2019 has been a great year for Ahoghill Camogs having won the the Antrim Junior Championship, the League and the Bridie McMenamin Shield and to mark their great achievements Dermot Graham and his team were guests of Mid & East Antrim Mayor Cllr Maureen Morrow at a reception in the Braid Centre.
There was probably some surprise among the St Mary’s team when Cllr Morrow told them that she had seen them all before and that her now daughter-in-law Shauna Kelly had captained the Bridiini Oga team who won the Antrim Junior Championship and the Bridie McMenamin Shield back in 2016.
Overall a great night for the girls from St Mary’s and another night to remember in what has been a memorable year.
Mayor Morrow makes a special presentation to Noreen Graham to mark the fact that she was selected on the Gaelic Life Camogie team this season. Team captain Ciara McGuigan takes a Selfie with Mayor Morrow
Termon ‘s second successful visit to Belfast in a week has
established them as serious contenders for the fonaCAB-St. Paul’s Ulster Minor
Football tournament. Last week they overcame the challenge of Silverbridge of Armagh
at Colaiste Feirste and this evening Monaghan champions, Emyvale were put to
the sword at the same venue.
The Donegal champions dominated from first whistle and had
matters pretty much in the bag by the half way stage when they had established
a healthy 1-6 to 0-1 lead.
It took Emyvale thirty minutes to get a score and by that
time they were six points down.
Ryan McFadden then scored a fortuitous goal and Termon led
by 1-6 to 0-1 at half-time.
McFadden would grab a second goal after the restart and
Bobby McGettigan, Stephen Black, Conor McFadden, and Jack Alcorn also hit the
net in an impressive victory for the Donegal champions.
Emyvale were at a disadvantage coming into the game, as the
Minor Championship in Monaghan is played at Under 17 level as opposed to Under
18.
However, Termon had only four starters who were in their
final year of minor and perhaps a bigger advantage was the fact that they had
beaten Silverbridge in the Preliminary Round the previous week.
The Donegal side dominated the first half and even though
they were guilty of some disappointing wides, they were still able to move six
points ahead.
Midfielder Jack Alcorn scored four, while Ryan McFadden and
Mark Gallagher also pointed.
Emyvale lost the influential Karl Gallagher to a black card,
and they had to wait until the 30th minute to score a point when sub Niall
McKenna fired over.
However, disaster struck for them on the stroke of half-time
when Ryan McFadden’s shot deceived Ben Sherry and went into the top corner.
Termon led 1-6 to 0-1 at half-time and they added a further
2-3 without reply after half-time with Ryan McFadden scoring another fortuitous
goal while Bobby McGettigan also raised a green flag.
Niall McKenna responded with a point for the Monaghan team,
but Termon were rampant and they added another 3-3 to their tally without reply
with lively sub Conor McFadden scoring 1-1, while Stephen Black and the
excellent Jack Alcorn also hit the net.
Emyvale kept battling and Michael Hamill landed a brace,
while Ben Ryan and Niall McKenna added frees.
However, Termon were emphatic victors and they closed the
game out with points from Bobby McGettigan and Ryan McFadden.
Termon now advance to the semi-finals where they will take
on Down champions Kilcoo.
That game is due to take place at St Paul’s on St Stephen’s
Day with a 1pm throw-in, and Termon will have their eyes set on an Ulster final
berth.
Emyvale: Ben Sherry; Conor Mulligan, Ryan Murphy, Rio
Corrigan; Colm Colton; Kelvin Hackett, Liam McKenna; Alastair Stewart, Cameron
Liddle; Harley McKenna, Michael Hamill (0-2), Luke Kelly; Ben Ryan (0-1, 1f),
Karl Gallagher, Darragh Sherry. Subs: Aidan McKenna, Niall McKenna (0-3, 2fs),
Jake Hughes, Caolan McKenna, Matthew Curley.
Termon: Emmet Maguire; Michael Trearty, Jamie Grant, Mark
Toye; Caolan Gallagher, Marty Steele, Stephen Black (1-1), Jack Alcorn (1-5),
Ryan McFadden (2-3, 2-1fs); Bobby McGettigan (1-1), Steve McDaid, Evan Coleman
(0-1), Mark Gallagher (0-1), Adam McElwaine, Conor Cassidy. Subs: Conor Black
(0-1), Conor McFadden (1-1), Eoin Boyle, Aaron Gallagher, Oisin Forde, Brian
McGettigan.
Brendan McTaggart reports from GAA Centre of Excellence, Abbotstown – Dublin
Antrim fell to a six point defeat to Galway in this friendly
in Abbotstown but it was another encouraging performance from the
Saffrons. The 2017 All-Ireland champions
travelled to the Dublin venue with an experimental panel but plenty of
household names in their 15. The
tribesmen are under the management of Na Piarsaigh clubman Shane O’Neill and
there was plenty on show who were eager to lay their claims for a place on the
Galway panel for the forthcoming season.
It was the perfect match for Antrim in a sense. 70 plus minutes against a top tier side and a
chance to see where they where in terms of their own development. Neil McManus top scored for the Saffrons with
seven of his nine points coming from placed ball while Conor Johnston finished
top of the pile from open play. The St
John’s man with five points from open play in another impressive performance,
especially in the second half while Domhnall Nugent was always a threat. Phelim Duffin gave another solid display in
the full back line and used the sliotar well when delivering further up the
field in what was the first stern test of the Saffrons defence of the season.
Ronan Molloy fires in the Antrim goal. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
In their previous outings against Meath, Armagh and Wicklow, the Saffrons have won comfortably with their defence rarely taking the carpet slippers off such was their comfort. Sunday afternoon in Abbotstown was a different story. Brian Concannon on the inside forward line and the twin attacking threats of Jason Flynn and Evan Nialand were more than a handful. Flynn in particular showcasing his talents throughout and his goal with nine minutes remaining spelling the end to a very good second half by the Saffrons.
Galway led by six at half time thanks largely to Adrian
Tuohy’s early goal. An opening 35
minutes where Antrim were wasteful in front of the target, they managed just
seven points and reliant on McManus’ frees.
The second half and a few changes, Antrim got to within two points 15
minutes after the restart. Ronan Molloy
with the Antrim goal after reading the flight and break of the sliotar and
finishing well to the bottom corner.
Neill McManus top scored for Antrim with nine points – Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
Antrim had restricted Galway to just three points in those
opening 15 minutes of the second half, all coming from frees and Flynn with the
scores but Molloy’s major sparked the Tribesmen back into life. Evan Nialand taking centre stage with his
free taking and two points from play after Flynn’s goal in the 61st
minute.
A defeat but a more than decent performance against a very
good side. A match where they were
missing at least six players for one reason or another and they can take plenty
from this 70 minutes. Keeping a team
like Galway scoreless from open play for 17 minutes while churning out 1-12 at
the other end of the field after the short whistle. The touch was there for the majority of the
game while the fitness levels never dipped in an energy sapping contest against
the Tribesmen.
TEAMS
Antrim: Conor McAllister; Stephen Rooney, Ciaran
Johnston, Phelim Duffin; Gerard Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Conor Boyd; Dan McCloskey,
Aodhan O’Brien; Michael Bradley, Neil McManus, Domhnall Nugent; Conor Johnston,
Alex Delargy, Eoin O’Neill
Subs: Matthew Donnelly for C Boyd (22); Ryan Elliott
for C McAllister (HT); Nicky McKeague for E O’Neill (HT); Ronan Molloy for M
Bradley (HT); James O’Connell for A Delargy (38); Conor McHugh for G Walsh
(52); TT Butler for Ciaran Johnston (52); Eoin O’Neill for D McCloskey (62)
Scorers: Neil McManus 0-9 (6 f’s 1 ’65); Conor
Johnston 0-6 (1f); Ronan Molloy 1-00; Domhnall Nugent 0-1; Alex Delargy 0-1;
James O’Connell 0-1; Conor McHugh 0-1
Galway: James Skehill; Sean Loftus, Kevin Hussey, Jack
Grealish; Joe Mooney, Jamie Holland, TJ Brennan; Dairmuid Kilcollins, Sean
Kilduff; David Glennon, Adrian Tuohy, Jason Flynn; Jamie Ryan, Brian Concannon,
Evan Nialand
Scorers: Evan Nialand 0-10 (7 f’s); Jason Flynn 1-5 (3 f’s); Adrian Tuohy 1-1; Joe Mooney 0-2; Dairmuid Kilcollins 0-1; Brian Concannon 0-1
FonaCab Ulster Minor Football Tournament (qtr final)
Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) 3-06
Erin’s Own Cargin (Antrim) 0-08
By Geordie McGuckin
‘Goals win prizes’ is a well-worn expression but often proved as factual, and it proved to be on the mark again today at the Shaw’s Road as a trio of green flags by Fermanagh kingpins Enniskillen Gaels ended the challenge of Antrim champions Erin’s Own Cargin.
Ryan Mc Donnell 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 period the Gaels looked on their way.
The Antrim champions, who were showing
well at midfield where the impressive Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn partnership held
sway but they could not find a way
through a packed Enniskillen defence. Cargin kept in touch for a spell but when Enniskillen replacement
Fergal Quinn took the opportunity to add a third major the die was cast.
Cargin threatened in the closing stages but although Pat Shivers came close to finding the net late in proceedings the Fermanagh champions were in control as they booked a semi-final place with a 3-06 to 0-08 victory.
Despite the recent wet weather Naomh Pol Park looked good for the third quarter final game. Enniskillen who claimed the prestigious title a couple of years back started the game as firm favourites but Cargin having impressed on their way to the Antrim title were fully expected to give this latest assignment a real lash.
Cargin started on the positive but
after the Toome lads had missed a couple of opportunities to gain early
advantage it was to be Enniskillen who were to first to employ the scoreboard
attendant via Conor Love.
The centre forward who was on the
cusp of an impressive sixty minutes was not at all hard pressed to despatch a close
right sided free between the posts after Ryan McGandy had been impeded on
approach with the clock at five minutes.
Cargin were more that holding their own
at midfield from the outset and with Eunan Quinn and the flame-haired Odhran
Molloy to the fore the Antrim champions opened their account a couple of
minutes later.
James O’ Donnell ensured Enniskillen regained advantage in the 10th minute with an excellent finish from distance but the Gaels had Lady Luck smiling on them a couple of minutes later when Cargin’s Benen Kelly spotted their net-minder far off his line, but his cheekily lobbed delivery just missed the target.
Cargin drew alongside again in the 16th minute when Eunan Quinn pointed from a free but the Gaels regained the upper hand when Conor Love despatched a 30 metre free between the posts, a minute later. A well worked counter attack opened the way for centre back Ryan Mc Donnell to find the Cargin net in the 24th minute to help them to a 1-03 to 0-03 interval lead.
Cargin started the second half in a similar way as they had the first when Jack Mc Allister split the posts a minute into proceedings to cut the arrears to just two.The Gaels were quick to offer reply and less than a minute later the impressive Conor Love left several defenders trailing in his wake before planting the leather in the corner of the net.
The Toome lads did add a quick reply
as a foul on the advancing Eunan Quinn allowed Pat Shivers to punish the
indiscretion by sending the resultant award between the posts, and when the
former took place kicking charge a couple of minutes later when Malachi
Johnston was impeded the end result was the same.
A point from Enniskillen wing half
forward Ross Bogue briefly halted the Cargin revival but the Erin’s Own lads
were quick to resume the offensive as Benen Kelly’s dash opened the way for Pat
Shivers to split the uprights once again.
Enterting 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 would change the complexion again.
The Fermanagh lads broke upfield for James O’ Donnell and the excellent Conor Love to add back to back points, and when a stray pass opened the way for Ross Bogue to send late replacement Josh Horan in for a goal they were back in full control.
Cargin battled away gamely and Pat
Shivers did come close to finding the net in the last hectic minutes, but his
stab at the loose ball just went the wrong side of the posts as the Gaels 3-06
to 0-09 win set up a semi-final date with Derry champions Erin’s Own Lavey next
weekend.
Enniskillen Gaels
Fergal Quinn, Caelan Corrigan, Ben
Hamill, Jack Tierney, Barra O’Keefe, Ryan Mc Donnell (1-00), Shay Conway,
Oliver Hughes Jordan, Conor Murphy, Ryan Mc Gandy, Conor Love (1-03), Ross
Bogue (0-01), James O’ Donnell (0-02), Codi Halligan, Killian Corrigan
Subs
Josh Horan (1-00) for B Hamill
Cal Mc Anespy for Caelan Corrigan
Erin’s Own Cargin
Shea Laverty, Conan Johnston, Sean og
Quinn, Cahir Donnelly, Malachi Johnston, Sean og O’ Neill, Orrin Johnston,
Odhran Molloy, Eunan Quinn (0-02), Jack Mc Allister, Benen Kelly, Sean Mc
Auley, PJ Quinn, Pat Shivers (0-04), Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01)
Subs
Tom Shivers for PJ Quinn
Shane Gribbin for S Mc Auley
Conan Kennedy for J Mc Allister
Referee Gavin Finnegan (An Dun)
Action from Cargin’s clash with Enniskillen Gaels at St Paul’s
Kickhams Creggan and the local Primary School held a joint Christmas party in the school on Sunday with the man in the red suit the main attraction. There were stalls selling cakes of all sizes and mince pies by the dozen as the people of the Lough Shore prepared for Christmas. Saffron Gael went along to tcapture some of the action.
