Antrim U20 Hurlers overcame yet another sluggish opening period on Saturday afternoon to run out resounding winners against the 2021 U20 All-Ireland ‘B’ Champions, Meath in a challenge game at Meath GAA Centre of Excellence.
The home team had the upper hand in the opening exchanges, dominating the middle third and punishing the young Saffrons from long range and they continued this strong start in the 15th minute when they rattled the net to move 1-05 to 0-03 ahead.
An Antrim reshuffle saw Christy McGarry move out the field and this began to reap its rewards as the young Loughgiel star brought intensity and urgency to the middle third.
Through the industry of McGarry and the hard working Tiernan Smyth, the Saffrons began to break down the Meath defence and go on to gain a foothold during the remaining period of the half. Rian McMullan then volleyed to the net on the 24th minute, to put the Saffrons ahead by 1-08 to 1-05 at the short whistle.
Seamus McAuley who scored 1-4 from ‘placed balls’
Antrim opened the second half with renewed vigour and a real sense of purpose. The introduction of Daire Murphy added steel and guile to the Antrim attack and with Enda Óg McGarry and Daire McMullan dominating the half back line, Antrim capitalised with goals from Rian McMullan (his second), Christy McGarry, Eoin McFerran and a Seamus McAuley penalty to put the game well beyond Meath.
It is another impressive victory for the young Saffrons who showed some excellent passages of play and examples of skill but most impressive of all was the hunger and desire right they showed right until the end despite the game being well over after 45 minutes.
They look forward to Dublin at home on Saturday 26th February in Dunsilly GAA for the next Leinster Challenge Game.
Defender Daire McMullan with selectors Arron and Sean
Antrim 5-27 Meath 1-12
Scorers: Seamus McAuley 1-09 (1-04 frees and penalty)
Rian McMullan 2-01
Daire Murphy 0-04 (0-02 frees)
Daire McMullan 0-03
Eoin McFerran 1-00
Christy McGarry 1-00
Seanie McIntosh 0-02
Aidan Scullion 0-02
Enda Óg McGarry 0-02 (0-2 frees) Niall McGarel 0-01
Antrim Minor hurlers made the long journey on Saturday morning to play Kildare at their Centre of Excellence in Newbridge. This proved to be another excellent workout for the boys, after their narrow defeat to Laois two weeks ago, they just came out on top on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-15. The young Saffs went down to 14 men for the last 15 minutes and showed great character to get over the line with a well taken goal by Jack McCloskey to seal the win. Antrim travelled with a squad of 26 available players with all players getting a minimum of 40 minutes game time. This young squad are beginning to gel and are benefiting from regular game time. They travel to Tullamore next Saturday for a training weekend, where they will play Offaly on Sunday morning, before travelling to Kilkenny to watch Antrim seniors in action against the Cats.
Jack McCloskey sends over a free
The Antrim Minor squad for 2022 Joe McNaughton Cushendall Pearce Patterson Loughgiel Kevin O’Boyle All Saints Liam Glackin Loughgiel Cailin Devlin Glenariffe Aodhan McGarry All Saints Malachi McGibbon St Endas Patrick McIlwaine Glenariffe Darragh Patterson Loughgiel Ben McGarry Loughgiel Lorcán Phillips St Pauls Cormac McKeown Con Magees Orrin O’Connor Glenariffe Jack McCloskey Loughgiel Darragh Kelly Ballycastle Cahir Carbery St Johns Adam Murray Lamh Dearg Brogan O’Connor Glenariffe Caoimhin Rainey Davitts Cathán Graham Glenariffe Charley O’Hagan Loughgiel Ciarán McAllister St Endas Donal Martin Lamh Dearg Joseph McLaughlin Cushendall Michael Darragh St John’s Niall Magee Glenariffe Oisin McCamphill Dunloy Phelim Ward Glenariffe Ruairi McAreavey Sarsfields
Antrim made a winning return to Division Three with a comprehensive win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park on Saturday evening. It was an efficient performance from Enda McGinley’s men who weathered an early storm from the home side at the beginning of the second half but Kevin Small’s goal steadied the ship and they pushed on to a well deserved nine point victory.
Antrim’s efficiency in attack during the first half ensured they held a three point lead at the interval. They held the Erne-men scoreless for 27 minutes and ran into a four point lead with six different scorers. Defensively however, on three occasions in the first half Fermanagh carved them open with a stray pass and the width of the post saving the Saffrons.
Michael McCann who was superb for Antrim in their win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park.
After the interval the Saffrons began well with Ryan Murray and Odhran Eastwood opening a five point lead but Fermanagh hit back. A trio of unanswered scores that included a brace of Quigley points (mark and free) either side of a Ciaran Corrigan white flag. A counter attack from Tomas McCann and Eastwood resulting in McCann’s second point of the half briefly halted the Fermanagh recovery but scores from Ryan Lyons and substitute Gary McKenna left the minimum between the sides and all the momentum with the home side. Incredibly, that was Fermanagh’s last score of the game as Antrim took complete control.
The game changed with the only goal of the match in the 58th minute. Jamie Gribbin combining with Michael McCann before passing to Small. The Creggan man’s initial effort was well saved by Fermanagh ‘keeper Sean McNally but Small collected the rebound and showed composure to put daylight between the sides again.
Kevin Small celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game.
Five further unanswered scores from Gribbin, Tomas McCann, Ruairi McCann, substitute Seamus McGarry and Dermot McAleese to add further gloss to the score line for the Saffrons while Conor Murray brought the best out of Fermanagh ‘keeper McNally. Fermanagh were reduced to 14 when Brandon Horan was black carded for a cynical foul on Tomas McCann but it had little bearing on the outcome as the Saffrons looked worthy winners by that stage.
Nine different scorers on the opening night of the league with no wides in the second half. An impressive performance with high intensity and disciplined tackling. Reducing Fermanagh to just four points from play over the 70 plus minutes and four substitutes used with great effect. It’s the perfect start to the campaign for McGinley’s men as they look forward to welcoming Limerick to Corrigan Park next Saturday afternoon.
Bloodied but unbowed! Jamie Gribbin receives attention after receiving a bang on the face, but the young Cargin man had already done the damage to the Fermanagh cause
TEAMS
Antrim: Oisin Kerr; Eoghan McCabe, Ricky Johnston, James McAuley; Peter Healy, James Laverty, Dermot McAleese; Kevin Small, Michael McCann; Ryan Murray, Jamie Gribbin, Patrick McBride; Tomas McCann, Ruairi McCann, Odhran Eastwood
Subs: Paddy McAleer for P McBride (33); Conor Murray for O Eastwood (51); Patrick McCormick for R Murray (55); Seamus McGarry for R McCann (67); Patrick Shivers for T McCann (inj)
Scorers: K Small 1-1; T McCann 0-3 (1 mark); O Eastwood 0-2; R McCann 0-2 (1f); J Gribbin 0-2 (1 mark); R Murray 0-1 (1f); M McCann 0-1; D McAleese 0-1; S McGarry 0-1
Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Jonny Cassidy; Garret Cavanagh, Luke Flannagan; Aiden Breen, James McMahon, Declan McCusker; Ryan Jones, Joe McDade; Josh Largo Ellis, Brandon Horan, Ryan Lyons; Ciaran Corrigan, Daragh McGurn, Sean Quigley
Subs: Stephen McGullion for J McDade (22); Shane McGullion for A Breen (51); Gary McKenna for R Lyons (51); Tiernan Bogue for L Flannagan (65)
Scorers: S Quigley 0-4 (4fs, 1 mark); D McGurn 0-1; C Corrigan 0-1; R Lyons 0-1; G McKenna 0-1
Ruairi McCann sends over an early Antrim free from outside the 45 meter lineRicky Johnston holds tightly to the ball as he is challenged by Fermanagh’s Sean QuigleyRicky Johnston in action against Fermanagh’s James McMahonAction from the Antrim v Fermanagh NFL Div 3 game at Brewster Park.Antrim substitute Patrick McCormick in action against Fermanagh’s James McMahonAntrim centre forward Jamie Gribben comes under pressure from two Fermanagh defenders,Second half substitute Paddy McAleer who played well when introducedJamie Gribben swings over an Antrim point.Michael McCann in action against Fermanagh’s Darragh McGurnTomas McCann send over a later free for the SaffronsRuairi McCann in action against Fermanagh’s Stephen McGullionAntirm manager Enda McGinley and coach Sean KellyKit man Roy McLarnon who was delighted with the Saffron’s win
A goal from Cargin’s Conhuir Johnston in the 52nd minute proved the vital score as St. Mary’s Magherafelt turned in a strong performance to defeat Omagh CBS in the MacRory Cup semi-final at the Athletic Grounds last night.
Johnston and his Erin’s Own colleague’s, Benen Kelly and Tom Shivers played vital roles as the Convent recovered from a shaky start to outscore the Tyrone side with Johnston’s goal the score that finally put the Omagh challenge to bed while Kelly certainly played his part with a converted ‘45’ and another from play that sailed over via the crossbar.
It was Omagh CBS that got off to the brighter start when Conor McGillion fired to the net in the third minute after taking an inch perfect pass from Oisin Gormley before rounding his marker and firing to the St. Mary’s net.
Caolan Donnelly added a point as Omagh enjoyed early supremacy but Conhuir Johnston settled the Convent with a great point and another from Ryan Donnelly closed the gap to the minimum after being set up by Eoin McEvoy.
It was Omagh who were enjoying the better of the exchanges at this stage however and both Simon Matterson and Ruairi Forbes came to the St. Mary’s rescue with vital goal preventing blocks but Ronan Strain and Eoin McElholm added point to move the CBS three ahead.
St Mary’s Magherafelt Conhuir Johnston steams forward in The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscar
Magherafelt might have been back on terms moments later when a good build up saw Niall O’Donnell in on goal but his effort was well saved by Omagh keeper, McAnearney before Cahir Quinn settled for a point from the follow-up.
Johnston’s Cargin colleague, Benen Kelly then pointed a ‘45’ before Ruairi Forbes followed with another from play to bring the side’s level and it looked anybody’s game approaching half time.
Late exchanges from McGillion for Omagh and Quinn for St. Mary’s left it level at half time, 1-4 to 0-7 and all to play for in the second half.
Both defences dominated during the opening stages of the second half though the Magherafelt side looked in for a goal with only three minutes gone but Benen Kelly’s well struck effort clipped the crossbar as it sailed over.
Ryan McEldowney added a point to move St. Mary’s two in front but McGillion replied for the Tyrone side but it was Magherafelt who were starting to edge the exchanges and when Johnston got in for an excellent goal the momentum was very much with Kevin Brady’s side.
Omagh pressed in the closing stages but the St. Mary’s defence stood strong with Omagh CBS having to settle for late points from Conor Owens and McGillion as the Convent advanced to the final with three to spare.
The St. Mary’s side once again have a strong representation from South West Antrim with Moneyglass man, Kevin Brady manager of the side and Conhuir Johnston, Benen Kelly and Tom Shivers from Cargin, Sean Byrne from Portglenone and Paul Duffin from Moneyglass all important member of the Magfherafelt squad.
St Mary’s Magherafelt Conhuir Johnston in action at The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscarSt Mary’s Magherafelt Tom Shivers in action at The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscarSt Mary’s Magherafelt Conhuir Johnston in action at The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscarSt Mary’s Magherafelt Benen Kelly emerges from the tunnel after half time in The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscarSt Mary’s Magherafelt Benen Kelly smiles after winning the The McRory Cup Semi Final between St Mary’s Magherafelt and Omagh CBS played at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh- 28/01/2022. Pic by Cathal McOscarCathal McOscar Photography
Antrim Under 20s contintue their preparations for the forthcoming Leinster League and Championship when they trave to Meath tomorrow (Saturday) to take on the Royal County. Paudie Shivers charges came from behind last time out to beat Kildare and will be bidding to maintain that good form this time around.
