Year / 2019

by thesaffrongael

Downey leads Lavey into Minor decider

St Paul’s FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football semi-final

Erin’s Own, Lavey 0-11-0-05 Eniskillen Gaels

From Kevin Herron at Shaws Road

Six-converted Matthew Downey frees proved to be the difference between Lavey and Eniskillen Gaels in this afternoon’s semi-final clash at the Shaws Road as the Derry Champions progressed to the final of the St Paul’s FonaCAB tournament with an 0-11-0-05 win.

Lavey were pushed all the way in last weeks quarter-final win over Drumloman Gaels at Colaiste Feirste, while Eniskillen Gaels accounted for Antrim champions Cargin to meet the other Erin’s Own in this afternoon’s last four encounter.

The Derry champions were in control from the outset though it took five minutes for them to register the opening score.

Enda Downey played a quick free to cousin Matthew and took the ball back before popping it between the posts.

Matthew Downey was involved in his side doubling their lead after cutting the ball back to Patrick McGurk who dually angled the ball over the bar.

Downey then got on the scoresheet himself from a close range free with James McGurk ensuring that his side were 0-04-0-00 ahead by the midway point in the opening half.

Eniskillen Gaels barely laid a glove on their opponents in the opening half hour and took 17 minutes to finally reply.

Midfielder Oliver Hughes Jordan was felled and the resulting free was converted by Conor Love as the Fermanagh Champions  attempted to grab a foothold in proceedings.

It wouldn’t prove to be a much needed turning point though as Lavey instead added three further points to increase their lead at the break.

Corner-forward Matthew Downey kicked three successive placed balls to bring his first-half tally to 0-04 and give his side a 0-07-0-01 half-time lead.

Lavey and Downey picked up where they left off before the break as he cut inside and popped the ball over for his first score from play.

James O’Donnell replied through a free for the Gaels but the Eniskillen defence was breached once more with Downey feeding the ball across to Rory McGill who popped the ball between the large posts.

Eniskillen again responded through a free from James O’Donnell but the second-half trend continued as Matthew Downey kicked his first placed ball of the second period to extend Lavey’s advantage ( 0-10-0-03).

The game severely lacked goalmouth action, midway through the half the only real chance of note fell to Lavey.

Matthew Downey fed the ball across to Niall Duggan who weighed up his options and offloaded to Enda Downey who shot straight at Fergal Quinn and the chance was gone as Eniskillen cleared their lines.

James O’Donnell kicked his third free of the half in the aftermath and with little under ten minutes remaining; O’Donnell turned provider for Barrai O’Keefe who landed a fantastic point that narrowed the margin (0-10-0-05).

Lavey were still in relative control of proceedings but were without a score since Downey’s 40th minute free.

The corner-forward brought that scoreless run to an end with his sixth converted free of the afternoon to ensure his side ran out 0-11-0-05 winners at the conclusion and booked their place in the New Years Day showpiece where they will meet the winners of the St Stephen’s Day clash between Kilcoo and Termon.

Erin’s Own, Lavery: J Scullion, J Duggan, S O’Neill, S Melaugh, N Duggan, R Farrell, R McGill, C Collins, J Duggan, P McGurk (0-01), J McGurk (0-01), R McGill (0-01), C Downey, E Downey (0-01), M Downey (0-07, 0-06f). Subs: M Kuzogi for N Duggan (62).

Eniskillen Gaels: F Quinn, C Corrigan, J Horan, J Tierney, B O’Keefe (0-01), R McDonnell, S Conway, O Hughes Jordan, C Murphy, R McGandy, C Love (0-01f), R Bogue, J O’Donnell (0-03f), C Halligan, K Corrigan. Subs: C McAnespy for R McGandy (38); B Hamill for S Conway (41); H O’Hare for J Horan (53).

Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Omagh).

by thesaffrongael

Good workout for Antrim and Slaughtneil

Senior Hurling Friendly

Antrim 2-18 Slaughtneil 2-17

Report and pics by Brendan McTaggart

Antrim and Slaughtneil played out a hard fought game at Jordanstown on Friday night with the Saffron’s just edging a tight game by a point. With teams glad to get some game time as they prepare for upcoming games, Antrim for the start of the league campaign and Slaughtneil for their All Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny champions Ballyhale Shamrocks on January 5th in Newry.

The Derry and Ulster champions had the better of the first half and led by 0-11 to 0-8 at the break.

Both teams upped the pace in the second half and a Cormac O’Doherty goal from a free appeared to give Slaughtneill an edge, but Antrim responded with a goal by Conor Johnston. Brendan Rodgers grabbed his team’s second goal but again Antrim found a reply when Neil McManus blasted home from a free.

Overall a good run out for both teams and the competitive nature of the play was exactly what both managers were looking for.

Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Stephen Rooney; Matthew Donnelly, Paddy Burke, TT Butler; Eoghan Campbell, Nicky McKeague, Ronan Molloy, Ryan McCambridge, Aodhan O’Brien, James O’Connell, Conor Neil McManus, Johnston.

Subs Alex Delargy and Conor McHugh

by thesaffrongael

St. Paul’s-fonaCAB Tournament reaches semi-final stage

Sunday 22nd December 1pm

Erin’s Own Lavey v Enniskillen Gaels

The St. Paul’s-fonaCAB Minor football tournament has reached the semi-final stage and on Sunday Derry champions, Erin’s Own, Lavey face Enniskillen Gaels from Fermanagh in the first of the semi-finals

Lavey booked their place in Sunday’s semi-final of the Ulster Minor Football Championship after seeing off Cavan champions Drumloman Gaels 1-16-0-11 two weeks ago in the quarter-final at Colaiste Feirste.

Lavey were strongly fancied to progress to the last four but were made to work hard for victory as Drumloman made the faster start and led through early scores from Cormac McKeogh and Matthew McGahern (free).

It took Lavey until the midway point in the opening half to respond through a Matthew Downey free and the corner-forward levelled proceedings from the same scenario on 17 minutes.

The Downey’s, Matthew, Enda and Calum form a strong full-forward line for the Gulladuff side and all three were prominent for the Derry champions with Matthew Downey pointing four late frees in the opening half to bring his side level 0-6 to 0-6 at the half way stage.

Lavey hit the front for the first time through a Jamie Duggan point early in the second-half and four further scores followed as the Derry champions began to flex their muscles.

Matthew Downey played the providers role in the next score as Ryan McGill steered the ball over, while cousin Calum Downey engineered a fine score.

Calum’s brother Enda would convert back to back frees to give his side a 0-11-0-06 lead approaching the final quarter.

Drumloman fought back and with just two points between the side going into the closing stages Lavey finished strongly and a late goal from Matthew Downey saw them home by an eight point margin which slightly flattered them.

What about Enniskillen Gaels?

Three goals by Fermanagh kingpins Enniskillen Gaels ended the challenge of Antrim champions Erin’s Own Cargin at Shaw’s Road last Sunday.

Ryan McDonnell grabbed the first in the 24th minute to give his team a 1-03 to 0-03 interval advantage and when the impressive Conor Love added another a couple of minutes into the second half the Gaels were on their way.

Entering the final quarter the Antrim champions had reduced the deficit to a couple of points and looked to be in with every chance, but the next few minutes swung matters decisively in favour of the Gaels.

The Fermanagh lads broke up-field for James O’ Donnell and the excellent Conor Love to add back to back points and when Ross Bogue sent late replacement Josh Horan in for a goal they were back in full control.

Enniskillen had strong performers in Conor Murphy, who wore the number 9 jersey but lined out at full-back and did an excellent job in curtailing Cargin’s danger man, Pat Shivers. Ryan McDonnell, Conor Love and the roving Codi Hannigan also impressed in a solid if not spectacular win for the Fermanagh champions.

Lavey will probably start Sunday’s semi-final as favourites and Derry clubs have an excellent record in this tournament. The Duggan’s, McGurk’s and McGill clans were all prominent in their win over Drumloman Gaels at Colaiste Feirste while the Downey’s carry a prominent threat in attack.

Enniskillen Gaels have had the advantage of playing on grass in their opening game at St. Paul’s and will certainly not succumb without a fight but Lavey appear to have the greater strength in depth and I would expect them to advance to a place in the New Year’s Day final.