September 30, 2023October 1, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Dominant second half sees Cushendall book final spot

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Cushendall 4-15 Ballycastle 1-9

McLaughlin hat trick sets up the Ruairis

Cushendall secured their place in the final of the Senior Hurling Championship when they beat Ballycastle in Saturday’s semi-final at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel. A hat-trick of goals by their young corner forward Joseph McLaughlin and one from veteran centre forward Neil McManus were the scores that did the trick for the Ruairis. Ballycastle battled hard against the odds and midway through the opening half it appeared there might be a shock on the cards when a goal from Cailin O’Connor gave them a three point lead, despite playing into the driving wind and rain.

***Jospeh McLaughlin celebrates after completing his hat-trick early in the second half***

However Cushendall came back with a bang and two goals from McLaughlin saw them turn the game back in their favour, the St Killian’s College student making no mistake from close range. Despite trailing by six at half time the Ballycastle side must have felt they were still in the game, but when they came out after half time to find the rain had gone and wind well reduced, they probably knew it was not going to be their day.

However that is not to suggest that Cushendall were not fully deserving of their win, for when they were challenged they were able to up the pace and in Eoin Campbell, Neill McMcManus and Joseph McLaughlin they had players who were a class apart.

Ballycastle were more than holding their own in the opening quarter but in horrendous condition both sides were struggling to find the target. Right half forward Ronan McCollum opened Cushendall’s account with a well taken point but Tiernan Smyth soon had Ballycastle level when he sent over a free at the other end on seven minutes. Neil McManus put Cushendall back in front when he pointed a free from out on the sideline but Smyth had Ballycastle level four minutes later when he sent over at the other end.

***Cailin O’Connor celebrates after scoring Ballycastle’s goal***

When Ballycastle’s Cailan O’Connor connected perfectly on a free that dropped in around the Cushendall goalmouth, and sent it flying to the net through a crowded goalmouth his team were three clear after sixteen minutes, and things were starting to look promising for the ‘Town’. However they got little time to enjoy their advantage and when Neil McManus intercepted a wayward hand-pass in the Ballycastle rearguard a minute later, he sent Joe McLaughlin clear for the first of his three goals and Cushendall were back on top. Still Ballycastle must have felt they were still in a good position with just five minutes of the opening half still to play, but the Ruairis finished strongly and after Eoghan Campbell soloed out of defence, before sending over a lovely point, McLaughlin added a point from play soon aftewards. Things went from bad to worse for Ballycastle as following the poc-out from McLaughlin’s point he took advantage of another wayward hand pass and fired in his second goal to give his team a six point lead at the break.

***Cushendall’s Eoghan Campbell wins possession.***

When the sides re-emerged for the second half the rain and the brollies had gone but Ballycastle made a promising start when centre back Conor Boyd sent one over from distance, but McLaughlin cancelled that out a minute later. James McShane cut it back to five again but Cushendall were starting get on top and following a Ronan McCollum point Joseph McLaughlin completed his hat-trick when he burst through from outside the ‘D’ and batted a ball down past Ryan McGarry in the Ballycastle goal.

Conor Boyd kept Ballycastle in touch with his second point of the half but two pointed frees by McManus and one from play by Campbell stretched that advantage even further. McShane pulled another one back for Ballycastle but McManus came back with two in as many minutes, both from frees. A superb point on the run from James McLister lifted Ballycastle spirits but Cushendall were dominant by this stage and it took and incredible save from close range by Ballycastle’s goalkeeper Ryan McGarry to deny McManus.

Points followed from McManus and Campbell before the former finished the goal scoring with a top class strike after cutting in from the left corner.

***Ballycastle goalkeeper Ryan McGarry gets a consoling hug from his sons after the game***

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Late goals seal it for the Rovers

CASEMENT SC JFC Semi-Final

Glen Rovers 3-12 Gort na Mona 0-11

Late goals from Ciaran McKenna and Eoin Kinney sealed victory and a place in the Casement Social Club JHC final for Glen Rovers when they held off a spirited challenge from Gort na Mona in Armoy on Saturday.

The men from the Mona bye-pass had staged a strong second half comeback to close the gap to two with 28 minutes of the second half gone but Ciaran McKenna struck with the home sides second goal with time almost up and Kinney was on hand to return the sliotar to the net following a splendid save by Gort’s keeper, John Kelly, deep into in jury time.

**John Kelly gets down to make an important save as Trevor |Linton threatens**

It was visitors Gort na Mona who opened the scoring with a point from Declan Hughes in the second minute but Trevor Linton replied for Glen Rovers to level matters with four minutes gone.

Owen Kinney looked to have added a goal, a minute later when he finished a hanging delivery to the the Gort na Mona net but the score was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

It was to herald a sustained period of pressure for the home side however as they pushed up on the Gort na Mona defence, forcing turn overs and winning frees which full-forward, Turlach McBride gratefully accepted.

McBride hit three on the bounce by the 9^th minute to move his side 0-4 to 0-1 ahead as the visitors struggled to get out of their own half and a great point from Thomas Burns from 70 meters and another converted McBride free had them five in front at the end of the opening quarter.

**Turlach mcBride who was in fine scoring form for Armoy**

Gort na Mona kept battling away and Neill Henry got their second point from a well struck free from 60 meters and further points from Patrick McCaffery and Darron ‘Diesel’ Boyd had it back to two by the 20^th minute.

Turlach McBride stopped the rut with another converted free and then struck another from a ‘65’ following a smart save from John Kelly in the Gort na Mona goals and Trevor Linton added a great point from out near the left hand touchline with Dessie McClean replying for the visitors to leave it 0-9 to 0-5 at the halfway stage.

With the wind now behind them Glen Rovers were expected to push on in the second half but they were guilty of some poor misses during the opening exchanges despite enjoying a lot of possession.

All seemed to be going to plan when McBride fired over in the 11^th minute to opern the second half scoring and move his side five in front but Gort na Mona were beginning to win more possession with Neill Henry getting on top around mid-field.

**Neill Henry who led the Gort na Mona comeback**

The visitors replied with two in quick succession from Dessie McClean, the second an excellent effort as the Armoy scores dried up and two more from Neill Henry and McClean had it back to a single score by the 18^th minute.

Glen Rovers looked in a bit of trouble but they made a decisive break and PJ McBride was on hand to finish to the net from close range after a great save from John Kelly to deny Owen Kinney’s original effort.

Back came the city men and another great point from the impressive Neill Henry had it back to two by the 25^th minute and the home side were now defending as if their lives depended on it.

As Gort na Mona pushed forward again they were caught with a decisive break from the Glen Rovers and Ciaran McKenna’s goal with time almost up put a bit of daylight between the sides.

It seemed to knock the fight out of the Enright Park men and Turlach McBride followed with a fine point from distance and Trevor Linton added another before Owen Kinney’s goal deep in injury time put a somewhat flattering slant on the final score-line.

**Thomas Burns breaks up a Gort na Mona attack**

Glen Rovers went into this one as firm favourites and for long periods of the game they were the better side but the fact that had recorded only one point up to the 18^th minute of the second half will be of some concern to the management.

They did produce the goods however when the chips were down with Turlach McBride, Trevor Linton, PJ McBride, Shane Devlin and Thomas Burns their outstanding performers on the day.

Glen Rovers will now meet St. Brigid’s Cloughmills, who defeted Lamh Dhearg in the other semi-final, in the final in two weeks-time and it promises to be an excellent final between keen rivals and deadly neighbours.

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Arthur Devlin, 5 Hugh O’Kane, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Liam Dillon, 8 Ciaran McKenna, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Eoin O’Boyle, 11 Colin Lordan, 12 Eamonn McCaughan, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Turlach McBride, 15 Owen Kinney.

Subs: Conor Christie for Lordan, Joey mcFetridge for Eoin Boyle,

Gort na Mona: 1 John Kelly, 2 Conor Healey, 3 Christopher Devlin, 4 Connor Connolly, 5 David Dixon, 6 Padraig McHugh, 7 Nathan Gibson, 8 Gavin McKenna, 9 Aaron Hicks, 10 Darron Boyd, 11 Patrick McCaffery, 12 Declan Hughes, 13 Niall Healey, 14 Neill Henry, 15 Dessie McClean.

Subs: Manas Mullan, Brendan Cousins for Conor Healey, Emmet Loughran for Gavin McKenna

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 by thesaffrongael

McKenna magic turns it Sarsfield’s way

ANDERSONSTOWN SC IHC Semi-Final

Sarsfields 2-26 Tir na nOg 1-24 a.e.t.

Niall McKenna was the star of the show as Sarsfield’s came from behind to defeat Tir na nOg in a titanic struggle at Dunsilly on Friday night and earn themselves a place in the Andersonstown SC Intermediate Hurling final against the winners of Cushendun and Creggan who meet on Saturday afternoon.

McKenna held his nerve with Tir na nOg leading by a point to send a superbly struck free from 55 meters and near the touchline directly between the uprights deep in injury time to send the game into extra time.

Sarsfields started extra time as they had finished the first and a goal from Anthony McGarrigle and a point from Gary Lennon with just a minute gone put them in a strong position and they would push on to win by five in the end.

It was the Stewartstown Road side who made the better start to this Intermediate semi-final on a perfect Dunsilly sod as Donal McKernan from a free and Caolan McKernan with an excellent point from play moved them into an early 0-02 to 0-0 lead.

Tir na nOg slowly settled however and Sean Duffin pointed a couple of frees but another Donal McKernan pointed free had Sarsfields one in front after five minutes.

Kevin Sheerin in the Tir na nOg goals then got back to scramble the ball off his line as the city side threatened before McKenna made his first mark on proceedings when he sent over a great point and followed with another in the 9^th minute.

It was the men from the Bear Pit who were controlling matters at this stage as Enda McCartan struck an excellent point to put them four ahead but it brought a strong response from the Whitehill side with EamonOg McAllister, Sean Duffin and Ciaran McKeown hitting three on the bounce to close the gap to one at the end of the opening quarter.

Donal McKernan responded from a free but Tir na nOg were beginning to get on top and Sean Duffin with a good point from play and another from a converted free had it all square by the 17^th minute.

Kevin McKernan edged the ‘Paddies’ ahead again but a great point from Eamon Og McAllister and another from a Sean Duffin, long range free had the Randalstown side ahead for the first time by the 22^nd minute.

Back came Sarsfields with Niall McKenna hitting a fine effort after being set up by Kevin McKernan but it was Tir na nOg who were starting to get on top and Kevin McCann, and a couple from the impressive Sean Duffin had them three in front with two minutes remaining to the break.

Sarsfields resaponded with points from ‘Kevo’ McKernan and Daniel Smith to close the gap to one but another well struck long range free from ace marksman, Duffin had the Whitehill side two in front at the break.

Both sides were guilty of early misses before Aaron McNeilly got his name on the score card to increase the Tir na nOg lead to three and then Eamon Og McAllister looked to be in for a goal after a strong run through the centre of the Sarsfields defence but was closed down and the danger cleared.

Sarsfields responded and Anthony McGarrigle pointed and a Kevin McKernan effort came back of an upright before Niall McKenna intercepted a poor clearance to beat Kevin Sheerin with a shot into the left hand corner and bring the sides level by the 7^th minute.

The hits were going in hard and fast in a thrill a minute championship encounter and Eamon Og looked to be through for a goal for the Whitehill side but was penalised for over carrying as both sides wasted chances.

Kevin McKernan edged the city men ahead once more but Daniel Martin replied at the other end to leave it all square at 0-15 to 1-12 before Niall McKenna edged Sarsfield’s ahead once more at the end of the third quarter and it was clear that this one was going to go right down to the wire.

Substitute James Cunningham then robbed Sean Duffin as he raced clear on goal before Kevin McKernan edged Sarsfields two in front from a free in the 18^th minute as the intensity stepped up another notch.

Tir na nOg looked in a spot of bother but they regrouped once more as substitute, Oliver McAtamney, Kevin McCann and Sean Duffin hit three unanswered point to put them one in front after 21 minutes but McKenna levelled matters once more with a good point at the other end.

A Sean Duffin long range free and another from Kevin McKernan in response from near the touchline left it all square yet again but an Eamon Og McAllister point for the Whitehill side looked like sending his side through as the game entered time added on.

There would be one more play however and Caolan McKernan was taken out as he broke forward near the touchline and 55 meters from goal.

Up stepped Niall McKenna as Dunsilly held its collective breath and he struck a stunning effort directly between the uprights, much to the approval of the Sarsfield’s supporters to send the game into extra time.

McKenna’s injury time equaliser looked to have stunned the opposition as extra time commenced and Anthony McGarrigle netted in the opening minute before Gary Lennon moved Sarsfield four ahead with a point in the second minute.

Eamon Og McAllister pulled one back for the Randalstown side but the momentum was very much with the ‘Paddies’ as Kevo pointed at the other end to restore their four point advantage.

Sarsfields were now winning a lot of dirty ball and were more measured in their attacks and Niall McKenna pointed a free and added another one from play to move them six ahead.

Sean Duffin, who had struck some excellent frees on the night, was guilty of a bad miss as the pressure began to tell and a late point from the influential McKenna had Sarsfields seven in front at the short whistle.

It was going to take something special to get Tir na nOg back into contention and when Daniel Smith added another for Sarsfields on the restart their task became even more daunting.

Ciaran McKeown gave the South West side a glimmer of hope when he got in for a good goal in the third minute but McKernan relied with a Sarsfields point before Ciaran O’Neill struck a good point at the other end.

The Whitehill side kept going right to the end but there would be no way back as the Sarsfields defence stood strong and a couple of pointed Sean Duffin frees in response to points from substitute Nicholas O’ Mullane and man of the match, Niall McKenna brought matters to a close.

Tir na nOg will look back on this one with some regret and they certainly had chances to win it in normal time but the never say die attitude of their opponents and McKenna’s injury time equaliser proved the turning point.

McKenna with Caolan and Kevin McKernan were superb in a strong and committed Sarsfields side who will feel that they can go all the way this year while Sean Duffin, Caoimhin Duffin, Aaron McNeilly Eamon Og McAllisterand Ciaran McKeown fought hard for the losers.

Sarsfields: 1 Gerard McKernan, 2 Niall McAlea, 3 Jack Daniels, 4 Mark McCavanagh, 5 Eoghan Rogers, 6 Caolan McKernan, 7 Enda McCartan, 8 Kevin McKernan, 9 Daniel McKernan, 10 Daniel Smyth, 11 Niall McKenna, 12 Ruairi McAreavey, 13 Ryan O’Neill, 30 Donal McKernan, 14 Gary Lennon, 15 Mark Rea, 16 Anthony McGarrigle, 27 James Cunningham, 22 Joe McGurk, 28 Nicholas O’Mullane

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Brandon McLarnon, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Manus Smith, 5 Ciaran O’Neill, 6 Caoimhin Duffin, 7 Daniel Martin, 8 Aaron McNeilly, 9 Ciaran mcKeown, 10 Darragh Fagan, 11 Sean Duffin, 12 Eamon Og McAllister, 13 Joe McCormick, 14 Ciaran Logan, 15 Kevin McCann, 22 Oliver McAtamney, 23 Sean McKinley, 18 Darra Martin,

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Hurling takes centre stage this weekend

It’s back to the hurling this weekend with semi-finals in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior grades and a final in the Junior B.

Sarsfields v Tir na nOg

ANDERSONSTOWN SC IHC Semi-Final Dunsilly 7-30

Sarsfield’s and Tir na nOg get proceedings underway at Dunsilly on Friday night in what promises to be a full blooded championship encounter with the Whitehill side starting as slight favourites but I don’t expect that there will be much between these two fully committed sides.

Tir na nOg finished second in Group 1 on score difference to Emmet’s Cushendun who will be in action in the other semi-final on Saturday with both side winning three of their four games

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm, Carey Faughs and St. Gall’s all fell to the Randalstown side in the Group stages but they did suffer defeat to Cushendun at the Riggs.

Sarsfields topped their group with wins over Kickham’s Creggan before blotting their copybook with a defeat to neighbours St. Paul’s at the Bear Pit but recovered to defeat Glenravel and came with a late Kevin McKernan goal from the penalty spot in a winner takes all win over Glenariffe on the Stewartstown Road.

The McKernan clan, Gerard, Kevin, Daniel and Caolan, Niall McKenna and Gary Lennon will carry the hopes of Sarsfields into Friday night’s clash which could go either way with a tentative vote going to Tir na nOg.

ANDERSONSTOWN SC IHC Semi-Final

Saturday 1-30 Glenravel

Emmet’s Cushendun v Kickham’s Creggan

Last year’s beaten finalists, Emmet’s Cushendun take on Kickham’s Creggan in the second IHC Semi-Final in Glenravel. Emmet’s went into last year’s final against Clooney Gaels at Dunsilly but lost to a good Ahoghill side and will relish the opportunity to put that defeat to bed when they face a Creggan side who had an indifferent league campaign but ran into form in the championship.

They finished second in Group 2 to Sarsfields, who they lost to on day 2 but recorded good wins over Glenariffe, St. Paul’s and Con Magee’s and are here on merit.

Cushendun have excellent performers in keeper, Gareth McGhee, Sean McKay, Donal O’Hara, Dominic McQuillan, Harry and David Kilgore and Conlaoith ‘Loaf’ McNeill and will start Saturday’s semi-final as favourites.

Their opponents Creggan can never be dismissed when it comes to this stage of the championship and after losing to Portglenone in the Football Championship can focus on the hurling and players like Aidan McKeown, Liam McCann, Jake McAteer, Thomas McCann and the superb Conor McCann have the ability to spoil the party for the North Antrim side.

CASEMENT SC JHC Semi-Final

Saturday 1-30 Armoy

Glen Rovers v Gort Na Mona

Glen Rovers topped Group 1 with three wins from three starts with victories over Davitt’s, St. Mary’s Rashasrkin and Lamh Dhearg in a sometimes bad tempered affair in Armoy.

By virtue of topping the group they have home advantage for this semi-final and will start as favourites against a Gort Na Mona team who had a poor league campaign but have improved in the championship with wins over All Saints in Ballymena and came from behind to beat a fancied Rasharkin at Enright Park in one of the games of the championship.

Conor Devlin, John Dillon, Liam Dillon, Thomas Burns, Ciaran McKenna, Turlach McBride, Eamon McCaughan, Trevor Linton and Owen Kinney bring a wealth of experience to this semi-final.

Armoy should have enough to edge this one but they should be wary of a Gort na Mona side who have improved as the championship has progressed and in Padraig McHugh, Niall Henry, Patrick McCaffrey and the evergreen Dessie McClean have a wealth of experience.

CASEMENT SC JHC Semi-Final

Cloughmills 1-30 Saturday

Cloughmills v Lamh Dhearg

The second semi-final of the JHC sees St. Brigid’s Cloughmills host Lamh Dhearg and like Armoy, the ‘Biddies’ have home advantage by virtue of topping their group and will start this one as favourites.

The Cloughmills side has a wealth of experience after stepping down from Intermediate with Liam Kearns, Chris McKernan, Sean McKendry, Stephen Martin, Johnny Duffin, Martin Dobbin, Ruairi Laverty, Michael Devlin and Stephen Smyth leading their challenge.

Lamh Dhearg have performed well in the championship themselves with their only defeat coming away to Armoy in the group stages. They lost that one by a goal but recovered to record a comprehensive semi-final victory over All Saints at Hannastown.

Former Antrim and Ulster player, Michael Herron will lead the lines in attack and the veteran full-forward rattled the All Saints net four times in that one while Adam Murray was also in sparkling form. Sean Paul Gibson, Odhran Waldron, Fionn Mervyn and Niall McGarry are all strong performers but St. Brigid’s should advance to the final.

Junior B Hurling Final 2-00pm Saturday Musgrave Park

Kickham’s Ardoyne v Loch Mor Dal gCais

Both sides finished the group stages with similar records with two wins and a draw in a group that included Belfast Saints and Loughbeg Harps. Both of Saturday’s opponents recorded wins cover Belfast Saints and Loughbeg Harps with that draw coming when they met each other on the 18^th August.

That one finished 2-14 each and Saturday’s final could be just as close but by virtue of their high scoring in the other two games Ardoyne, who won division 4 of the league will start as slight favourites.

JP Agnew, Paul Baker, Sean Searle, Paul McGuigan, Oisin McVicker, Matt McKillen, Cormac Barnes and Pearse Hull will head the Ardoyne assault while Sean Burke, Declan Phillips, Oisin O’Boyle, Conor Jones, Michael Morgan, Ferdia Carson and Darragh Turley carry a serious challenge for the Lough Shore side.

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Dunloy too strong for Brídíní Óga

Antrim Senior Camogie Championship

Dunloy 5-17 Brídíní Oga Glenravel 1-8

Last years’ county championship runners-up Dunloy proved too strong for Glenravel when the sides met in the league section of this 2023 championship in Ballymena on Tuesday evening. The Cuchullains were on top from the start and goals from Aine Magill and Katie Molloy saw them rush to a 2-9 to 0-4 lead by half time. Three of the points came from Cassie McArthur, while Eimear McAleenan got three of the four Glenravel points.

The second half say the Dunloy girls push on as the ever dangerous Aine Magill got two more goals while Cassie McArthur got one. Sarah Fyfe got a consolation goal for Brídíní Óga and Eimhear McAleenan kept picking off the points from frees.