Tir na nÓg took another stride towards winning the Division 2 Football League when they beat St Teresa’s in Wednesday evening’s league tie at Whitehill. This puts the Randaltown men on 16 points with eight wins from eight and they now hold a three point lead on All Saints with just three games left to play. The men in blue travel to Ardoyne next Wednesday evening, and if they collect full points there they can seal promotion two nights later when they visit Glenravel on Friday 2nd July.
Tir na nÓg made a dream start when centre back Barry McCormick soloed through to blast the ball to the St Teresa’s net in the opening minute and when Darragh Fegan added a point a minute later they were four to the good. Paul Curran opened the visitors account in the eighth minute with a fine strike from out on the left wing, and though Fegan answered it a minute later left-half-back Conor O’Rawe breathed new life into the St Teresa’s challenge in the 12th minute when he drilled a low shot to the net.
The home team responded well as they hit three points on the trot to lead by 1-5 to 1-1 at the first half water break and when full forward Kevin Sheerin got the first point after the resumption the gap was out to five.
However St Teresa’s found their touch again and hit three in a row through John Mallon, Niall McCann (2) to cut the gap back to just two, though a strong finish to the half by the home team saw Aaron McNeilly, Sean Duffin and Daniel Martin all find the target to pull their team 1-9 to 1-4 clear by half time.
When Sheerin, McCormick and McNeilly pointed early in the second half the home side were eight clear and cruising, but St Teresa’s are dogged competitors and four excellent points from the sweet left foot of John Mallon cut the deficit in half, and they had a great chance of a goal when a high ball dropped in front of full forward Sean Maguire on the edge of the ‘square’. However the spin of the ball took it away from the number 14 and the chance was gone.
Darragh Fagan settled any nerves the home team may have had with a point on 60 minutes and Christy Sheerin added another in injury time to wrap it all up.
Despite an outstanding performance from Glenavy’s Fergal Henry All Saints did just enough to collect both points this evening at Slemish Park against a Glenavy side who have only won 1 league game this season.
The first score of the game came after 7 minutes of play with Rory McVeigh finishing to the net following a soccer style run by Kavan Keenan. This goal was followed by points from McDonnell (0.2) and McReynolds (0.1) as the home side took a 1.3 to 0.0 lead after 12 minutes. Fergal Henry, who was the dominant forward on show, got Glenavy’s 1st score in the 12th minute, followed by another score by McDonnell and a point in response from Fergus Cunningham as the water break approached. At the water break, All Saints lead by 5 points on a score line of 1.4 to 0.2.
After the water break, both sides traded points with All Saints scores from McDonnell & Keenan and Henry again with a further 2 points leaving 5 between the teams. In the 23rd minute, Saints then extended their lead to 6 points with a free from McDonnell following a strong run by McKillop. This was to be their last score of the half however with Glenavy then narrowing the gap with 3 unanswered scores from Henry (0.2) and Fergal Green. The visitors then lost a player to a black card for 10 minutes with 3 minutes remaining to the half time break with All Saints leading 1.7 – 0.7 at half time.
Connell Lemon who’s late goal sealed an All Saints win over visitors Glenavy at Slemish Park tonight
Sean McVeigh scored the first point of the 2nd half to extend the lead to 4 points but Glenavy despite being a man down reduced the gap to a point with scores coming from Henry (0.2) and Thoma Gallagher following a Mark. The home side replied with 2 good scores from McKillop and another from McVeigh before another reply from a Henry free on the 2nd water break left the score 1.10 to 0.11 in favour of All Saints.
Saints management introduced the experienced McCarry to the game as the final quarter approached to stem the influence of Gallagher. On the restart, Saints picked off 3 quick scores from Keenan, McCarry (free) and Lemon with a good score from play. The visitors replied from another mark by Thomas Gallagher but 2 further points from McCarry and McLarnon left All Saints 6 points up after 52nd minutes.
The visitors refused to give up however and reduced the gap to 3 following another good piece of play by Henry to put Gallagher through to finish to the net. This left the game back in the melting pot with 5 minutes remaining and the home side were looking decidedly shakey at this point.
However, the hard running Conal Lemon capped a good display with a superb individual goal to put the Saints 6 ahead as the full time whistle neared and settle his side again. The final 2 scores of the game came from that man Henry who finished with 2 frees and 0.10 for the evening.
This was a keenly contested game and All Saints were worthy of their 4 point win and keep the pressure on league leaders Tir na nOg with 3 games remaining. Glenavy showed in patches the football they are capable off and in Henry, they had the best player on view.
Fergal Henry who recorded 0-10 of Glenavy’s tiotal receives the ball from Ruairi Forester
All Saints: Conor Brennan, Matt Downey, James Gillan, Michael Read, Kavan Keenan (0.2), Peter Mc Nicholl, Conal Lemon (1.1),Sean McVeigh (0.2), Emmet Killough, Shea O Brien, Peter McReynolds (0.1), Ronan McKillop (0.1), Oisin Connolly, Rory McVeigh (1.0), Brendan McDonnell (0.5)
Subs:
Joe Rafferty for Matt Downey (HT)
Michael McCarry (0.2) for Oisin Connolly (40 mins)
Aidan Scullion for Michael Read (40 mins)
Ciaran McLarnon (0.1) for Peter McReynolds (48 mins)
Glenavy: Lorcan Murphy, Jonathan Phillips, Ciaran Loney, Liam Henry, Sean McGirr, Patrick Gallagher, Ruairi Forester, Peter Treanor, Stephen Doone, Rian Phillips, Charles Gallagher, Fergal|Green, Fergal Henry, Fergus Cunningham, Thomas Gallagher. Subs: Michael McCourt, Jake Nelson, Declan Doone, Chris Grant, Oisin Hamill
A point Jimmy Gribbin point, despatched on the cusp of the final whistle ensured Cargin retained top spot in Division 1 following a close encounter with St. Brigid’s at Toome on Wednesday evening.
The city men led by the impressive Peter Finnegan had come from behind to gain parity when late replacement Ruairi Brolly grabbed a 58th minute point but The Toome men were to have the last say as Gribbin despatched a 61st minute 50 metre free directly between the posts.
Cargin opened brightly and they had nipped a couple of points ahead in the early stages and the back from injury Jamie Gribbin got them on their way when he sent a 30 metre free between the posts.
The Toome men made most of the early running but they wasted a couple of chances before the lively PJ Quinn split the posts after a superb delivery from the ill-fated John Mc Nabb.
The Cargin net minder was forced out of the game with a knee injury shortly afterwards to be replaced by Shay Bovill just after Ryan Tweedy split the posts from a 30 metre free to see the city men on the board.
Cargin continued to make much of the running with their defense ensuring St Brigid’s front men were denied sight of the posts and they took a two point lead just before the water break when Benen Kelly, and Ronan Devlin combined to place Jamie Gribbin to finish and ensure a 0-03 to 0-01 advantage.
Cargin continue to hold the upper hand in the second quarter with Gerard Mc Cann and Kevin Mc Shane dominating the central zone and PJ Quinn and Michael Clarke took advantage with back to back points in the 16th and 18th minutes respectively.
St Brigid’s began to gain a foothold as the game progressed with wing half back Peter Finnegan leading the way and it was his service which opened the way for Peter Henvey to split the posts.
The home side replied when the hard working David Johnston fired over but the visitors were to have the final say of the half with late points from Peter King and Peter Henvey leaving them only a couple of points adrift at the short whistle with Cargin holding a 0-06 to 0-04 advantage.
St. Brigid’s continued where they had left off on the resumption of play with replacement Ruairi Brolly raising white from his first touch of the leather and they were asking questions of the home side.
Cargin responded as Eunan Quinn fired straight and true between the posts but the city men had seized control and points from Peter Henvey, James Smith, and Peter King saw them claim advantage at 0-08 to 0-07.
Cargin made a decisive response however and keeper Shay Bovill kick-out found Ronan Devlin who combined with PJ Quinn, and Jamie Gribbin to place Kevin Mc Shane who finished to the back of the net to regain the lead.
Eunan Quinn thenpointed at the other end with the wood work coming to the aid of the visitors less than a minute later as PJ Quinn was denied a goal when his well struck shot cannoned back of the crossbar.
Spurred by this let-off the visitors struck back with a vengeance as a well laid approach opened the way for Conor McAleer to grab a 16th minute goal to ensure the lead had changed hands at the second water break with St Brigid’s ahead 1-09 to 1-08.
It has been while since Cargin lost at home but this certainly looked possible as the last quarter got under way and a fine James Smith point put the visitors two in front.
Damien Cassidy’s side looked in trouble but a moment of magic put them back in control. Shay Bovill’s kick out found PJ Quinn and the corner man’s lay off opened the way for centre back Ronan Gribbin to advance and fire to the corner of the net. An excellent approach and a brilliant finish to give the home side a 2-08 to 1-10 lead.
Back came the visitors however and a Ruairi Brolly point looked to have earned them a share of the points but in the event it was Cargin’s Jamie Gribbin who had the last say.
Gribbin was hauled down 50 metres from goal and the centre forward picked himself, up to take responsibility for the awarded free kick and send it straight between the posts to secure a 2-09 to 1-11 victory for his side.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Gerard Mc Corley, Kevin O’ Boyle, Paudie Mc Laughlin, Benen Kelly, Ronan Gribbin (1-00), Ronan Devlin, Kevin Mc Shane (1-00), Gerard Mc Cann, Eunan Quinn (0-02), David Johnston (0-01), John Carron, PJ Quinn (0-02), Jamie Gribbin (0-03), Michael Clarke (0-01)
Subs
Shay Bovill for J Mc Nabb
Ryan Mc Kiernan for G Mc Cann
St Brigid’s: KevinMcGovern, John Morgan, Conor King, Colm Webb, John Morgan, John Toner, Peter Finnegan, Michael Conway, James Smith (0-02), Peter King (0-01), Ryan Tweed (0-01), Ronan Boyle, Peter Henvey (0-03), Joseph Finnegan, Conor Mc Aleer (1-00)
As part of the preparations for Antrim’s Joe Mc Donagh Cup Final vs. Kerry last December Cumann na mBunscol Aontroim organised the ‘Road to Croker’ Primary School Poster & Creative Writing Competition for all schools across the county.
There were three winners from each key stage with Andrew Mc Clean from St. Olcan’s PS Armoy being chosen as the ‘overall winner’ by Shane Elliott and Johnny Mc Intosh live on Antrim GAA ‘Up for the Match’ programme where he and his his parents also appeared live on the night.
The prize was a coaching day with some of the Antrim Senior Hurlers. There have been a couple of lockdowns since that final but Andrew and his St Oclan’s school friends finallly got the chance to enjoy their prize on Monday when team captain Conor Mc Cann and goalkeeper Ryan Elliott came along to the Glen Rovers Club and put them through a training session.
The St Olcan’s players give a big cheer as they wish Antrim good luck on Saturday in their Leinster Hurling Championship clash wiht Dublin.
Antrim Hurling League Division 1 – Senior Feis Cup quarter final
Loughgiel 0-21 Ballycastle -11
Loughgiel collected two more league points and booked themselves a place in the semi-final of the Feis Cup on Tuesaday evening at Fr Healy Park when they beat Ballycastle in a game that doubled as both league and Feis Cup.
Overall Loughgiel had that bit extra throughout the field and were more efficient in front of goal, while Ballycastle squandered a series of scoring chances, especially in the opening quarter.
Donal McKinley gave Loughgiel the lead in the opening minute but it was another five minutes before Ballycastle got on the scoreboard through Seamus McAuley, despite have several good chances. Loughgiel were finding the target a bit easier than the visitors and by the first half water break they were 0-6 to 0-the ahead, the pick of the scores coming from Declan Gillan from inside his own half, while Feargal McKiernan scored a great point for the Town.
The second quarter saw Lorcan Donnelly break through and score a great goal for Ballycastle to level up the score but a couple of great points from Paul Boyle and Eddie McCloskey had the Shamrocks 0-11 to 1-6 in front by half time.
Reuben McClean pointed for Ballycastle a minute into the second half to leave just a point between the sides, but Loughgiel were finding the target with a bit more ease and three from midfielder Paul Boyle and two from Rian McGarry frees helped them pull 0-17 to 1-9 clear by the second water break.
Seamus McAuley, Rueben McLean and Lorcan Donnelly kept Ballycastle in touch but a later run of scores from Eddie McCloskey, Caum McKendry and Shan McGrath saw them finish 0-21 to 1-11 in front at the final whistle.
LOUGHGIEL
Chrissy O’Connell, Caolan Blair, Rory McCloskey, Declan Gillan, Ciaran McKay, Seamus Dobbin, Od Laverty, Paul Boyle, Donal McKinley, Christy McGarry, Callum McKendry, Cormac McFadden, Rian McMullan, Eddie McCloskey, Shan McGrath
BALLYCASTLE
Ryan McGarry, Oran Kearney, Thomas McIlroy, Cormac Donnelly, Conor Boyd, Ciaran McKeague, Neal McAuley, Rian McCooke, Eamon Elliott, Ciaran Butler, KB McShane, Seamus McAuley, Tiernan Smyth, Fearghal McKiernan, Tiernan Smyth.
