Ryan Cup Hurling – Round Two: Ulster University 1-18, Mary Immaculate College, Thurles 1-12 Whitehall Colmcille GAC, Dublin Ref. Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)
Ulster University continued their winning start to the 2022 Ryan Cup as they defeated Mary Immaculate College, Thurles by six points on Wednesday evening. Ulster University had defeated their local rivals Queen’s University in Round One, and came in to Wednesday’s game full of confidence. Despite playing in to a difficult breeze in the first half, the men from Jordanstown found themselves only a point behind at half time. Scores from Paul Boyle, Aodhán O’Brien and a superb long range effort from centre back Declan McCloskey helped to break any momentum Mary Immaculate were attempting to gain. The industry from Daniel Lowry of Naomh Éanna proved pivotal as he helped to set up further scores for Peter McCallin and team captain, Daithí Sands.
Aodhan O’Brien who scored 0-3 in the win over Mary I Thurles
Half time, Mary I Thurles 0-09, Ulster University 0-08
After the short whistle, Ulster University came out of the starting blocks at pace, with further scores from Padraig Doran (two) and John Kennedy edging UU ahead. However, Mary I hit two unanswered scores to tie the game at 0-12 apiece with fifteen minutes to go. A long range free from Aodhán O’Brien was followed by the game defining moment; Daithí Sands created havoc in the Mary I full back line by turning over the corner back, beating two remaining defenders along the end line and burying the ball past the Mary I goalkeeper. This outstanding piece of selfless play from the team captain helped to inspire his colleagues even further, as Kennedy fired over his second point along with efforts from Donal McKernan and Ciaran Magill late on. Indeed, a scoring burst of 1-06 without reply helped to solidify the result. Mary I scored a goal from a 20 metre free in the 5th minute of injury time, however the victory was Ulster University’s who now face MTU Kerry in Round Three next week.
Full time, Ulster University 1-18, Mary I Thurles 1-12
Antrim begin their 2022 NFL Division 3 campaign with a difficult opener when they travel to Brewster Park on Saturday evening to face fellow Ulster contestants, Fermanagh with Enda McGinley and his backroom team hoping for a win that would set them up nicely for the difficult league campaign that lies ahead.
Antrim have had an encouraging McKenna Cup campaign which saw them defeat Down in Newry and then push Donegal all the way in Portglenone on day two before losing narrowly to the Tir Conaill men.
The Saffrons had a good campaign under the new management team of Enda McGinley, Stephen O’Neill and Sean Kelly in 2021, gaining promotion from division 4 at the first attempt as they turned in a series of solid performances.
As on day one of the present campaign, Antrim faced a difficult opener away to Louth who are managed by former Tyrone manager, Mickey Harte and while much was made of the meeting of the master and his former pupil, Enda McGinley the new Antrim manager was keen to stress that this was about the players on the field and not the sub-plot.
That opening day encounter proved a real cliff hanger and it took a couple of late points from Lamh Dhearg’s Ryan Murray to see the Saffron’s open with a win that was to set them up for a promotion winning season.
In a group of four that left no margin for error Antrim went on to record wins over Sligo and Leitrim at Corrigan before travelling to Dungarven and beating Waterford to gain one of the two promotion places, Louth recovered from that opening day defeat to secure the second promotion place.
Louth are just one of the difficult fixtures that Antrim face this year and the ‘Wee County’ will again have home advantage when Antrim face them in Round 6 on the 20th March by which time both sides will know just how their campaign has gone and how their promotion hopes stand.
Before that though there is the not so small matter of Saturday’s opener against Kieran Donnelly’s Fermanagh followed by home games against Limerick and Wicklow, an away game to Laois and another home game with Longford. After the Louth game, Antrim finish their campaign with a home game against Westmeath and hopefully our place in division 3 will have been secured and we will still be in the running for a second consecutive promotion spot. The Antrim management will not allow themselves to get carried away by my fanciful journey but instead will have their sites firmly fixed on Saturday’s opener in Enniskillen, a fixture that has often proved difficult in the past. Fermanagh are under new management this year with Kieran Donnelly taking over from former Tyrone star Ryan McMenamin and he has brought fresh ideas and new faces to the Fermanagh set up. Former player, Donnelly has lost the services of former captain Eoin Donnelly but can call on the experience of Ryan Jones, James McMahon, Declan McCusker, Sean Quigley, Aidan Breen and Darragh McGurn to what is largely a youthful squad. Quite a number of the St. Michael’s Enniskillen side who won the Hogan Cup in 2019 are now involved in Donnelly’s rebuilding program with Josh Largo-Ellis, Sean McNally, Luke Flanagan, Joe McDade, Garath Cavanagh and Brandon Horan hoping to cement their place in a Fermanagh side full of promise. Enda McGinley is well aware of the test that faces his side on Saturday night as he eluded to when the Saffron Gael spoke to him this week.
Job well done! Antrim manager Enda McGinley (Centre) leaves Pairc Esler with county treasurer Donal Murphy and assistantmanager, Sean Kelly after their opening round McKenna Cup win over Down
“Fermanagh, especially down in Brewster, are a huge test for us. They have been in division 2 and 3 for as long as I can remember and were a few points off division one a few years ago if I remember right so they know all about playing football at this level. Each division you go up the margins are ever tighter. They’ve been used to that which certainly gives them an advantage and they’ve had a string of very credible championship performances over several years which again unfortunately we do not have in the locker.
Kieran Donnelly, (KD), their new manager is an ex-coach of my own having been with Peter Canavan when taking Errigal for 4 years. He was fantastic and is someone I’d have huge time for so it will be interesting sharing the line with him. He’s had big success in Monaghan on the club scene and going by how competitive he has been in the games against Monaghan, Derry and their friendly with Down he has managed to get his setup up and running very quickly. They’ve a lot of good youth coming through off the back of St. Michael’s Hogan Cup win and we’re too strong for our U20s last year so I don’t think there’s any doubting the test that awaits, particularly in Brewster where they’ve a great record”
Without getting carried away McGinley sounded fairly satisfied with the way his side’s pre-season preparations have gone and has added a number of new faces to replace those who have stepped away from the panel.
“Pre-season has been the usual case of trying to give the boys some gap or rest after a long club season but at the same stage trying to get boys on appropriate programs so that they are reaching the required levels physically. The county game now is at such a high state of tune that a 4-6 week run in just doesn’t cut it which means that the break is minimal. Have to say though, we would be very happy with how the boys have come through it. It’s a testament to them that they’ve already parked last year and have a reasonable body of work under their belts before the end of January and that’s despite dealing with covid and nearly all players at one stage or another having to miss because of it
Panel wise we’ve obviously had to have a look at things as well. A few lads stepped away and there were others who were making good impression during the club season that merited a closer look. Overall though we would be very happy with the panel who have committed to the cause. Injuries wise, Marc Jordan, Declan Lynch, Conor Small, Eunan Walsh, Darren McCormick & Conor Stewart at this stage won’t be available for selection which along with the loss of the likes of Niall McKeever, Paddy Cunningham and Niall Delargy from last year’s squad means there are definitely places up for grabs. We would be happy enough with the workout gained in the McKenna cup games and a few challenge matches in terms of things we are looking at but it’s fair to say we are a good bit from a settled team as yet. That’s hopefully reflective of a competitive panel and the national league will offer a great opportunity for a decent spread of players to keep finding their form while we try to achieve a balanced, performing team”
Above: L to R: James Laverty, Paddy McBride and Michael McCann, some of the experienced players Antrim can call upon
Amongst those new faces who will be hoping to get a starting nod on Saturday night are Cargin youngsters Pat Shivers and Jamie Gribbin, Jammie McCann of Creggan, Seamus McGarry of Aldergrove, Eoin Hynds from Glenravel, Dominic McEnhill of Rossa and St. Brigid’s Ronan Boyle.
All have enjoyed some game time in the McKenna cup and recent friendlies but it is likely to be to the more experienced players that Antrim will look to for a positive division 3 opener. Michael McCann has been outstanding this year and his experience and knowhow will be important while Rickey Johnston, James Laverty, Peter Healey, Dermot McAleese, Eoin McCabe, Kevin Small, Paddy McBride, Tomas McCann, Odhran Eastwood, Ruairi McCann and the Murray’s Ryan and Conor can all provide that experience.
Fermanagh with home advantage will probably start this one as slight favourites but that won’t worry the Antrim management too much. Since taking over the Saffron management at the start of last season, Enda McGinley, Stephen O’Neill, Sean Kelly and their backroom team have instilled a resilience and belief into a side who before were too often regarded as a soft touch when the going got tough.
That resilience and belief will be needed on Saturday night but I expect Antrim to build on what has been an impressive opening to 2022 and leave Brewster Park on Saturday night with the win that can set them up for a good season.
Cross and Passion Ballycastle 11-16 St Louis Ballymena 1-9
WHEN Jack McCloskey got in for a goal to give St Louis Ballymena an early lead in this first Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup quarter-final today at Quinn Park, Ballymena, it seemed inconceivable that the game would end as it did with a resounding victory for their north Antrim rivals.
St. Louis enjoyed the better of the opening quarter and led by five at one stage but once Cross & Passion got going there was no stopping them.
Cross and Passion’s half-back line got on top during the second quarter and with captain Ben O’Kane, Roan McGarry and Callum Cane leading the scoring they took an advantage of 4-6 to 1-7 into the half-time break.
With the elements in their favour, the Ballycastle lads dominated the second half running in a further seven goals and a range of excellent points, while St Louis could only add another two points to their half-time total.
Roan McGarry led the way for the Ballycastle side with 4 goals while Ben O’Kane was the outstanding player on view and top scored with 3-5 to send his side on their way to the semi-final where they will meet St. Patrick’s Maghera on Friday.
Jack McCloskey was St. Louis outstanding performer and finished with 1-5 while Oisin McCamphill was another to impress for the losers with 0-3 and Pearse Martin was best in a St. Louis defence who battled hard but had no answer to a rampant Cross & Passion attack
In the other side of the draw, St Killian’s Garron Tower will be slight favourites to beat St Mary’s CBS with Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock awaiting a winner in next week’s semi-final.
CPC: Mark Christie, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Cathair Donnelly, Charlie O’ Hagan, Liam Glackin (0-2),Ben Mc Garry (0-1),Darragh Donnelly, Darragh Kelly (0-1),Gavin Mc Toal (0-1), Callum Cane (1-3), Ben O’ Kane (3-5), Ronan Fitzgerald (0-1), Roan Mc Garry (4-0), Conor Donnelly (0-1), Thiago Mc Garry (1-0)
Subs: Ronan Casey (1-0), Cian Baudant, Aidan Richmond (1-1), Ryan Watson, Danny Mc Auley.
St. Louis: Edward McKendry, Jack McKeever, Fintan Brady, Ryan O’Boyle, Paudie Martin, Pearse Martin, Luke McFerran, Oisin McCamphill, Jack McCloskey, Caleb Smith, Sean Og Blaney, Noah Friel, Darach Bradley, Deaglan Carey, Caolan McFerran
The above photograph and these fixtures (I asume from the Irish News) was sent to me by one of the Saffron Gael regular readers and contributors, Colum Graham from Ahgohill. Most of those in the photograph will be known to our older readers and features an Antrim Gaelic All Satars award in the Romana Ballroom.
Presenting the trophies is Mr Peter McGinley from McKenna and McGinley Ltd and the late Andy McCallin, chairman of sponsoring club, St. Johns. Included in the photograph are Front Row, Left to Right: Brendan McGarry (Hurler), Mrs Molly Carey( Hall of fame award) on behalf of her father Mr Eddie Connolly, Miss Moya Forde (Camogie) and Tony McAtamney (Football)
Back Row: Maurice McMullan (Columba’s team award), Gerry Hannan (Athletics), Mr Peter McGinley, Mr Peter Hughes (Sales Manager McKenna and McGinley) and Mr Andy McCallin (St. John’s chairman)
The second photograph is a set of Antrim fixtures and feature a few teams I don’t recognise or are no longer in existance including Hopes GAC, Moran’s GAC, O’Connell’s GAC, Carnlough GAC, Clonard GAC, Gael Uladh GAC and Naomh Columba GAC.
If anyone can enlighten me as to when these photographs were published or has any information about the clubs featured drop me an e.mail to ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk
