September 13, 2020September 13, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Creggan win Junior Camogie title

Junior County Camogie final

Creggan 3-11 Naomh Eoin 0-05

Creggan won the Junior Camogie Championship at Portglenone on Saturday evening in heavy rain in front of a good crowd . St.Johns kept the game close and competitive in the first half but ran out of steam in the second, managing only one point . This could not be described as a game which flowed freely as it was an exchange of frees for the most part. Two Evanne Martin frees in the first ten minutes for Creggan were levelled by Ashling Hawkins with two frees for St.Johns, but after the waterbreak Creggan set the pace as Ciara McCollum scored a goal and Rubymarie Rice a point. This produced a quick reaction from St.Johns as Eimhear Costello took a point from play and then won a penalty which Ashling Hawkins pointed, but another successfully converted free by Martin left a half time score of Creggan 1-04 St.Johns 0-04

The second half saw Creggan in determined mood taking the game to St.Johns and Martin converted a brace of frees while a Hawkins score from a placed ball proved to be the last St.Johns score of the day. Three more Creggan points , one from Rice and another two frees from Martin started to open a gap in the scores by the second half waterbreak of Creggan 1-09 Naomh Eoin 0-05. The last quarter of the game started with a pointed free and a Cerys O’Neill goal for Creggan which spelt doom for the Belfast Camógs. Creggan fought hard to maintain their lead and St.Johns struggled to gain possession. Another pointed free from Martin followed by a nice Rubymarie Rice goal sealed St.Johns fate and Creggan finished deserved winners by 3-11 to 0-05.

September 13, 2020September 13, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Second half goals seal it for St Paul’s

Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship final

St Paul’s 3-12 Rasharkin 1-8

Second half goals from Mark Munce and Colm McLarnon helped St Paul’s capture the Junior Hurling Championship title at Dunsilly on Saturday at the expense of Rasharkin. The men from the south west had defied the odds in the opening half and were level with the favourites at the break. However after the change of ends the Shaw’s Road side started to get on top, and thought the win was not sealed until midway through the final quarter it was clear to see they were getting on top.

**Mark Munce scores St Paul’s second goal**

Few outside Rasharkin gave the St Mary’s men much of a chance going into the game and when St Paul’s opened up an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead the game appeared to be following the script. However Rasharkin began to settle into the game and when Donach Quigg found the St Paul’s net the men from Dreen were back in business. Stephen Rooney pointed to bring St Paul’s level but McKeever edged Rasharkin back ahead at the first half water break.

When the game got going again St Paul’s hit the front again when corner-forward Caolan Crossan grabbed their first goal but it was nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half, at the end of which the teams were tied on 1-5 apiece.

**Colum McLarnon hits goal number three for St Paul’s**

An exchange of points between O’Duibhfinn of St Paul’s and McFerran of Rasharkin tied things up once again but St Paul’s were beginning to gain the upper hand and after Caolan Crossan put his team back in front with a pointed free they started to ease clear. Conal Finnegan put the winners two clear before the killer blows arrived minutes later when Mark Munce reacted quickest following a smart save from Rasharkin keeper Aidan Darragh to drill the rebound home and not long after corner forward, Colm McLarnon cut in along the endline to fire home goal number three.

From here on it was mostly one way traffic and though Rasharkin fought to the bitter end it was clearly St Paul’s day and they celebrated in style at the final whistle.

ST PAUL’S: J Gillan; A Gallagher, G Carberry, S Bradley; F Gamble, F Sewell, S Lawell; C Finnegan (0-1), D Chapman; S Rooney (0-4, 0-3fs), N Ó Caireanlláin, C McLarnon (1-3); C Crossan (1-2, 0-2fs), J Farrell, C Ó Duibhfinn (0-2).

Subs: M Munce (1-0) for Chapman (40mins), S McCorry for Ó Caireanlláin (41mins), K Murray for Crossan (55mins), C O’Carroll for Finnegan (57mins), D Stevenson for Bradley (59mins).

RASHARKIN: A Darragh; L Tunney, D Doherty, C Doherty; D Hasson, C Hasson, T O’Boyle; E McFerran (0-1), T McMullan; D Quigg (1-1), A McKeever, C McKeever (0-6, 0-4fs); J Scally, D McKay, S Hasson.

Subs: C Donaghy for Tunney (37mins), F Kennedy for C Doherty (50mins), P Reilly for C Doherty (53mins), C Kennedy for T McMullan (59mins).

REFEREE: C McCloskey (Loughgiel)

September 12, 2020September 13, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Rossa and Tir na nOg have to do it all again

Antrim Intermediate Championship Final:
Tír na nÓg 0-7 Rossa 0-7
NEITHER Rossa nor Tír na nÓg did themselves justice in this Antrim
Intermediate final in wet and slippery conditions in St Enda’s on
Saturday afternoon.
The exchanges were very tough and there was little open play after the
first ten minutes during which Tír na nÓg threatened much, but could not
deliver enough scores. After that Rossa got to grips with Aine Devlin,
Emily Falloon and the bursts of Cameron McGaughey from defence.

At the other end of the field, Rossa found it very difficult to make any
headway against the Randalstown defence and there was not one clear cut
goal chance created over the hour – by either team.
That was not to say that the game was not intense and closely contested.
It certainly was and there were few loose balls over the hour.
However this game developed into a contest between the free-takers. Áine
Devlin never missed one within range over the hour and added two points
from play, book-ending the opening half.
On the other hand Rossa had a mixed bag from placed balls and tried
three different free-takers. In a closely-contested game of this nature
those couple of wides looked to be costly as Tír na nÓg edged ahead
during the third quarter.

However the Shaws’ Road girls eventually got the equaliser a few minutes
from time when Orla McCall’s 45 seemed to be drifting wide but was kept
in play. Natalie McGuinness was bottled up, but got the sliotar released
to Mairiosa McGourty who clipped it over the bar.
So a replay next Saturday, hopefully in drier conditions and the
opportunity for both to show their true potential.
Rossa : Michaela Press, Niamh Semple, Caoimhe Wylie, Clodagh McMenamin,
Bronagh Orchin, Muírín Quinn, Orlagh McCall, Caoimhe McNeice, Riona
Matthew, Grace Shannon, Natalie McGuiness 0-4 frees, Eimear Byrne, Sarah
Armstrong 0-1, Caragh Shannon, Máiríosa McGourty 0-2, 0-1 free.
Subs : Eimear Matthews for G Shannon, Nicole Killen for R Matthew.
Tír na nÓg : Aimee McAtamney, Bronagh Devlin, Aine Mooney, Caitlin
Martin, Emma Louise McAreavey, Orla O‘Neill, Cameron McGaughey, Shauna
O’Neill, Caitlin McGaughey, Michaela Hegarty, Carla O‘Neill, Aine Devlin
0-7, 0-5 frees, Hannah Crilly, Emily Faloon, Niamh Martin
Subs : Caoimhe Bicknell for Cameron McGaughey
Referee Darren Mullan

September 12, 2020September 12, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks make it two in a row

Creagh Concrete Minor Hurling Championship Final

Loughgiel 4-15 Ballycastle 1-15

Saturday September 12

Brendan McTaggart reports from Armoy

An inspired performance from Rian ‘Bubles’ McMullan, and four goals over the hour, ensured Loughgiel retained their Minor Hurling Championship title with nine points to spare over Ballycastle. The sides were tied at half time at Armoy but the Shamrocks put in a magnificent second half to make it two minor crowns in a row for the Healy Park side.

McMullan top scored for the Shamrocks with 1-7 over the hour, just one point of his tally coming from placed ball as he tortured the Ballycastle defence. He had plenty of company however. Ronan McCollum and Jack McCloskey were livewires in the Loughgiel attack while defensively, their captain Ruairi McCloskey pushed McMullan all the way for the man of the match accolade. Time and again when the Town attacked, the Shamrock’s full back was the one who came clear in an eye-catching performance.

Ballycastle had the elements in their favour during the first 30 minutes and while they attacked with verve and style, Loughgiel’s ability to score majors proved to be the difference on the day. The Town were on the back foot for the second half having not taken advantage of the considerable wind blowing at their back.

For Ballycastle, Seamus McAuley starred. A performance full of energy style and class while Feargal McKiernan, Ronan Laverty and Mark McClean also shone bright for the Black and Amber. McAuley scoring their major late in the game but it was too little too late as the Shamrocks had put daylight between the sides by that stage.

The Shamrocks settled into the final quickest with Conor O’Mullan and Jack McCloskey going close to scoring goals before McCloskey scored their opening major. The sides were tied on two points each when Rian McMullan and Ronan McCollum pressed and harried the Ballycastle defence to turnover possession. McMullan spotted the run of Jack McCloskey and despite Tiernan Smyth’s attempt to intercept, McCloskey gathered and fired home.

Ballycastle began to find their feet in the game with McAuley and McKiernan influential. They held a two point lead with four minutes of the first half remaining and were in the ascendancy when Loughgiel struck their second major. A long ball from Conor Dickson causing problems in the Ballycastle full back line and with the sliotar falling lose, Ronan McCollum pounced.

The sides were tied on 2-5 to 0-11 at the short whistle and it was advantage the Shamrocks. It was going to take something special for the Town to get over the line but the Shamrocks attacking unit moved through the gears in the second half.

Rian O’Mullan, Ronan McCollum and Conor O’Mullan finding their range with Christy McGarry adding his name to the score sheet. The Shamrocks held a four point lead by the second half water break but the Shamrocks took a massive step to retaining their crown with their third goal.

Ruairi McCloskey sending a free from deep to the edge of the square and Rian O’Mullan was first to the breaking ball. Pulling the sliotar first time to the back of the net and when he landed the next two points, he stretched the Dunloy lead nine points with just under 10 minutes of the match remaining.

The Shamrock’s fourth goal came with three minutes of the hour remaining with Eunan Laverty getting his reward for a tireless hour for his side and while Seamus McAuley took his tally to 1-7 two minutes later, it wasn’t enough for the Town.

Tempers frayed and boiled over at the end of the hour with Enda Og McGarry and Cailin O’Connor seeing red but it had little impact on the final score. Loughgiel were home and hosed by that stage as the Town cast frustrated figures all over the pitch. Their wait for a first minor title since 1990 continues while the conveyor belt of talent coming from the Shamrocks continues to churn.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Kevin McAuley; Finn Henry, Ruairi McCloskey, Ruairi McCormick; Conal McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Conor Dickson; Christy McGarry, Damian Quinn; Eunan Laverty, Conor McCormick, Conor O’Mullan; Ronan McCollum, Rian McMullan, Jack McCloskey

Subs: Ben McGarry for D Quinn (59)

Scorers: Rian McMullan 1-7 (1f); Ronan McCollum 1-2; Jack McCloskey 1-1; Damian Quinn 0-2; Christy McGarry 0-2 (1f, 1’65); Conor O’Mullan 0-1

Ballycastle: Tiarnan Smyth; Patrick McAllister, Liam McCollum, Mark McClean; Eoin Boylan, Ronan Laverty, Jack McGowan; Seamus McAuley, Reuben McClean; Jack Egan, Cailin O’Connor, Feargal McKiernan; Darragh Kelly, James Bakewell, Joseph McToal

Subs: Jack Colgan for D Kelly (49); Croistai McAuley for L McCollum (49); Tiarnan Hegarty for P McAllister (inj)

Scorers: Seamus McAuley 1-7 (5f); Feargal McKiernan 0-4; Cailin O’Connor 0-1; Jack Egan 0-1; Reuben McClean 0-1 (1f); Mark McClean 0-1

Referee: Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

September 12, 2020September 13, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Five goal St Gall’s advance to Reserve Cup final

Reserve Football Cup (semi-final)

St Gall’s 5-12 Erin’s Own Cargin 1-07

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Fives goals, two in the opening period and a further three in the second thirty minutes earned a dominant St Gall’s side a place in the final of the Reserve Cup competition at the expense of Cargin at a cold and wet St Teresa’s on Saturday afternoon.

The Milltown side were quick into their stride and had nipped into a 0-03 to 0-01 advantage by the end of the 10^th minute.

A Conor Stinton 2^nd minute point opened their account and although the hard grafting Ronan Devlin made quick reply, further points from Ronan Gilligan and Niall Burns opened a two point gap as St. Gall’s took charge.

Ronan Devlin and Jamie Kennedy instigated a counter attack in the 12^th minute but Kyle Johnston’s effort fell short of the target when a score looked likely and the resultant clearance was to prove costly.

St Gall’s corner back Jack Hopkins found Marc Mc Kenna in the clear and the full forwards shot hit the back of the Cargin net to make it 1-03 to 0-01.

The Toome men replied however and when Odhran Mc Guckin was first to react as Shay Bovill’s delivery came back of the post he fired the rebound to the net.

Erin’s Own, inspired by the major strike raised their efforts and a fine intervention and clearance by Dualtagh Johnston opened the way for Odhran McGuckin to split the posts and Shay Bovill followed suit to leave it all square, 1-03 apiece at the first water break.

On the restart Cargin pressed but the intervention of the St. Gall’s full back Conal Murray denied the Toome men a score.

In the event it was the Milltown side who were to hit the front again as a superbly struck long range Ronan Gilligan effort sailed between the posts and when full forward Mark Mc Kenna added another they were a couple ahead.

Odhran McGuckin reduced the deficit to the minimum again but St. Gall’s replied and Niall Burns directed a 40 metre free between the posts.

Cargin came close to adding to their tally in the 26^th minute with Gavin Pollock’s long range attempt just drifting wide of the posts after net minder Tomas Laverty made a fine save to deny Mark Mc Kenna from point bank range when a goal looked certain.

The Milltown residents were not to be denied however and a slick Conor Stinton delivery paved the way for Conor Doherty to finish to the net.

The Toome men were reduced in number for the mandatory ten minutes when centre back Donnach Mc Keever was shown ‘black’ in the closing minutes and a long range Michael Hopkins point at the other end gave St. Gall’s a 2-07 to 1-04 interval advantage.

St Gall’s started the second half with the strong breeze and heavy rain at their backs and back two goals in the opening minutes put them in the driving seat.

Niall Burns fired to the bottom corner in the 3nd minute and when the Cargin net minder Tomas Laverty got a hand to a Conor Stinton shot, corner man Ciaran Delaney was first to react returning the leather to the back of the net.

The men from the Lower Falls were 4-07 to 1-04 ahead and the game looked as good as over. Jamie Kennedy set up Gavin Pollock for a point for the South West side but a trio of unanswered points from Michael Hopkins, Eoghan McCurdy and Niall Burns saw the gap stretch to 4-10 to 1-06 at the second water break.

St. Gall’s finished strongly as Eoghan McCurdy came forward to find the net with Gavin Pollock replying with a consolation point in the closing minute and it is St. Gall’s who now go forward to meet Creggan in the Reserve Cup final.

Teams

St Gall’s: Niall McCurdy, Eoghan Mc Curdy (1-01), Conal Murray, Jack Hopkins, Ronan Gilligan (0-02), Conor Rogers, Oisin Crawford, Caolan Chada, Kian Cruikshank, Michael Hopkins (0-03), Niall Burns (2-02), Conor Stinton (0-01), Conor Doherty (1-01), Marc Mc Kenna (1-01), Ciaran Delaney (1-01)

Cargin: Tomas Laverty, Sean og Quinn, Dualtagh Johnston, Jamie Kennedy, Brian og Devlin, Donnach Mc Keever, Eamon Laverty, Kyle Johnston, Mark Keegan, Ronan Devlin (0-01), Shay Bovill (0-01), Sean Mc Auley, Gavin Pollock (0-02), Ryan Mc Kiernan, Odhran Mc Guckin (1-03)

Referee D O’ Neill (Gort na Mona)