Month / September 2020

by thesaffrongael

The West is Awake but Old Firm final beckons…

Bathshack.com Senior Hurling Championship

Semi-Final Preview

By Brendan McTaggart

Four rounds of matches later, drama aplenty and we’ve reached the last four.  A last four with one notable absentee.  Before we look ahead to the two games on Sunday, it would be madness not to acknowledge the fact Cushendall haven’t reached this stage of the championship for the first time since…..well, answers on a postcard.  I have no idea and I’ve asked a few natives of the Ruairi’s and they struggled too. 

A shift in power has been spoken off.  In 1980 Joe Connolly spoke of the west being ‘Awake’ when Galway won the All-Ireland, maybe the west of Belfast is beginning to arouse from a slumber of sorts as well.  A first senior hurling semi-final for Rossa in 15 years.  An incredible stat but a sign of the times and the work being put in on the Shaw’s Road.  A fantastic group of players, there’s no doubting that and Colly Murphy has honed their talents for the past two years and they are where they are on merit. 

Against the Ruairi’s they had their homework done.  Another tick and pat on the back to Murphy and his backroom team.  A tireless performance of work rate, graft and the Boot of Beatty.  Not quite the Hand of God but maybe the GAA’s own version.  Two second half goals after moving to the full forward line and Stephen Beatty, the man who could rival Stuart Armstrong for the nicest hair in sports, has kicked the Jeremiah’s into the last four.

Loughgiel’s Calum McKendry in action againt St John’s Ciaran Johnston in last year’s SHC round robin at Fr Healy Park.

The Johnnies have been here before and came up against Cushendall, this year they have different opposition.  A hard-earned win over St Gall’s in the quarter-finals where they had four points to spare over the Milltown Row Azurri and Michael Johnston’s charges have a date with the Shamrocks.  Some will look at their performance against their west Belfast neighbours and Loughgiel’s against the same opposition and make their assumptions from there.  But this is championship hurling where anything could happen.  The Johnnies have been knocking on the door of finals day for the past three years, they have had one foot in that door on more than one occasion – maybe they’re timing their run to perfection?

A reshuffled pack after a disappointing performance against Dunloy in the last round of group fixtures saw Domhnall Nugent do a man marking job on Anton McCaffrey.  They have had their own injury concerns in recent weeks but Michail Dudley nearing a return will be a welcome sight to the Johnnies management team.

It took a goal from Andy McGowan and a penalty save from ‘keeper Declan Cregan and the Corrigan Park men are on the verge of a first senior county final since 1994.  They have the small matter of 20 time Volunteer Cup champions Loughgiel standing in their way.

For what it’s worth, the Shamrock’s haven’t lifted ‘Big Ears’ since 2016.  I hear you’re shouts, what’s four year.  Well, it’s the longest gap they’ve had from claiming the top spot in the county since bridging 21 year drought in 2010. 

There’s the hope the Johnnies needed.

TC and Pete battle it out in the Loughgiel rain last year. Their paths will surely cross again on Sunday

Looking closer, Hugh McCann’s side are the only team with a 100% record so far.  Three group matches, three wins, jobs a good’un thus far.  And when you have the talents of James McNaughton, Eddie McCloskey and Shan McGrath in your ranks, you have more than a punchers chance.

A workmanlike performance against Cushendall in the opening round preceded comfortable victories against St Galls and Naomh Éanna.  The only blip on the record is losing the services of Benny McCarry.  The Loughgiel forward had made a welcome return to the Shamrocks setup but his season has been ended with those three letters no athlete wants to hear.  ACL.  They have plenty of talent in reserves with their conveyor belt of talent coming through the minor ranks for the past two season but nothing beats experience at this stage of the championship.  The Shamrocks have that in abundance.

Wishing the Shamrocks good luck in Sunday’s semi-final

A possible subplot to this could be the contest of Neilly McGarry and Domhnall Nugent, should the Johnnies management use their versatile star man in that position.  Mouth watering.  Akin to watching Liam Watson and Ryan McNulty do battle last year in the opening round of group games at Fr Healy Park.  A contest that Loughgiel won but St Johns were well in and but for some indiscipline, they could have taken the scalp they’re yearning for in the shadows of Black Mountain.  Loughgiel start as favourites but I fully expect a different animal in St Johns to come out and push the Shamrocks all the way. 

Gerard Walsh in action against Keelan Molloy in the round robin game at Rossa Park

Reining champions Dunloy have reached the last four unbeaten, unbroken and unbowed.  Somehow.  That matters not at this stage however.  Two ‘ropey’ draws where they lost a couple of their championship ‘lives’ preceded a much-improved performance against St Johns when the pressure was on.  The Cuchullains were faced with all three scenarios and it really was win or bust but they knew that a win would put them into the semi-finals and win they did with a bit to spare.

Keelan Molloy imperious, Paul Shiels dominant and Ryan McGarry outstanding.  Job done for Gregory O’Kane’s team and they now have a rematch with Rossa.  I made promise I wouldn’t mention the injury time from their match in the group stage but it’s impossible to not speak of it when looking ahead.  Shorty’s brilliance from 30 yards and Chrissy McMahon’s gargantuan score pulled Dunloy from the brink.  Sunday’s match is mouth-watering and it is not often we get a chance for ‘take two’ of such a contest so soon but that’s what we have.  God bless this championship format.

The Jeremiah’s have been burning the candle at both ends of the GAA in recent weeks and word coming from Rossa Park, is they are now counting the costs of pushing for senior honours in hurling and football.  Michael Armstrong pulled his hamstring against Cushendall and missed the defeat to Cargin on Tuesday night in the football quarter-final but they could be without the services of Gerard Walsh (ankle), Stephen Shannon (dead leg) and Ciaran Orchin.  The physio team will be busy to get the walking wounded ready for Sunday.

Deaglan Murphy in action against Paul Shorty Shiels in the round robin game three weeks ago

Dunloy on the other hand, while also fighting on both fronts and having added reserve titles in both hurling and football this week have no such problems.  Conor McKinley missed the vast majority of the group stages but ‘Woody’ is nearing fitness and has thrown his name into the mix for a starting place on Sunday.  A welcome sight for the Dunloy management team.

Dunloy will start as favourites, regardless of what has happened this season.  The Cuchullains are the team to beat this year and the Jeremiah’s will start as underdogs.

Prediction time.

I will get a full house at some stage this season.  Dunloy are favourites and the Rossa medical bill has just reinforced that fact.  The Jeremiah’s will have to wait for a final berth for another year at least.  I just think the Cuchullains have too much firepower.

The other semi, all signs point to a Loughgiel win given recent form and while I expect that to happen, I think this will be much closer than some are expecting.  St Johns have the firepower to do damage and if Mickey Johnston and team can get their match ups right they will push the Shamrocks all the way.

But I’m sticking my £1 on a Dunloy and Loughgiel final.

by thesaffrongael

Tir na Óg book final place

Antrim Intermediate championship semi-final

Tír na nÓg 4-14 Dunloy 1-5

THE outcome of this game was obvious from as early as the first water-break by which point Tír na nÓg had taken a commanding 2-6 to 0-0 lead over Dunloy and seemed to be on top in most areas of the park.

They continued that dominance until the break but had added just four more points while Dunloy raised their effort and got off the mark with two Orla O’Neill frees.

However in reality their defence was under serious pressure throughout and they were forced to bring back a sweeper to cut out the route to goal for a physically strong and determined Randalstown team that will be firm favourites to remain unbeaten as they face into their final two games of the season with silverware available in both.

They got a dream start, a beautiful strike from Áine Devlin on the run from the right wing was followed by a speculative shot from Michaela Hegarty that ended up in the Dunloy net before the end of the second minute.

Tír na nÓg immediately turned the screw with the half-back line dominant and forwards pulling defenders out of position.

Cameron McGaughey’s determined run on the right wing in the 10th minute ended with a fine diagonal pass that Ciara Devine batted home. Emily Falloon chipped in with two points and free-taker Devlin brought the gap up to 12 points just before the water break as Tír na nÓg threatened to whitewash their opponents.

That didn’t happen however as Claire McGuckian drove her side into attack and Bronach McGill eventually forced frees from the winners’ defence which Orla O’Neill fired over. But Dunloy were still trailing by 2-10 to 0-2 at the break with Áine Devlin’s 20th minute point from close on the side-line a highlight.

Sub Hannah Crilly and Devlin added points from play on the re-start, but Dunloy were holding their own at this point and the next Tír na nÓg score, a goal, didn’t arrive until the 49th minute, Aine Devlin’s shot from distance going all the way to the net.

Substitute Lisa McAllister hit a tidy goal for Dunloy and added a point, but they were mere consolation scores as Caitlin McGaughey finished the scoring with a goal  after a good run from Carla O’Neill.
The second semi-final is in Randalstown tomorrow (Saturday) evening between Brídíní Óga Glenravel and Rossa with a 6.30pm throw-in.

Tír na nÓg : A McAtamney, B Devlin, A Mooney, C Martin, EL McAreavey, O McKeown, Caitlin McGaughey 1-0, S O’Neill, Cameron McGaughey, M Hegarty 1-2, C O’Neill, E Falloon 0-3, 0-1 free, Á Devlin 0-7, 0-4 frees, N Martin, C Devine 1-0.

Subs : D O’Neill for A Mooney (HT), H Crilly 0-2 for C Devine (HT), G Dobbin for EL McAreavy (39), M O’Dolan for N Martin (45), S Shannon for D O’Neill (45).

Dunloy : K McFerran, M McMullan, Brid McGill, Á Johnstone, S McIlhatton, c McGuckian, F Hills, L McConville, C O’Kane, Brónach McGill, E Johnstone, L McGuckian, O O’Neill 0-4 frees, M McToal

Subs : K Doherty for E Johnstone (36), L McAllister 1-1 for Bronach McGill (45), O McMullan for Brid McGill (45).

Referee : Ryan O’Reilly.

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy add to their silverware for the season

Senior Reserve Shield Final

Dunloy 2-15 Tír na nÓg 4-3

Friday September 4

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

Dunloy won their maiden reserve football championship on Friday evening as they saw off Tír na nÓg with six points to spare.  It was a convincing performance from the Cuchullains as indiscipline dogged the men from Whitehill.  They finished the hour with just 12 men as the red mist descended for Tír na nÓg at Dunsilly – all three red cards coming in the second half.

The Cuchullains looked more likely to win this contest and controlled proceedings for the vast majority of the game but Tír na nÓg’s ability to create carnage at the other end of the pitch that always gave them a punchers chance.  In Aodhan Tolan they have a supremely gifted individual with his second half goal a piece of brilliance and one he almost repeated moments later.  Unfortunately for the Randalstown Blues, he was one of the three who’s game was ended early.

Eoghan McGrath top scored for the Cuchullains, four of his seven points coming from placed ball in a man of the match performance but he was narrowly pipped by Ciaran McQuillan to that accolade.  ‘Squirrel’ was immense at half back with his timing of tackle, positioning for breaking ball and hugely economical in possession.  The Cuchullains goals came from Caolan Gillan and Anthony Smith late in the game as Dunloy took advantage of the spaces left given their numerical advantage.

Dunloy made a bright start to the match and had four points on the scoreboard inside the opening seven minutes.  Kevin McAllister with the score of the half in those early exchanges – wide on the right but ‘Rev’ split the posts with the outside of his left boot. 

Tír na nÓg’s opening goal came in the ninth minute, Ciaran McKeown making a darting run from the left wing and evaded two Dunloy challenges before hammering the ball beyond Conor McGilligan in the Dunloy goals.

The Whitehill men looked to find their range and had tied the sides with five minutes of the half remaining.  McGrath’s first point of the match edged Dunloy ahead once again but Tír na nÓg took the lead with their second goal in the 27th minute.  A long ball forward from Aodhan Tolan found Sean Donnelly in acres of space.  He showed composure to sidestep McGilligan in goals and give his side a two point lead.

The Cuchullains responded with a brace of points from McGrath and the first signs of indiscipline crept into the Tír na nÓg ranks with Barry Magee black carded in injury time.

Like their semi-final win against Glenavy, Dunloy built the foundations for their victory after half time.  Four points in eight minutes preceded Caolan Gillan’s 42nd minute goal.  McGrath and Gillan sharing the four points before a swift team move that involved four different players freed Gillan who showed a deft touch and composure to finish beyond Sean Paul McAtamney in the Tír na nÓg goals.

The last quarter saw the contest become more fractured.  Tír na nÓg felt aggrieved with decision they felt didn’t go their way and lost Brandon McLarnon to a red card before Aodhan Tolan scored the goal of this and any other season.  40 yards out, three Dunloy men on the line yet the he still managed to find the top corner.  Some may have looked at it as luck, but just four minutes later he struck again from similar distance only for the ball to be tipped over the bar.

Michael and Aodhan Tolan’s games were both ended early in the closing stages as the Tír na nÓg side became more frustrated.  A failed short kick out allowed Anthony Smith to round off an impressive performance with his customary goal in the last minute of the hour to give Dunloy an eight point lead. 

Tír na nÓg did manage to breach the Dunloy defence one more time, substitute Eamon McAllister getting a toe to the ball after a goal mouth scramble but Liam McCann finished the scoring with a fine effort from wide on the left to add gloss to the score line for the Cuchullains.

The victory marked a second trophy in the space of five days for many of the same side as they add the Senior Reserve Shield to the Senior Reserve Hurling championship won on the same pitch on Monday.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Conor McGilligan; Cathair McCloskey, Adrian Scullion, Oisin McErlane; Ciaran McQuillan, Padraig McGilligan, Ciaran McIlfatrick; Peter McQuillan, Ryan McFarlane; Anthony Doran, Eoghan McGrath, Liam McCann; Anthony Smith, Caolan Gillan

Scorers: Eoghan McGrath 0-7 (4f); Caolan Gillan 1-3 (2f); Anthony Smith 1-1; Kevin McAllister 0-2 (1f); Liam McCann 0-1; Daithi McGuigan 0-1

Tír na nÓg: Sean Paul McAtamney; Brandon McLarnon, Barry Magee, Ciaran Byrne; Gerard Martin, Niall Cassidy, Oliver McAtamney; Ciaran McKeown, Declan Mallon; Darren O’Kane, Aodhan Tolan, Michael Tolan; David Hastings, Shane Donnelly, Michael Dempsey

Scorers: Aodhan Tolan 1-1; (1-00 f); Ciaran McKeown 1-00; Sean Donnelly 1-00; Eamon Og McAllister 1-00; Darren O’Kane 0-1; Michael Dempsey 0-1

Referee: Ritchie Leahy (St Comgalls)

by thesaffrongael

Dillon and McNulty don’t mind having a third meeting

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship

Creggan v Portglenone at Ahoghill – Throw-in 1pm

By Paul McIntyre

The meeting of Creggan and Portglenone brings together two sides that have knocked on the door of the winner’s enclosure in recent years but are still yet to dine at the top table. Creggan came agonisingly close two years ago when they fell to neighbours Cargin by the narrowest of margins while the Casements have to go back to 2009 to their last final, which ended in a crushing defeat as St Galls marched their way to All-Ireland glory.

These sides are no strangers to each other as they face off for the third time in this year’s championship. Creggan recorded a three-point win at Kelly Park before Portglenone got one over their South-West rivals in their final group game.

Barry Dillon address his players over the fence during the half time break in Tuesday evening’s win over St Gall’s

It’s been a testing week to say the least for Casements manager Barry Dillon. After their gruelling encounter with St Galls on Tuesday night, he now must wait on the Friday evenings reserve clash with Lamh Dhearg before finalising his matchday squad.

“After the penalties I looked around the field and it was like a scene from Platoon. Where do we start? I asked myself” said the Magherafelt native before adding that the week has seen his players getting rub downs and physio. It’s a battle that has also left him without the services of three key players. Both Niall McKeever (torn calf) and Dermot McAleese (jaw) left the fray in the first half before Oisín Doherty (knee) also retired injured early against St Galls. Players that would be a massive loss to any team.

 It’s a quick turnaround and Dillon would’ve maybe liked the semi-finals pushed back another few days but he admits after the year that it’s been that it’s “just brilliant to be playing football again”.

On Saturday’s opponents Dillon has the Loughshore side favourites explaining that “they are further down the road than ourselves in terms of development. Creggan are laced with quality and have the experience of a recent county final as well as winning leagues and O’Cahan Cups” before adding that “they would maybe be physically stronger but we’ll still turn up and give a good account of ourselves.”

 In their two group games only three points and two points separated the sides at the final whistle and Dillon expects another tight tussle in Ahoghill. “Games take on a life of their own and the first two games were effected badly by the weather with a storm making good football very difficult in the second fixture but this is knockout football which is a totally different game”.

While Portglenone have never lifted the Padraig McNamee Cup, you have to go way back to 1954 for the last time Creggan Kickhams were Antrim kingpins and Gerard McNulty is the man trusted with the Kickhams latest tilt at championship glory, and on Sunday’s showing against his own club, Naomh Eánna, the signs are promising.

Strong and well organised at the back with both Ricky and Marty Johnston to the fore, dominant in midfield while hard working and industrious up top, could this be the year when they eventually benefit from previous underage success?

Creggan manager Gerard McNulty

When ask before Tuesday’s Portglenone v St Gall’s quarter final who he would like to meet in the semis there was no doubt in McNulty’s mind

“We’d like another wee nip at Portglenone” he quipped without batting an eyelid before adding “we had two great battles with them and to be fair they are well drilled; they’re a good side and they know they’re system works; suits them you know. We played them and we didn’t have the same personnel, so look, I would like to meet them again.”

by thesaffrongael

Emmet’s could get it tighter than most people think

Casement Social Club Junior Hurling Championship semi-finals

Cushendun Emmet’s v St Paul’s at Ballymena @ 1pm

Rasharkin v Con Magees at Armoy @ 1pm

Odds on favourites to win the title outright Cushendun Emmet’s face their toughest task to date in Saturday’s Junior Hurling Championship semi-final when they take on St Paul’s at Ballymena. So far it has been plain sailing for the men from the north coast running up massive scores in both games, scoring 13 goals and 56 points overall. In their opening game they hit Loch Mór Dál gCais for 6-25 and they bettered that in their second outing against St Agnes when they recorded 7-31.

St Paul’s haven’t been behind the door in the scoring stakes either scoring just two points less than their opponents, but they did it over three games rather than two. Their first win over Glenarm in Feystown saw them hit 5-16 in an impressive win, while they hit 3-20 at home to West Belfast neighbours Davitt’s. In their second visit to East Antrim the scores flowed once again at they hit 4-21 against Latharna Og at the Brustin Braes about Larne.

What good these facile wins have done either team will be hard to tell, though it has to be said St Paul’s wins came against better opposition than the teams beaten by the Emmet’s. Cushendun will go into this game as favourites but they are coming up against much better opposition than they have faced already this season. If St Paul’s can off to a good start they might just plant doubts in the Emmet’s minds, and who knows what could happen. This will be closer than many people think but the scoring power of ‘Loaf’ and his fellow forwards should get them home.

The other semi-final is a different matter as old rivals Rasharkin and Glenravel go toe to toe in Armoy. Games between these two are quite often fiery affairs and I would expect this one to be something similar. It is six years since these two met in the 2014 final in Loughgiel, the Glenravel men winning a really tight contest. Rasharkin went on to win the title the following year and contested well in the Intermediate for a few season. Neither team is that level just now but this will take nothing away from Saturday’s meeting. Whoever wins this one will go into the final as no hopers but that won’t matter one iota, as the winners will hold the bragging rights for another season and that is very important to both of them.