Month / June 2021

by thesaffrongael

Lámhs shade it in the Ballymena heat

ACHL Division 4 

All Saint’s Ballymena 1-12 – 1-14 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Quinn Park 

Lámh Dhearg finished the first series of the league unbeaten- but only just- after working hard to overcome All Saint’s Ballymena 1-14-1-12 at Quinn Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Leading through an early Fionn Mervyn point the Saint’s pulled level through marksman for the day Ciaran Neeson from a close range free. 

Daniel Murray split the posts, but Neeson replied from a second free and then gave his side the lead with a flick to the net past Francis Dugan from Damian Gillan’s floated cross to make it 1-02-0-02 after five minutes. 

Murray converted his second free of the afternoon and he was involved in his sides next score, linking up with Declan Straney who sent his shot straight between the posts to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum. 

All Saint’s moved two ahead again after Neeson withstood the pressure of Paddy Mervyn and was able to steer the ball directly between the posts. 

The visitors edged ahead with the last attack before the first half water break. 

Paddy Mervyn spotted a gap and attempted to thread a pass through to younger cousin Niall McGarry, Luke O’Rawe failed to clear the danger and McGarry went through for a goal chance which was originally parried to safety by keeper Ciaran Cassley- but Gerard Smyth was waiting to tuck away the rebound and give his side a 1-04-1-03 lead. 

McGarry would find a point upon the resumption, but All Saint’s pulled level – Daire Hasson was chopped in midfield and Neeson converted his third free of the afternoon, a fourth would follow after Tiarnan McKenna felled Neeson and the full-forward tapped over in front of the posts to restore parity. 

Lámh Dhearg were ahead again as Murray converted a 65’ – however it was all square at the break with Damian Gillan pointing from range to make it 1-06 apiece at the interval. 

The hosts settled quickly after the break with a brace of Neeson free’s moving them two to the good. 

Daniel Murray halved the deficit after charging down the channel and accurately firing it over and he would convert his fourth placed ball of the afternoon to level. 

Neeson (free) and Murray would trade further points before Lámh Dhearg hit the front for the first time in the half after Padraig Magill chopped down on the stick of Murray who would convert the resulting free. 

All Saint’s levelled through a Neeson free as the game was finely balanced approaching the final quarter. 

Daniel Murray conjured up his eighth of afternoon and fifth from play with a terrific angled effort, though Neeson converted his ninth free of the proceedings and it was 1-11 apiece. 

Ryan Diamond instantly restored his sides lead and a fine Fionn Mervyn point would open up a 1-13-1-11 lead. 

Ciaran Neeson converted his final free of the afternoon in response, but Daniel Murray did likewise at the other end. 

All Saint’s almost nicked it at the end with Cory Little’s shot bouncing invitingly in front of Francis Dugan who cleared at the second attempt as Lámh Dhearg held on for a 1-14-1-12 victory which will see them take on St Brigid’s in the league quarter-final on July 11th. 

All Saint’s: C Cassley, D McKee, C McAfee, K Brady, Colum Neeson, L O’Rawe, T Diamond, P Magill, D Hasson, C Magill, D Gillan (0-01), S O’Rawe, C Little, Ciaran Neeson (1-11, 0-10f), J Magill. Subs: D Hasson for C Magill (40). 

Lámh Dhearg: F Dugan, C Nolan, T McKenna, C Boyd, P Fitzsimons, P Mervyn, SP Gibson, R Diamond (0-01), M Hamill, F Mervyn (0-02), D Straney (0-01), D Murray (0-09, 0-05f), R Fegan, G Smyth (1-00), N McGarry (0-01). Subs: E Murray for D Straney (40), A Ferris for N McGarry (42), N McGuigan for P Fitzsimons (58). 

Referee: Lorenzo McMullan (Bredagh)

by thesaffrongael

Black magic set Glenarm up for another win

Report and pics by Pete Hyndman

Three goals and seven points from the versatile Daniel Black sealed another victory for Glenarm as they beat St Teresa’s in Sunday’s Division 3 game at Feystown.

Before proceedings today there was a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Owen O Neill who passed away this morning , father of present Senior Team Joint Manager Pat. Both clubs, officials and supporters all fell silent impeccably. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
After just a few seconds of play Dylan Mc Laughlin struck his first point, shortly afterwards a darting run up near the side-line resulted in Mc Laughlin’s second score. On three minute’s Darren Hamill lit the sky up with a free from all of 95 yards. The home side’s effort was intense early on , blue wave after blue wave of excellent play leading to Daniel Black on a pulsating 40 yard dash and burying the sliotar beyond St. Teresa’s keeper Niall Mc Cann.
On four minute’s Philly Maguire lobbed over an away point from out on the wing for St. Teresa’s first score.
Young Aidan Scullion was cleaning up any dirty balls and on one occasion he found Dan Black in space who drove another score over the away teams crossbar. Black also claimed his second major when he rammed home from 20 yards after a nice pass from Kevin O Boyle before Ciaran Magill added to Glenarm’s tally with a point.

With the game quickly getting away from them, the Glen Road boys hit back to back score’s from Philly Maguire and Stephen Carey but Ciaran Magill replied with his second point for the home side before the first water break.

Maguire, who was the visitors’ player providing the main threat, added to the Belfast side’s scoreline with two points, the first score from a “65” and one from play.
Dan Black scored a great point from midfield, which was cancelled out with another converted free from Maguire.
but this only raised the tempo of the Feystown team who carved out 1-04 without reply in the following minutes. Dylan Mc Laughlin and Ciaran Magill both raised the white flag before Magill turned provider when he fed Dan Black who slammed home his third goal to the delight of the home crowd.
Philly Maguire hit his sixth point for the visitor’s, before nippy corner forward for Glenarm Kevin O Boyle found his range and hit a sweet point to leave the half time score Shane O’Neill’s 3-12 St Teresa’s 0-7

After the restart the home side carried on where they left off and score’s from Mc Laughlin, plus a double from classy Ciaran Magill stretched their advantage.

St Teresa’s got a bit of respite when Anthony Varndell looped in a high ball which evaded keeper Niall Hamill and fell into the back of the net!

There was then a passage of play where both sets of defenders cancelled each other out with the rearguard clearing any threat. In particular for Glenarm with Darren Hamill, Aidan Scullion, Hugh Pat Mc Neill and Ben O Boyle all deserving their plaudits.

In the final quarter after the short water break, Maguire and Ciaran Rouse slotted over points for the visiting team which turned out to be their last in this game!

The remaining time all belonged to Shane O’Neills who hit a purple patch and hit 4-02 without reply.
Ciaran Magill’s goal came from a cute four-man-move, starting at midfield with some deft hand passing moves from midfield to feed the county starlet who buried his shot in the corner of the net. A Dan Black point split the uprights before Dylan Mc Laughlin dispatched the ball into the onion bag!!
In between two points from Magill and sub Ciaran “Murph” O Boyle, Liam Mulvenna showed his intent when he hit a brace with a cute first goal and the latter was a perfectly struck volley beyond the Naomh Treasa keeper.

To their credit St. Teresa’s tried hard but couldn’t match the work-rate of the opposition. Philly and Sean Maguire along with Colm Mc Goldrick all battled hard.

For the home side they announced themselves into this game right from the start with constant swarms of attack, engineering point after point. The defence where immense and didn’t give the opposition forwards any chance. Solid work over the hour by Hugh Pat Mc Neill, Darren Hamill, and Aidan Scullion for the backs, Paddy Mc Auley and Ben O’Boyle stood strong at midfield. Glenarm had eight different scorers with Daniel Black, Ciaran Magill, Dylan Mc Laughlin and Liam Mulvenna being the pick of the best efforts.

Shane O’Neills

Niall Hamill, Ciaran O Boyle,Barry Hamill, Aidan O Neill, Hugh Pat Mc Neill, Darren Hamill 1f, Aidan Scullion, Paddy Mc Auley, Ben O Boyle, Sean O Boyle -01, Daniel Black 3-07, Dylan Mc Laughlin 1-04, Kevin O Boyle -01, Ciaran Magill1-08, 2f, Conal Ward.
subs. Liam Mulvenna 2-00, Ciaran O Boyle -01. Paul Magill, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Sean O Hare, Ciaran Finnegan, Ryan Millar, Darryl Mc Mullan, Joe Cunning, Gerard Scullion.

St. Teresa

Neill Mc Cann, Philip Glennon, Gerard O Rawe, Niall Mc Gettigan, James Magorrian, Philly Maguire -07 3 f, 1″65″, Sean Maguire, Colm Mc Goldrick, Conor O Rawe, Ciaran Rouse -01, Anthony Varndell 1-00, Darren Mc Cann , Ciaran Mc Cool, Stephen Carey -01, Conal Burns.

REFEREE Mark McDonald (St Gall’s)

by thesaffrongael

Coulter goal seals win for Ballygalget

Ballygalget 1-21

Loughgiel 0-18

By Darach O’Mullan

A strong start for the Shamrocks was ushered in by a quick point by Christy McGarry and another by Rian McMullan. However, the home team were constantly pushing forward with scores by Cormac Coulter and Owen McDermott. By the first water break, Loughgiel were leading by two points, but Ballygalget were much more organised in their defence which inevitably countered Loughgiel’s efforts. Rian McMullan continued to persevere alongside Daniel McCloskey, but frees taken by Marc Fisher and Cormac Coulter tightened the scoreline. By half time, Loughgiel were ahead with nine points to Ballygalget’s eight points.

Ballygalget entered the second half with a fast paced start, as Cormac Coulter scored once more. He was subsequently followed by Ciaran Watson and Owen McDermott. Christy McGarry and Cormac McFadden tried hard to counter the incoming challenge by the home team, but a goal by Cormac Coulter pushed Ballygalget ahead before the second water break on a score of 1-16 to 0-16. The final fifteen minutes had little flow, though Rian McMullan scored two more points from frees for the Shamrocks. However Ballygalet were now on top and Tim Prenter and Cormac Coulter solidified their lead as they pushed on to win by six.

Ballygalget 

1. Eoin Clarke 2. Joseph Smyth 3. Peter McManus 4. Eoin Pucci 5. Paul McManus 6. Eoin Coulter 7.  Michael Toner 8. Tim Prenter 9. Jordan Doran 10. Ciaran Watson 12. Marc Fisher 13. Caolan Coulter 14. Owen McDermott 15. Cormac Coulter 16. Aaron Crowe 17. Ryan Watson 18. Conall Fay 19. James Higgins 20. James McGrath 21. Jon Fisher 22. Oisin Coulter 23. Niall Gilmore 25. Rory Coulter 26. Rossa McGrath 28. Oran O’Connor

Loughgiel 

1. Chrissy O’Connell 2. Ciaran McKay 3. Rory McCloskey 4. Ronan McCloskey 5. Enda Óg McGarry 6. Declan McCloskey 7. Daniel McPeake 8. Daniel McCloskey 9. Donal McKinley 10. Christy McGarry 11. Callum McKendry 13. Rian McMullan 14. John Francis Connolly 15. Shan McGrath 17. Michael McGarry 18. Christy Dickson 

by thesaffrongael

All Saints pay the penalty as St. Enda’s finish strongly

U17 Football League Division 1

All Saints 2-4 St. Enda’s 3-8

When TP McGurk struck a second goal for All Saints, nine minutes into this U17 football league game against St. Enda’s at Quinn Park today, the Ballymena side looked to be on their way to victory but they simply flattered to deceive.

They seemed to take their eye off the ball at this stage and the visitors, inspired by the excellent Sean Murray at mid-field slowly grasped control before going on to dominate the contest in the second half.

McGurk’s goal came after an excellent individual effort from his All Saints colleague, Paul O’Boyle and put his side four in front but St. Enda’s recovered from that shaky start with points from Ryan Kelly and Sean Murray and when Murray fired to the net in the 19th minute it was all square.

Kelly pointed his side ahead for the first time with Darrach Bradley briefly restoring parity with a point at the other end but it was the visitors who finished on top with points from Malachi McKibbon, Conor Bradley and Sean Murray to lead 1-7 to 2-2 at the break, the All Saints final point coming from Paul O’Boyle.

After the break it was the visitors who continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges with the All Saints short passing game breaking down time and again and their cause certainly wasn’t helped when they conceded two penalties which Aidan Kelly expertly tucked away.

Ryan Thom, who with Archie McGreevey, Aodhan McGarry and Dara Killough were best in an overworked All Saints defence, got forward for a good point for the Ballymena side with their only other score of the half coming from Oisin O’Mullan but they were unable to penetrate a solid St. Enda’s defence.

Sean Murray led the way for the visitors, ably assisted by Aidan Kelly at mid-field with Eoghan O’Hare, Malachi McKibbon and Ryan Kelly others to catch the eye in a solid team performance.

  • Aidan Kelly (9) turns away after scoring one of two penalties in his side’s win over All Saints today
by thesaffrongael

Ruairis snatch it with late burst

Doherty Woodshavings Hurling League – Division 1

Cushendall 1- 23 St John’s 0-25

A goal and two points in injury time gave Cushendall victory over visitors St John’s at Pairc Mhuir on Sunday in a top class game that produced no less that 49 scores. It is not often a team will score 25 times in a 60 minute game and not win, but that is what happened to the Johnnies on Sunday. The appeared to have the game won when Oisin Donnelly’s point put them four clear going into second half injury time, but a Christy McNaughton goal turned the game on its head and though Aaron Bradley put St John’s back ahead with a foint in the 64th minute, Cushendall came back with two inside a minute from Emmet Laverty and Christy McNaughton to snatch the win

Some great scores from Aaron Bradley, one directly from a sideline cut, plus excellent points from Domhnal Nughent, Conal Morgan, Andrew Magown and Ciaran Kerr saw the Corrigan Park men lead at the end of a high scoring first half.

A point from centre forward Oisin Donnelly increased their lead to three just after the restart but hit their best spell of the game and four points in a row from Alex Delargy (2), Scott Walsh and Christy McNaughton saw them edge ahead. It was score for score for the rest of the second half, but when went three clear entering injury time they appeared to be going home with the league points.

However Cushendall never gave up the fight and a goal direct from a free from Christy McNaughton got them going again, before Laverty and McNaughton sealed it and left the luckless Johnnies empty handed.

CUSHENDALL

Eoin Gillan, Terry McAlister, Martin Burke, Liam Gillan, Scott Walsh, Ryan McCambridge, Ruairi McCollum, Alex Delargy, Fred McCurry, Conor Carson, Christy McNaughton, Fergus McCambridge, Niall McCormick, Emmet Laverty, Andrew Delargy.

ST JOHN’S

Simon Doherty, Jack Bohill, Ryan McNulty, Louis Boyd, Stephen Tierney, Conall Morgan, Ciaran Kerr, Andrew Magowan, Michial Dudley, Ciaran McKenna, Oisin Donnelly, Domhnal Nughent, Donal Carson, Conor Hand, Aaron Bradley

REFEREE – Mark O’Neill (Armoy)