Month / June 2021

by thesaffrongael

Kelly hat-trick paves the way for Casement’s victory

Homefit ACFL Division One

Casement’s Portglenone 7-12 St Mary’s Aghagallon 1-07

A Stephen Kelly hat trick initiated in the opening period and completed in the third quarter was the prominently feature as the Bannsider’s returned to winning ways with a resounding victory over Aghagallon at Kelly Park on Sunday.

The home side took a time to find their feet and in fact they had recorded a wide tally reaching double figures before the end of the first period.

 A 14th minute Ruairi Hagen goal steadied the ship however and further goals from full forward Stephen Kelly (2-0), and Michael Hagen ensured a more than healthy 4-04 to 1-02 interval advantage.  

Aghagallon with pace aplenty from Ruairi McShane and Michael McStravick showed a clean pair of heels to the home side’s on more than one occasion and had looked very much in contention in the latter stages of the opening half when Stephen Brannigan bagged a splendid 25th minute goal.

At such juncture the home side were 1-04 to 1-02 ahead but they put an error strewn period behind them as Stephen Kelly found the net following a Ryan Convery approach in the 26th minute.

Full forward Kelly added another major a couple of minutes later and when Michael Hagen grabbed their fourth they had moved into a 4-04 to 1-02 interval lead as the sides took a well-deserved break in the hot conditions.

Aghagallon had the breeze behind them for the second half but it was the Casements men who were quicker out of the start blocks as Oisin Doherty and Michael Hagen added points before mid-fielder Fergal O’ Kane opened the way for Aiden McAleese to punch to the net.

The wing half forward was to claim the resultant kick out and promptly return post haste between the posts before a clever flick set up Stephen Kelly to finish to the back of the net to complete his hat trick.

The die was now well and truly cast with Portglenone now 6-07 to 1-02 ahead and it was as good as over, even at this stage.

Aghagallon replied with back to back points from Pat Brannigan and Michael Mc Stravick before the home side were reduced in number when late replacement Coary McLoughlin was shown black.

It failed to disrupt the Portglenone dominance however as Stephen Kelly, Ryan Doherty, and Conor Magee raised white flags in sequence.

It was over as a contest at this stage but the visitors soldiered on with the excellent Jack Lenaghan leading the charge as he followed Pat Brannigan, Michael Mc Stravick by splitting the posts.

 The home side had the final say however as Stephen Kelly added a late point before setting up Ryan Convery’s to add a late goal.

Casement’s: Ryan O’Neill, Jonny Convery, Shane Delargy, Ronan Delargy, Ryan Convery (1-01), Ruairi Hagen (1-00), Conor Magee (0-01), Ciaran Lynch, Fergal O’ Kane, Aiden Mc Aleese (1-03), Michael Kelly (0-02), Caolan Tierney, Michael Hagen (1-02), Stephen Kelly (3-02), Oisin Doherty (0-01)

Subs

Ciaran Mc Kenna for C Tierney

Gerard Mc Aleese for M Hagen

Patrick Graffin for R Hagen

Corey Mc Laughlin for F O’ Kane

Paddy Kelly for M Kelly

Aghagallon: Conor Mc Kavanagh, Stephen Devlin, Aiden Mulholland, Seannen Donnelly, Jamie Lamont, Rian O’ Neill, Stephen Brannigan (1-00), Jack Lenehan (0-02), Mark Mc Afee, Ruairi Mc Shane (0-01), Michael Mc Stravick (0-03), Hugh Hannon, Pat Brannigan (0-01)

Subs

Chris Mc Grath for J Lamont (inj)

Referee K Doherty (Rasharkin)

C Mc Aleese for N Mc Shane

C Hamill for L Russel

Referee: Karl Doherty (Rasharkin)

by thesaffrongael

Gall’s peak too soon

ACHL Div. 2

St. Galls 1.11 v Creggan 3.08.

By Joe Rice at Milltown

The Milltown men got off to a flying start in the glorious sunshine and playing with the wind they led Creggan 0.05 to no score going into the first water break. – Points from Dubhaltach MacLean 0.01, Marcus Donnelly, 0.02 and Mark Napier 0.02.    The home side won a 20 m free and Napier in his attempt to kill off the game blasted the ball low directly at Creggan’s Teddy McKeown who saved it off the hurl and drove it deep into the Gall’s defence line.   Then out of nowhere, the visitors’ Morgan Nelson sprinted 20 yards and rattled the home side’s net.  St Galls responded from the puck out with a superb goal from Patrick Friel but this was to be the home side’s last score until the short whistle while Nelson doubled his goal tally and added 3 fine points from frees to leave the lough-shore lads up by 1 point as the half time whistle blew.

Half Time Score:    St. Galls 1.05 v Creggan 2.03

St. Galls drew level within 2 minutes of the break – a point on the run from Mark Napier followed minutes later from another half-back, Dara Delaney, making a dash through the mid-field before sending the ball between the posts.    Ciaran Rice levelled the proceedings just before Nelson got his hat-trick to put Creggan 3 points up.  As we headed to the last 15 minutes, both sides traded 5 points apiece – Creggan, 3 more points from Nelson and their final score from veteran, Sam Maguire.  St. Galls needed a second goal to get them out of trouble and they battled on determined – points from Marcus Donnelly, Patrick Friel  2 more from Mark Napier.  Both sides scored 6 apiece in the 2nd half but it was Nelson’s 3rd goal that sealed the deal scoring 3.06 on the day.

St. Galls – No.1 Curtis McGreevy, No.2 Lorcan O’Ciarain, No.3 Stephen Morrison, No.4 Dara Delaney (0.01), No.5 David Churchill, No.6 Nial O’Neill, No.7 Ewan Rush, No.8 Jack Hopkinson, No.9 Fergus Donnelly, No.10 Marcus Donnelly (0.03), No.11 Connla McCarthy, No.12 Patrick Friel (0.01), No.13 Dubhaltach MacLiam (0.01), No.14 Oran McIlhatton, No.15 Mark Napier (0.05), No.17 Cormac Sheehan, No.18 Aodh Mullan, No.19 Conor Stinton, No.20 Eoghan McCrudy, No.21 Ronan Crossen.

CREGGAN – No.1 Emmet Long, No.2 Declan McCann, No.3 Thomas McCann, No.4 Dannan O’Hara, No.5 Lee Johnston, No.6 Aidan McKeown, No.7 Jake McAteer, No.8 Sam Maguire (0.01), No.9 Aidan Maguire, No.10 Mick Maguire, No.11 Morgan Nelson (3.06), No.12 Dermot Mulholland, No.13 Matthew Nelson, No.14 Ciaran Rice (0.01), No.15 Sean Donnelly, No.16 Joe Smith, No.17 Oliver Duffin, No.18 Sean McAuley.

by thesaffrongael

Armoy get their second win

Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Armoy Glen Rovers 0-17 Tir na nÓg 0-9

Glen Rovers Armoy recorded only their second league win of the season when they beat Tir na nÓg in Sunday’s game in Armoy. The home team held the upper hand against a somewhat understrength Randalstown team and were full value for their win. Three points from Conor Christie and one each from PJ McBride, Tommy Burns and Emmet O’Hara saw Armoy open up a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the first water break.

Ciaran Logan was keeping Tir na nÓg in touch with some neat points but the home team pushed on and were 0-10 to 0-5 clear at half time as O’Hara and Christie caught the eye.

The second half saw a similar pattern with PJ McBride, Conor Christie and Emmet O’Hara finding the target for the Glen Rovers while Ciaran Logan Niall Devlin and Emmet Martin replied for the visitors and they finished eight clear at the final whistle to get their season up and running.

ARMOY

Conor Devlin, Tiernan McCaughan, Shane Devlin, Joe McFetridge,  Liam Dillon, Joe McBride, Calum Coyle, Arthur Devlin, Conor Christie, Tommy Burns, Emmet O’Hara, Tim Burns, Tarlach McBride, Conor Waterson

TIR NA NOG

Dominic Martin, Ethan Higgins, Tony Martin, Oliver McAtamney, Declan Mallon, Neil Shannon, Manus Smith, Ciaran McKeown, Kevin Kerr, Ciaran Logan, Joshua Higgins, Niall Devlin,  Darragh Fagan, Conor McCamphill.

REFEREE – Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

by thesaffrongael

Gaels hammer understrength Eoghan Ruadh

ACHL; Div.2

Cloney Gaels 5-23 Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh 0-7

A severely depleted, Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh proved no match for a rampant Cloney Gaels in Ahoghill today. The Tyrone side arrived in Ahoghill minus a large proportion of their team who are not permitted to play because of county duty and after hanging in during the opening quarter the floodgates opened.

The writing was on the wall from early on however with the Ahoghill side shooting seven wides during the opening exchanges and indeed it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a point from a Branan Molloy ‘65’ in the 5th minute to take the lead but it was to be short lived.

Points from Donal Graham and Eoin Graham and a goal from Ronan Graham left the home side four in front at the end of the opening quarter with Branan Molloy replying from a free and Padraig McHugh sending over a massive point from play for Eoghan Ruadh.

James O’Connell then began to stamp his mark on proceedings as he pointed three frees and another from play with youngster, Colla McDonnell also on target to put the home side 1-7 to 0-3 ahead by the 25th minute.

Branan Molloy replied from a free for the visitors before a flowing move from deep in defence by the Cloney men saw Owen Neeson placed in the clear and he fired to the net. James O’Connell from a free and Ronan Graham from play concluded the first half scoring to leave the Ahoghill side 2-9 to 0-4 ahead at the short whistle.

Cloney Gaels introduced PJ O’Connell and Danny O’Neill at the start of the second half and PJ announced his introduction with a goal in the second minute. With the breeze at their backs the home side continued to press as Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell 0-2 frees, and Eoin Graham added points.

The visitors were now fighting a desperate rear guard action though to their credit they battled manfully against almost impossible odds and Eoin Graham got in for goal number four in the 10th minute with PJ O’Connell placing Colla McDonnell for a fifth major, three minutes later.

James O’Connell added two more points from frees and Martin Graham pulled off a great save at the other end as the Tyrone side threated. It was soon back to defence for Eoghan Ruadgh however as James O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and James O’Connell from a ‘65’ and another free moved the Ahoghill men out of sight by the final whistle to leave them top of their group and a place in the play-offs.

Cloney Gaels: Martin Graham, Harry O’Donnell, Bernard Graham, James Magee, Fionnbar O’Neill, Neil O’Connell, Eamonn Brady, Thomas McGlone, Gerard Graham, Owen Neeson, Eoin Graham, Ronan Graham , Colla McDonnell, Donal Graham, James O’Connell. Subs:

PJ O’Connell for Donal Graham, Dan O’Neill for Thomas McGlone, Bernard Graham for Neil O’Connell, Dominic Neeson  for Eoin Graham, Ryan McPeake for Gerard Graham

Eoghan Ruadgh: John Devine, Brian Rush, Brian McGiloway, Eoghan Orr, Mark McCann, Padraig McHugh, Dan McCrudden, Josh Ferguson, Ben Gormley, Branan Molloy, Piaras McErlean, Cathal McErlean, Matthew Mulgrew, Cormac Hughes, Turlough Mullan. Subs: Josh Campbell, Niall Tennyson

Referee : Tarlach Conway (Ballinascreen)

  • Hugh Dobbin presents a set of jerseys on behalf of Dobbin Brothers Contracts to Cloney Gaels Fionnbar O’Newill and Frank Neeson
by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains hold off Ballycran challenge

Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Hurling League Division One

Dunloy 3-13 Ballycran 2-14

Sunday June 27

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy recorded their third league win of the season on Sunday afternoon as they edged past Ballycran with just two points to spare.  This was an entertaining game of hurling with both sides contributing to a compelling 60 minutes of hurling.

Chrissy McMahon top scored on the day with his 2-4 all coming from play as he formed a blistering inside forward line with Seaan Elliott.  Elliott scoring the Cuchullains third goal and a further two points himself.

After a slow start, Ballycran matched the home side for long periods with Phelim Savage pulling the strings for the Ardsmen while Gerard Hughes at centre half looked to dictate.  Huw Flynn top scored with all of his six points coming from placed ball on the day while Savage and James Clarke bagged the goals for the visitors to Pearse Park.

While the Cuchullains started like a house on fire with McMahon’s goal putting them in an early four point lead, Ballycran kept in touch with Savage finding the back of Callum Mullan’s net after good work from Ben Arthurs. 

The second Cuchullain goal came soon after the first half water break, Seaan Elliott showing his searing pace before finishing superbly as the home side held a four point lead at the interval.

Dunloy started the second half in similar fashion to the opening of the game with three points in as many minutes from Elliott and substitute Shane Dooey opening a seven point lead but Ballycran hit back.  They scored 1-5 without reply to take the lead for the first time in the game before the second half water break.  The Down men’s second major coming from James Clarke as he rode a couple of heavy tackles before despatching the sliotar to the back of the Dunloy net.

The Cuchullains needed a response and they got it in the form of their third goal.  Seaan Elliott producing a moment of magic, dancing his way through three challenges before testing the relexes of Cahal Lavery in the ‘Cran goals.  The sliotar fell lose to McMahon and he swept home to give the Cuchullains the lead once again and one they would hold onto for the rest of the game.

Dunloy entertain their old rivals Loughgiel in the Feis Cup semi final on Tuesday evening while Ballycran’s next league match is on Sunday 11th July as Cushendall make the journey down the Ards Penninsula.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Callum Mullan; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley, Conor Kinsella; Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry, Aaron Crawford; Eoin McFerran, Liam McCann; Nicky McKeague, Anton McGrath, Gabriel McTaggart; Chrissy McMahon, Ciaran Elliott, Seaan Elliott

Scorers: C McMahon 2-4; S Elliott 1-2; N McKeague 0-2 (2f); Paul Shiels 0-2 (2f); L McCann 0-1; Shane Dooey 0-1

Ballycran: Cahal Lavery; Rory Brown, Michael Hughes, Sean Ennis; Michael Ennis, Gerard Hughes, Aaron Dorrian; Scott Nicholson, Cormac McAllister; Ben Arthurs, Phelim Savage, Stuart Martin; James Clarke, Connor Dorrian, Huw Flynn

Scorers: H Flynn 0-6 (6fs); P Savage 1-2; J Clarke 1-1; C McAllister 0-1; S Martin 0-1; B Arthurs 0-1; C McAllister 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)