Month / August 2022

by thesaffrongael

Aggies book their place in the quarter finals

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship Group 2

St Agnes 4-16 Ballycastle 0-9

Four goals from Ronan Carroll booked St Agnes’ a place in this year’s junior championship quarter-finals.

After coming out on the wrong end of two close games encounters with St Malachy’s and Laochra Loch Lao respectively, the Aggies easy saw of the challenge of the McQuillan’s to keep their season alive.

St Agnes’ were on top all over the field but Carroll’s four goal blast will grab most of the headlines. In fact, with a little bit more composure in front of goal, Carroll could easily have had another 1-3.

He will no doubt have nightmares about a chance that went abegging in the 13th minute.

With the tie delicately poised at 0-3 to 0-2 in his sides favour, Carroll found himself bearing down on goal with only Ballycastle netminder Eamon Butler to beat. But instead of picking his spot, Carroll went for the chip and his effort bounced the wrong side of the post and out.

Eoin Magee who was Ballycastle’s top scorer

But by half-time Carroll was well on his way to making up for that miss as his 22nd minute goal opened up a seven-point lead. His first time shot to the roof of the net giving Butler no chance whatsoever.

Ballycastle to their credit battled gamely over the hour, but with a playing squad of just sixteen, and a lack of competitive football this year, this was always going to be a tough ask.

St Agnes’ tactic of isolating Carroll in the full forward line was working a treat.

Constant long ball from the middle sector was giving the visitors defence headaches from the opening minutes, with Dylan Cunningham, Conall Turley and Neill Gillespie wasting no time in getting the ball into their target man.

Gillespie was impressive over the hour for the Aggies while Mark Caldwell and Paul McClenaghan also put in great shifts over the hour.

Eoin Magee converted two early frees to keep Ballycastle in the tie but once Ronan Carroll gave St Agnes’ the lead for the third time in the 12th minute there was no looking back.

His second point came courtesy of a sublime ball from Gillespie, and this was quickly followed by a fine individual score from Turley.

McClenaghan then assisted Carroll for his first major as the home side began to turn the screw and at the break the Aggies lead 1-7 to 0-3.

Ballycastle started the second half with a bit more purpose and after winning the throw-in Brian McLernon set up Magee for his third point of the game.

Feargal McKiernan then saw a goal bound shot turned away by Aggies custodian Callum Carroll as Ballycastle went all out to claw their way back into the contest.

But there was to be no second-half fight-back from the visitors as St Agnes’ rattled off the next three points before Carroll finished to the net for a second time in the 46th minute for a 2-10 to 0-5 lead.

Replacement Ciaran Flannery kicked the first of his three points almost immediately before Carroll completed his hattrick in the 52nd minute finishing emphatically past Butler.

Efforts from Shane Farrelly, Magee and Ciaran McAuley helped bring a little bit of respectability to the Ballycastle tally, but the last word was had by Carroll who coolly fished to the net in the final minute from Turley’s pass.

Teams:

St Agnes: Callum Carroll (0-1), Patrick Carroll, Ryan Reilly (0-1), Killian McCormack, Brendan McLarnon, Mark Caldwell, Dylan Cunningham, Kealan McAllister (0-1), Euairí Howarth, Conall Turley (0-2 1f), Declan McLarnon (0-1), Neill Gillespie, Paul McClenaghan (0-1), Ronan Carroll (4-2), Cormac McBride (0-3).

Replacements: Ciaran Flannery (0-3) for McAllister (38), Paul Kennedy for B McLarnon (48), James Halleron for Gillespie (48), Paddy Toner (0-1) for D McLarnon (52), Peter McCullough for McCormick (52).

Ballycastle: Eamon Butler, Niall McDermott (0-1), Conor Donnelly, Eoin Boylan, Ciaran McAuley (0-1), Shane Farrelly (0-1), Oisin Donnelly, Eoin Magee (0-4 3f), Lorcan Donnelly, Tadgh Donnelly, Feargal McKiernan, Stephen McGill, Callum Campbell (0-1), Brian McLernon, Frank McCaughan.

Replacement: Eddie McGuigan (0-1) for McDermott (44).

Referee: Martin Quinn (Naomh Éanna)

by thesaffrongael

Semis spot secured by O’Donnells

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship – Group 1

Saturday 27th August

Report by Niall Kelly 

Cardinal O’Donnells 3-06   Na Piarsaigh 2-02

The men from MacRory Park solidified their position in this year’s Junior Football Championship with seven points to spare against a crestfallen Pearses side on Saturday. O’Donnells were simply more efficient and economical in the business end of the pitch as they despatched the majority of chances that fell in their favour. The visitors will rue a wasteful evening in front of the sticks though as promising build up play was rarely capitalised on with wayward shooting a recurring theme throughout the sixty minutes.

The first half was somewhat abrasive as the Belfast natives were trying to figure each other out. Both teams searched for penetrative avenues of attack but the killer pass or finishing touches were lacking in the opening exchanges. Kevin Kennedy eventually raised the first white flag of the afternoon in style as he latched on to Stevie Seawright’s pass before caressing a superb effort between the posts from an acute angle.

Pearses were carving opportunities but failing to capitalise. After a spate of frees missed their mark, midfield dynamo Piaras Donaghy was put on placed ball duty and duly obliged chipping over from range on the fourteenth minute to level proceeding.

O’Donnell’s recaptured the lead a mere minute later thanks to the capable Padraig McKissock and the hosts would refuse to relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. On the twenty second minute, the men in maroon and yellow dealt a hammer blow to their opponents when John Rafferty’s long range pass somehow found its way into the back of the despairing Niall Largey’s net as the defence seemed to lose the flight of the ball on its path to goal.

The visitors responded well though and Cormac O’Neill pointed beautifully after a surging forty yard run to leave the scores 1-02 to 0-02 at Danny O’Neill’s short whistle.

Pearses started the half brightly and seemed galvanised by the interval. They constructed some crisp passing moves off the shoulder but again were found wanting with the finishing. Half-time substitute PJ Meenan made them pay emphatically though as he timed his jump perfectly to fist home to the net from Padraig McKissocks lofted pass. Pearses though replied with vigour and raised a green flag of their own in response as Fionn Grew palmed to the net after industrious work from Liam Deegan on the sideline.

The hosts sought to respond and again Meenan was on hand utilising his blistering pace as he finished a flowing move with a well taken point before Ciaran Ferran stroked a succulent effort off the outside of his boot between the posts. The visitors responded positively though and grabbed their second major of the game on the fiftieth minute. Another fortuitous goal if truth be told and a near mirror version of Rafferty’s first half effort as Liam Deegan’s long range free somehow nestled in the top corner of Conor Murphy’s net.

With the deficit now down to two points, O’Donnells dug deep to withstand the barrage of Pearses’ charges surging forward and launched a few of their own counter attacks. Scott Thompson sent over a superb effort from range which was followed quickly by another McKissock score.

Subsitute Darragh Walsh though hammered the final nail in the coffin of the North Belfast outfit as another high ball in caused havoc in the Pearses rearguard. Walsh was alert and anticipated the drop of the ball before poking in courageously to send the home faithful into rapturous applause.

A job well done from the hosts. They will await the winners of Laochra and Éire Óg with anticipation in their semi-final showdown. Pearses will no doubt be somewhat despondant with this defeat but will be buoyed by the fact that they created an array of chances. If they can find their shooting boots in the next one, they are more than capable of joining the O’s in the semis but will face a stiff test from Naomh Úna who will also fancy their chances.

Teams

O’Donnells:

C Murphy; C Doherty, J O’Donnell, J McKenna; G McKernan, S Seawright, K Kennedy (0-01;) S Thompson (0-01,) C Walsh, J Rafferty (1-00,)  C Walsh, C McKissock; K Loughran, P McKissock (0-02,) M Close

Substitute scorers: PJ Meenan (1-01,) D Walsh (1-00,)  C Ferran (0-01)

Pearses

N Largey; D O’Neill, A Goodall, C McCavana; C O’Neill (0-01,)  A Bannon, N Gorman; R Bannon, P Donaghy (0-01;) C Hughes, P Murray, S Moreland; F Grew (1-00,) L Deegan (1-00,) O Grew

South Antrim secretary and former O’Dee’s manager Joe McVeigh looking very dapper as he watches the action from the sideline on Saturday
by thesaffrongael

Coby inspires Cuchullain’s to quarter-final spot

OB Construction IFC Group 1

Cuchullains 3-17 Naomh Padraig 1-8

Two first half goals from Conal ‘Coby’ Cunning paved the way for a Dunloy victory over visitors Naomh Padraig, Lisburn in the final game in Group 1 of the OB Construction IFC today at Pearse Park to send Cuchullain’s into the quarter-final as runners up in the group.

Coby had the ball in the visitors net before the home crowd had settled on the terrace and was a constant threat until the home management called him ashore late in the game by which time the game was well out of reach of the battling Lisburn men.

Naomh Padraig responded to Cunning’s early strike with three points in reply from Conor Ewing, Marcas Turbitt and Ben McMullan to draw level by the 8th minute but Cuchullain’s replied through Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott and Conal Cunning to re-establish their three point advantage.

The Lisburn side were methodical in their build up play but were too often being turned over by Dunloy’s high press and a second goal from the flying Connon in the 14th minute put the home side in a commanding position.

Conal ‘Coby’ Cunning who scored 2-4 as Dunloy defeated Naomh Padraig Lisburn to advance to the quarter-finals of the IFC today at Pearse Park

By half time the home side led 2-5 to 0-4 with Mark Chernek getting Naomh Padraig’s final point when he wriggled free from several defenders to send over from close range but it looked a long way back for the visitors even at this stage of the contest.

Deaglan Smith, who with Eoin McFerran was giving Dunloy the edge at mid-field sent over his second point of the game on the restart as the home side started to introduce their bench and Eoin Gillan added another before substitute, Tom McFerran split the posts with virtually his first touch of the ball in the 7th minute.

Dunloy were growing in confidence with the pace of Nigel and Seaan Elliott causing problems for a Naomh Padraig defence who were coming under increasing pressure and Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran and Elliott again added points by the 10th minute.

The visitors were unfortunate when the final pass let them down after a good move out of defence split the Cuchullain’s defence open and at the other end Keelan Molloy punished an indiscretion on Conal Cunning before Coby followed with two from play to move his side 13 ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Mark Chernek who led the Naomh Padraig attack is challenged by Cathaoir McCloskey

The Lisburn side rang the changes themselves at this stage and came back with a point as Eoin Dixon’s long range effort bounced over but Nigel Elliott replied immediately for the home side with a good point at the other end in the 19th minute.

Two minutes later it was as good as over when Tom McFerran sent a pin point pass across goal to the unmarked Oran Quinn who gratefully palmed the ball to an empty net with Peadar O’Neill desperately trying to get back but to no avail.

Naomh Padraig kept going right to the end and were rewarded with a goal of their own when a Josh McMullan shot dangled tantalisingly into the danger area and Mark Chernek appeared to get the vital touch as he challenged Chris Brogan for the dropping ball.

Dunloy will now meet St. James’ Aldergrove in the quarter-final with the Crumlin side topping their group on score difference despite losing to a St. Paul’s side today who will join them in the quarter-finals as runners up in Group 4 with St. Teresa’s missing out in a group where all three sides won one game each.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Dunloy: 1 Chris Brogan, 2 Oran Quinn, 3 Aaron Crawford, 4 Cathaoir McCloskey, 5 Conor Kinsella, 6 Kevin McQuillan, 7 Anton McGrath, 8 Eoin McFerran, 9 Deaglan Smith, 10 Nigel Elliott, 11 Eoin Gillan, 12 Christopher McMahon, 13 Conal Cunning, 14 Keelan Molloy, 15 Seaan Elliott. Subs: Tom McFerran, Barry McCloskey, Ciaran McQuillan, Karl O’Kane, Adi Scullion

Naomh Padraig: 1 Peadar O’Neill, 2 Jack McMullan, 3 Thomas Burns, 4 Josh McMullan, 5 Oisin Gorman, 6 Marcas Turbitt, 7 Colm Burns, 24 Aaran Thompson, 8 Che Smith, 9 Adam Patterson, 10 Conor Ewing, 11 Eoin Dixon, 12 Sean Burns, 13 Ben McMullan, 14 Mark Chernek, 17 Rory Kennedy. Subs: Kevin Gallagher, Rory Kennedy, Conor Doran, Conor Dixon, Francis McMeel

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

by thesaffrongael

Bridini Óga get the better of Creggan

Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Intermediate championship

Brídíní Óga Glenravel 0-17 Creggan 1-9

Brídíní Óga Glenravel advanced to a quarter-final meeting with Loughgiel in the Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Intermediate championship after this win over visiting Creggan in Fr Maginn Park.

The Glenravel girls always looked the more likely winners with their half-forward line causing problems with their pace. They led by 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval and had stretched the gap to eight points by the three quarters mark.

Creggan however battled well over the next seven or eight minutes and a goal from Cerys O’Neill reduced the gap to three points.

But they could not close it further as points from Kirsty Laverty and the impressive Molly Woulahan provided insurance for the home team.

Laverty opened the scoring in the sixth minute and Erin McAleese flashed over another point with Evanne Martin pointing twice from frees in reply. Indeed almost all the rest of the first half scoring came from Eimhear McAleenan frees. However she tapped over her first score from play and Evanne Martin and Torie Edgar exchanged good scores late in the half.

On the re-start McAleenan pointed two more frees with Ella McAteer and Martin (from a free) responding.

Three further points inside two minutes from Molly Woulahan, Torie Edgar and another McAleenan free left Creggan struggling to remain in contention.

However their defence was playing well and Fiona Maguire did well to keep a clean sheet before points from Martin (two frees) ignited a comeback.

Mary Murray fired over from the left wing and two minutes later the same player dropped an attempt at a second point into the Glenravel area where Cerys O’Neill got a touch to find the net.

However Creggan couldn’t build on it and after McAleenan and Martin had exchanged points from frees, Woulahan and Laverty’s points made the result safe for Glenravel.

Both full back lines were safe enough, but further out there was a lot of loose marking and the home side was able to take advantage to force frees.

Brídíní Óga: Orla Donnelly, Aisling Donnelly, Jaime Woulahan, Aisling Mulholland, Erin Coulter, Maeve Mulholland, Brónagh Laverty, Erin McAleese 0-1, Sarah Fyfe, Kirsty Laverty capt 0-2, Molly Woulahan 0-2, Eimhear McAleenan 0-9 (8fs), Aimee Traynor 0-1, Torie Edgar 0-2, Ashling Millar.

Subs: Leona Traynor for A Donnelly (15), Niamh McKay for A Millar (50), Megan Law for E McAleese (54), Oonagh Ward for T Edgar (56).

Creggan: Fiona Maguire capt, Rose Carey-Small, Kelly Mulholland, Áine Colgan, Caoimhe McAteer, Megan Nelson, Alicia McAuley, Ella McAteer 0-1, Maria Gately, Evanne Martin 0-7 (6fs), Ciara McCollum, Mya Quinn, Mary Murray 0-1, Susan McElwee, Cerys O’Neill 1-0.

Subs: Cara McCann for M Quinn (44), Lauren McCann for C O’Neill (54).

Referee: Margaret O’Connell

by thesaffrongael

Champions lay their title on the line

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Previews – Sat 27th August/Sunday 28th

By Geordie McGuckin

The last games in the ‘round robin’ phase of the senior championship scheduled for the week-end, with a single fixture on Saturday afternoon and the remainder to complete on Sunday.

Group One

St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan (6.00pm)

County champions Creggan lay their title on the line in the ‘game of the round’ when they travel up the Whiterock Road to Corrigan Park to cross swords with St John’s.

The champions will retun to the venue where they bridged a 67 year gap last season by beating Agahagallon in the final. However they go in the knowledge that a win, or even a draw, will secure a place in the quarter final stage while defeat would end their reign.

The home side will play hosts to their country cousins also sure of their requirement of a full return of the points available if they are to make the last eight at the expense of their visitors.

A huge test for both with defeat causing exit from the championship trail for both will bring a big attendance to the famous old stadium.

The stakes could not be higher in this one and although the Kickham’s will start as favourites they will need to be at their very best to secure passage at the expense of a focused Johnnies on their own patch.

Sat 27th August

Group One

St Gall’s v Lamh Dhearg (6.00pm)

With St Gall’s having endured defeat in both of their games to date the Milltown men will play hosts to Lamh Dhearg in this one in the knowledge that only pride will be at stake as the Hannahstown men visit.

Lamh Dhearg  lead the way in the group and barring extraordinary circumstances they are destined for a spot in the quarter finals, and the question who will join them when St Johns play hosts to defending champions Creggan at Corrigan on Sunday evening.

The Hannahstown men will start as firm favourites and although the home side are more than capable of giving their visitors a run for their money an away win does look probable.

Sunday 28th August

Group Two

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Brigid’s (2.00pm)

Having failed to gain a positive return from their games to date on the championship trail Ahoghill will be more than keen to add a victory here as St Brigid’s visit Cloney.

St Brigid’s, with a nine point victory secured from their assignment against Moneyglass, entertain hopes of securing a quarter final berth as they take to trip down to Cloney.

The South Belfast side with a superior points difference over the St Ergnat’s men will travel safe in the knowledge that a positive return will ensure passage and although that will not be gifted to them by their hosts St Brigid’s may gain a hard earned verdict.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Casement’s Portglenone (2.00pm)

With back to back wins gained in their games to date Casement’s have already secured a place in the quarter finals when they travel up to Moneyglass for their last assignment as firm favourites.

John Mc Keever’s men have impressed thus far in the season and with a place in the quarter final stages already secured they will look to remain unbeaten with victory at Marian Hill.

Moneyglass having secured promotion to the top grade for 2023 gained a win over Ahoghill in this group and they will not be found wanting in effort as the Bannsider’s come a calling.

Casement’s will travel as firm favourites and although the home side will not be lacking in effort a win for the visitors looks probable.

Group Three

O’ Donovan Rossa v Erin’s Own Cargin (2.00pm)

With an opening round win gained over St Enda’s in this three team section Cargin will travel to west Belfast knowing they are already in the quarter finals

Rossa having drawn with St Enda’s, the other team in this group will play hosts to the Toome men in the knowledge that anything less than a five point defeat will secure passage to the next phase.

The Shaw’s road side will know what is required if they are to make the last eight and although they will fully test to resolve of their visitors Cargin may well prove as a tough nut to crack.