Davitts B 2-03-2-04 St Brigids B Kevin Herron reports from Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh
Davitts B made the brighter start to the O’Donnell Shield D decider at Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ UiDhoctairtigh on Friday evening and took the lead inside of two minutes through Jay Emmanuel low scuffed shot that found the net.
Caleb McLaughlin would convert a free in the aftermath but St Brigid’s responded through a point from Conor Hanna. Hanna was involved in his sides next score as the Musgrave Park outfit halted the deficit, he slipped the ball across to Rory Sherry who guided the ball over the bar. Midway through the half St Brigid’s claimed the lead after Barra Carlisle picked out the run of Marcus Brennan who shot to the net give his side a 1-02-1-01 lead at the interval.
A point from Rory Conway would increase St Brigid’s lead after the restart but Johnny Cartmell replied with a finely executed point. Davitt’s then regained the lead in fortuitous circumstances, Coran Madden with a free that deceived the Brigid’s back-line and goalkeeper and dropped into the net to make it 2-02-1-03. Barra Carlisle responded with a point instantly though Coran Madden would sharply turn and produce a brilliant point to keep the gap at two-points. With five minutes remaining the crucial score arrived and it was a goal fitting to win any game. Aidan Flanagan had the presence of mind to try his luck in a congested area and he thumped the ball to the net to ensure his side ran out 2-04-2-03 winners to claim the O’Donnell D Shield.
Unconfirmed sighting of Taylor Swift in Belfast yesterday but a definite sighting of former Celtic and current Aberdeen and NI midfielder Niall McGinn taking in the U-12 O’Donnell Shield decider between St Brigids B and Davitts B at St Teresa’s
Lamh Dhearg 1-04-1-12 St Enda’s Kevin Herron reports from Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh
Having won the U-12 Division 2 league before the GAA was forced into lockdown in October- Lamh Dhearg went in search of the double when they took on St Enda’s at Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ UiDhoctairtigh on Friday evening. The Hannahstown side fell behind to an early free from Cathair McKenna but were back on terms through a stinging strike from Matthew Murray that was pushed over the bar. Colm Kane was in outstanding form throughout the evening for the Hightown outfit and he restored their lead, but Ronan Webb responded and levelled for the second time after Daniel Mulholland turned ball over from a kick-out. Further points would be traded as Conaire Smyth linked up with Aaron Connolly for a point- though a converted free from Dylan Fegan made it 0-03 apiece. St Enda’s would carry a narrow lead into the break as Caden McKinney split the posts.
They carried on where they left off prior to the interval and hit three scores without reply. The best of the bunch was a remarkable point from Conaire Smyth. Lamh Dhearg broke the momentum momentarily as Matthew Murray converted his second free of the evening. But St Enda’s strengthened their lead through a goal from Daire McGoldrick. Points followed from Cathair McKenna and Colm Kane as they began to pull away. However Lamh Dhearg found a lifeline with little over five minutes remaining. Matthew Murray floated a high ball into the congested area and Oisin McLarnon stabbed it to the net to give his side renewed hope. In the end the league champions were unable to manufacture another goal despite their best efforts. St Enda’s ended the game on the front foot with a nice point from Colm Kane and back to back points from Cathair McKenna sealing victory for the Hightown outfit.
St Johns left it late to secure the O’Donnell Cup B after a thrilling 2-06-1-06 win over Sarsfields at Corrigan Park on Friday evening. Playing with the first half breeze the Johnnies settled quickest through points from Tomas Adams, Lewis Rafferty and Brian Gough. Though Dylan Rodgers got Sarsfields up and running and a goal from Darragh Rocks had the Paddies in the ascendancy. It was level pegging at the interval as Rodgers kicked his second of the half and Adams and Caolan Wilson pointed for the Johnnies to make it 0-05-1-02. Sarsfields had the wind at their backs in the second period and conjured up points from Dylan Fitzpatrick, Aaron Anderson and Noah Dunlop. But the game would be won by two second half goals that fell to the Corrigan Park outfit. Caolan Wilson would add a further point to his solitary first half strike – though he also found the net and another from Tomas Adams would prove the difference between the sides in the end as St Johns claimed the O’Donnell B silverware.
Cargin’s second string got back to winning ways at a cold and windy Toome on Friday evening when they gained the points at the expense of the visiting Gort na Mona.
The Toome men having started the present campaign on the positive with a first round win over Portglenone were knocked out of their stride last time when they lost to St Brigid’s but were quickly out of the start blocks for this one.
The West Belfast side did signal intent when Conor Mc Cann bagged a 9th minute goal but such was soon to be negated when Eunan Quinn nipped through the middle to find the net at the other end.
Eunan Quinn, David Johnston, Odhran Mc Guckin and the indomitable Kieran Close raised early white flags before the visitors grabbed their goal but Quinn’s response at the other end left the home side leading 1-04 to 1-00.
A Eunan Quinn pointed free edged the home side further ahead and although Tiernan Morton replied for the Gorts with a couple of minors at the other end Quinn replied with a couple for the Toome men with PJ Quinn and Kieran Close also raising white flags.
The Erin’s Own had taken firm control as the opening period drew to a close and as half time drew near a superb diagonal long range delivery from Benen Kelly opened the door for corner man PJ Quinn to finish in style to the back of the net.
A 31st minute free by the visitors Tiernan Morton was the last score of the half with Cargin taking respite at 2-09 to 1-03.
Cargin had the breeze at their back for the second half and opened brightly with Conan Kennedy, Odhran Mc Guckin and Ronan Devlin with a long range effort hitting early points.
Gort na Mona were on the back foot but they were about to respond as a superbly delivered Niall Melaney cross opened the way for the incoming Brian Mc Carthy to punch to the back of the net.
An excellent score coming to aid the cause of the visitors but the home side were quick to strike back as Shane Gribbon and replacement Shay Bovill fired between the posts to see their side 2-14 to 2-03 ahead at the three quarter mark. Indeed the gap could have been greater but net minder Brian Burns made an excellent save to deny Ronan Devlin what looked a certain goal.
Back to back points from Niall Melaney kept the visitors fading hopes alive but any glimmer of light was quickly extinguished as Shane Gribbin added back to back points in the Cargin cause with Eunan Quinn, PJ Quinn, and Ronan Devlin following suit and that was that.
Conor Fitzsimmons and the hard working Niall Melaney added late points to the Gort na Mona cause but these were merely consolation scores with Cargin crossing the winning line full value for their 2-20 to 2-08 winning margin.
Cargin: Shay Bovill (0-01), Sean og Quinn, Gerard Mc Corley, Malachi Johnston, Brian og Devlin, Brendan Laverty, Ronan Devlin (0-02), Benen Kelly (0-01), Eunan Quinn (1-05), David Johnston (0-01), Kieran Close (0-04), Shane Gribbon (0-03), PJ Quinn (1-02), Odhran Mc Guckin (0-02), Conan Kennedy (0-01)
Subs
David Mc Elhone for G Mc Corley
Tony Scullion for B Devlin
Mark Keegan for D Johnston
Tomas Laverty for S Bovill
Shay Bovill for O Mc Guckin
Ben Dobbin for S Gribbon
Gort na Mona: Brian Burns, Darren Cahill, Michael Sabhaois, Barry Chambers, Sean Campbell, Ciaran Donnelly, Conor Mc Cann (1-00), Shay Mc Stravog, Brian Mc Carthy (1-00), Aiden Dempster, Niall Melaney (0-04), Tiernan Morton (0-03), Conor Fitzsimmons (0-01), Paul Mullan, Aiden Donnelly
St Brigid’s kept their unbeaten run going after a fine display in the Homefit Senior Football Reserve league against Rossa in Shaws Road on Friday evening. Conan McNicholl put the Malone Road men on the scoreboard first with a fine point and despite both teams having great opportunities it was a Cathal Conway goal that helped settle St Brigid’s. Young Michael McEnhill got Rossa on the scoreboard but Peter Lundy replied with a brace for St Brigid’s which meant they led at the water break by four.
The second quarter saw some excellent football as both teams opened up and it was Rossa who had the better of the exchanges. James Cooley, Gavin McGrath and Conal McDonald began to influence the game and it was no surprise when the hard-working Matthew Mallon found the net after some excellent approach play. The half ended with Conor McAleer and Michael McEnhill exchanging points and St Brigid’s led at halftime 1-7 to 1-4.
St Brigid’s came out in the third quarter and put the Rossa team under great pressure. However, it was only when young halfback Toirealach Brolly put the ball past veteran keeper Declan White that St Brigid’s begin to turn their possession into dominance on the scoreboard. In the end the south Belfast men ran out 12 point winners, and their best players were Tomas McCarney ,Conor Slevin, Peter Lundy, Niall Lundy and Conan McNicholl, while for Rossa they had outstanding performances from Ben McAuley, James Cooley, Michael McEnhill and Gavin McGrath.
