ACFL Division 2

Sarsfields 1-15 Rasharkin 2-7

Report and pics: Mark Hasson

A minutes silence was observed before this vital division 2 clash at the Bear Pit for Sarsfield’s recently deceased member, Jim McMenamin before the home side took on visitors Rasharkin in a game where the points could mean relegation or survival for both sides.

Padraig Sarsfields were in a much stronger position going into last night’s game and this win in effect will have shaken off any lingering relegation worries while Rasharkin are staring relegation in the face going into their final game away to Aldergrove.

Sarsfields came from behind to win the corresponding game at Dreen at the end of May and were first off the mark when Gary Lennon pointed them ahead in the second minute. Conor Laverty, Sam Walsh and Cormac Murray added three more by the 12^th minute to move the home side 0-4 to 0-0 ahead and it was looking like a long night for the visitors.

Ryan Lynch finally got them on the score sheet with a point in the 13^th minute with Gary Lennon replying immediately with Sarsfield’s fifth point but a Lynch point from a free in the 19^th minute kept the visitors in touch but they were struggling to deal with a slick moving Sarsfield’s attack.

Back came the men from the Bear Pit and they looked to have put themselves in a strong position when the ball ended in the net in the 22^nd minute but the score was ruled out for a square ball infringement, much to the visitors relief.

Brian Healey pointed a free for the home side before Conor Hasson finished a well worked team score with a point in the 24^th minute which he started himself from deep before applying an excellent finish.

It failed to bring an immediate response from his colleagues as the ‘Paddies’ replied with points from a Brian Healey free and another from Thomas Skillen but St. Mary’s were handed a lifeline as the game edged into first half stoppage time.

Sarsfield’s failed to deal with a long ball in from mid-field and the ball broke favourably to Ruairi O’Boyle and ‘Blondie’ finished to the net to close the gap to two points as Colm McDonald blew for half time.

The second half was only a minute old when Sarsfield’s were awarded a penalty and an opportunity of restoring their five point advantage but Conor Glenholmes’ effort sailed over for a point.

This let off seemed to lift the visitors and they responded with a well worked team goal with Eamon McNeill starting the move with a strong solo run before feeding the ball off the shoulder to Ruair O’Boyle. O’Boyle found Seamus Ellis and he placed Lynch who finished with aplomb to bring matters level with only four minutes of the new half gone.

Gary Lennon for Sarsfield’s and Shane Hasson for the Dreen men exchanged further points but a pointed Brian Healey free and another from play by Kevin Floyd moved the home side two in front again by the 12^th minute.

The hard working Ryan Lynch closed the gap to the minimum once more but Sarsfield’s replied again with a point from Brian Healey and the home side struck a killer blow. The ‘Paddies’ forced a turnover deep in their own half and an early ball into Thomas Skillen saw him turn his marker before soloing clear from 30 meters out before finishing to the net.

Rasharkin tried to respond and came back with points from Shane Hasson and Donagh Quigg to close the gap to two with two minutes remaining but that was close as they got with Skillen and Healey replying with points for the home side to ensure there would be no way back for the visitors.

This win leaves sarsfields well clear of the relegation zone but plunges Rasharkin into bottom spot after St. Teresa’s Lazerath like recovery in recent weeks continued with an impressive 5-10 to 2-12 win away to St. James Aldergrove which sees them climb above he Dreen men.

With one game left Rasharkin travel to St. James and must win and hope that St. Joseph’s Glenavy defeat St. Teresa’s at Chapel Hill in order to avoid a relegation play-off with the division 3 runners up.

Sarsfields: 1 Michael Brady, 2 Martin McPolin, 3 Miceal Ferris, 5 Philp McPeake, 6 Daniel McKiernan, 7 Calvin McCurry, 8 Cormac Murray, 9 Gary Lennon, 11 Conor Glenholmes, 12 Kevin Floyd, 13 Thomas Skillen, 14 Sam Walsh, 26 Conor Laverty, 28 Eamon Quinn

Rasharkin: 1 – Tiernan O’Boyle, 2 – Conor Higgins, 3 – Emmet McFerran, 4 – Pearse Kelly, 5 – Donagh Quigg, 6 – Conor Hasson, 7 – Colm Kennedy, 8 – Thomas McMullan, 9 – Ruairi OBoyle, 10 – Seamus Ellis, 11 – Eammon McNeill, 12 – Shane Hasson, 13 – Ryan Lynch, 14 – Conor McKeever, 15 – Andrew Hasson

Referee: Colm McDonald (St. Gall’s)

ACFL Division 1

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-17 St John’s 1-09

Cargin regained the winning habit following a draw at Creggan in their previous game when they proved too strong for the Johnnies in a well contested encounter before a good attendance at Toome on Wednesday evening.

The heavy showers which had preceded the throw in as Cargin played hosts to St John’s on Wednesday evening had been replace with sunshine as a good crowd had assembled in anticipation of a good game.

The home side started on a positive note with a couple of early scores as Pat Shivers opened account with a 2^nd minute point and Paul Mc Cann followed suit shortly after.

A good start for the Toome men but their visitors were quick to follow the home side’s lead and indeed take an early lead as a strong left sided advance opened the way for Loughlin Mc Curdy to collect and despatch the leather to the back of the net to signal intent.

The homes side wasted no time to reply and a fine fetch in the central zone by Kevin Mc Shane opened the way for James Laverty to raise a white flag in reply.

The visitors responded as Lorcan Keenan fired over a good point to ensure he visitors were back on par 1-01 to 0-04 with the clock at 10 minutes as the crowd were treated to an enjoyable opening phase.

The home side soon regained advantage with back to back scores, long range specials from Patrick Shivers to punish indiscretions on his sibling Tom and Michael Clarke.

The Toome men moved a couple of points ahead when Tome Shivers added a 17^th minute point but St. Johns replied when Patrick Mc Bride punished a foul on Domnaill Nugent by clipping the 30 metre award between the posts.

The last minutes of the opening period continued in intensity with score at one end finding like reply at the other and at the short whistle, which followed a fine Domnaill Nugent point Cargin held a narrow 0-08 to 1-04 advantage.

The second half was less than two minutes old when the home side gained what was to prove a crucial score when Benen Kelly found the net.

The wing half back made an interception on his own ‘40’ to halt a St John’s attack and a swift counter involving Mark Kelly, David Johnston, and Paul Mc Cann saw Kelly finish to the back of the net.

The home side pressed home their advantage and further scores from Paul Mc Cann, Tom Shivers and Kevin ‘Kobo’ O’ Boyle  ensured a healthy 1-11 to 1-04 advantage and the Toome men looked in charge.

St John’s were not finished however and Patrick Mc Bride added back to back pointed frees to close the gap to five points.

Cargin replied however as the hard grafting David Johnston raised white and Pat Shivers held off several strong challenges before adding another at the 48^th minute mark.

The die was cast as the closing stages saw the Toome men in control and after St John’s late replacement Joseph Garland nipped in to add a point a foul on Pat Shivers in full flow was firmly punished by his sibling Tom who sent the resultant award firmly between the posts.

The home side emptied their bench at this stage as Gerard McCorley, Brendan Laverty, and Conan Johnston were introduced into the fray.

The visitors kept battling to the end against the odds and Domnaill Nugent and Patrick Mc Bride added points apiece but it looked all over at this stage.

Tom Shivers replied in kind and when John McNabb left his goal line to add another when he despatched a 50 metre effort between the posts that looked like that.

In the event there was further drama to follow and when the man in charge spotted in infringement inside the square in time added to award the visitors a penalty.

Patrick Nugent took responsibility for the award but the Cargin keeper McNabb proved up to the task, making a splendid save in the last seconds of a fine contest with the home side crossing the winning line still holding a 1-16 to 1-09 winning advantage.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-01), Justin Crozier, Cahir Donnelly, Kevin O’ Boyle (0-02), Benen Kelly (1-00), James Laverty (0-01), Sean og O’ Neill, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston (0-01), Paul Mc Cann (0-02), Mark Kelly, Michael Clarke, Pat Shivers (0-04), Tom Shivers (0-04)

Subs

Gerard Mc Corley for B Kelly

Brendan Laverty for P Mc Cann

Conan Johnston (0-01) for M Clarke

St Johns: Brian ‘Bam’ Neeson (0-01), Ciaran Garland, Patrick Nugent, Luke Peden, Ross Hannigan, Ciaran Kerr, Andy Mc Gowan, Conall Bohill, Domnaill Nugent (0-02), Darren Bellew, Conal Mc Glade, Dannan Mc Glade, Patrick Mc Bride (0-04), Loughlin Mc Curdy (1-00), Lorcan Heenan (0-01)

Subs

Joseph Garland (0-01) for D Bellew

Joseph Garland (0-01)

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

Homefit Antrim Football League – Division 2

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 1-14 Ardoyne Kickhams 0-12

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass received their Division 2 trophy at the end of Wednesday evening’s league win over Ardoyne at Marian Hill. Ironically the visitors were the only team to beat them this season, (their only defeat of the year) at the Crickey in the first half of the league campaign, but Moneyglass have been the stand out team of the year and fully deserve their title.

With Ardoyne starting to build towards championship they were going to be a tough nut to crack, but despite being short a few regulars the home side were mostly in control of the game and were good value for their five point win. The north Belfast men made them work for the win though, and after trailing by four at half time, they twice fought back to within a point. However the clinching score of the match came at the end of the third quarter when Dermot McEralin got the only goal of the game.

Kevin Lynch opened the scoring for Ardoyne when he pointed in the third minute, but Aidan McErlain and Conlaidh McCann came back with points for the home side to edge them ahead by the 8^th minute.

Cahal Keown brought the visitors level, but Moneyglass were starting to get on top and it was another 14 minutes before Ardoyne raised their next flag, while in the meantime the home side tagged on points from Colm Duffin (2) and Aidan McErlain to move three clear by the 21^st minutes. Cahal Keown closed the gap to 2 with his second point of the half, but Moneyglass came back through McCann and Cassidy to stretch the gap out to four. It was score for score in the lead up to half time as Aidan McNeill and Conor McLaughlin came back with points for the Kickham’s, but two by Colum Duffin put Moneyglass four ahead at the half time whistle.

Ardoyne battled their way back into the game at the start of the second half and three in a row from Aidan McNeill, Ciaran McNeill and Kevin Lynch cut the deficit back to a single point by the 39^th minute. A pointed free by Colm Duffin got Moneyglass up and running, but Fiontan Marley replied for Ardoyne almost immediately. Colm Duffin and Ardoyne corner back Garyy McKernan exchanged points two minutes later before Moneyglass got the all important score of the game when Dermot McErlain fired to the Ardoyne net on 45 mintues.

McEralin’s score settled Moneyglass nerves and they dominated the remainder of the game with Colm Duffin hitting his 7^th and 8^th points of the game, before Dermot McErlain closed it out with a point in the final minute.

After the game county treasurer Donal Murphy was there to present the Division 2 League trophy, and the celebration got underway soon afterwards.

Congratulations St Ergnat’s  – Division 2 champions!

ACFL Division 2

All Saints 1-13 St. Pauls 1-7

All Saints secured a promotion playoff place with a fairly comfortable victory over a battling St. Paul’s side who for the second time in five days arrived in Ballymena with only 15 players but who battled hard against a home side who had more to play for on the night.

A draw would have been enough to secure the promotion playoff place for Liam Bradley’s side and although St. Paul’s could have caught All Saints in theory a massive score difference for the Ballymena side made that scenario unlikely.

Matty Downey pointed All Saints ahead in the 5^th minute from a 40 meter free with Ciaran Killough following with another from play and Shea O’Brien opened up a three point lead before Conall Duffy opened the visitors account with 12 minutes gone.

Paddy Doyle closed the gap to the minimum as the visitors fought hard to establish control of the game but All Saints were moving the ball at pace and a Shea O’Brien pointed free moved them three in front at the end of the opening quarter.

St. Paul’s replied with an excellent point from Colm McLarnon but once again the Slemish Park side were able to respond and Matty Downey fired a 45 yard free between the uprights and Cavan Keenan added another from play as they continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges.

Jack McAufield pulled off a good save to deny Ciaran Campbell but Conor Stewart was on hand to return the ball over the bar as the Ballymena men moved five clear after 24 minutes before Conall Duffy replied with a point at the other end to keep the Shaw’s Road side within touching distance.

Free taker Downey limped out of the contest following a collision to be replaced by Connell Lemon as Shea O’Brien kicked the final point of the half from a close range free to leave it 0-9 to 0-4 for the home side as referee Sean Laverty sounded his half time whistle.

O’Brien started the second half as he finished the first as he increased the home side’s lead with a point in the opening minute but Patrick Doyle threw the visitors a lifeline when he intercepted Niall Shannon’s kick-out at the other end before lobbing the All Saints keeper as he tried in vain to get back to his line.

Doyle’s goal left just three between the sides and it looked like we might be in for a tight contest but All Saints response was emphatic as they replied with unanswered points through Shea O’Brien, Emmet Killough and Ciaran McGarry to move six ahead once more.

All Saints were then handed an opportunity to sew matters up early but Jack McAufield in the visitors goals dived to his right to turn away Shea O’Brien’s penalty kick and when and All Saints player received a straight red minutes later it seemed to have handed the visitors another lifeline.

The impressive Patrick Doyle added a point for the Belfast men but once again a sweet moving all Saints found the appropriate response with Conor Stewart firing to the net at the other end as the home side started to empty their bench.

To their credit St. Paul’s kept battling right to the end and were rewarded with late points from Colm McLarnon and Duffy but the damage had been done at that stage and All Saints ran out comfortable winners in the end and must now await the outcome of the final rounds of games in division 1 before knowing who they will play in that much anticipating promotion-relegation playoff.

All Saints: 1 Niall Shannon, 2 Matty Downey, 3 James McDonnell, 4 James Gillan, 5 Michael Read, 6 Paddy McAleer, 7 Conall Killough, 8 Emmet Killough, 9 Ciaran McGarry, 10 Conor Stewart, 11 Cavan Keenan, 12 Shaun O’Callaghan, 13 Ciaran Campbell, 14 Eoin Campbell, 15 Shea O’Brien. Subs: Connell Lemon for Matty Downey, Michael McCarry for Eoghan Campbell, Mark Murchin, Rory McVeigh

St. Paul’s: 1 Jack mcAufield, 2 Pearse Magee, 3 Conall Finnegan, 4 Miceal Duffy, 5 Aodhan Kavanagh, 6 Don Burns, 7 Niall Ward, 8 Marcas Munce, 9 Colm McLarnon, 10 Paul O’Hanalon, 11 Paddy Doyle, 12 Padraic Lowe, 13 Conall Duffy, 14 Eugene Reid, 15 Caomhin Duffy

Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass)

Homefit Antrim All-County Football League Division 1

O’Donovan Rossa 1-7 Creggan 0-10

Paul McIntyre reports from Rossa Park

Dominic McEnhill’s injury time point gave Rossa a deserving share of the spoils at Rossa Park on Wednesday evening.

Just when it looked like Creggan goalkeeper Oisin Kerr was going to be the match winner with two late frees, up stepped McEnhill to pop a free over after Liam Carr was fouled.

Defeat would’ve been a harsh pill for Hugh McGettigan’s side to swallow. Down a number of regulars, Rossa may not have created as many chances as the visitors, but they more than matched the county champions in the endeavour and work rate department.

For Gerard McNulty’s side however, they would feel that it was a point that got away.

Over the sixty plus minutes they coughed up chance after chance on their way to kicking fourteen wides. A stat that will irk with the Kickham’s when they sit down to analyse the game. 

Creggan dominated possession in the opening exchanges but only had points from Tiarnan and Dominic McAteer to show for their efforts.

The best Rossa could muster was an effort from the roving Michael Byrne, but his effort fell comfortably into the hands of Kerr.

Ruairi McCann opened his account on 14 minutes and Creggan looked to be cruising as they lead 0-3 to 0-0, but Rossa soon found a way back into the contest.

Michael Armstrong collected Stephen Beatty’s long ball and played in Diarmuid Rogan, who after a goal mouth scramble that involved two shots, claimed a goal that levelled proceedings after 18minutes.

Two minutes later Armstrong fielded another long ball but this time claimed a mark and duly pointed to give Rossa an unexpected lead.

Ruairi McCann and Dominic McAteer soon kicked Creggan back into the lead but Rogan pointed with that last play of the half to send the sides into the sheds all square, Rossa 1-2 Creggan 0-5.

Scores were few and far between at the start of the second half as Creggan’s poor form in front of goal continued.

And they were being made to pay for their lack of accuracy as Matthew Mallon and Beatty kicked Rossa into a two-point lead.

Sean Duffin made an imedaiate impact when introduced from the bench to cut the arrears to one and a minute later Ruairi McCann levelled the tie from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Rossa recovered from that let-off Byrne and Eoghan McMenamin carved open a two-point lead again.

On 52 minutes Creggan were handed the initiative when Rossa were reduced to 14 players.

Duffin was on a storming run through the heart of the Rossa defence but was dragged down by Mallon leaving referee Darren McKeown no option than to brandish the Rossa man with a black card.

From the resulting free Ruairi McCann pointed to leave a solitary point between the sides and when Kerr pointed two frees it looked like Creggan had done just enough to maintain their two-point lead at the top of division one.

But McEnhill’s last ditch free means that they head back down the motorway with a one-point advantage with just two games to play.

Teams & Scorers:

O’Donovan Rossa: Michael Byrne (0-1f), Aidan Devlin, Niall Crossan, Conor McGowan, Jack Morris, Chris McGuiness, Patrick Moyes, Michael McEnhill, Eoghan McMenamin (0-1), Conall McDonnell, Stephen Beatty (0-1), Matthew Mallon (0-1), Michael Armstrong (0-1), Diarmuid Rogan (1-1), Michael McDaid.

Replacements: Cormac McGettigan for M McEnhill (HT), Dominic McEnhill (0-1f) for Armstrong (38), Thomas Morgan for Rogan (48), Ciaran Orchin for McGowan (48), Liam Carr for McDaid (56).

Creggan: Oisin Kerr (0-2f), Ethan Carey Small, Eunan McAteer, Aidan Maguire, Sam Maguire, Martin Johnston, Jamie McCann, Kevin Small, Kealan McCann, Fintan Burke, Ruairi McCann (0-4 3f), Tiarnan McAteer (0-1), Dominic McAteer (0-2), Matthew Rodgers, Liam Quinn.

Replacements: Sean Duffin (0-1) for D McAteer (38), Conor McCann for Burke (48), Aidan McKeown for Quinn (60).

Referee: Mr Darren McKeown (St Galls)