St John’s secured their place in the Antrim Junior Camogie Championship when they beat Cushendall’s 2nds in Saturday’s semi-final at Ahoghill.
Under the management of St John’s legends Andy McCallin and Domhnall Nugent St John’s impressed from the start and were two points up inside the first minute through Aishing Jackson Hawkins and Eimhear Costello. The were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after nine minutes but went on to dominate the remainder of the first half and backed by goals from Maebhdh Laverty and Eimhear Costello they went on to lead by 2-10 to 0-2 at half time.
The second half Laverty grab a third goal for the Corrigan girls and a series of points from Hanah McGuigan (2) and Aishling Jackson Hawkins, and though Cushendall finished strongly with a goal and a point it was too late to have any real effect on the outcome.
ST JOHN’S
Sinead Lagan, Aishling Ní Choinn, Carrie Anne Williamson, Caoimhe Morgan, Sarah Jane Mcguigan, Una Simpson, Ciara Carleton, Eireann Boyd, Claire Morgan, Aishling Jackson Hawkins, Olivia Mogran, Maedhbh Laverty, Hannah Mcguigan, Eimhear Costello, Nicole Kane.
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship quarter-final
St Mary’s, Aghagallon 2-10 St Brigid’s 0-11
Goals from Ruairi McCann in the 1st minute of the second half and another from Eunan Walsh, six minutes from the end proved the difference as St. Mary’s Aghagallon’s more direct approach to goal proved the difference in this senior football championship quarter-final at Dunsilly today.
Ruairi McCann struck the game’s opening goal when he palmed to the net just 30 seconds after the restart and then Eunan Walsh hammered home a superb second six minutes from time and it was to prove the killer blow.
Walsh produced a burst of speed when collecting the ball out on the left to leave his marker standing and played a smart one-two before rifling an unstoppable shot to the net.
St. Brigid’s played some good possession football over the hour but were reluctant to shoot when in scoreable positions with only Peter Webb showing the necessary confidence in front of the posts.
The Musgrave Park side were well in the game however until late in the contest but never led over the hour and Aghagallon’s ability to take their scores at vital times in the game proved the difference and they were good value for their win.
Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann gets the ball away despite the attentions of Cummins and Dowling, St. Brigid’s
Playing with a strong wind behind them in the opening period, it was Aghagallon who took the game to the opposition early on and veteran Darryl McAlernon fired over from distance three minute into the contest.
Jack Lenehan doubled their advantage with a fine score on the turn before St Brigid’s got off the mark as they worked the ball out to Webb whose shot into the teeth of the wind screwed inside the upright, much to the delight of the Biddie’s support.
Gareth Magee responded before Webb replied again, finishing a patient build up before sending over a beauty from the right to leave the sides level at the water break.
It remained nip and tuck in the second quarter with McAlernon and Webb trading points but Aghagallon were more direct in their approach play and an early ball into Magee saw the corner man apply the finish.
James Smith responded at the other end before Aghagallon replied through Magee and Ruairi McCann but it was St Brigid’s who had the final say of the half as Conor McAleer kicked a wonderful score from a difficult angle to leave his side trailing by the minimum at the break.
As they turned round with the breeze behind them St. Brigid’s would have fancied their chances of pushing on in the second half but when Ruairi McCann climbed to palm a Marc McAffee lob to the net in the opening minute the initiative was well and truly with the Lough Shore side.
To their credit, St Brigid’s hit back with Paul Bradley hitting the first of his three second half points and while Jack Lenehan pushed the St Mary’s lead back out to four, the South Belfast men began to take a foothold on proceedings.
James Smith fires over a St. Brigid’s point
They began to win a lot of possession around the middle third before driving forward as they started to eat into the St. Mary’s lead with Webb kicking a free and then adding another from play to leave two between the sides.
Aghagallon always carried the greater threat when they pushed forward however and were unlucky not to score a second major when Gareth Magee found himself in the clear but his shot was saved by the legs of Declan Heery.
St Brigid’s broke forward and after another phase of possession, worked the ball into Bradley to score and leave his side 1-8 to 0-10 behind heading into the final quarter.
Try as the might St Brigid’s could not get the equaliser despite enjoying a lot of the ball but time and again good approach work flounder on a misplaced pass or an Aghagallon turn over.
Walshes goal left the Musgrave Park side with a mountain to climb but their only response was a third Bradley point and it was Aghagallon who had the final say as Magee clipped over a free to seal victory and a place in next week’s semi-final where they will meet the winners of Lamh Dhearg and Portglenone who play on Sunday at the same venue.
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AGHAGALLON; L Mulholland; P Brannigan, D Donnelly, A Mulholland; P Maginnis, R O’Neill, J Lamont; David McAlernon, J Lenehan (0-2); E Walsh (1-0), Darryl McAlernon (0-2), M McAfee; G Magee (0-5, 2 frees), R McCann (1-1), C McAlinden.
Subs: O Lenehan for C McAlinden (HT), A Loughran for P Maginnis (48).
ST BRIGID’S: D Heery; J Morgan, P King, C King; R Boyle, M Cummings, O Boyle; J Dowling, J Finnegan; R Carleton, C McAleer (0-1), P Webb (0-6, 2 frees); P Bradley (0-3), J Smith (0-1), P Finnegan.
Subs: R Brolly for R Carleton (34), R Tweedy for J Finnegan (50), P Henvey for J Dowling (56).
Loughgiel sealed their place in the u15 final with a two point win over Dunloy in Armoy. The Shamrock’s recovered from a slow start to take control of this contest. A spell of three goals in eight first half minutes and a hat-trick from the brilliant Roan McGarry gave Loughgiel the upperhand but they had to withstand a late Cuchullain fightback that left the Shamrock’s clinging on at the full time whistle.
McGarry’s tally of 3-4 was enough to give him the man-of-the-match award but he was ably assisted by Ronan Fitzgerald, Ryan O’Boyle and Ashdon McGarry who played as a deep sweeper after getting among the goals for Loughgiel.
Oisin McCamphill top scored for the Cuchullains with 2-4 and proved to be a handful for the Shamrock’s throughout. Ben O’Kane, Ryan Scott and Padraig Martin performed well for the young Cuchullains but they ran out of time with Loughgiel on the ropes in injury time.
Dunloy got off to the perfect start with McCamphill firing the first of his two goals in the second minute. Collecting a long ball from Ben O’Kane, the Dunloy forward showed a great turn of pace before firing home. He added a point soon after with Oisin McCallion and Caolan McFerran adding also raising white flags to leave Dunloy six clear after 10 minutes.
The Loughgiel response was emphatic. A long ball fell into the heart of the Dunloy defence and the Cuchullains couldn’t clear, Roan McGarry capitalised and scored Loughgiel’s first major and score of the game in the 14th minute. McGarry added a free before the water-break but when play resumed, the Shamrocks had the wind at their sails.
Another dropping ball caused problems for the Cuchullains and this time Ronan Fitzgerald made the most of the Cuchullains failing to deal with the danger to score Loughgiel’s second goal.
The Shamrock’s had the momentum and scored their third goal in the 19th minute, Ashdon McGarry with the trickery to evade the Dunloy defence before giving Oisin Dillon no chance in the Dunloy goals.
A brace of points from Ryan Scott briefly halted the Loughgiel onslaught but it was brief respite with Loughgiel’s fourth goal coming in 23rd minute. Ashdon McGarry with the long delivery dropping and Ger McFadden applying the finish as the sliotar ran free. Oisin Connolly and McCamphill swapped scores before the half time whistle with Loughgiel leading 4-2 to 1-6.
Dunloy had a lot of possession but Loughgiel were more clinical in the opening 30 minutes, capitalising and punishing errors in the Dunloy defence. They started the second half on top with Roan McGarry firing over a brace of points before Oisin McCamphill did the same for the Cuchullains.
The fifth Loughgiel green flag came 11 minutes after the restart and it showed another side to Roan McGarry. His predatory instincts were on display in the first half but his second major showed his anticipation, skill and speed before finding the corner of the Dunloy net. Ronan Fitzgerald added a point to his earlier goal to leave Loughgiel nine points ahead but Dunloy hit back. Oisin McCamphill with his second goal, this time from a 21 yard free just before the water-break.
McCamphill had another crack at goal after the restart, this time from slightly further out but his shot was deflected over the bar.
Loughgiel’s sixth goal came from familiar circumstances with Dunloy failing to deal with a dropping ball. With the sliotar loose, Roan McGarry completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining.
Padraig Martin and Roan McGarry (free) swapped points before the end of the hour but Dunloy pushed for the goals. Their third major came through Ben O’Kane as the Dunloy centre half moved to the edge of the Loughgiel square for the time that remained and managed to find the back of Daniel O’Mullan’s net, despite being on his knees and crowded by the Shamrock defence.
With time running out, Dunloy rolled the dice one more time. McCamphill’s effort saved superbly by O’Mullan in the Loughgiel goals but Aiden Richmond was first to the rebound and swept home.
That was as good as it got for the Cuchullains however with Loughgiel sealing the win with two points to spare.
TEAMS
Loughgiel: Daniel O’Mullan; Eddie Smyth, Codai McGarry, Tadgh McKendry; Preston McGarry, Liam Glackin, Tomas McNulty; Ryan O’Boyle, Conan Johnston; Ronan Fitzgerald, Ashdon McGarry, Oisin Connolly; Conn McCormick, Roan McGarry, Ger McFadden.
Dunloy: Oisin Dillon; Cahir McMullan, Reece Cunning, Jack McKenna; Sean Og Blaney, Ben O’Kane, Ryan McClements; Padraig Martin, Aiden Richmond; Conor Mort, Ryan Scott, Oisin McCallion; Caolan McFerran, Oisin McCamphill, Jack Martin
Scorers: Oisin McCamphill 2-5 (2f, 1’65); Ben O’Kane 1-00; Aiden Richmond 1-00; Ryan Scott 0-2; Oisin McCallion 0-1; Caolan McFerran 0-1; Padraig Martin 0-1.
Loughgiel cruised to the u20 final on Saturday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of a young Dunloy side. The Cuchullains came into the semi-final as the underdogs and a lengthy list of players ruled out due to injuries and covid meant a difficult task was made even greater but the Shamrocks were unstoppable on the day.
A relentless, clinical, incisive attacking performance, Loughgiel dominated Dunloy for the full hour as they went through the gears and showed their attacking prowess. Rian McMullan excelling on the inside forward line with 3-6 to his name over the hour while Christy McGarry, Damien Quinn and Ryan Hill were all on top form.
The midfield duo of Shane O’Boyle and Cathal Hargan were tireless in their efforts for the Shamrocks while in defence, Declan McCloskey was outstanding. He was ably assisted by Enda Og McGarry and Ruairi McCloskey who turned any potential Dunloy threats.
The Cuchullains struggled to get make any inroads in a superb Loughgiel defence, failing to score from play while the Shamrocks were irresistible in attack. 4-13 of their final score tally coming from play and points from all angles and outlets.
Loughgiel started quickly and McMullan had his goal of the game by the third minute. Collecting a long ball delivered by Odhran McGrath, McMullan was clinical when the chance came his way.
The Shamrocks kept the scoreboard ticking with an exhibition of point taking, Christy McGarry’s 12th minute side line a highlight as they ran into a 14 point lead by the half time whistle.
If Loughgiel were content to go for points in the first half, their frame of mind changed after the restart as they were ruthless in taking their chances, despite emptying their bench in the process.
Odhran McGrath scored the second Loughgiel major after just 15 seconds of the second half while four minutes later Cathal Hargan netted to take the Loughgiel lead to 21 points.
Dunloy tried to stave off the wave of Shamrock attacks and defended in numbers but Loughgiel were just too good on the day.
A penalty from McMullan on 47 minutes came before Barry Scott was sent off for the Cuchullains for a second bookable offence.
The fifth Loughgiel goal came with five minutes of time remaining and McMullan completing his hat-trick to add further gloss to the scoreline for the Shamrocks.
Loughgiel are getting it right in the underage ranks once again and they will have a sterner test in the final against Ballycastle but the future looks bright for the men at Fr Healy Park.
TEAMS
Loughgiel: Ruairi McCormick; Conal McCloskey, Ruairi McCloskey, Conor Henry; Enda Og McGarry, Declan McCloskey, Tiarnan McAlonan; Shane O’Boyle, Cathal Hargan; Michael McGarry, Damien Quinn, Ryan Hill; Rian McMullan, Odhran McGrath, Christy McGarry
Ballycastle overcome a bad start to battle back and beat Rossa in Saturday’s Under 20 A Hurling Championship semi-final at Slemish Park Ballymena on Saturday. Trailing by 0-1 to 1-1 early in the game the Town fourth back to level by the first water break on 0-5 to 1-2. , They fell behind again when Rossa full forward Pearse Shortt edged the Belfast side ahead after the restart, but Ballycastle began to find their rhythm and hit eight points on the bounce to lead by seven at the break.
Turning to play into a strong breeze in the second half it was for from simple for the boys in black and amber and Rossa made them fight all the way before booking their place in the final.
An early Darragh Murphy goal direct from a free gave Rossa a massive early boost and they were 1-2 to 0-2 ahead in the early stages. Feargal McKiernan and Seamus McAuley (2) brought Ballycastle level by the first water break, but a minute after the action got going again Pearse Shortt cut in from the left wing to Rossa back the lead.
However the Town were starting to find a bit of form and with the breeze at their back they started to knock over the points. Fergal Donnelly brought them level on 18 minute and they added of unanswered points from Seamus McAuley, Cormac Donnelly, Jack Egan, Joe McToal, James Bakewell, and Tiernan Smyth to lead by 0-12 to 1-3 at half time.
Two Darragh Murphy points early in the second half can the gap back to five, two excellent points from man of the match Joe McToal restored the seven point cushion. Darragh Murphy and Tiernan Smyth exchanged points to keep the gap at seven, before Rossa came close to getting the goal they needed to revive their fortunes, but on each occasion Ballycastle goalkeeper Criostia ‘Bamba’ McAuley denied Darragh Murphy, once from a 20 meter free and once from play, the second on a brilliant block as Murphy bore down on goal.
Murphy did add two more points from play to keep his team in contention, but late points from Joe McToal, Feargal McKiernan and Eoin Magee sealed the win.
BALLYCASTLE
Chriostai McAuley, Eoin Boylan, Cormac Donnelly, Mark McLean, Jack McGowan, Ronan Laverty, James Bakewell, Seamus McAuley, Reuben McLean, Jack Egan, Feargal McKiernan, Eoin Magee, Joe McToal, Caolin O’Connor, Joe McToal.
