean (0-12, 7 frees, 2 65s, 1 sideline). Subs: C McErlean for L Dixon (24), S Doyle for C McErlean (46), P Cournane for M Rea (54).
ST PAUL’S: J Gillen; S Rooney (0-2), C Hetherington, S Bradley; C O’Carroll, F Sewell, S Lawell (0-2); F Gamble, D Chapman; C McLarnon (0-6, 5 frees), C Ó Caireállain (0-2), C Rea; P Doyle, S O’Carroll, J Farrell. Subs: G Carberry for C rea (6), C Murray for C O’Carroll (37), D Stevenson for P Doyle (52).
REFEREE: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)
Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Naomh Éanna 3-14 Carey Faughs 1-17
Saturday September 28
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Mhuire, Cushendall
Naomh Éanna’s incredible 2019 continued on Saturday evening as they claimed the Intermediate Hurling Championship for the first time in their history. But my word they were made to fight every step of the way for their victory. Carey Faughs, the unlucky bridesmaid’s once again but they had Naomh Éanna begging for the final whistle with the mother of all comebacks.
The Glengormely men opened a seven point deficit when Philip Curran buried his second major of the final. Eight minutes remaining and life was good for Terrence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton’s side. Not so. Carey weren’t for laying down and reduced that Naomh Éanna lead to two points going into injury time. They looked for all the world to be reeling the Hightown Road side in but somehow, Naomh Éanna saw the three minutes of injury time out. The final score of the match fittingly going to John McGoldrick, the Naomh Éanna man put on an exhibition from placed ball over the hour with 1-9 and a man of the match performance.
Mark Donaghy at centre half, returning to his home turf excelled as did Cormac Ross and Killian Jennings while Philip Curran’s two majors was a just reward for his tireless efforts on the day. Connor McBride top scored for the Faughs with seven of his nine points coming from frees while Cathal McAuley’s early goal gave them the dream start. The contribution off the bench was vital for the Ballyvoy men with Daniel Martin and Martin Hunter splitting four points evenly in what looked like match turning cameo’s off the bench while Patrick Gillen grew in stature as the match progressed. Peadar McVeigh put in a truly incredible performance from half back and certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side along with Kevin Murphy in the corner but Naomh Éanna weren’t to be denied adding the championship crown to their league promotion gained earlier this season.
Both sides hit the ground running from the first whistle and while the scores weren’t exactly flowing, Naomh Éanna and Carey played with super intensity and tackled ferociously in the opening exchanges. Philip Curran with the opening point and Cathal McAuley following suit soon after for the Faughs but they soon changed a solid start to the dream opening when they scored the opening goal of the match in the third minute. James McCouig sending the sliotar the way of Peader McVeigh from a quick free but his effort from distance dropped short. Martin Curran in goals for Naomh Éanna couldn’t control the dropping ball and McAuley took full advantage. Hammering the loose sliotar to the back of the net.
The Naomh Éanna response was emphatic. Keeping the Faughs scoreless for eight minutes, they scored 1-4 themselves to retake the lead and take control of the final. Incredibly, all the scores coming from the hurl of McGoldrick. Three frees and one point from play before scoring the major in the 13th minute, McGoldrick finishing after a superb move involving Philip Curran and Manus Mullan.
Carey replied with a brace of frees from Connor McBride before McGoldrick did the same for his side. Carey edged the closing stages of the half with James Black and Connor McBride firing over brilliant scores either side of Eddie O’Connor’s 29th minute point to leave the Glengormley side 1-8 to 1-5 ahead at the short whistle.
The half time score was a fair reflection of the action in the first half with Naomh Éanna’s scoring burst effectively the difference. The Hightown Road side came out of the changing rooms on fire though with McGoldrick (’65) opening the scoring and Philip Curran landing his first of two second half goals. Manus Mullan once again in the thick of the build-up as Naomh Éanna opened a seven point lead just three minutes into the second half.
Carey needed a response and they hit back immediately. Connor McBride (free) and Sean McLoughlin splitting the uprights before McAuley took his tally to 1-2 with a superb side line in the 37th minute.
Edward O’Connor doubled his own tally to briefly halt the Carey charge before Ruairi Donaghy opened a six point lead moments later. Connor McBride and McGoldrick swapped frees before Carey turned the screw once again. Connor McBride (free) and two points from substitute Daniel Martin bringing the Faughs to within a green flag with ten minutes of the match remaining.
It was now Naomh Éanna who needed a response and they did so with match defining fashion. Matthew O’Hare first splitting the posts before Philip Curran emphatically scored his second and Naomh Éanna’s third major of the final. Killian Jennings this time turning provider, escaping the presence of Kevin Murphy for one of the few times during the final, Jennings passed to Curran unselfishly and he applied the finish to open a seven point lead with eight minutes remaining.
Just like their semi-final win over Sarsfields, the Faughs showed incredible spirit in the time that remained. They were denied what looked like a penalty when Rocket was dragged down but in Connor McBride they had a man possessed with a sole purpose of dragging his side back into the final. Another brace of points (one free) preceded two superb points from substitute Martin Hunter and Carey looked like they could possibly pull of an incredible comeback. Connor McBride’s seventh free of the night brought them to within two points in the last minute of normal time but time wasn’t the friend of the men from Ballyvoy. Naomh Éanna seemed to all but seal their maiden Intermediate crown with a free in the second minute of injury time and they saw out the little time that remained.
A breath-taking ending to a pulsating championship final and a fine advert for hurling within our county. Naomh Éanna’s stock within the game continues to grow as they add the Intermediate hurling championship to the football crown they won 12 months ago. They’ll be playing at the top table in both big ball and stick codes in 2020 but for now their thoughts will turn to an Ulster campaign where they will meet the winners of the Derry championship between Banagher and Swatragh (final 29th September) on Sunday October 13.
TEAMS
Naomh Éanna: Martin Curran; Niall O’Connor, Rian Gillen, Ruairi Diamond; Cormac Ross, Mark Donaghy, Joe Maskey; Ryan Bogue, Ruairi Donaghy; Philip Curran, Manus Mullan, Edward O’Connor; John McGoldrick, Matthew O’Hare, Killian Jennings.
Subs: Ruairi Crummey for E O’Connor (54); Cormac Jennings for K Jennings (inj); Michael McGivern for R Diamond (inj).
Scorers: John McGoldrick 1-9 (7 f’s, 1 ’65); Philip Curran 2-1; Edward O’Connor 0-2; Ruairi Donaghy 0-1; Matthew O’Hare 0-1.
Carey: Chris Butler; Kevin Murphy, Sean McBride, Patrick Gillen; Michael McVeigh, James McCouaig, Peader McVeigh; Colm McBride, Sean McLoughlin; Caolan McCaughan, John McBride, James Black; Fiachra McVeigh, Cathal McAuley, Connor McBride.
Subs: Daniel Martin for J McBride (41); Conaire Butler for F McVeigh (42); Nat Hunter for S McLoughlin (48); Martin Hunter for C McAuley (50).
Scorers: Connor McBride 0-9 (7 f’s); Cathal McAuley 1-2; Daniel Martin 0-2; Martin Hunter 0-2; James Black 0-1; Sean McLoughlin 0-1.
Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)
