September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 by thesaffrongael

Creggan weather the Hightown storm

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship quarter-final

Creggan 1-08-0-06 Rossa

Kevin Herron reports from Hightown

Ruairi McCann’s 24^th minute goal helped Champions Creggan get the better of Rossa and book their place in the last four of the Championship after a 1-08-0-06 victory at a rainswept Hightown on Sunday afternoon.

Last year’s winners saw first place snatched from their grasp at Corrigan Park last time out and faced a Rossa side that topped Group Four with victory over Cargin at home.

Conditions were atrocious as the inclement weather put paid to any chance of a free-flowing and entertaining encounter and from early on it was clear it was going to be a bit of a lottery, so bad were the conditions.

Liam Quinn got Creggan off the mark with an angled effort that dropped between the posts, but Stephen Beatty hit a fine reply to level things up early-on.

***Rossa goalkeeper Mick Byrne who landed three points from frees during the game***

Rossa hit the front through a converted free from goalkeeper Mick Byrne and despite Kevin Small restoring parity again- Byrne went up to land a second placed ball and give his side a 0-03-0-02 lead with less than ten minutes to the break.

The decisive moment in the half came on the 24^th minute as Rossa tried to clear their lines a slip in the heavy puddles saw Ruairi McCann gifted possession and he did enough to squeeze a low shot to the Rossa net to give his side the lead for the second time in the half.

Jamie McCann ensured that a goal separated the sides at the interval, landing a straight-forward free to give his side a 1-03-0-03 advantage.

Rossa wisely opted to change their kit at the break- though the change in jerseys didn’t yield a change in fortunes.

***A spray of water rises as Jamie McCann lands a Creggan free***

With the driving rain at their backs Creggan’s Ruairi McCann added a second converted free of the afternoon to extend his sides lead and Tiernan McAteer then sent a fine effort inside the near post.

Mick Byrne brought his tally to 0-03 for the afternoon from the placed ball and then produced a fine stop to deny Jamie McCann from putting the game beyond doubt.

The resulting ’45’ was converted by Oisin Kerr though as Creggan were 1-06-0-04 to the good in a match that resembled a game of water polo as playing conditions worsened.

Creggan moved further clear thanks to a Ruairi McCann free and at this stage it was goals that Rossa needed if they were going to set-up a grandstand finish.

An opportunity for goal arrived when Mick Byrne came up and dropped an angled free into the square, it fell for Cormac McGettigan- but his effort flashed over the crossbar rather than under.

Both sides traded late free’s through Jamie McCann and Dominic McEnhill and in the end Creggan ran out 1-08-0-06 winners to advance to a repeat of last year’s semi-final meeting with near neighbours Cargin in a fortnights time.

Creggan: O Kerr (0-01 45’), E Carey-Small, R Johnston, E McAteer, A Maguire, M Johnston, J McCann (0-03f), K Small (0-01), K McCann, T McAteer (0-01), K Rice, O McLarnon, L Quinn (0-01), D McAteer, R McCann (1-01, 0-01f). Subs: S Duffin for D McAteer (47), K Rice for L Quinn (49), F Burke for O McLarnon (53), K Burke for M Johnston (59).

Rossa: M Byrne (0-03f), N Crossan, C Orchin, G Walsh, J Morris, C McGuinness, R Gowdy, C McGettigan (0-01), E McMenamin, D McEnhill (0-01f), T Morgan, M Mallon, S Beatty (0-01), M Armstrong, A Devlin. Subs: C McDonald for M Armstrong (16), S Shannon for A Devlin (30), SP Donnelly for N Crossan (50), C Fleming for E McMenamin (50), P Moyes for J Morris (58).

Referee: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

***Conditions during the game were simply atrocious***

September 11, 2022September 11, 2022 by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon storm into last four

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship quarter-final

St Brigid’s 0-07-0-14 Aghagallon

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Aghagallon had seven points to spare over St Brigid’s at Hannahstown this afternoon after they ran out 0-14-0-07 winners in the first of today’s Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship quarter finals.

The tie was a repeat of last year’s quarter-final which the South-West side connivingly won to set up a meeting with Portglenone in the semi-final and a similar outcome would see history repeat itself.

Eunan Walsh floated over the opening score of the game, but Conor McAleer dropped successive frees over the bar to move St Brigid’s ahead after 12 minutes.

The Musgrave Park outfit would extend their lead when James Smith swung in a high ball that Joseph Finnegan caught cleanly and claimed the mark- before converting the resulting dead-ball.

McAleer added his third point of the half after playing a short free to Smith- who was pulled back- and the resulting free was dropped over the bar to make it 0-04-0-01.

Aghagallon cut the deficit through back-to-back frees from Gareth Magee and then restored parity from an angled David McAlernon score.

The momentum was with last year’s Championship runners up and they would edge ahead before the break after a free-flowing move resulted in Padraig Gowdy dropping a shot over the crossbar to give his side a 0-05-0-04 lead at the midway stage.

Ruairi McCann doubled Aghagallon’s lead upon the second half’s resumption for his first score of the afternoon.

At the other end half-time substitute Peter Webb dropped a free short and after the ball was knocked out of Damien O’Hagan grasp; possession was switched to Conor McAleer to send over his first score from play.

Webb would tie things up for the third time in proceedings, though Aghagallon forged ahead again through a third free of the afternoon from Gareth Magee.

They extended their lead from the same scenario, this time Eunan Walsh kicked a superb effort from the outside of the boot and Magee inched them 0-09-0-06 ahead with little over ten minutes remaining from his fourth free of the contest.

Aghagallon’s refused to let up and the scores continued, Eunan Walsh turned over a kick-out and claimed the mark before picking out Ruairi McCann with a neat pass- McCann made room for a shot and swung it between the posts.

It would be McCann’s last contribution for the afternoon after he shown a black-card by referee Brendan Toland with five-minutes remaining.

Despite playing the remainder a man light, they went six-ahead through a converted Eunan Walsh free.

St Brigid’s needed a goal if they had any aspirations of mounting a late fightback, but they could only muster a consolation point from Finn McKernan.

Late points from substitute Enda McCartan and Jonathan Hannan completed the rout for Aghgallon as the ran out seven-point winners at the conclusion to set-up a semi-final meeting with Portglenone in a fortnight’s time.

St Brigid’s: D Heery, J Morgan, C King, F McKernan (0-01), P King, J Toner, O Boyle, F Meenagh, J Dowling, R Boyle, P Finnegan, C McAleer (0-04, 0-03f), J Smith, P Bradley, J Finnegan (0-01m). Subs: P Webb (0-01) for P Bradley (HT), N Lundy for O Boyle (51), P Henvoy for F Meenagh (55).

Aghagallon: D O’Hagan, D Donnelly, J Lavelle, C Maginnis, David McAlernon (0-01), P Mulholland, Daryl McAlernon, E Walsh (0-03, 0-02f), J Lenahan, P Gowdy (0-01), A Loughran, J Hannon (0-01), G Magee (0-054f), R McCann (0-02), N McShane. Subs: P Brannigan for D McAlernon (35), O Lenahan for J Lenahan (40), E McCartan (0-01) for N McShane (45).

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg)

September 11, 2022September 12, 2022 by thesaffrongael

Goals the difference as Davitt’s advance to the semis

OB Construction IFC Quarter-Final

St. Joseph’s Glenavy 0.12 Michael Davitt’s 2.09

Davitt’s finished runners up in Group 3 of the qualifiers to Glenravel but served notice that they still have Intermediate Championship success firmly in their sites with a good win over Group 2 winners, St. Joseph’s Glenavy at Chapel Hill on Saturday.

A goal in the first half from Tony McGrattan and another from Marcus Toner in the second proved the difference in the end as Sean Murray’s side take their place in the semi-finals

The game was played before a large crowd, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with conditions conducive to good football. The view looking over Lough Neagh was splendid and both teams deserve great credit for the fare they served up for their supporters.

Davitt’s started in whirlwind fashion with two excellent points from Deaglan Mooney and James Lyndsay before Ciaran Loney popped up with an excellent point from an acute angle to get the home side off the mark.

Paddy Gallagher showed all his class when he finished a forty yard solo run with a point to bring his side level but Padraig McPartland restored his side’s advantage with a good point at the other end.

The visitors added a point from Deaglan Mooney that might have been a goal. A long ball was played in from midfield and was collected by Marcus Toner, who had the goal at his mercy but Lorcan Murphy, the home keeper made an excellent blocking save.

The defence was slow to react however and Tony McGrattan was quickest into action as he followed up to fire to the net and put his side in a strong position as he moved them five points ahead.

St. Joseph’s began to settle and with the half back line forming a wall across the pitch, Davitt’s were finding it difficult to set up attacks. The reliable Fergal Henry started the fight back with a long distance pointed free before Paddy Gallagher stole forward for an excellent point.

Not to be out done Fergal Henry split the posts and when Paddy Gallagher added his third of the day to leave just a point between the sides the Glenavy comeback was gathering momentum.

Davitt’s had the last say of the opening half however and Marcus Toner opened the gap to two just before the break to leave the score 0-06 to 1-05 in favour of the Belfast men and all still to play for in the second half.

The city side started the second half as they had finished the first with a pointed ‘45’ from their keeper Aaron Slane. The hard working Ciaran Loney pulled a point back for Glenavy before Padraig McPartland extended the Davitt’s lead with a pointed free to leave three between the sides.

St. Joseph’s were fighting hard to get back into contention and Ciaran Loney replied for the hill side but once again McPartland replied from a free with Fergal Henry responding from a well-executed free from an acute angle.

Davitt’s continued to carry the greater threat and once again, like in the first half they got a fortunate break of the ball with Marcus Toner finishing to the net to restore their five point advantage.

Back came the home side with two points from Fergal Henry to close the gap to three but Padraig McPartland kept the Davitt’s noses in front with a point at the other end. The last score fell to Fergal Henry who raised the white flag for the last score of the game but it was too little, too late and it is the men from the Lower Falls who move forward to the semi-final.

Credit to both sides for serving up an excellent game on such a hot day. With little to separate the sides it was Davitt’s ability to grab goals when the opportunity arose that was the difference in the end.

St.Joseph’s: 1 Lorcan Murphy; 2 Timmy Honeyford; 3 Liam Henry; 4 Stephen Doone; 5 Darragh Doherty; 6 Patrick Gallagher; 7 Matthew Lawlor (Conor Hamill); 8 Oisin Hamill (Fergal Green); 9 Fiontain O’Boyle; 10 Pearse O’Neill; 10 Ciaran Loney; 11 Anthony Gallagher (Michael McCourt);12 Fergus Cunningham (Darragh Armstrong); 13 Fergal Henry; 14 Charles Gallagher.

Subs: Fergal Green; Thomas Gallagher; Michael Fox; Patrick Fox; Darragh Armstrong; Ben McCambridge; Niall McLaughlin; Chris Grant; Michael McCourt; Conor Hamill; David Nelson.

Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane; 2 Michael Rowntree; 3 Paul McKinney; 4 Nathan Maginn; 5 Gerard Slane; 6 Niall McPartland; 7 Jack Scolly; 8 C. J. Sullivan; 9 Anthony Rowntree; 10 Deaglan Mooney; 11 Padraig McPartland; 12 James Lyndsay; 13 CaomhIn Slane; 14 Tony McGrattan; 15 Marcus Toner;

Subs; Antoin McLaughlin;Christopher Rafferty; Christopher Brown; Conor Toner.

Referee: Conall Roberts (St. John’s)

September 11, 2022September 12, 2022 by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains Through to Last Four

OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship – Quarter-Final

Dunloy 1-12 Aldergrove 2-7

Sunday September 11

Brendan McTaggart reports from Aldergrove

With this quarter-final stretching into injury time, it looked like Aldergrove had performed the great escape. Dunloy had stretched into a five point lead and looked to have more than one foot in the semi-final when the home side scored two majors from out of this world that saw them take the lead for the first time in the game.

The Cuchullains remained composed in the time that remained and had enough quality to edge home. An equaliser through a questionable free and scores from substitute Anthony Smith and Nigel Elliott booked Dunloy’s place in the last four.

**Keelan Molloy celebrates scoring Dunloy’s 47th minute goal**

The Cuchullains controlled this game for long periods and had the St James side held on after Gerard Mallon’s worldy, it would have been as big a ‘smash and grab’ win as you will see this or any year. Both goals were incredible finishes and worthy of winning any game of football – Seamus McGarry with the first to give his side a glimmer of hope.

Seamus McGarry was always a threat for Aldergrove and top scored with 1-2 for his side. Oisin Graham played sweeper to try and control the inside forwards of the Cuchullains while Conor Browning and Andrew Flood also shone for the home side.

Keelan Molloy top scored for the Cuchullains with 1-5, his goal coming mid-way through the second half and looked to be the deciding score of the game. Nigel Elliott and Conal Cunning were always a threat while defensively, Aaron Crawford and James Scally excelled. On a day where conditions certainly weren’t conducive for free flowing football, the Cuchullains defence were immense. Not conceding a free within scoring range throughout the hour but their win was built around the midfield dominance of Ryan McGarry and man of the match Deaglan Smith. The pairing made little of the inclement weather conditions and less than favourable ground conditions to push Dunloy to victory.

Playing against the wind and up the hill in the first half, Dunloy started superbly and had the first three points on the board before McGarry opened Aldergrove’s account in the eighth minute. Keelan Molloy, Eoin Gillan and Nigel Elliott with the scores for the Cuchullains.

***Declan Gough scored two points for Aldergrove on Sunday afternoon***

Declan Gough scored his first of two points to halve the deficit before Molloy fired over his first of three frees in the 18^th minute.

The home side began to find their passing game as the game progressed however and came to terms with the Dunloy attacking movement. The Cuchullains chances were restricted as Aldergrove began to take control. Conor Morris and Conal Cunning (free) swapped scores before the home side created a goal scoring chance. Ronan Hanna with an outstanding pass to find McGarry. Wide on the left, he dissected the Dunloy defence with an inch perfect pass but McGarry’s touch, for once, let him down with the Dunloy goal at his mercy. He did manage to score the last point of the half to leave two points between the sides at the short whistle. Dunloy 0-6 Aldergrove 0-4.

The second half began with much of the same football. Largely played on Aldergrove’s terms and Dunloy trying to impose their attack again. The home side restricted the Cuchullains to just one point in the opening quarter after the break, Molloy with the point while they fired over scores from Ronan Hanna (mark), Fearghal Hanna and Declan Gough to leave the sides tied going into the final 15 minutes.

That would be Aldergrove’s last score until the 58^th minute however as Dunloy began to fire once again. Molloy’s second and third frees of the hour came either side of the Cuchullains goal. Nigel Elliott intercepting a stray Aldergrove pass and spraying a pass to Molloy on the edge of the square. Molloy remained composed and fired to the back of the net with his scores giving the Cuchullains a five point lead with less than ten minutes remaining.

Dunloy looked to be seeing out the time that remained but Aldergrove rolled the dice one last time. A high ball fell loose in the Dunloy defence and McGarry gathered before thumping the ball high and to the back of the Dunloy net, giving ‘keeper Chrissy Brogan no chance.

Conor Browning retains possession for Aldergrove

The Aldergrove faithful were still celebrating when they carved out another chance. Gerard Mallon with half a glimpse of goal and his finish was emphatic. A thunderous strike into the top corner that gave the home side the lead for the first time in the game as the game ticked into injury time. Aldergrove were reduced to 14 men when Fearghal Hanna was sent off for a second bookable offence and Dunloy regrouped. They were rewarded a dubious free to equalise with the next attack, Conal Cunning converting the free and the Cuchullains pushed for home in the closing stages. A superb ball over the top found substitute Anthony Smith in space and he showed composure to split the uprights while Nigel Elliott had the final say with his second white flag of the hour with what was the last action of a dramatic second half. Cuchullains proceed to the last four.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Chrissy Brogan; Conor Kinsella, Aaron Crawford, Oran Quinn; Eoin McFerran, Kevin McQuillan, James Scally; Deaglan Smith, Ryan McGarry; Nigel Elliott, Eoin Gillan, Chrissy McMahon, Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott

Scorers: K Molloy 1-5 (3fs); N Elliott 0-2; E Gillan 0-2; C Cunning 0-2 (2fs); Anthony Smith 0-1

Aldergrove: Shane O’Neill; Eoin Gough, Christopher McVeigh, David Aiken; Gerard Mallon, Andrew Flood, Declan Gough; Ryan Owens, Fearghal Hanna; Seamus McGarry, Ronan Hanna, Conor Browning; Conro Morris, James Trowlen, Oisin Graham

Scorers: S McGarry 1-2; G Mallon 1-00; D Gough 0-2; F Hanna 0-1; C Morris 0-1; R Hanna 0-1 (1 mark)

Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona)

September 11, 2022September 11, 2022 by thesaffrongael

Con Magees bounce back from bad start to seal semi-final place

OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Quarter Final

Sunday 11^th September

Report by Niall Kelly

Con Magee’s Glenravel 0-14 All Saints Ballymena 0-12

Con Magees Glenravel secured a place in the semi-final of the Intermediate Football championship when they beat old rivals All Saints in Sunday’s quarter final at Fr Maginn Park. Trailing by five points in the first ten minutes, the signs were looking ominous for the Con Magee’s. Ballymena had established a stranglehold on the game and their fluid movement in transitions and constant pressure had the hosts camped in their half. However, Eamon Fyfe spearheaded a Glenravel resurgence and his rasping point from range on the twenty fifth minute was the perfect exclamation mark for their revival. It would be a lead that they would refuse to relinquish for the remainder of the game.

This much anticipated game was always going to be a hard one to call and predictions of a tight and feisty affair proved to be correct as the pendulum of momentum swung to and fro throughout. The arrival of Irish Autumn was all too evident as the players were forced to battle a deluge of rain. What ensued on Father Maginn Park was a gruelling and heavy hitting duel between two battling sides.

All Saints started the game in scintillating fashion and talisman Paddy McAleer fired over the opening score a mere thirty seconds into proceedings after rising like a salmon from Kevin Park’s throw-in and surging relentlessly through the Glenravel rear guard. Eamon Fyfe replied with a well despatched free off the carpet but Ballymena’s sheer power driving forward was to be a thorn in the side of their hosts. Benny McDonnell slotted over three trade-mark frees before corner back Shaun O’Callaghan embarked on a marauding run at the heart of the Con Magee’s defence, firing over as competently as a seasoned forward. Peter ‘Pizza’ McReynolds has been a welcome inclusion back in the starting fifteen for All Saints and made his presence known after linking well with Eoin Walsh before tapping over from an acute angle.

Ballymena’s breathless opening had the hosts on the ropes and Eoin Hynd’s pointed free from range on the twelfth minute offered the hosts a much-needed respite. Glenravel started to look brighter following this and their ability to win countless second balls in midfield would provide the fulcrum they required to mount their comeback. Hynds would pop over another from the placed ball before Connor McNeill offloaded for Ryan McQuillan to finish with aplomb. Eamon Fyfe then put on a forward’s masterclass as he would fire over a further five points without reply. Ball after ball went in to Fyfe and despite often being marshalled by two All Saints defenders, he still managed to negotiate space for himself with his weaving, powerful surges before finishing with devastating accuracy. Indeed, it turned out to be a first half of two halves with Ballymena retreating to the changing rooms at half-time perhaps scratching their heads at the Glenravel revival.

The second half was a gruelling battle for the ascendancy with Ballymena trying to force the issue. Eoin Hynds was on hand for the hosts two minutes into the second half as fired over from a free after tenacious work from Ryan McQuillan. The visitors though began to dominate the ball in the first quarter of the half. Deploying Emmet Killough back to his more familiar midfield position was reaping rewards, giving them an outlet in the engine room to springboard attacks. Benny McDonnell’s two precise efforts from frees cut into the Glenravel lead and prompted Baker Bradley’s charges to heap the pressure on the Glenravel defence but the hosts responded tigerishly with Cathal Hynds and Niall Swann marshalling their resolute back-line.

After withstanding the barrage of All Saints attacks, Eoin Hynds steered over an excellent effort assisted ably by his brother Cathal on the forty fifth minute. Hynds then exchanged further points with Conor Stewart whose presence on proceedings was becoming more influential. Stewart then caressed over another as he put the finish touches on a move very much constructed by the trojan-like Kavan Keenan.

With the gap down to two and less than ten minutes on the clock, the home faithful watched with baited breath as nerves were no doubt frayed. Declan Traynor was to be the man who answered their prayers as he bombed forward from his defensive role to put the finishing touches on a fluid move after industrious work from Niall Swann. Traynor doubled his tally minutes later following intelligent play from Sean McKay.

With the game approaching added time, Ballymena’s resilience and mentality was never in question as they continued to surge forward in their droves searching for that all-elusive goal. High balls were launched in the hope of unlocking the door but it was to no avail. Benny McDonnell’s trusty right foot despatched two more scores but it was to prove too little too late as Glenravel clung on for victory.

Ballymena will no doubt be despondent as their Intermediate Crown dreams are no longer. Last year’s finalists will rue their missed opportunities and how they couldn’t replicate their form in the opening exchanges over the course of the game. Conversely, for Glenravel the win will no doubt galvanise their efforts to be atop the Intermediate grade come its conclusion. Nothing has been won today for them, but there can be little no doubt that knocking out one of the big favourites will only serve to bolster their momentum and it will be an intriguing proposition when they meet a resurgent Sarsfields side in two weeks’ time.

Teams:

Con Magee’s Glenravel:

J McEvoy; C Henry, C Hynds, C Carey; R Lennon, N Swann, D McQuillan; C Higgins, D Higgins; A O’Donnell, E Hynds (0-05,) C McNeill; D Traynor (0-02,) E Fyfe (0-07,) R McQuillan (0-01)

All Saints Ballymena:

N Shannon; S O’Callaghan (0-01,) J McDonnell, J Gillan; C McGarry, P McAleer (0-01,) K Keenan; E Killough, S McVeigh; C Stewart (0-02,) B McDonnell (0-07,) M McCarry; S O’Brien, P McReynolds (0-01,) E Walsh

Referee Kevin Parke (NaomhEanna)