Month / May 2021

by thesaffrongael

St. Gall’s and Bredagh serve up a thriller

ACHL Div.2B

St. Gall’s 1-17 Bredagh 0-17

St. Gall’s and Bredagh served up a real thriller at Milltown Row today in a game that could rightly be described as a game of two halves. Bredagh certainly had the better of the opening half and were good value for their 0-11 to 0-8 half time lead despite being without their county contingent.

It was a different game after the break however as Chris Dornan’s side stepped it up a gear, out-scoring the South Belfast side by 1-9 to 0-6 and when Gregory McGreevey took advantage of a slip by Bredagh keeper to kick the sliotar to the net in thew 41st minute, they never looked back.

It was St. Gall’s who were first off the mark with points from Paddy Friel and Gregory McGreevey but visitors Bredagh were back on terms by the 7th minute as Liam Hogan and Declan McCartney split the posts at the other end.

Kieran McGourty for St. Gall’s and Matt McAreavey for the visitors exchanged further points but St. Gall’s started to get on top and a trio of points from Jackson McGreevey, Marcus Donnelly and a fine long range effort from Niall O’Neill moved them three in front after 15 minutes.

  • Bredagh’s Sean Hughes runs at the St. Gall’s defence.

Sean Hughes replied for the Down men but Jack Hopkins had the final say prior to the water break to leave the home side 0-7 to 0-4 ahead and looking fairly comfortable.

Perhaps there was something in the Bredagh water for they returned rejuvenated to hit seven points without reply through Declan McCartney, Sean Hughes 0-3, Liam Hogan, Eoghan Donnelly and Matt McAreavey before Jackson McGreevey replied from a free in the 31st minute to leave the visitors leading 0-11 to 0-8 at the break.

It wasn’t looking good for the Milltown men when Sean Burked limped out of the contest after four minutes of the second half to be replaced by Fergus Donnelly but Ronan Crossan got them off the mark with a point in the 7th minute.

Jackson McGreevey added another before Paddy Friel brought the sides level with a great point in the 11th minute. Bredagh tried to respond and it took a good save from Kurtis McGreevey to deny Liam Hogan before matters swung significantly in favour of the home side.

Ian Galway in the Bredagh goals, who hadn’t put a foot wrong up to this point, spilled a long delivery from Jackson McGreevey and Gregory McGreevey was on hand to bundle the sliotar over the line and give his side a lead they were never again to lose.

  • St. Gall’s Gregory McGreevey takes a tumble under pressure from Michael Woods

St. Gall’s were now dominating matters as Jackson McGreevey came forward to send over a great long range point and another from Fergus Donnelly had the Milltown Row men 1-13 to 0-11 in front at the second water break.

On the restart St. Gall’s extended their lead through a Tomas O’Ciarain point and it had been 19 minutes since Bredagh last scored but they found a response and hit three in a row from the sticks of Eoghan Donnelly, Ryan Curran and Michael Woods to close the gap to two with seven minutes remaining.

St. Gall’s were determined not to let this one slip however and they upped their performance in the closing stages with Gregory McGreevey, Jackson McGreevey, Kieran McGourty and Jackson McGreevey again moving them five in front by the 27th minute.

It was as good as over at this stage but Bredagh kept going to the end and were rewarded with late points from Odhran McFlynn and Ryan Curran but these were merely consolation scores.

A good game of hurling between two excellent sides with St. Gall’s making it two from two to join Cathaoir an Ri on four point while Bredah are on equal points but have played a game more and when they have their county panellists available they look more than capable of challenging any of the teams in this division.

St. Gall’s: Kurtis McGreevey, Lorcan O’Ciarain, Joe McDaniel, Stephen Morrison, Niall O’Neill, Aodhan Gallagher, Daniel Churchill, Jack Hopkins, Jackson McGreevey, Gregory McGreevey, Sean Burke, Kieran McGourty, Marcus Donnelly, Patrick Friel, Ronan Crossen. Subs: Fergus Donnelly for Sean Burke,

Bredagh: Ian Galway, Lawrence Smith, Thomas McGuckin, Niall Smith, Chris Ferry, Niall McFarland, Michael Woods, Declan McCartney, Matt McAreavey, Sean Hughes, Oran McFlynn, Ciaran McMullan, Jarlath McCollum, Eoghan Donnelly, Liam Hogan.

Referee: Paul McDonnell (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Paddy pinches it for Antrim in bizarre finish

Allianz National Football League Division Four North

Antrim 3-13-3-12 Sligo

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park

Cometh the hour cometh the man! Paddy Cunningham pinched victory for Antrim nine minutes into injury time in Sunday’s league game with Sligo. His late score saw Antrim make it two league wins from two, but put the county through the mill in the process, as they defeated Sligo by 3-13 to 3-12 at Corrigan Park this afternoon.

Ahead early through goals from Odhran Eastwood and Marc Jordan the Saffrons conceded 1-06 from frees in the opening half- including a penalty by Niall Murphy.

Murphy would convert a second spot kick for Sligo early in the second period and Antrim were forced to chase for the majority of the half that they began with 14-men following Ryan Murray receiving a black card.

Murray’s made amends- contributing three points in succession and assisting to what appeared to be Eunan Walsh’s winning goal in injury time.

But Sligo were awarded a third penalty of the game and with Murphy dismissed for picking up a second yellow card it was left to Nathan Rooney to surely bag his side a point.

Odhran Eastwood punches the air after scoring Antrim’s opening goal in Sunday’s win over Sligo

McGinley made one alteration from the side that defeated Louth last Saturday as Ricky Johnston replaced James McAuley in the starting fifteen.

Antrim were first off the mark after six minutes of play when Odhran Eastwood pointed after a sustained period of pressure in the aftermath of Marc Jordan’s shot coming back off the large post.

Sixty-seconds later and the Saffrons found the net, Conor Murray slipped the ball inside to Kevin Small who attempted to round Sligo keeper Eamonn Kilgannon but was felled and Eastwood was on hand to sweep the loose ball to the net.

Sligo responded with a free from Sean Carrabine after Ricky Johnston caught Niall Murphy.

Carrabine would convert a second free after referee Conor Dourneen spotted a tug on the jersey in the aftermath of the kick-out from the first score.

Marc Jordan celebrates after scoring the Saffrons second goal

Antrim then found their second goal soon after as Conor Murray slipped in the ball inside to Lamh Dhearg club-mate Marc Jordan who picked his spot to make it 2-01-0-02.

Sligo responded through frees from Carrabine and Sean Murphy with Odhran Eastwood kicking an angled free to ensure the hosts were 2-02-0-04 ahead at the water break.

In the aftermath of the water break Ryan Murray converted a free after Sligo full-back Sean McGuinness floored Marc Jordan and was booked for his troubles.

But at the other end Niall Murphy kicked his sides fifth free of the afternoon.

Their first from play would soon follow from Sean Carrabine and the visitors had the chance to level when referee Dourneen adjudged Michael Byrne to have touched the ball on the ground and signalled for a penalty.

Niall Murphy took responsibility and was ice cool as he powered the penalty into the top left hand corner to level at 2-03-1-06.

Antrim’s Conor Stewart and James Laverty go up to punch the ball away as Ruairi McCann awaits the breaking ball

Antrim regained the initiative with points from Ricky Johnston and a sensational converted free from Ruairi McCann.

However Niall Murphy kicked his first from play and then converted his third free of the half.

Odhran Eastwood looked to have sent Antrim in with the half time lead after combining with Dermot McAleese and conjuring a fine point.

But Murphy kicked his fourth free with the final kick of the half and to compound the hosts misery they lost Ryan Murray to a black-card.

Sligo made the most of their numerical advantage and forged ahead for the first time through Sean Carrabine’s fourth free of the afternoon and Niall Murphy’s second from play.

Half-time substitute Eunan Walsh hit back with a point from out wide and the 14-men pulled level following a mazy run and score from Conor Murray.

But their momentum was short lived as Sligo were awarded their second penalty of the contest for a trip on Patrick O’Connor that was borderline on the edge of the square and required a bit of consultation before the decision was finalised.

Up stepped Niall Murphy for the second time and this time he dispatched his kick low to the net to give his side a 2-11-2-08 lead.

Darragh Cummins added a point to stretch the lead and Antrim needed a big lift.

They were aided by first half substitute Paddy McBride who produced an outstanding score on his home patch to make it a three point game going into the final ten minutes.

Ryan Murray atoned for his black card before the break with his second converted free and he would add another from a tight angle a few minutes later.

Antrim pushed hard for the equalising score and their quest was given a boost a minute from time when Sligo marksman Niall Murphy was dismissed for a second bookable offence- giving them a numerical advantage heading into the dying embers.

Six minutes of injury time was shown on the board and two minutes in the sides were drawn level courtesy of Ryan Murray who blasted over for his third score in succession and his first from play in the afternoon.

The resulting kick-out was won fantastically by Eoghan McCabe and Enda McGinley’s side went in search of the winner. Paddy McBride went on a penetrating run that drew the visiting defenders apart and slipped the ball inside to Ryan Murray who in turn found Eunan Walsh who fumbled the ball and saw it roll past the Sligo keeper and into the net.

Eunan Walsh (26) celebrates afer scoing Antrim’s third goal deep into injury time

Referee Conor Dourneen consulted with the umpires behind the goal in what was almost the equivalent of a VAR call – the decision was that Walsh’s goal would stand and the Saffrons were 3-12-2-12 ahead.

The drama wasn’t quite at an end however as Sligo were awarded their third penalty of the game as Dourneen adjudged there to have been the denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity.

With Murphy in the stand it was up to substitute Nathan Rooney to take responsibility for the pressure kick and Rooney shot low to the corner of the net to claw his team level at 3-12 a piece.

A share of the spoils would probably have been a fair outcome but Antrim pressed for the winner and just like last week in Louth it came from the boot of Paddy Cunningham.

The magician worked his magic and popped the ball over from an almost impossible angle to make it two wins from two for Antrim after a pulsating afternoon on the Whiterock Road.

Paddy Cunningham is congratulated by his Lamh Dhearg team mates, Ryan and Conor Murray, after scoring the winning point.

Antrim: M Byrne, R Johnston (0-01), D Lynch, P Healy, M Jordan (1-00), J Laverty, D McAleese, C Stewart, N McKeever, R Murray (0-04, 0-03f), A Loughran, R McCann (0-01f), O Eastwood (1-03, 0-01f), K Small, C Murray (0-01). Subs: P McBride (0-01) for A Loughran (28), J McAuley for D Lynch (HT), E Walsh (1-01) for K Small (HT), T McCann for M Jordan (59), P Cunningham (0-01) for O Eastwood (65), E McCabe for D McAleese (65).

Sligo: E Kilgannon, R Feehily, E McGuinness, E Lyons, K Cawley, P McNamara, D Cummins (0-01), P Kilcoyne, P O’Connor, D Quinn, C Lally, C Griffin, S Carrabine (0-05, 0-04f), N Murphy (2-06, 2-04f), R Og Murphy. Subs: N Rooney (1-00f) for C Griffin (28), N Mullen for D Cummins (55), M Gordon for S Carrabine (55), D Conlon for R Og Murphy (65), G Gorman for P O’Connor (67), P Naughton for K Cawley (70).

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)

Saffron Gael’s Kevin Herron interviews Paddy Cunningham after the game
by thesaffrongael

Saffron’s unchanged for Sligo visit

Antrim manager Enda McGinley has names the same fifteen who started against Louth last weekend for tday’s meeting with Sligo at Corrigan Park. (Throw-in 4pm)

Michael McCann was named on the team which was annouced in the lead up to the Louth game but he had to withdraw becuause of injury, with Adam Loughran coming in to take his place on the ’40’, Niall McKeever came in to replace Mark sweeney at midfield. Today sees that set up repeated that got the desired result against Mickey Harte’s Louth.

ANTRIM v Louth

Michael Byrne, James McAuley, Declan Lynch, Peter Healy (capt), Marc Jordan, James Laverty, Dermot McAleese, Conor Stewart, Niall McKeever, Ryan Murray, Adam Loughran, Ruairi McCann, Odhran Eastwod, Kevin Small, Conor Murray.

Subs – Luke Mulholland, Ciran Bradley, Justin Crozier, Paddy Cunningham, Niall Delargy, Ricky Johnston, Patrick McBride, Eoghan McCabe, Thomas McCann, Patrick McCormick, Eunan Walsh.

by thesaffrongael

Dubs too good for Saffrons in Parnell

Allianz Hurling League Division One – Group B

Dublin 1-26 Antrim 1-18

Saturday May 22

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Tailteann

Antrim suffered their second defeat of the campaign in Parnell Park as a strong Dublin side ran out eight point winners.  It was a rare off-day for the Saffrons who were minus the services of captain Conor McCann for the contest, but the Dubs were a slick and well organised outfit who with 13 different scorers on the day scored 1-21 from open play over the 70 minutes.

Niall McKenna who was Antrim’s best performer up front

Antrim misfired from frees and made the wrong decision with ball in hand on a number of occasions but were it not for the brilliance of Ryan Elliott between the sticks, the scoreline could have been much worse for Darren Gleeson’s men.  The Antrim number one made numerous point blank saves, the pick of them a double save in the first half denying Donal Burke and Cian O’Sullivan while the save he made in the second half where not only did he deny the Dubs but he controlled the sliotar was mesmeric and had the press box purring.

Outfield, it never really clicked for the Saffrons.  Despite a good start where they led by two points after 14 minutes, they went 20 minutes without registering another score.  Neil McManus top scored with 1-3 with Niall McKenna showing glimpses of the player we’ve come to expect over the past 12 months.  Four points for the Sarsfields man in another top performance. 

The Saffrons missed some standard frees that let the Dubs off the hook.  Misses that sap energy and give the opposition a lift.  The home side took that opportunity.  Danny Sutcliffe, Chris Crummey and Liam Rushe dictating play.  The biggest difference between the sides was Dublin’s dominance in rucks.  Antrim struggled to win ‘dirty’ ball and couldn’t get any major momentum gathered until Dublin had a 10 point lead.  As they are finding out, if you do that at this level, you’re going to come up short.  The Saffron defence were given a workover by the Dubs with little ‘sticking’ up front.  The athleticism and sheer physicality of the home side evident and with each of the seven substitutes they introduced throughout the 70 minutes.

Ryan Elliott who pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep Dublin’s winning margin respectable

Like last week, they came to life in the third quarter.  Niall McKenna was the only Saffron player to score from open play in the first half and he was involved in the build up to the penalty which Antrim scored their goal from.  Substitute Conor Johnston felled after McKenna sent the sliotar his way.  McManus converted and Antrim sprang into life.  Trailing by seven at half time, between the outstanding Elliott and the work rate of Gerard Walsh, Eoghan Campbell and Damon McMullan, Antrim kept in touch.  James McNaughton chipping in with scores having taken over the free taking duties along with Keelan Molloy and Conor Johnston adding their name to the scoresheet.

Only five points separated the sides with two minutes of the 70 remaining but the home side finished strongly to put further daylight between the sides. 

Dublin’s ball winning ability caused the Antrim defence a lot of problems.

A second defeat but it’s far from doom and gloom.  They have shown in the three matches this far at differing times they can compete at this level.  Improvement is needed but this is a journey where Antrim need to learn as they navigate the League season.  The gulf in class between is huge and they are now experiencing that first hand.  They have a more than welcome break from the rigours of the league next weekend before welcoming Davy Fitzgerald to Corrigan Park in what will be a mouth-watering tie.  The McGurk Cup resumes on Friday evening with Gleeson preparing his side to face Down in Corrigan Park.  An opportunity to give other members of his panel some valuable game time as they assess their options once more ahead of the game against Wexford.

Neill McManus drives a penalty low to the Dublin net to give his team late hope, but Dublin were able to respond

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Damon McMullan, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Eoghan Campbell; Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Keelan Molloy, Michael Bradley; Domhnall Nugent, James McNaughton, Niall McKenna; Conal Cunning, Neil McManus, Ciaran Clarke

Subs: Conor Johnston for D Nugent (HT); Shea Shannon for C Clarke (46); Phelim Duffin for S Rooney (46); Dan McCloskey for M Bradley (46); Eoin O’Neill for C Cunning (55); Ryan McCambridge for J Maskey (57)

Scorers: N McManus 1-3 (1-00 pen, 2fs); N McKenna 0-4; J McNaughton 0-3 (2f); C Clarke 0-3 (3f); K Molloy 0-2; Conor Johnston 0-2; E Campbell 0-1

Dublin: Sean Brennan; Andrew Dunphy, Eoghan O’Connell, Cian O’Callaghan; Daire Gray, Liam Rushe, Sean Moran; Jake Malone, Conor Burke; Danny Sutcliffe, Chris Crummey, Ronan Hayes; Donal Burke, Cian O’Sullivan, Cian Boland

Subs: John Hetherton for  D Sutcliffe (50); Eamon Dillon for C O’Sullivan (50); Johnny Madden for L Rushe (56); Rian McBride for J Malone (56); Davy Keogh for C Boland (58); Paul Crummey for R Hayes (65); Paddy Smyth for S Moran (70)

Scorers: D Burke 0-7 (4f 1 ’65); D Sutcliffe 0-3; D Gray 0-3; R Hayes 1-00; C Burke 0-2; C Crummey 0-2; J Hetheron 0-2; C Boland 0-2; S Moran 0-1; J Malone 0-1; C O’Sullivan 0-1; P Crummey 0-1; D Keogh 0-1

Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)

by thesaffrongael

Can Antrim make it two from two?

Allianz National Football League, Division 4 North

Antrim v Sligo

4pm Corrigan Park

Antrim put themselves in a strong position for promotion when they travelled to Haggardstown and recorded a one point win over a fancied Louth last Saturday. It was a win that was as much about determination and battling qualities as it was about skill though the Saffrons weren’t lacking in that department either.

New manager, Enda McGinley raised a few eyebrows when he included three from last year’s U20 side in his starting line-up but the former Errigan Ciaran man got it spot on with all three acquitting themselves well but it was one of the more seasoned campaigner, Ryan Murray who weighed in with the vital scores including a point deep in injury time to give his side victory.

All in all it was a good performance from Antrim but there will be aspects of it that the management team will not have been happy with about including the concession of three goals and this is an area that they will surely have looked at over the past week.

While McGinley was claiming the bragging rights over his old mentor, Mickey Harte, John McEntee’s Sligo were recording an even more impressive win over Leitrim at Markievicz Park and will travel to Corrigan with a lot of confidence for a game that could well decide who will top the group.

Leitrim led 0-12 to 0-11 at half time but were perhaps fortunate to be ahead with Sligo always looking dangerous when Conor Griffin and Lally got involved and could have goaled three times in the first half. David Quinn lashed a shot over, with goal-bound efforts from Paul McNamara and Lally were denied by Leitrim goalkeeper Brendan Flynn.

A much improved second half and goals from Niall Murphy and Cian Lally saw the winners turn their superiority into scores and turned the game in favour of the home side who took control once Murphy netted in the 59th minute which made it 1-15 to 0-13.

  • Dermot McAleese (22) who’s excellent goal helped Antrim to a win over Louth last Saturday. McAleese is seen in action against Sligo in last year’s NFL at Markievicz Park

Ryan Murray top scored for Antrim against the Wee county with 0-6, got himself sin binned and then sent off late in the game but he is eligible for selection tomorrow and will be hoping for a less dramatic 70 odd minutes but would never the less be happy with a similar scoring return if selected.

There was much to be satisfied with about Antrim’s performance with Dermot McAleese’s 15th minute goal a real cracker with the Portglenone man on the end of a great build up from deep in Antrim’s half to apply a clinical finish.

It was perhaps their dogged finish that will have given the Antrim management most satisfaction however when a goal from Mulroy left them trailing going down the final straight but the Saffrons finished strongly with a series of excellent points, the best of these coming from substitutes Paddy Cunningham and Eunan Walsh before Murray applied the coup de grace deep in injury time.

Unfortunately at the time of writing no Antrim team has been announced but I would expect the Saffron line-up to be along similar lines to the one that produced the goods in Haggardstown though some of those introduced from the bench will be hoping for a start.

Only a point separated these sides when they met at Markievicz Park in last year’s NFL with Antrim staging a strong finish but unable to get over the line in the end.

Sligo’s second half performance against Leitrim will probably see them installed as slight favourites and Antrim will have to keep a tight rein on Niall Murphy and Cian Lally but with home advantage it is a game that the Saffrons can win and set themselves up nicely for a final home fixture against Leitrim the following Sunday.

Antrim team v Louth:  Michael Byrne; James McAuley, Declan Lynch, Peter Healy; Marc Jordan James Laverty, Dermot McAleese; Conor Stewart, Niall McKeever; Ryan Murray, Adam Loughran, Ruairi McCann; Odhran Eastwood, Kevin Small, Conor Murray.

Subs: Paddy McBride for McKeever Eoin McCabe for Jordan Paddy Cunningham for Eastwood Eunan Walsh for McAleese.

Scorers for Antrim: R Murray (0-6, 4 frees), D McAleese (1-0), C Murray (0-2), O Eastwood (0-2, 2 frees), M Jordan (0-1), R McCann (0-1, 1 45), E McCabe (0-1), P Cunningham (0-1), E Walsh (0-1)

Sligo team v Leitrim: E Kilgannon, R Feehily, E McGuinness, E Lyons, K Cawley, P McNamara, P Laffey, D Cummins, P Kilcoyne, D Quinn, C Lally, C Griffin, S Carrabine, N Murphy, R Óg Murphy. 

Subs: P O’Connor for C Griffin, N Rooney for S Carrabine, G Gorman for D Cummins, M Gordon for P Laffey, P Naughton for N Murphy, N Mullen for E Lyons

Scorers for Sligo: S Carrabine (0-6, 5 frees); N Murphy (1-3, 0-1 mark); C Lally (1-2); D Quinn, R Óg Murphy (0-2 each); C Griffin, D Conlon, P Naughton, E Kilgannon (free) (0-1 each).