Month / July 2020

by thesaffrongael

Herron goal seals Lámhs win on return

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Group 2

Lámh Dhearg 1-11-0-11 St Johns

By Kevin Herron from Hannahstown

Brendan Herron came up with the decisive score upon his Championship return as his goal helped Lámh Dhearg to a 1-11-0-11 win over St Johns at Hannahstown this afternoon.

In a nip and tuck encounter that hadn’t more than two-points between the sides for large periods former Ballinascreen player Herron marked his return with a palmed finish from Ryan Murray’s assist.

To compound the Johnnies misery goalkeeper Ciaran McCloy was dismissed in the aftermath.

Ryan Murray would also depart late-on after picking up a second yellow-card and despite a late charge by the visitors it was the Hannahstown side who held on for victory.

Much anticipation surrounded the clash between the 2017 finalists and it was Lámh Dhearg who drew first blood from a converted Ryan Murray free.

Paddy McBride replied from the same scenario for St Johns but Eoin McKeown steered the ball into the path of Michael Herron who pointed and after brother Brendan was fouled- Ryan Straney converted the resulting free to put his side 0-03-0-01 to the good.

St Johns responded once again through back to back Paddy McBride frees- though again Lámh Dhearg led as Conor Murray broke the resulting kick-out for Marc Jordan and was waiting to take the ball back and point.

Younger sibling Ryan converted his second free of the half to have the Lámhs 0-05-0-03 ahead at the water-break.

The games flow continued with back to back frees from Domhnall Nugent, Nugent was felled by Marc McGarry and converted the resulting free and after older brother Padraig was brought to ground by Ryan Straney- Domhnall confidently pointed to make it 0-05 apiece.

St Johns had a marvellous chance of goal after breaking quickly Padraig Nugent slipped in Andy Magowan whose shot is repelled by John Finucane.

Instead Lámh Dhearg edged ahead after substitute Declan Dunne combined with Terry McCrudden who popped it over to ensure that his side held a narrow 0-06-0-05 lead at the midway point in proceedings.

St Johns pegged Lámh Dhearg back early in the second period after Michael Herron was adjudged to have pulled the jersey of Andy Magowan and Paddy McBride converted his fourth free of the afternoon.

It was then the turn of Ryan Murray to claim back to back points, evading heavy pressure and popping the ball over and then converting a free after Ciaran Johnston was adjudged to have lifted the ball off the deck.

Domhanll Nugent and Marc Jordan traded scores before the decisive score arrived on the 43rd minute.

Paddy Mervyn turned the ball over near midfield and popped the ball across to Ben Rice who fed Conor Murray, Murray attempted to slip in Ryan who outmuscled Liam Laverty and bore down on goal before the popping a high ball across for Brendan Herron to palm home and give the Lámhs a 1-09-0-07 lead.

Confusion then reined as referee Sean Laverty approached his umpire for a chat- after which Johnnies shot-stopper Ciaran McCloy was given a straight red-card and Pearce Donnelly occupied the goalkeeping gloves.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the Johnnies tagged on three-successive frees from Paddy McBride to leave a goal separating the sides in injury-time.

Momentum was very much with the Whiterock Road side and Lámh Dhearg looked slightly nervy but Declan Lynch appeared to have eased any nerves with a fine angled point.

It was level on the player county shortly after as Ryan Murray received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Domhnall Nugent responded at the other end with only his sides second point from play of the afternoon.

It wasn’t enough however as Brendan Herron’s goal proved the difference upon his Hannahstown return.

The Johnnies will hope for an immediate response when they take on rivals Rossa at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening (7.30 throw-in).

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, M McGarry, P Mervyn, B Rice, D Lynch (0-01), M Herron (0-01), K Quinn, P Fitzsimons, M Jordan (0-01), E McKeown, R Straney (0-01f), C Murray (0-01), R Murray (0-05, 0-03f), B Herron (1-00), T McCrudden (0-01). Subs: D Dunne for R Straney (21), E Matassa for B Rice (47), C Maxwell for E McKeown (57), C Nolan for M McGarry (61).

St Johns: C McCloy, C Garland, C Carson, J Bohill, P Nugent, L Laverty, C Johnston, R McNulty, D Nugent (0-04, 0-02f), C Bohill, C Johnston, C McEvoy, A McGowan, P McBride (0-07f), C McGlade. Subs: L McCurdy for C Johnston (HT), C Kelly for L McCurdy (33), P Donnelly for A McGowan (39), S Wilson for C McGlade (48).

Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass)

by thesaffrongael

Champions in crusie control

Creagh Concrete Minor Hurling Championship – Group 2

Loughgiel 2-15 Cushendall 0-7

County champions Loughgiel Shamrocks safely negotiated the first hurdle in their bid to retain their title when they saw off the challenge of Cushendall in the first of the round robin games at Fr Healy Park on Saturday afternoon. There were times in the first half when the young Shamrocks looked a little ‘ring rusty’ and hesitant, but once they got going in the second half there was no stopping them as they hit a succession of fines scores to get their campaign off to the perfect start.

During their first thrity minutes the champions hit a lot of wides, but they were creating the chances nonetheless and got the first two points through Rian McMullan and Damien Quinn. Fiontann McQuillan brought Cushendall back level with two sweetly struck frees in the third and fourth minutes and though Dylan Devlin briefly edged Loughgiel back ahead Killian McNaughton tied it up again with his team’s first score from play.

Cushendall edged in front as McQuillan sent over a 65 and Ciaran Magill put them two ahead just after the water break, but Loughgiel finished the half strongly and three points on the trot from Rian McMullan sent them in at half time leading by a point – 0-6 to 0-5.

With the freshening breeze at their backs in the second half Dylan Devlin put Loughgiel two clear, and though Fiontann McQuillan cut it back to a point again with his first point from play it was clear that Loughgiel were taking control. The Shamrocks were finding their men is space time after time and while their accuracy was letting them down in the first half they were now finding their range.

Two more by Dylan Devlin opened the gap a bit more and though Cushendall kept in touch with a great long range effort from Padraig McKillop, it was to be their last score of the game. The final quarter turned out to be one way traffic and the slick moving Shamrocks carved openings in the Ruair Og defence. The last ten minutes was all one way traffic as the home side hit six points and added two goals for good measure, and had it not been for the heroics of Cushendall goalkeeper Colm McKeegan then the gap could have been much more that the fourteen points that separated the sides at the end.

LOUGHGIEL

Kevin McAuley, Finn Henry, Ruairi McCloskey, Tiernan McCaughan, Conal McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Conor Dickson, Eunan Lavery, Christy McGarry, Conor O’Mullan, Ryan McMullan, Dylan Devlin, Conor McCormick, Damian Quinn

Subs – Ruairi McCormick, Jack McCloskey

CUSHENDALL

Colm McKeegan, Michael Quinn, Liam McLoughlin, Mark Emerson, James McAlister, Padraig McKillop, Conor McCollum, Shane McKenna, Calum Kilgore, Fiontann McQuillan, Ciaran Magill, Killian McNaughton, Frankie McCormick, Pierce McKeegan, Sean McKay

Referee – Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

by thesaffrongael

ST.JOSEPH’S WIN LOCAL DERBY

Senior Reserve Football Shield Group 2

St.Joseph’s Glenavy 2.10 v 1.05 St. James’ Aldergrove

photographs: Bert Trowlen

This was the first game played at Chapel Hill with supporters allowed into the ground with the relaxation from the lockdown.  As local derby’s go this was no exception with every ball contested fairly but no one pulling back in the tackle. The scores were close up until the 50th minute with the home side pulling away to the final whistle. The wet pitch and constant rain made handling difficult.

James Henry split the posts for the visitors first score before Peter Trainor and Anthony Gallagher gave the home support something to cheer about. The Crumlin side went two in front with points from Ryan Gorman, James Henry (0-2) put his team two up. We then had a resurgent home attack score four unanswered points, from Michael McCourt with two converted frees and Thomas and his brother Anthony Gallagher completing the first half score

Halftime St.Joseph’s 0.06 0.04 St.James’

The Hll side carried on from their second quarter dominance with Domnic Gallagher going on one of his famous runs into the goal area with the ball breaking to Declan Doone who gave the goalkeeper no chance as he finished to the net. Glenavy goalkeeper Gareth Collins strolled up and pointed a 45 as Glenavy now found themselves six up seven minutes into the half.

Back came the visitors with an excellent worked goal from Patrick Morris and Ryan Gorman added his second point to leave their side two in arrears. Glenavy responded again and Michael McCourt showed he hasn’t lost the art of scoring when he split the post from an acute angle. The home side were putting the Grove defence under severe pressure and were rewarded when midfielder Lorcan Heenan finished a good move when he found the corner of the net and Fergal Cunningham added a point. Peter Trainor had the privilege of scoring the final score with a well taken point to leave his side winning by double scores.

Full time score St.Joseph’s 2.10 v 1.05 St.James’

Both sides deserve great credit for serving up an excellent game of football on a miserable evening.

St.Joseph’s: Gareth Collins, Oliver Brankin, Fra McMullan, Conor Mulholland, Ryan Phillips, Sean McGirr, Patrick Fox, Lorcan Heenan, Peter Trainor, Fergus Cunningham (Ethan McGarry 50mns.) , Anthony Gallagher, Michael McCourt (Francis Corr 52mins.), Declan Doone, Domnic Gallagher, Thomas Gallagher.

Referee Paul Burns. 

·  ·  · 

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy have a bit to spare

Creagh Concreate Minor Hurling Group 1

Corpus Christi Gaels 1-08-2-17 Dunloy

From Kevin Herron at Davitt Park

Dunloy opened their account in the Minor Hurling Championship with a straight-forward 2-17-1-08 win over Corpus Christi Gaels at Davitt Park this afternoon.

The North-Antrim men weathered an uneasy start in west Belfast as Damien Fitzsimons slipped in Daniel Walsh at the back-post but Walsh was unable to guide his strike to the net.

Corpus Christi were first off the mark through a 4th minute Marcus Toner free but Barry Scott quickly drew Dunloy level and Padraig McGilligan converted a free in the aftermath.

Ryan Mort then saw his high shot fumbled by Jamie McNally and Scott popped the ball over from point-blank-range.

Dunloy should have claimed the opening goal just short of the midway point – but Jamie McNally produced to a smart save to deny Barry Scott.

A terrific point followed from Padraig McGilligan with Oisin Elliott converting a free shortly after. The same duo were on target from further free’s as Dunloy had opened up a six-point lead with 10 minutes of the first half remaining (0-07-0-01).

Conal Kelly and Barry McCloskey both popped off further scores between a second converted free from Marcus Toner which ended a 20-minute scoreless period for the hosts.

McGilligan conjured up his fourth point of the half from a free and on 28 minutes the opening goal arrived.

Oisin Elliott collected Jamie McNally’s puck-out and burst forward, before rifling low to the net to give his side a 1-10-0-02 lead.

The visitors were further boosted by a quickfire second as Barry Scott prevented the ball going out of play and picked his spot from the tightest of angles.

Elliott added a further free before the break as Dunloy held a 2-11-0-02 lead at the midway point in proceedings.

The visitors picked up where they left off as Elliott and Barry McCloskey found range in the early stages of the second period. Barry Scott and Oisin Elliott (free) followed-up with further scores.

It took Corpus Christi Gaels until the 52nd minute to register their third score through a third Marcus Toner free and the full-forward produced a fantastic point in the aftermath to give his side a lift.

Barry McCloskey and Elliott free added  their sides final scores of the afternoon but it was Corpus Christi who ended the game on the front foot.

Marcus Toner ended the afternoon with 0-07 to his name, thanks to another point from play and two further frees.

Then Caoimhin Heaney got in on the act with a point and just when Heaney went bursting towards the target he was halted at the expense of a free- which was rifled to the net by Damien Fitzsimons as Corpus Christi ended the afternoon with 1-08 to show for their hard work.

Dunloy took the spoils though and entertain Ballycastle on Thursday evening, hoping to make it two wins from two.

Corpus Christi Gaels: J McNally, E Neeson, L Boyd, E Roberts, A McLaughlin, C Heaney (0-01), J Mulvenna, M Walsh, D Fitzsimons (1-00f), M Mallon, A Robinson, D Robinson, S og Fay, M Toner (0-07, 0-05f), D Walsh. Subs: S McCallin for L Boyd (HT), C Carbery for M Walsh (56).

Dunloy: C Mullan, S Martin Ryan, C McCloskey, C McAleese, C Martin, D McMullan, F Martin, E McFerran, R Mort, O Elliott (1-06, 0-05f), P McGilligan (0-04, 0-03f), R Doherty, C Kelly(0-01), B Scott (1-03), B McCloskey (0-03). Subs: D Watterson for R Doherty (43), D O’Hagen for C Kelly (52).

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half sees Ballycastle pull clear against 13 man Oisins

Creagh Concrete Minor Hurling Championship – Group 1

Ballycastle 3-18 Oisins 0-10

In the end it was an easy win for Ballycastle, but for a good part of Saturday’s Minor Hurling Championship round robin game Glenariffe were competitive. The home team lead at the break by 1-7 to 0-8, but their task was made a lot easier in the second half as the Oisins had two players sent off and they took full advantage to pull away and win convincingly in the end.

Ballycastle got the first three points of the game through Joe McToal, Tiernan Smyth and Feargal McKiernan, but Nial McGarel opened the visitors account on five minute and Jack Leech closed the gap to just one with a points soon afterwards. Ballycastle got back on top with points from Rueben McClean and Tiernan Smyth and when a Smyth free was dropped in around the Oisins goal in the eleventh it was flicked to the net to put them 1-5 to 0-2 clear. Nial McGarel got Oisins back into with two points in a row and when Daniel Kearney landed another from long range the gap was down to three. James Bakewll and Tiernan Smyth added points for the home team, but McGarel hit his sixth point of the half to leave his team trailing by just two at the interval. (1-7 to 0-8)

Tiernan Smith and Feargal McKiernan stretched the Ballycastle lead to four after the break and though Niall McGarel pulled one back Ballycastle took control of the game. Cailin O’Connor started it all with a goal on 42 minutes before Tiernan Smyth added three quick points. McGarel grabbed another from a free on 51 minutes but it was Ballycastle from there on and after hitting six points without reply O’Connor grabbed his team’s third goal to seal an emphatic win.

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