Month / September 2020

by thesaffrongael

Gort na Mona in 7-th Heaven

Andersonstown Social Club Ladies Junior Football Final

Gort Na Mona 7-08 St.Joseph’s Glenavy 2-14

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Report: Terry Cormican

Gort na Mona claimed the ladies Junior Football Championship title, hitting 7 goals in the process but were pushed all the way by a spirited St. Joseph’s Glenavy in a very entertaining final at Musgrave Park. The game was played at the home of St.Brigid’s and as usual everything was perfect for a good game except the weather. A continual downpour throughout the game made handling extremely difficult but to their credit both teams gave everything they had and with thirty one scores the large crowd present were kept entertained. The country side knew a tough game was ahead of them with their opponents scoring nine goals in the semi-final. Once again it was their ability to raise the green flag on seven occasions that got them over the line.

The Glenavy girls got off to a flyer with 1.04 on the score board before the city side got going. Bronagh Forester raised the first white flag from an acute angle and the impressive Ellen Morgan extended the lead with a point. Then we were entertained to the first of the nine goals when the ball reached the hard working Grainne McLaughlin from an Ellen Morgan pass and she finished with a fine goal. Once again Ellen Morgan split the posts to put her side seven up but the girls from the Monagh byepass were getting into their stride and only for a smart save from the alert Orlagh Mullen they would have found the net. Cora Morgan got the Gorts first score with an excellent point from thirty meters out and that score was quickly doubled when Alysa Davidson raise their second white flag.

Back came the orange women with a pointed free from Ellen Morgan and once again Grainne McLaughlin found her range with a point. Then we were treated to the Belfast’s side ability to score goals when first Cora Morgan found the net quickly followed by another from the impressive Blathin Ni Cathail to leave her side one adrift. The lively Grainne McLaughlin showed all her class when she split the posts and with the Hill side’s defence under severe pressure they eventfully buckled once again to two killer goals. First we had a well worked move finished to the net by Brogan Crossan and Elis Davidson added a point to see her side come from seven down to take a five point lead. The country girls showed they had still something to offer however when Bronagh Forester finished a team move with a point. Gort Na Mona finished the half on the attack and were rewarded with their fifth goal from the ever alert Ciara Maguire to leave the half time score Gort Na Mona 5.03 v 1.08 St.Joseph’s

Whatever positive thinking the Glenavy team manager gave his girls worked as they came out flying at the start of the second half and added a goal and four points without reply to bring themselves right back into the game with the scores level after eight minutes of the restart. The defence and midfield marked much tighter which deprived their opponents of the ball. Once again the hard work and running of Grainne McLaughlin was rewarded with two points from play and Ellen Morgan closed the gap with a goal and two points.

The Gorts began to claw their way back into the game and only for a fantastic block from Glenavy team Captain Cathy Scannell a certain goal was inevitable. Gort Na Mona were once again gaining control of the midfield area and the Belfast side put the game out of reach as they replied with two goals and four points.

Brogan Crossan found the net and points from Alysa Davidson and Blaithin Ne Cathail were quickly followed by a seventh goal from Ciara Maguire. Cora Morgan, Aisling, McCaffery and Brogan Crossan added three more points. Once again Grainne McLaughlin was on the score sheet with a point before Alyssa Davidson has the final Gort Na Mona score. The final point was from Grainne McLaughlin to leave the final score Gort Na Mona 7.08 v 2.14 St.Joseph’s.

I know I have mostly mentioned those who scored but it would be unfair to pick out anyone for playing well as all the players from both sides put in a hefty effort on a miserable evening. Glenavy were disappointed but the better team won on the night. The old saying goals win matches was right on the night.

Gort Na Mona: Ciara Thompson;  Orla Lennon; Catlin Fryers; Kathleen Cournane; Grainne O;Hare; Carla Scannell; Gabriel Monaghan; Anna McCann; Jeyda Rooney; Brogan Crossan;; Alyssa Davidson Aisling McCaffery; Ciara Maguire; Cora Morgan; Blaithin Hall;

 Panel: Aobhin Enright; Mia Gregory; Emiliy Crossan; Cliodhna Mulvenna; Catlin Fox; Jordan; Caomhe Delany; Tierna Ellie; Dyaihin Hall.

St.Joseph’s: Orlagh Mullin, Mary McStravick, Meabh Bradley, Michelle Gregory, Natasha O’Neill, Cathy Scannell, Orlaith McAllister, Eva Cafolla, Orla McLeod, Ana Mulholland,  Grainne McLaughlin, Megan McGarry, Anna McStravick, Ellen Morgan;  Bronagh Forester,

Panel:  Orlagh McClinton, Maeve Hamill, Annie McCambridge, , Eve McCartney, Courteney Murray, Grainne Falloon; Geraldine McCann

Referee: Emma Kelly St.Paul’s

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains in cruise control

  •  Full match report and photos will be posted later
    Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Final 
    Dunloy 2-20-2-13 Loughgiel
    Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Mac Uilin
    Dunloy had seven points to spare as they saw off the challenge of Loughgiel 2-20-2-13 to retain the Volunteer Cup at Pairc Mac Uilin this afternoon. 
    Goals in each half from Eoin O’Neill and Kevin Molloy had the Cuchulians firmly in the box-seat before late replies from Liam Watson and Benny McCarry. 
    Dunloy were first off the mark through a Paul Shiels free but Shan McGrath responded instantly. 
    Keelan Molloy stroked Dunloy back in front- though James McNaughton equalised with a free. 
    Loughgiel hit the front for the first time with McNaughton converting another free within 60-seconds of his first and another score from Daniel McCloskey gave his side a 0-04-0-02 lead. 
    Keelan Molloy and Liam Watson (sideline cut) exchanged scores in the aftermath and prior to the first water-break Seaan Elliott popped up with a point to leave it 0-06-0-05 at the short interval. 
    Kevin Molloy levelled proceedings but Loughgiel moved two-points to the good through scores from Shay Casey and Eddie McCloskey. 
    Conal Cunning halved arrears through a converted free and on the stroke of half-time the Cuchullians had the games opening goal. 
    Space opened up for Keelan Molloy whose low effort was repelled by Chris O’Connell and Eoin O’Neill scrambled the ball to the net to give his side a 1-06-0-07 advantage. 
    James McNaughton and Sean Elliott traded scores but Loughgiel levelled at the break thanks to late scores from Donal McKinley and Watson. 
    Dunloy made a bright opening to the second period playing with a stiff wind advantage. 
    Conal Cunning landed two frees with Keelan Molloy riding a challenge to score in-between and give Dunloy a 1-09-0-09 lead. 
    Loughgiel hit back through Donal McKinley after good work from Tony McCloskey. Liam Watson popped over another in the aftermath and the bare minimum separated the sides. 
    Five points on the spin moved Dunloy six ahead, Cunning was on hand with two points – one from play and the other from a free. Keelan and Kevin Molloy and goal scorer O’Neill provided the others. 
    James McNaughton responded with a free but an outstanding Keelan Molloy free was followed up by another Cunning point from play. 
    It was game, set and match for Dunloy on 53 minutes as Kevin Molloy rounded Chris O’Connell and applied the finish to make it 2-17-0-13. Conal Cunning landed his fourth free of the half in the aftermath. 
    Loughgiel claimed consolation goals through Liam Watson and Benny McCarry with Eoin O’Neill and Cunning (free) finishing Dunloy’s scoring for the day. 
    The late goals would have little bearing on final outcome as Dunloy retained the Volunteer Cup on a scoreline of 2-20-2-13. 
    Dunloy: R Elliott, P Duffin, A Crawford, C Kinsella, R Molloy, C McKinley, R McGarry, P Shiels (0-01), N McKeague, S Elliott (0-02), K Molloy (1-02), K Molloy (0-05), C Cunning (0-08, 0-06f) , G McTaggart, E O’Neill (1-02). Subs: E Smyth for N McKeague (50), C McMahon for G McTaggart (54). 
    Loughgiel: C O’Connell, T Coyle, N McGarry, S Dobbin, T McCloskey, D McMullan, D McCloskey, D McKinley (0-02), D McCloskey (0-01),J McNaughton (0-04f), C McKendry, E McCloskey (0-01), S McGrath (0-01), L Watson (1-03, 1-00f), S Casey (0-01). Subs: R McKee for C McKendry (40), B McCarry (1-00) for S Casey (40), O McFadden for D McCloskey (54). 
    Referee: Darren McKeown ( St Galls) 


13

by thesaffrongael

Champions Loughgiel in cruise control

Antrim Senior Camogie Championship semi-final

Loughgiel 4-15 Cushendall 0-6

Champions Loughgiel had a runaway win over Cushendall in Saturday’s Antrim Senior Camogie Championship semi-final in Armoy. Cushendall were well in the game for most of the first half and when Dervla Cosgrove grabbed her team’s goal on 24 minutes they were back within two points. However the Shamrocks hit the after burners at that stage and hit six points inside eight minutes, three of them from Lucia McNaughton, two from Caitrin Dobbin and one from a free by Roisin McCormick to lead by 1-10 to 1-02 at half time.

Any hopes Cushendall had of getting back into the game were dashed within a minute of the restart when midfielder Amy Boyle grabbed their second goal, and when Lucia McNaughton and Caitrin Dobbin followed with points they were thirteen clear. Orlagh O’Hara pulled a point back for Cushendall but there was no let-up in the Loughgiel play and a third goal soon followed from corner forward Orla Laverty.

Orlagh O’Hara got Cushendall’s final point but the scores kept coming from the ‘red machine’ and centre forward Anna Connolly got their fourth goal on 61 minutes to put the seal on another powerful team performance.

by thesaffrongael

Creggan grab their chances to get past Lamhs

Senior Reserve Football Cup semi-final

Lámh Dhearg 1-10-2-12 Creggan

Kevin Herron reports from Woodlands

First-half goals from Conor McAuley and Liam McCann had Creggan in the box-seat as the Staffordstown Road outfit ensured that hopes of a Senior Football and Reserve  Championship double remained in-tact thanks to a 2-12-1-10 win over Lámh Dhearg at Woodlands this afternoon.

Having topped Group 1 of the Senior Reserve Championship it was Creggan who were expected to progress to the final but they fell behind to early scores from Ryan Straney- the first after receiving a lay-off from Francie Dugan before Straney converted a free for a tug-back on Sean-Paul Gibson.

Kealan McCann got his side off the mark for the afternoon and Dominic McAteer drew the sides level after popping the ball over from Mark Dougan’s quick-free.

Creggan hit the front through a second Kaelan McCann point and 60-seconds later had the ball in the net.

Tiernan Burke got in behind the Hannahstown defence and fisted the ball across the face of goal where Conor McAuley threw himself towards the loose ball and bundled it in to give his side a 1-03-0-02 lead.

A further point from Dominic McAteer doubled his personal account for the half and better was to follow on the 22nd minute.

Mark Dougan planted a high ball into the danger area and Liam McCann managed to get on the end of the loose ball and poked past Mark McIlvenny to make it 2-04-0-02.

Daire Larkin conjured up a fine point in reply with Ryan Straney converting his second free of the afternoon to close the gap to two-goals at the break (2-04-0-04).

Creggan opened the second-half scoring through Kealan McCann after John McAuley claimed an advanced mark.

Francis Dugan replied after Eoin Matassa offloaded a high ball into his direction and Dugan would net shortly after to offer the Lámhs a glimmer of hope as Creggan’s lead was halved (2-05-1-05).

Points from Dominic McAteer and Frank McAuley had Creggan back on the front foot with Killian Burke and a double from namesake Tiernan opening up an eight-point gap with little under ten minutes remaining.

Cormac Hannon confidently replied but Tiernan Burke converted a free and an advanced mark to move his side 2-12-1-06 in front.

Lámh Dhearg ended the game with four successive scores through Eoin Matassa, Cormac Hannon and a Francis Dugan double but it was too little too late as Creggan had five-points to spare in the end and meet St Galls in the Reserve Cup decider.

Lámh Dhearg:  M McIlvenny, P Larkin, M Lynch, C Nolan, SP Gibson, D Straney, D Smith, P Mervyn, R Straney (0-03, 0-02f), E Matassa (0-01), A Byrne, R Diamond, D Larkin (0-01), F Dugan (1-03), C Hannon (0-02, 0-01f). Subs: D Dunne for C Nolan (HT), R Murray for D Smith (43), A Ferris for D Larkin (50).

Creggan: L Bonnes, J McAuley, M Dougan, J McAteer, K Burke (0-01), C McAuley (1-00), E Carey-Small, O McCann, P McAuley, L McCann (1-00), D McAteer (0-03), F McAuley (0-01), K McCann (0-03), T Burke (0-04, 0-02f), D Mulholland. Subs: L Johnston for F McAuley (43), S McAuley for L McCann (55).

Referee: Paul Burns (St Comgalls)

by thesaffrongael

St Teresa’s stage second-half fightback to claim Junior B crown

Antrim Junior B Hurling Championship final

St Teresa’s 0-14-1-07 Davitts

Kevin Herron reports from Rossa Park

It was a game of two halves at Rossa Park this afternoon as St Teresa’s overcame a faulty first 30 minutes to claim the Antrim Junior B title with a 0-14-1-07 win over Davitts.

Cormac Maguire’s goal gave Davitt’s the early incentive and it took St Teresa’s until 20 minutes into proceedings to register a reply to the 1-05 they had conceded.

The breeze played a strong factor and shooting into the Shaws Road end in the second-half the super T’s clawed their way back into proceedings through talisman Phily Maguire and once they hit the front they didn’t look back.

St Teresa’s would have begun the game as favourites in the eyes of many but fell behind in the game.

Both sides struggled to stamp their authority with the breakthrough eventually arriving on 6 minutes as Cormac Maguire flicked the ball to the net to give Davitt’s a dream start.

Donn Whelan converted a free and corner-forward Christopher Gallagher floated over another score for the Falls Road side who had settled into the game well.

Further scores arrived as Peter Carleton picked off a point from range, Chris Gallagher then linked up with Maguire and Jason Park added another as Davitt’s had six-scores on the spin and were 1-05 to the good.

St Teresa’s struggled shooting into the Stewartstown Avenue end and Conor O’Rawe flicked a half chance wide of the post and Phily Maguire sent a free wide of the target.

Maguire would get side his up and running with back to back frees in quick succession and added a third before the interval as Davitt’s led 1-05-0-03 at the midway point.

St Teresa’s picked up where they left off at the break as Niall McGettigan and Conor O’Rawe closed the deficit with confident points.

Philip Maguire then converted his fourth free of the contest but Stephen McGivern was on-hand to reply at the other end.

Maguire would again close the deficit before the second-half water break and after the brief halt to proceedings St Teresa’s pulled level.

Substitute Darren McCann floated the ball over with Maguire then conjuring his first from play to leave the game finely balanced at 0-09-1-06 with little over ten minutes remaining.

The Glen Road outfit then edged ahead for the first-time through a Robert Gallagher point which just squeezed inside the large posts.

They doubled their lead through Jordan McAllister with Niall McCann angling over their fifth score on the spin.

St Teresa’s moved four-points ahead through Gallagher- though Davitt’s remained in touch with Cormac Maguire combining with Caoimhin Heaney for a point to leave three between the sides as the game entered time added on (0-13-1-07).

There were no nerves within the St Teresa’s ranks and Niall McCann came up with the insurance point from range to ensure that his side would claim the Junior B title at the conclusion of affairs on the Shaws Road.

St Teresa’s: C Mooney, A Dugan, G O’Rawe, J Magornan, C Rouse, R Gallagher (0-02), P O’Rawe, C McGoldrick, N McCann (0-02), S Maguire, P Maguire (0-06, 0-05f), J McAllister (0-01), C O’Rawe (0-01), K Burns, N McGettigan (0-01). Subs: D McCann (0-01) for K Burns (37), E Connolly for A Dugan (40), A Varndell for C O’Rawe (53).

Davitts: J McCaffrey, A Rainey, T Toland, R McIlroy, C Heaney (0-01), T Maguire, C McKee, M Rowntree, J Park (0-01), P Carleton (0-01), S McGivern (0-01), D Whelan (0-01f), C Maguire (1-01) A Rowntree, C Gallagher (0-01). Subs: M Tully for S McGivern (41), G Cosgrove for C Gallagher (52).

Referee: Paul McDonnell (Rossa)