Month / September 2022

by thesaffrongael

Cloney Gaels and St Gall’s are through but other two still to be decided

ANDERSONSTOWN SOCIAL CLUB INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

St Paul’s v Cloney Gaels, Ahoghill at Pairc Pól

The final round of the group games in the Intermediate Hurling Championship are down for decision on Saturday, with just one of them a ‘dead-rubber’. St Paul’s who sit second bottom in Group 2, cannot advance any further, regardless of the result against Group 2 leaders Cloney Gaels, The Ahoghill men have full points from their three games and cannot be caught. They have been highly impressive in their wins over Cushendun, Tir na nÓg and Gort na Móna and will start as short odds favourites to win this one as well.

Robert Emmet’s, Cushendun v Gort na Móna at the Rigs

In the other game in Group 2 Cushendun Emmet’s need to beat Gort na Móna at home if they are to leapfrog Tir na nÓg and make it through the to the semi-final. A point earned two weeks ago against the Randalstown men, thanks to an injury time point from free taker Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill, just about kept their hopes alive, and they need to get a win on Saturday over the Gorts to book that semi-final spot. Playing in Division 1 this season Cushendun have found the going tough, having lost all their games as they return to Division 2. When they lost their opening Round 1 Championship game to Cloney Gael’s the future did not look bright, but a home win over St Paul’s got things going again, and that draw with Tir na nÓg means they are still standing and a win on Saturday would see them through ahead of Tir na nÓg on score difference.

Oisins Glenarffie v Creggan Kickhams at Waterfoot

In group 1 a great comeback win against Group 2 leaders and already qualified St Gall’s two weeks ago at Milltown have kept the Oisins hopes of a semi-final spot alive, but they needed to beat Creggan in Saturday game in Waterfoot to secure that place. The Glenariffe men started the campaign with a high scoring draw against Sarsfields in the Bear Pit, before beating near neighbours Con Magees in round 2. They travelled to St Gall’s in round 3 and appeared to be in a bit of bother until a later rally saw them home by three points against the group leaders. If they beat Creggan on Saturday they will be through, but if they slip up they can still be overtaken by Sarsfields. Creggan have been off the pace this season, not surprising considering the number of players who are involved in the club’s defence of the Senior Football title, plus the loss through injury of their star man Conor McCann. Glenariffe certainly cannont take anything for granted, but if they can repeat the form they showed in the second half against St Gall’s then they should go through.

Con Magees Glenravel v Patricks Sarsfields at Fr Maginn Park

Sarsfields destiny is out of their own hands as they travel to Glenravel to face a Con Magees side who is managed by one of their own, Ciaran Tub McKernan.  McKernan guided Glenravel to the Junior Hurling Championship title last season, and though they are winless in this years’ Intermediate campaign, they have put up good showings in all three games, and had they been more accurate with their free taking things would have been ever closer. Sarsfields, who are still aiming for an Intermediate Football and Hurling double, know that whatever they do on Saturday will be to no avail, unless Creggan can cause a shock a few miles down the road in Waterfoot.

by thesaffrongael

Junior semi-final places up for grabs

CASEMENT SOCIAL CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Michael Davitt’s v Glen Rovers, Armoy at Pairc Davitt

In the Casement Social Club Junior Hurling Championship Davitt’s, who finished runners-up in Group 1 behind Rasharkin, have home advantage against Glen Rovers Armoy. When the two sides met in the league in Armoy back in June, Glen Rovers won by 4-19 to 2-13, and by virtue of that would start as favourites, but Championship is a different matter and, given they have home advantage this time around, Davitt’s will feel that are in with a great chance.

St Brigid’s Cloughmills v All Saints at Cloughmills

In the other quarter-final St Brigid’s Cloughmills host All Saints Ballymena and will fancy their chances of gaining a semi-final place. The Biddies played their hurling in Division 3 this season, while the Ballymena boys were in Division 4. Also Cloughmills played in the Intermediate Championship last year, while All Saints were in Junior B, another indication that they will be the stronger side. However All Saints will be glad to get another game in this competition and the last time they played a championship match at Saturday’s venue was three years ago when they beat the Aggies in the semi-final of the B Championship, and will have good memories of the venue.

by thesaffrongael

O’D’s at the second time of asking

U15C Football Final Replay

O’Donnell’s 3-11 St. Teresa’s 0-3

Pics by Bert Trowlen

Last week a fancied O’Donnell’s were unable to shake off the challenge of a spirited St. Teresa’s on the Glen Road, that one finishing at 3-7 apiece but on Thursday night at Musgrave Park they made no mistake in this U15C football final replay.

Aodhan Mclaughlin pointed O’Donnell’s ahead after five minutes but when Eoin Altwood replied for St. Teresa’s to draw his side level in the 7th minute we looked like we might be in for another tight contest.

It didn’t materialise as O’Donnell’s took control with Sean Michael Clarke driving them forward from mid-field and Fionnbar McKernan sending over some excellent points, from both frees and from play as the MacRory Park side hit 1-5 without reply by the 25th minute.

McKernan scored 1-4 of that total and earned himself a yellow card in between with Aodhan McLaughlin getting the other point and even at this stage of the game it looked a long way back for the Glen Road side who were struggling to re-produce the fluency of a week ago.

Sean Michael Clarke who was outstanding for O’Donnell’s

Their keeper Conor McGuigan pulled off an excellent save to deny his ide further punishment and Seamus Tennyson raised their second white flag of the contest in the 28th minute but the final score of the half fell to O’Donnell’s Francis Tate to leave his side leading 1-6 to 0-2 at the short whistle.

The Whiterock Road side started the second half as they had finished the first with a point in the opening minute from Francis Tate and the impressive Fionnbar McKernan added a second after 7 minutes before blotting his copy book when he received a second yellow with 13 on the clock.

Despite the loss of their most influential forward, O’Donnell’s continued to dictate matters as the excellent Aodhan McLaughlin added a point before Lewis Smyth climbed to palm an inviting cross to the St. Teresa’s net in the 23d minute and the cup was on its way to MacRory Park.

The O’D’s continued to press in the later stages with Sean Michael Clarke sending over an excellent long range point before Corey Colinns Devlin replied with St. Teresa’s only score of the half with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Fionntan McLaughlin stroked over another long range point for the MacRory Park side and Conor McGuigan in the St. Teresa’s goals brought off his third great save of the game but he was helpless to prevent Clarke striking his side’s third goal of the evening with virtually the last kick of the game.

After the game St. Teresa’s and Antrim official, |Gerry McClory presented the Saffron Gael man of the match award to Sean Michael Clarke of O’Donnell’s and the U15C trophy to his mid-field partner, Fionntan McLaughlin to the delight of a good O’Donnell’s support.

O’Donnell’s: 1 Cody Breathnach, 2 Niall Rice, 3 Pratham Ravikiran, 4 Carl McCaffrery, 5 Johnny Cunningham, 6 Sean Loughran, 7 Jack Johnson, 8 Fionntan McLaughlin, 9 Sean Michael Clarke, 10 Fionnbar McKernan, 11 Francis Tate, 12 John Austin, 13 Aodhan McLaughlin, 14 Lewis Smyth, 15 Caden O’Hallaron

St. Teresa’s: 1 Conor McGuigan, 2 Ruiri McNally, 3 Kevin Wilson MacDonald, 4 Michael McCann, 5 Eoin Altwood, 6 Liam Connolly, 7 Conor Delaney, 8 Corey Collins Devlin, 9 Robert McKee, 10 Tiarnan Headley, 12 Zachary Morgan, 13 Seamus Tennyson, 14 Austin Drumm, 15 Conor McGoran, 16 Gerard Delaney, 17 Eoghan McClory, 18 Kevin McKee, 22 Criostior McKee, 23 Homza Alkhesh

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg:

Gerry McClory presents the Saffron Gael Man of the Match award to O’Donnell’s Sean Michael Clarke
Gerry McClory presents the U15C cup to O’Donnell’s captain, Fionntan McLaughlin
by thesaffrongael

Goals the difference as St. Ergnat’s advance

LGFA U16 Semi-Final

Moneyglass 3-9 Gort Na Mona 0-8

Moneyglass advanced to the LGFA U16 final when they defeated a spirited Gort na Mona in the semi-final on Tuesday night and now go forward to meet St. Paul’s in next Tuesday’s decider. Goals from Maria McNally, Leah Stewart and player of the match, Jo-Jo Darragh, set the foundations for a fairly comprehensive victory but the Turf Lodge girls should be commended for their contribution over the hour.

Darragh got St. Ergnat’s on their way with a point in the 4th minute but Gort na Mona were giving as good as they got during the early exchanges and replied through mid-fielder, Casey Meighan to draw level with 10 minutes gone.

Leah Stewart for Moneyglass and Nicole Dobbin for the ‘Gorts’ exchanged points before Josephine Darragh and Cara McKeefry replied with further points for the South West girls by the 16th minute as they began to take control.

St. Ergnat’s pushed on strongly during the second quarter and a goal from Maria McNally in the 18th minute put a bit of distance between the sides with Leah Stewart adding a point and finishing the half with a goal and Mia Mills replying with two points for the Belfast girls to leave the half time score 2-5 to 0-4 in favour of Moneyglass.

Orla McNulty for Gort na Mona and Josephine Darragh for Moneyglass exchanged further points at the start of the second half but Jo-Jo for the Marian Hill side was beginning to stamp her class on proceedings and she struck with her side’s third goal in the 44th minute to put them in a strong position going into the final quarter.

The same player added two further points and another from Katie Kearney put the contest out of reach of a Gort na Mona side who battled right to the final whistle and were rewarded with points from the excellent Mia Mills 0-2 and Orla McNulty to bring their total to 8 for the hour.

Moneyglass: 1 Siobhan Maguire, 2 Aoife McGrogan, 3 Katie O’Boyle, 4 Aibhe O’Boyle, 5 Nicole Graham, 6 Katie McCloskey, 7 Caitlin Griffin, 8 Leah Cassidy, 9 Maria McNally, 10 Ruby McErlain, 11 Orlaith McAteer, 12 Cara McKeefry, 13 Josephine Darragh, 14 Leah Stewart, 15 Annie Griffin

Gort na Mona: 1 Holly McGahey, 2 Aoibh Bradley, 3 Rhianna Morton, 4 Katie Kearney, 5 Seana Bradley, 6 Chloe Lennon, 7 Darcy Ward, 8 Casey Meighan, 9 Nicole Dobbin, 10 Orla McNulty, 11 Mia Mills, 12 Cara Nolan, 13 Chloe Boyd Munce, 14 Demi McGreevy, 15 Grace McConway

Referee: Fionnula Murphy

by thesaffrongael

U15C Replay should be a cracker

U15C Football Final Replay

St. Teresa’s v O’Donnells

Musgrave Park 6-15pm

St. Brigid’s have already collected the U15A title with a comprehensive win over St Enda’s in the final while last week’s U15B final produced the comeback of all comebacks when Erin’s Own came from 3-4 to 0-0 down at half time to beat Gort na Mona by 1-11 to 3-4 and take the title.

An even closer encounter ensued in the U15C final however with St. Teresa’a and O’Donnell’s inseparable and the game finishing 3-7 to 3-7 in the fading light on the Glen Road. Because of the poor light the game could not go to extra time so a replay is necessary and tomorrow (Thursday) the sides must go it again, this time at Musgrave Park.

The game should attract a good crowd following the excitement of last week’s draw with the action set to get underway at 6-15pm and Lamh Dhearg’s Brendan Toland the man in charge.

Photographs: Martin Brunty