On a sunny afternoon at Quinn Park, All Saints started this game the much brighter team and dominated the first half restricting Tir Na Og to 2 pointed frees.
Saints had 1-4 on the scoreboard before Tir Na Og registered their first point from a free in the 28th minute followed by a 2nd free on the stroke of half time.
Tir Na Og struggled to impose themselves on the game and All Saints were full value for their 7 point half time lead on a score line of 1-6 to 2 points.
Tir Na Og showed their intent at the start of the 2nd half with an early goal scoring chance which was blasted wide. This was a sign of things to come and they gradually started to get a foothold on the game as they pressed higher up the pitch and didn’t allow All Saints time on the ball in their own half.
A defensive mix up led to an early goal by Tir Na Og as they attempted to claw back the half time deficit.
All Saints were temporarily reduced to 14 men early in the 2nd half as they lost a man to a black card.
Tir Na Og continued to pressurise the home defence and by the water break in the 2nd half had taken a 1 point lead on a score line of 1.7 to 1.6.
Both teams then lost a player each to a further black card.
In the closing quarter, Tir Na Og pulled away with 2 further goals as All Saints struggled to retain possession and create scoring chances.
The Ballymena side only scored 3 points (all frees) in the 2nd half and it took 24 minutes before they registered their first score.
A strong 2nd half performance left Tir Na Og full value for their 8
Point win on a score line of 3-11 to 1.9 win.
All Saints will be disappointed with their 2nd half showing and now face a tough trip to Glenravel in mid week. Tir Na Og will have gained belief from their strong 2nd half comeback and have a home fixture against St Pauls.
All Saints: Stephen McAvoy, Joe Rafferty (sub Peter McReynolds 45), Reece O Mullin, Cormac Lemon, Cavan Keenan, Kieran McGarry, Conal Lemon, Emmet Killough, Sean McVeigh(0.1), Benny Mc Donnell (0.2), Michael McCarry (0.5F), Shea O Brien, Matthew Corr, Rory McVeigh (0.1),Ronan McKillop (1.0)
Tir na nOg: 1. SP McAtamney 2. S. Redmond 3. C. McGrellis 4. P. Cullen 5. C. O’Neill 6. B. McCormick 7. C. Duffin 8. R. O’Neill 9. D. McCormick 10. D. Fagan 11. S. Duffin 12. A. McNeilly 13. C. Dobbin 14. A. Tolan 15. C. McKeown Subs: C. Sheerin for R. O’Neill Scorers: C. Dobbin (1.1), B. McCormick (0.1), C. O’Neill (1.1), D. Fagan (0.7- 3 frees), A. Tolan (1.0), A. McNeilly (0.1- 1 free)
TYRONE were very lucky enough to escape with a single point win against visiting Antrim in Páirc Éire Óg Carrickmore yesterday in the opening game of Division 4.
Antrim began well with early scores from Riana Mc Bride (2) and Maria Bakewell while Cara Little responded with a point for Tyrone.
Midway through the first half Tyrone enjoyed a purple patch with four wind assisted scores in a row to put them in front for the first time. Cara Little, Reagan Fay and half backs Gráinne Rafferty and Ciara McGready were the players on target for the Red Hands.
Antrim’s response was a solitary score from the stick of Lauren Barry which sent the teams off at the break with Tyrone leading 0-5 to 0-4 and Antrim were in a healthy enough position with the wind advantage to come in the second half.
However, driven on by goalkeeper Julie Lagan, full back Catherine Muldoon and the half back line of McGready, Rafferty and Cathy Jordan, Tyrone rose to the challenge with Reagan Fay making the most of the chances they got during the second half.
The teams went to 0-8 each just before the second water-break when a half chance was doubled on by captain Laura Barker and it just made it over the line into the Antrim net. Siobhán Donnelly and Reagan Fay quickly added points to open up a 1-10 to 0-8 gap at the second water-break.
Antrim finished strongly with five points and only a single one in reply, but that point from Reagan Fay was enough to see Tyrone over line despite an impressive nine points from Ballycastle Riana McBride, also a rising star at under-age level. Riana was unerringly accurate from frees, but time ran out on the Saffrons.
With young Orla Donnelly of Glenravel unavailable for goals, it was Sarsfield’s veteran Frances Ramsay who stepped into goals at the eleventh hour, and she was composed throughout. Captain Fionnghuala Rocks was solid throughout at full-back as was Caitlin Heggarty in the half back line. Antrim’s midfield of Eimhear Byrne and Orlagh Laverty worked hard to launch attacks from the middle. Riana McBride was the star up front while Maria Bakewell gave a battling performance. The second half substitutes Laura Ferris & Niamh Crothers made a significant contribution with Ferris unlucky not to win the game, her shot brilliantly stopped on the line. So a good start for Antrim at this level. The team as a whole battled very well but at times lacked that the unity that comes from being together over a period of time. Nevertheless some of the passing was superb and Tyrone were lucky enough to escape with the league points.
Elsewhere in the group 2020 Nancy Murray champions wiped out Wicklow on a 5-28 to 0-2 scoreline. Cavan will be visiting Antrim for the second round game this week-end
Kickham’s Creggan got off to a flying start to the 2021 season when, despite being without the services of their county panel, they travelled down to Clooney on Sunday and returned with both points, proving far too strong for the St Mary’s men.
Little separated the sides in the opening phase and in fact the home side opened positivity in the opening exchanges with a a James O’ Connell point to take the lead and more than a few chances went a begging before Jamie Mc Cann split the posts at the other end.
The central defender’s score seemed to light the touch paper in the ranks of the green and Gold and a superb Paddy Cooey goal gave them the lead and aided them to a 1-05 to 0-02 interval advantage.
Cooey went on to raise a trio of white flags in sequence, with big full forward Tiernan Burke adding another.
The arrival on the scene and point from his first touch by PJ O’ Connell in the latter stages of the half hinted at better to come from the Clooney men, but although he went on to double his tally just after the restart the visitors were to dominate the remainder of the game.
James O’ Connell added to the Ahoghill tally with a super finish from 45 metres just after the restart but when replacement Dominic Mc Ateer seized on a defensive mix up to find the net a few minutes later the Kickham’s men were on the march.
McAteer really caught the eye after his introduction was quick to add a couple of points to the major before Aiden Mc Keown, and corner back Sam Maguire followed suit.
The Creggan men had kicked on to lead 2-11 to 0-04 at the second water break and the die at such juncture was most certainly cast.
The home side tried hard in the last quarter but it was all in vain with Creggan, taking the opportunity to add a number of replacements, in complete charge and after the high fielding Tiernan Burke found the net Oran Mc Larnon, who had worked hard throughout, grabbed a late score to see the Kickham’s men breast the line at 3-13 to 0-04.
Teams
Ahoghill
Francis Neeson, Diarmuid Graham, James Magee, Bernard Graham, Eamon Brady, Paddy Dougan, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Tom Mc Glone, Patrick Graham, Eoin Graham, James O’ Connell (0-02), Dan O’ Neill, Ronan Graham, Colla Mc Donald
Subs
PJ O’ Connell (0-02) for D Graham
Eoin Neeson for C Mc Donald
Stephen O’ Connell for R Graham
Gerard Graham for D O’ Neill
Creggan
Leon Bonnes, Cory Ethan Small, Eunan Mc Ateer, Sam Maguire (0-01), Aodhan Maguire, Jamie Mc Cann (0-02), Ricky Johnston, Caolan Mc Cann, Dermot Mc Cann, Paddy Cooey (1-04), David Mc Guckin, Aiden Mc Keown (0-01), Sean Duffin, Tiernan Burke (1-01-02), Oran Mc Larnon (0-01)
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 – Group B – Sunday May 16
Antrim 3-15 Kilkenny 1-28
Brendan McTaggart reports from UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
A case of what might have been. Despite a barnstorming second half that saw Antrim score 2-3 without reply, the class of the Cats shone through. Kilkenny the victors with seven points to spare over Antrim but the Saffrons gave the home side their fill of it and more to in a much improved second half.
James McNaughton who scored six points for Antrim in Sunday’s Division 1 League clash with Kilkeny at Nowlan Park
James McNaughton top scored for Darren Gleeson’s men with four of his six points coming from play while Ciaran Clarke, Conal Cunning and Neil McManus scored the goals that raised Antrim hopes. Kilkenny rallied with Alan Murphy, Eoin Cody and Padraig Walsh in particular outstanding, Murphy top scoring with 13 points (nine frees) overall while Cody scored their goal in the first half.
The Saffrons had further goal opportunities throughout, but some heroic defending and top drawer goal keeping kept them at bay. Their second half performance was much improved from the opening 35 but their learning curve and adventurous journey continuous.
Antrim started brightly with Conor McCann scoring the opening point of the game with barely a minute on the clock but the Saffrons didn’t register another score until the 13th minute. From then, James Bergin and Alan Murphy wrecked havoc with their pace and ability on the inside forward line.
The Cats radar wasn’t exactly clinical in that opening quarter but with Alan Muprhy and his two corner wizards on form, the home side rattled over six points unanswered before James McNaugghton scored Antrim’s second point in the 13th minute. Indeed, it could have been worse for Darren Gleeson’s men but for some top defending and a stumble from Adrian Mullen when he was through on goal.
Ciaran Clarke breaks through the Kilkenny defence to set Conal Cunning up for a goal
Kilkenny didn’t have long to wait for their major however with Eoin Cody finding the back of Ryan Elliott’s net in the 23rd minute. They led by four points with the scoreboard reading 0-7 to 0-3 in their favour when Cody and Richie Reid combined to cut open the Antrim defence.
The Saffrons responded well with Niall McKenna splitting the uprights with the next attack but Bergin, Mullen and Murphy (free) found the target with Antrim’s only response coming from a McNaughton free.
Antrim were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute. Keelan Molloy dragged to the ground by Conor Browne when through on goal, the Kilkenny man seeing the sin bin for ten minutes but Darren Brennan was equal to Ciaran Clarke’s effort.
Murphy (free) and Gerard Walsh swapped scores before the short whistle to leave Kilkenny ahead 1-11 to 0-6 at the interval.
Antrim centre-back Paddy Burke gets clear of his marker while Eoghan campbell looks on.
The third quarter belonged to Antrim. Despite not fully taking advantage of the extra player, by the 45th minute they were back all square. Three unanswered points in as many minutes from McCann and McNaughton (two) preceded two Saffron majors. Joe Maskey and McNaughton involved in the build up before Clarke found Coby Cunning in space. He made no mistake despite Kilkenny ‘keeper Darren Brennan reducing the angle.
The second major came just two minutes later. Keelan Molloy delivering a long ball to McManus who won the sliotar on the edge of the square. He got his shot away and while Brennan saved, Clarke was on hand to pull the sliotar to the back of the waiting Kilkenny goals.
A huge turnaround but Kilkenny responded like champions. Eight unanswered points with Murphy, Bergin and Mullen the chief tormentors as they opened daylight between the sides going into the final 15 minutes.
Antrim came back once again. Their third green flag came with eight minutes remaining. Paddy Burke delivering long where Clarke unselfishly found McManus in space. The angle was against him but McManus drove with such ferocity, Brennan had no chance between the sticks.
The home side never let the Saffrons gather momentum however. Mullen, Murphy (two) and Martin Keoghan firing over with just a Clarke free the solitary response from Antrim in a five minute spell.
Antrim laid siege on the Kilkenny goal to try and get a fourth major that could see them rock Kilkenny once more and but for the width of the crossbar, McManus would have added to his own goal tally. A rasping 21 yard free coming back off the woodwork while he couldn’t beat the five Kilkenny men on the line in injury time.
A victory for the Cats by seven points but Antrim showed again, especially in the second half, they are a side who are improving and relishing playing at the top table. The journey moved to Parnell Park next Saturday with Dublin the next challenge.
Antrim’s Conor Johnston passed the ball back to team mate Michael Bradley who sent over the last point of the game.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Damon McMullan, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Eoghan Campbell, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Neil McManus, Keelan Molloy; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Conal Cunning, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke
Sub: Eoin O’Neill for N McKenna (49); Domhnall Nugent for K Molloy (52); Conor Johnston for C Cunning (52); Phelim Duffin for S Rooney (55); Dan McCloskey for C McCann (63); Shea Shannon for C Clarke (66); Ciaran Johnston for S Rooney (66)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-6 (2f); C Clarke 1-3 (3f); C Cunning 1-1; N McManus 1-1; C McCann 0-2; G Walsh 0-1; N McKenna 0-1
Kilkenny: Darren Brennan; Tommy Walsh, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan; David Blanchfield, Padraig Walsh, Conor Browne; Richie Reid, Cillian Bukley; Liam Blanchfield, Eoin Cody, Martin Keoghan; James Bergin, Adrian Mullen, Alan Murphy
Subs: John Donnelly for L Blanchfield (ht); Joey Holden for P Deegan (45); Conor Fogarty for R Reid (56); Tadgh O’Dwyer for J Bergin (61); Michael Carey for C Buckley (66); Eoin O’She for E Cody (blood sub inj)
Scorers: A Murphy 0-13 (9f); J Bergin 0-4; E Cody 1-1; C Browne 0-2; A Mullen 0-3; M Keoghan 0-2; John Donnelly 0-1; R Reid 0-1; P Deegan 0-1
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin)
Antrim manager Darren Gleeson congratulates his Kilkenny counterpart Brian Coady at the end of the game.
A goal in injury time from Peter Henvey earned visitors St. Brigid’s the points in this excellent ACFL Division 1 game in Portglenone today. The Casement’s had led most of the way and held a two point advantage with time almost up when Henvey struck to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
It was visitors St. Brigid’s who got off to the better start and Michael Cummins rose to palm a Ronan Boyle cross to the net in the first minute with Peter Webb adding a point to put them four in front with only two minutes on the clock.
Michael Hagan opened the home sides account from a close range free in the 4th minute but it was the Musgrave Park side who were enjoying the better of the early exchanges and they replied with a fine point from Ronan Boyle to move four in front once more.
Slowly the home side settled however with Fergal O’Kane pointing from play and Michael Hagan adding another free and one from play to leave just one it by the 10th minute.
It was end to end stuff with both sides contesting every ball and the impressive Peter Webb edged his side further ahead from a free and then Port’s keeper Ryan O’Neill reached high above his own crossbar to prevent what looked a certain point.
Play swung to the other end of the field again and Michael Hagan was wide from a free but redeemed himself when he punished another infringement to send over in the 27th minute and leave his side trailing by the minimum at the break.
St. Brigid’s Peter Webb takes on Connor McGhee, Portglenone
It was St. Brigid’s who threatened first on the restart but Peter Webb had a shot blocked down and then fired wide from a difficult angle before Fergal O’Kane replied at the other end to level the scores after five minutes play.
Casement’s were beginning to get on top and Michael Hagan pointed a close range free to put them in front for the first time as St. Brigid’s introduced Callum Webb for Reuben Carleton in an effort to curtail a lively home attack.
The home side were now enjoying a bit of success with Michael Hagan and Oisin Doherty operating as a two man forward line with a good deal of success and Doherty pointed an excellent free from out on the right after being fouled himself.
Aidan McAleese added another to move his side three in front by the 14th minute but St. Brigid’s replied through Peter Webb and James Smith frees to leave just one in it again at the second water break.
On the restart Oisin Doherty struck an excellent point from play and another from a free as the foul count for both sides mounted but Peter Henvey converted another free at the other end to keep his side in touch with seven minutes remaining.
It looked Portglenone’s to lose but significantly they hit a number of wides at this stage of the game with St. Brigid’s launching one last attack and Peter Henvey cut in from the left to fire past the advancing Rian O’Neill and give his side a lead they were to maintain to the final whistle.
A thoroughly entertaining game of football with both side fiercely contesting every ball and each sides enjoying periods of ascendancy but Portglenone will feel that they did enough to win it in the end and will be disappointed to have conceded that late goal while St. Brigid’s will be delighted with the result.
St. Brigid’s players celebrate Peter Henvey’s late goal while Casement’s keeper, Rian O’Neill looks back in despair
Casement’s: Rian O’Neill, Connor McGhee, Shane Delargy, Ronan Delargy, Ryan Convery, Ruairi Hagan, Caolan Tierney, Michael Donnelly, Paddy Kelly, Adrian McKeever, Niall Delargy, Fergal O’Kane, ,Michael Kelly, Michael Hagan, Oisin Doherty.
Subs: Conal Delargy for Michael Hagan, Ronan Kelly for Aidan McAleese, Gerard McAleese for Paddy Kelly, Cioran McKenna for Michael Kelly.
St. Brigid’s: Declan Heery, Reuben Carelton, Niall McDonald, Conor King, John Morgan, John Toner, Peter King, Michael Cummins, Jack Dowling, Ronan Boyle, Ryan Tweedy, Peter Webb, Patrick Finnegan, Joseph Finnegan, Peter Henvey, Subs: Callum Webb for Reuben Carleton, Odhran Boyle and Ronan Devlin for John Morgan and Niall Lundy.
Referee: Eamon McAuley (Erin’s Own)
Team captains, Patrick Finnegan, St. Brigid’s and Dermot McAleese, Portglenone with referee Eamon McAuley (Cargin)
