All Saints and Moneyglass faced each other in the U16 league
last night, All Saints needing a win to secure a league play off with
Aghagallon.
These two teams have developed a great rivalry with All Saints
having won the earlier U16 meeting in the Breslin semi- final.
Moneyglass were first out of the blocks and dominated the early stages of play taking an early 1-3 to 0-2 lead, 10 minutes into the first half. Ronan Campbell was showing well and kicked a couple of good scores and James McCormick with an early goal.
All Saints gradually worked their way into the game playing
a controlled possession style of football.
20 minutes into the 1st half the Ballymena side were awarded
a penalty for a foul on Ronan McKillop which was dispatched to the net by Oisin
O’Mullin. As they gradually earned the
upper hand, they kicked a number of good scores from McKillop, O’Rawe and
Ferris followed by a well taken goal clinically finished by Jamie Montgomery.
Moneyglass finished the half with an excellent score from Kevin McCann.
All Saints led at break by 6 points, 2-8 to 1-5.
Moneyglass rallied well in second half with some good scores
from McErlaine and Campbell and the game was evenly contested. All Saints
dominated possession but missed a number of scorable frees at the start of the half
which allowed Moneyglass back into the game and close the gap at one stage to 4
points.
Both teams exchanged a number of points and All Saints were
awarded a late penalty for a foul on Oisin O Mullin which he dispatched to the
net. All Saints winning on a final score line of 3-14 to 1-14.
This was a keenly contested encounter with both teams
playing good football and there were good battles all over pitch.
O’Callaghan and McErlaine contested a great battle in the
middle of Park. Tiernan McCormick was industrious and caused the All Saints
defence problems and both James McCormick and Ronan Campbell also showed well
for the Moneyglass men. Niall Devine, Patrick Ferris, Jude Casey, Shaun O’
Callaghan, Ronan McKillop and Oisin O Mullin all performed well for the Saints.
Having been beaten in Championship by Rossa earlier in the week All Saints now look forward to a league final play off against Aghagallon whilst Moneyglass will use this game as they step up preparations for the Championship Semi Final against Sarsfields in 2 week’s time. A useful run out for both sides and a lot of good quality on show.
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship
St Mary’s Aghagallon 2-11
Naomh Éanna 1-8
When St. Enda’s sit down to analyse where it all went wrong following their six point defeat to St. Mary’s Aghagallon in the Antrim Senior Football Championship at Glenavy, they will surely look to two first half goal opportunities that they were denied by Aghagallon keeper, Damian O’Hagan.
First, he got down well to deny Odhran Eastwood from close range before making a stunning stop to prevent Ciaran Thompson from scoring a certain goal less than a minute later.
The lough shore side struck
with a goal of their own when Ruairi McCann was pulled down as he bore down on
goal by Eathon Gibson, who received a yellow card for his troubles and Ruairi
Loughran fired past Donal Walsh from the penalty spot to give his side a lead
they would never again lose.
Aghagallon went on to
lead by three at the break despite playing into a strong breeze and Eunan Walsh
extended their lead in the opening minute of the second half with a superb
point from 50 meters to give his side a massive lift.
After a cagey opening,
Odhran Eastwood opened St. Enda’s account with a fine score on six minutes
while Ruirai Scott doubled the advantage with a long-range score on nine
minutes after making full use of the breeze at his back.
Ruairi McCann who had a great game at mid-field for Aghagallon
St. Enda’s had plenty of possession at this stage but were reluctant to shoot, often over playing the possession game while it took Aghagallon 10 minutes to register their first point through Ciaran Brady,
Slowly though St. Enda’s
began to enjoy a bit of success and looked to be in for the game’s opening goal
but goalkeeper Damien O’Hagan somehow got down to his right to deny Odhran
Eastwood and a minute later came off his line to block a Ciaran Thompson shot
from point blank range.
Naomh Éanna did get
some reward from their period of dominance when wing half-backs Killian
Jennings and Padraig Hamilton linked up for the former to score to move them
0-3 to 0-1 ahead on 14 minutes.
Adam Loughran replied for St. Mary’s to leave the minimum between the sides before Gareth Magee levelled matters following a foul on Coalan Farr.
Frank Fitzsimons
switched Michael Morgan and Eastwood and the move paid dividends right away
with Eastwood’s pass placing Morgan in the clear and he fired over to restore
his side’s one point lead.
It was to be the last time they would lead however as Gibson’s rash challenge on Ruairi McCann, as he raced clear on goal resulted in a penalty with Ruairi Loughran confidently dispatching the spot kick to the net.
Aghagallons Adam Loughran and Peter Healey, St. Endas challenge for possession
Aghagallon missed a
few chances to stretch their advantage before another Magee free gave them a
three-point cushion at the break.
Eunan Walsh extended
that lead on the restart with the best point of the game and Gareth Magee
looked in for a goal moments later but dragged his shot wide of the target. He made
amends by converting another free on 37 minutes as Aghagallon moved five clear
with Naomh Éanna struggling to secure possession against the breeze which had
increased in intensity.
Ruairi Loughran landed
his first from play to increase the lough shore side’s lead to six and the
writing was on the wall when Adam Loughran won possession from a Walsh kick-out
to return the ball between the sticks.
Loughran was then
fouled with Magee knocking over the resulting free as Aghagallon moved 1-9 to
0-4 ahead with five unanswered points and the boys in green were managing
possession well and forcing their opponents to chase the game.
Aghagallons Gareth Magee holds onto the ball despite the attention of Lyttle and McAuley, St. Endas
Ruairi Scott landed a
much-needed point for St. Enda’s before substitute Ryan Kennedy followed with
another following good work from Maskey to give the Hightown support some hope but
Magee continued to display unerring accuracy from placed balls and brought his
tally to 0-5 before Gibson picked up his second booking for a rash challenge on
McCann.
Four minutes later
James McAuley followed him and any hopes of a St. Enda’s comeback went with him
though Frank Fitzsimmon’s side kept going to the final whistle.
Conan Lyttle and
Eastwood (free) fought against the odds with points, but Aghagallon always had
a reply and a 60 yard solo by Eunan Walsh resulted in his second point of the
game while his midfield partner McCann set up Paul Mulholland for a goal on the
hour-mark to put St Mary’s 2-11 to 0-8 ahead.
In injury-time, a high
ball in from Kennedy led to a fisted goal from fellow substitute Philly Curran
which served to put a better look on the scoreboard but it was too little too
late and it’s Aghagallon who go through to a meeting with St. Teresa’s while
St. Enda’s will take some consolation from their division 1 survival, secured
with a win at Aghagallon on Monday night last.
AGHAGALLON: D O’Hagan;
M McKenna, D Donnelly, P Mulholland 1-0; J Lamont, J Lenehan, M McStravick; E
Walsh 0-2, R McCann; C Brady 0-1, A Loughran 0-2, C Farr; G Magee 0-5 (0-5fs),
R Loughran 1-1 (1-0 pen), P Branagan.
Subs: O Lenehan for R
Loughran (50mins), F Bustard for Farr (56mins), D Marshall for Magee (64mins).
NAOMH ÉANNA: D Walsh;
C Lyttle 0-1, M McNamee, C McAuley; P Hamilton 0-1, J McAuley, K Jennings; E
Gibson, J Maskey; M Morgan 0-1, R Scott 0-2 (0-1f), C Thompson; E Nagle, P
Healy, O Eastwood 0-2 (0-1f).
Subs: R Kennedy 0-1
for Jennings (42mins), C O’Neill for Morgan (45mins), P Curran 1-0 for Thompson
(50mins).
ACHL Division 1-2 Promotion / Relegation play-off first leg
Ballygalget 3-22-1-13 Sarsfields
By Kevin Herron at Milltown
Ballygalget took a huge step towards survival in the top
tier of Antrim hurling as they outscored Sarsfields 3-07-0-02 in the final
quarter of this afternoon’s promotion / relegation first-leg at Milltown.
With just a point separating the sides a Jordan Doran goal
tilted the game back into the County Down sides balance after Sarsfields had chased
a five-point deficit at the start of the second-half.
Tim Prenter added further goals to give his side a 15-point
advantage ahead of the second-leg in a few weeks time and only a mammoth
overturn would see Sarsfields clinch promotion to Division One.
The Stewartstown men started the brighter of the sides at
Milltown Row and hit the opening two scores through Darragh McGuinness and
Niall McKenna (free).
Although Adam Doran angled over Ballygalget’s opening point;
Kevin McKernan restored his sides two-point advantage.
Doran doubled his account and Owen Clarke floated the ball
over the bar to level after ten minutes with a converted Caolan Coulter free
edging the County Down side ahead for the first time (0-04-0-03).
Niall McKenna drew the sides level for the second time just
after the midway point in the half – converting a free after a foul on Caolan
McKernan.
But back to back points from Cathal Coulter and John McManus
had Ballygalget two points to the good.
McKenna twice reduced the deficit to the minimum –
converting a free and landing a point from play, though points from Jordan
Doran and Marc Fisher (long range free) restored their sides advantage.
Gerard Roddy plucked the ball from the air and conjured a
magnificent score and a second placed ball of the half from Marc Fisher had
Ballygalget in control with a 0-10-0-06 lead.
Sarsfields were thrown a lifeline with four minutes to the
break as Jack Daniels launched a high ball forward that wasn’t dealt with by
Ballygalget goalkeeper Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnson as Kevin McKernan profited –
scooping the ball to the net to make it a one-point game (0-10-1-06).
Successive points from Daniel Toner and Tim Prenter stretched
their sides lead – but Gary Lennon squeezed the ball over from a tight angle to
ensure that just two-points separated the sides at the end of an enthralling
opening half (0-12-1-07).
Ballygalget began the second period on the front foot and
quickly opened up a five-point gap with three unanswered points.
Daniel Toner added to his two-points from the opening half
with two converted frees, whilst Tim Prenter conjured up his third point of the
game in-between.
Niall McKenna landed his fourth placed ball in response and
then played a quick free to Caolan McKernan as the midfielder split the posts.
The Stewartstown side had the bit between their teeth and
points from Darragh McGuinness and Ryan Carson reduced the deficit to the bare
minimum with twenty minutes remaining (0-15-1-11).
Crucially Sarsfields failed to land the leveller that may
have saw them kick on with the momentum and on 43 minutes they were dealt a
setback they failed to recover from.
Daniel Toner emerged from a ruck with the sliother and fed
Jordan Doran who rifled past Brendan McGibbon to give the Down men a 1-15-1-11
advantage.
Sarsfields may have replied instantly as Caolan McKernan
released Gary Lennon – but credit to Gareth Johnson who made himself big and
denied the wing-half forward a certain goal.
Toner (free) and Tim Prenter increased Galget’s lead with
James McKernan floating the ball over at the other end.
With seven minutes remaining the game was up for the Paddies
as Adam Doran’s pass across the face of goal was tucked away by Prenter to make
it 2-17-1-12.
Niall McKenna (free) conjured up his sides final score in
response – though Ballygalaget ended the game strongly, scoring 1-05
unanswered.
Three of the Down sides last five points came courtesy of
Daniel Toner- who brought his personal tally to 0-08 (0-05) arriving from the
placed ball and 0-02 of those came late-on.
Adam Doran and John McManus both pointed between times to
finish their sides point scoring for the afternoon, though they weren’t
finished on the score front altogether.
Sarsfields goalkeeper Brendan McGibbon parried excellently
from a stinging Caolan Coulter shot, however a scramble ensued and Tim Prenter
prodded the ball home to ensure his side ran out comfortable 3-22-1-13 winners
at full-time.
It would take a comeback of epic proportions to see
Sarsfields claim promotion to Division One as a strong final quarter looks to
secured survival for Ballygalget ahead of the second-leg on September 4th.
Ballygalget: G Johnson, P McManus, M Fisher (0-02, 0-01f;
0-01 65’), J Smyth, P McManus, J McManus (0-02), B Toner, Cathal Coulter
(0-01), J Doran (1-01), G Roddy (0-01), O Clarke (0-01), Caolan Coulter, T
Prenter (2-04), D Toner (0-08, 0-05f), A Doran (0-02). Subs: C Watson for Cathal
Coulter (46 mins); J Hughes for J Doran (58 mins).
Sarsfields: B McGibbon, J Daniels, J Cunningham, K Ward, N
McAlea, C Caldwell, J McKernan (0-01), C McKernan (0-01), D McGuinness (0-02), G
Lennon (0-01), N McKenna (0-06, 0-05f), R Carson (0-01), T Doherty, M Rea, K
McKernan (1-01). Subs: A Stewart for T Doherty (40 mins); M Campbell for J
Cunningham (48 mins); J Cunningham for M Rea (55 mins); D McKernan for K
McKernan (57 mins); N McDonald for R Carson (60 mins).
Brendan McTaggart reports from Rossa Park, Belfast
Nigel Elliott celebrates after scoring Dunloys second goal
Dunloy booked their place in the last four of the senior
hurling championship with a comfortable win over Rossa on Saturday
afternoon. Seven points separated the
sides at the end of an hours hurling where the Cuchullains improved
immeasurably from their opening performance against Cushendall.
A man of the match performance from Conal Cunning helped the
Cuchullains to maintain control of the match throughout the hour. ‘Coby’ finished this tie with 14 points
beside his name on the scoresheet, three from open play but it was a more
complete performance from his side punctuated with goals in either half from
Paul Shiels and Nigel Elliott.
If it weren’t for Coby’s scoring exploits, Keelan Molloy
would have been a shoe in for man of the match.
Renowned for his own attacking play, Molloy excelled around the middle
of the pitch, especially in the second half along with two points throughout
the hour.
The home side relied heavily on the free taking of Deaglan
Murphy with the Rossa man finishing with 10 points and while Thomas Morgan
threatened, they had little else in attack.
Their goal came in the last minute of the hour, Mickey Armstrong’s long
range free evading a plethora of hurls in front of Ryan Elliott and deceiving
the Dunloy ‘keeper. Rossa did hit 1-6 in
the closing 10 minutes to just three points from the Cuchullains but it was
game over at that stage as the visitors to the Shaw’s Road had their sights
firmly set on the semi-final at that stage.
Rossas Crickey McGuinness in action against Dunloys Ronan Molloy
The Cuchullains played with the help of the elements in the first
half and with Coby Cunning in top form from the first whistle, they quickly
gained control. He fired over three
frees in the opening 10 minutes to Rossa and Deaglan Muprhy’s one before a
brace of points from Ronan Molloy opened a four point lead in the 12th
minute. The home side could have had a
goal in those opening exchanges but Morgan was denied by a superb piece of
‘keeping and bravery from Ryan Elliott to deny him when he had the goal at his
mercy.
The Cuchullains were dominant but a number of wides
threatened to knock the wind out of their sails. Murphy’s second free reduced the Dunloy lead
to four points after Coby found the target from placed ball but a piece of
brilliance from Paul Shiels ensured the Cuchullains were beginning to make
their dominance show on the scoreboard.
A slick move resulted in space opening up in the Rossa defence and with
the goal at his mercy, Nigel Elliott passed to Shorty and he drilled the
sliotar beyond Matt Devlin in the Rossa goals.
Rossa responded with Deaglan Murphy (free) and Morgan firing
over either side of another Cunning free for Dunloy but the Cuchullains
finished the half strongly. Four points
from Cunning (three frees) and one from Keelan Molloy were answered to by white
flags from Stephen Beatty and Deaglan Murphy (free) to give the Cuchullains a
nine point lead at the short whistle.
The Cuchullains were worthy of their nine point lead and
probably should have been ahead by more.
There was a significant wind in Rossa’s favour for the second half but it
didn’t feel like a ‘nine point’ wind.
The home side introduced Callum McVeigh at half time in an
attempt to curb the Dunloy dominance in midfield and while Rossa started the
second half strongly, the Cuchullains were making light work of the elements. Stephen Shannon fired over seconds after the
restart before Cunning reached double figures for his scoring exploits in the
third minute of the second half.
Dunloys Nickey McKeague solos towards the Rossa goal
Rossa put together a slick move moments later that saw
Ciaran Orchin with a sniff of a goal chance but his effort saw the sliotar come
back off the post. Deaglan Murphy fired
over a free soon after but Dunloy began to go through the gears and stretch
their advantage. Cunning with a brace
(one free) before points from Keelan Molloy and Seán Elliott were answered to
by a pair of Deaglan Murphy frees and a mammoth score free from Rossa ‘keeper Matt
Devlin to leave the Cuchullains ahead by nine midway through the half.
The second Dunloy goal came in the 47th minute
and effectively sealed the Cuchullains path to the semi-final. Keelan Molloy stole the sliotar from a loose
pass before breaking free of two Rossa men and shimmying his way past a
third. His movement alone deserved a
point but he elected to pass the sliotar in the path of the rushing Nigel Elliott. The Dunloy man made the dart and his drive
was unstoppable, a superb finish and when Ryan McGarry broke free to score his
first of the match, Dunloy had opened a 13 point lead going into the last ten
minutes.
Rossas Deaghlan Murphy in action against Dunloys Ronan Molloy
Rossa answered the second Dunloy goal with a pair of points
from Seaghan Shannon and Deaglan Murphy as they continued to fight for every
ball. Cunning’s third free of the half
and third from play overall came either side of another brace from Deaglan Murphy
before the home side landed their major.
Mickey Armstrong delivering the sliotar high into the heart of the
Dunloy defence and with a crowd in front of him, the sliotar evaded everyone
and the bounce deceived Elliott between the sticks.
It was too little too late for the Shaw’s Road side however. Substitute Nicky McKeague replied for the
Cuchullains before a driven free from Armstrong was deflected over the bar from
Eamon Smyth on the line before referee Colm McDonald called time.
Dunloy advance with Rossa playing Cushendall in two weeks
time in what is effectively a quarter-final with the winner heading to the last
four.
TEAMS
Rossa: Matt Devlin; Michael McGreevy, Chris
McGuinness, Aidan Orchin; Gerard Walsh, Stephen Shannon, Aodhan O’Brien; Cónall
Shannon, Ciaran Orchin; Seaghan Shannon, Tiarnan Murphy, Stephen Beatty; Thomas
Morgan, Michael Armstrong, Deaglan Murphy.
Subs: Callum McVeigh for C Shannon (HT); James
Connolly for T Murphy (44); Niall Crossan for M McGreevy)
Scorers: Deaglan Muprhy 0-10 (9 f’s); Michael
Armstrong 1-1 (1-1 f’s); Thomas Morgan 0-1; Stephen Beatty 0-1; Stephen Shannon
0-1; Matt Devlin 0-1 (1 f); Seaghan Shannon 0-1; James Connolly 0-1.
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley,
Conor Kinsella; Aaron Crawford, Kevin Molloy, Kevin McKeague; Paul Shiels, Ryan
McGarry; Nigel Elliott, Ronan Molloy, Keelan Molloy; Seán Elliott, Conal
Cunning, Chrissy Brogan.
Subs: Nicky McKeague for K McKeague (38); Shane Dooey
for C Brogan (52); Eamon Smyth for K Molloy (56); Karl O’Kane for P Duffin
(60); Oran Quinn for C Kinsella (60).
Antrim Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-final
St.Paul’s 5.12 v 2.05 St.Ergnat’s
Report: Terry Cormican
Photographs: Bert Trowlen
Once again St.Paul’s outgunned their country cousins in the
senior championship as they took another step towards retaining their trophy.
The city side were the stronger team throughout the pitch and in the end had
just too much firepower for the St. Ergnat’s ladies. Played at Glenavy the
South West side never really got to grips with their opponents.
The game started at a blistering pace with both sides guilty of poor shooting or taking that extra pass when a score was on. St. Paul’s were first to get on the scoresheet with Aine Tubridy splitting the post to be quickly followed by an excellent goal from Niamh Enright. Orlaith Prenter pulled a point back for the side in blue & gold before Kirsty McGuinness got the first of her 2-08 from a placed ball from an acute angle. Moneyglass replied and Orlaith Prenter pulled a point back from open play but it brought about another response from the Shaw’s Road ladies. After great approach work the ball found its way to the impressive Kirsty McGuinness and she gave keeper Anna McCann no chance when she finished to the net.
The Toomebridge side were finding it difficult to penetrate
the opposition defence who were outstanding on the night. Orlaith Prenter did
break through for a hard earned point but once again Laura O’Neill added to
ever increasing tally with a well taken point. The Moneyglass girls never gave
up and were rewarded before halftime with two Orlaith Prenter points to leave
the halftime score St.Paul’s 2.03 Moneyglass
0.05.
After the break Kirsty McGuinness started where she had left off as she popped over a point from the throw-in. Moneyglass won the resulting kick out with an excellent Laura McCann catch and she quickly played the ball through to Cathy Carey who blasted to the back of the net to raise the St. Ergnat’s hopes, much to the delight of their supporters. With only two points between the sides the game was in the melting pot. Could Moneyglass push on or would St. Paul’s respond?
The red and white hoops showed why they are reigning county champions when they steadied the ship with points from Kirsty McGuinness and Caitlin McGuinness. The lead went out to seven points when Lara Dahunsi, who was having an excellent game, played the ball through to Kirsty McGuinness who once again found the net.
The South West side never gave up when following a swift move from defence Ainee McAtamney won the ball and gave Aisling Healey in St.Paul’s goal no chance with an excellent finish. This proved to be Moneyglass’s final score however as the champions controlled the closing twelve minutes, the City side scoring an impressive 2. 6 with Kirsty McGuinness 1.03, Caitlin McGuinness 1.1, Niamh Enright and Lara Dahunsi all getting scores.
St.Paul’s: Aisling Enright; Rebekah Hemsworth; Emma Kelly;
Caoimhe Stewart; Ciara Brown; Saoirse Tennyson; Maria Hanna; Stacy McCann; Aine
Tubridy; Lara Dahunsi; Caitlin McGunness; Niamh Enright; Kirsty McGuinness
(Kerry McConville); Naoishe Burns; Laura O’Neill.
