Month / March 2024

by thesaffrongael

Poor opening quarter costs Antrim dearly

Leinster Minor Hurling Championship – Tier 2

Offaly 3-17 Antrim 1-17 at Darvar

Pics by Mark Marlow

A disappointing opening quarter when they struggled for scores, despite having the Lion’s share of possession, cost Antrim dearly in Saturday’s Leinster Minor Hurling Championship game at Darvar. With a strong diagonal breeze in their favour the young Saffrons just could not find the target while Offaly on the other hand made full use of their limited chances, shooting just two wides in the opening half, while Antrim were guilty of nine.

However as the first half progressed Antrim started to edge their way back into the game, and with Conor Donnelly, Colla Ward, Callagh Mooney and Fionntan Bradley all showing well  they began to get themselves into the game, Bradley picking off some good points from free to close the gap to four by the 22nd minute.

Antrims Ashdon McGarry and Offaly’s James Hennesy. Picture Mark Marlow

Things were looking more promising for the Ulster boys but three in a row from Offaly, two of them from Odhran Fletcher frees and one from play by left half forward CIllian Wynne, stretched the Offaly lead to seven by the 25th minute. Antrim appeared to be in deep trouble, but they finished the first half with a great run of scores two of them from Fiontan Bradley, two from Conor Donnelly and one each from Colla Ward and Lorcan McCallin to trail by a just a point at half time.

When the Ulster side started the second half with two points inside a minute, from Donnelly and Mooney, to go one clear,  there was renewed hope. Fletcher levelled again for the Faithful county, but Bradley got Antrim ahead once again with another pointed free. However the rain, which had fallen heavily before the game, returned with a vengeance and Offaly started to edge clear again. Six in a row by the Faithful county restored their grip on the game and when with ten minutes to go Antrim faced a six point deficit and to make matters worse a gale force wind and hailstones.

Antrims Fionntan Bradley gives Offalys Ciuan Kinnarny the slip. Picture Mark Marlow

The Antrim boys fought hard and when Oisin McCallin connected with a ball bouncing around the Offaly ‘square’ to fire home there was a glimmer of hope for the travelling fans.

It was not be however as Offaly regained the upper hand and pushed on to win by six.

Liam McEnhill in action against Offaly. Pic by Mark Marlow
Antrim’s Callagh Mooney. Picture Mark Marlow

by thesaffrongael

Rossa claim opening day win over Ruairi’s

O’Neills Sportswear ACHL Division One 

Rossa 1-21-1-13 Ruari Og 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Rossa 

Rossa edged ahead before the break at Pairic Rossa and that gave them the platform for victory as they opened their All County hurling league campaign with a 1-21-1-13 win over Cushendall on Saturday evening. 

The visitors settled quickest on the Shaws Road with an angled Christy McLaughlin point giving them the lead and Neil McManus doubled their advantage from the placed ball. 

Eoghan McMenamin got his side off the mark and they were soon level when Thomas Morgan capped a flowing team move with a point. 

A converted Diarmaid Rogan free edged his side in front for the first time, but Neil McManus was on hand to swing over and restore parity. 

Morgan doubled his account for the evening before the opening goal arrived on the 9th minute. 

Rossa gave away a free in front of the posts and switched off as Neil McManus lashed low to the net to give his side a 1-03-0-04 lead. 

Conor McAlister would keep his sides lead intact with the first of a string of timely blocks at the other end and Stephen Shannon had to make do with a point from the resulting 65’. 

Cushendall would open up a goal advantage at the midway point in the opening half. Christy McLaughlin popped over his second and a long range free followed a few minutes later from deadly McManus. 

The sides would trade the next four scores evenly. Stephen Shannon (65) and Eoghan McMenamin briefly closed the deficit, only for McManus (free) and a fantastic angled point from Alex Delargy to hold off the hosts resistance. 

Rossa would end the half on the front foot and tagged on four unanswered points to take a narrow lead in at the break. 

Pearse Shortt popped over his first of the evening, Stephen Shannon launched one over from range, a converted Diarmaid Rogan free restored parity and a minute before the break Morgan was able to steer over under immense pressure to give his side a 0-11-1-07 lead at the interval. 

Cushendall were back on terms within two minutes of the restart through a Joe McNaughton score, but Diarmaid Rogan conjured up his third of the evening and first from play in response and quickly followed that with another to extend the half time lead. 

Another point from Shortt opened up a three-point lead and better was to come for the hosts when Michael Armstrong’s free was fumbled by Conor McAlister and dropped into the net to make it 1-14-1-08. 

By the midway point in the second period it looked as though Rossa were building up ahead of steam as Diarmaid Rogan added another three points to his personal tally. 

All three came from the placed ball, scoring his third free of the evening before landing two 65s within minutes of each other. 

The hosts couldn’t afford to get comfortable though as Ruairi Og demonstrated their battling qualities with three unanswered scores. 

Talisman McManus struck two from play and Ryan McCambridge dropped over a fine point from range. 

Thomas Morgan halted the momentum momentarily as Neil McManus responded with his fifth score from the placed ball. 

Further scores were traded between Eoghan McMenamin and Paddy McGill as Cushendall sought a goal that would set up a grandstand finish. 

The hosts defence stood strong in the closing minutes though and late points from Thomas Morgan and McMenamin secured an opening day victory for the Shaws Road outfit. 

Rossa: D Moran, O McVicker, C Orchin, N Crossan, J Kerr, C McGuiness, S Shannon (0-03, 0-02 65’), C Shannon, D Rogan (0-07, 0-03f, 0-02 65’), E McMenamin (0-04), P Shortt (0-02), M Armstrong (1-00f), D Rocks, T Morgan (0-05), D McCartney. 

Cushendall: C McAlister, J McCurry, R McCollam, M Burke, S Black, L Gillan, A Birt, F McCambridge, R McCambridge (0-01), J McNaughton (0-01), N McManus (1-07, 1-04f), P McKillop, C McLaughlin (0-02), P McGill (0-01), A Delargy (0-01). 

Referee: Barry Winters (Eoghan Rua) 

by thesaffrongael

Abram’s double save earns Glenarm the points

O’Neill’s Sportswear Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Cushendun 2-11 Glenarm 1- 17

A fantastic double save by Glenarm goalkeeper Michael Abram earned his team both points in their opening league game of the season in Cushendun on Saturday afternoon, as the 2022 Division 3 league champions got their season off to a great start in Division 2.

In good condition the visitors had the better of things in the opening half and with Darren Hamill, Ciaran Magill and Niall McGarrel, in form they went 0-9 to 0-4 in front by half time.

That five point cushion was down to just two early in the second half when Cushendun sharpshooter Conlaoith ‘Loaf’ McNeill fired a twenty metre free to the net and the gap was back back to just one when McNeill slotted a free over the bar soon afterwards. McGarrel and Darren Hamill eased the Feystown men three ahead again but a fantastic solo goal from the Emmet’s full forward Conor McHugh midway through the second half brought the gap back to just a point again, and when McNeill added one from a 65 the sides were level.

To their credit Glenarm responded well and four points in a row from Darren Hamill and Niall McGarrel (3) saw them move clear again. McNeill and McGarrel swopped points to keep the gap at four, but ‘Loaf’ came back with a fantastic point directly from a sideline cut to keep his team very much in touch.

As the game entered injury time the home side looked certain to draw level when they found an opening in front of goal, but two point blank saves by Abram in the Glenarm goals somehow managed to block a close range shot from the edge of the square and another ‘rasper’ from the resultant rebound to keep his goal intact and seal the win.

CUSHENDUN

John V Morgan, Mark McSpParran, Aidan Corbett, Sean Hamilton, Sean McKay, Donal O’Hara, Thomas Scally, Aidan McSparran, Andrew Breslin, Calum Kilgore, Conor Bannon, Conlaoith McNeill, Colum McKeegan, Pierce Bannon, Conor McHugh, Dominic McQuillan

GLENARM

Michael Abram, Joshua Quinn, Barry Hamill, Sean Scullion, Paul Magill, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermot, Kieran O’Boyle, Daniel Black, Dylan McLaughlin, Ciaran Magill, Sean O’Boyle, Brendan McDermott, Blain McDermott, Niall McGarrel.

Referee – Pearse

by thesaffrongael

Napier stars as St Gall’s beat Tir na nÓg in league opener

O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Hurling League Division 2

St Gall’s 0-17 Tír na nÓg 0-13

St Gall’s hurlers got their hurling season off to the perfect start at the Bog Meadows on Saturday when they came out on top after a hard fought battle with Tir na nÓg.

Leading for most of the hour St Gall’s were worthy winners against formidable opposition in a game that was entertaining throughout.

With the wind at their backs St Gall’s were on the board early as Ronan Corssan and Mark Napier found the target, but Tir na nÓg came back with a well taken point from Ciaran Logan to trail by just one after ten minutes. Aaron McNeilly sent over a free to bring the Randalstown side back on terms but St Gall’s went back ahead by the end of the opening quarter when Jackson McGreevy sent one over from a placed ball, the first of six for the influential centre back , and gaining a bit of momentum the home side pushed on to lead by 0-8 to 0-3 by the time referee Fiontann McCotter blew the half time whistle.

The five point gap certainly was not unbridgeable for the Whitehill men as they turned to play with the use of the wind, and when Aaron McNeilly closed the gap to four inside the first minute of the new half they must have felt the destiny of the game was in their own hands.  The next score was important, even at this early stage, and when Ronan Crossan was quick to reply for St Gall’s it settled them into a rhythm. The teams went score for score for a while with Napier find a reply on two occasions when Tir na nÓg clipped their lead by a point, and when the visitors substitute Niall Devlin and ree take McNeilly got it back to three there must have been great optimism among the travelling fans.  

St Gall’s soon settled those nerves however when Jackson McGreevy and Sean McAreavey came back with well taken points to stretch the lead out to five again.

The home side were now in charge, but when a Joshua Higgins point was followed soon afterwards by one from right half forward Logan the gap was down to just three.

With just five minutes of normal time left on the clock the excellent McGreevy settled things down with his sixth pointed free of the day. Logan came back with another for the visitors to keep their hopes alive but man of the match Napier sealed the win with neat point with time almost up to seal and opening day brace of points.

ST GALL’S: K McGreevy; O McIlhatton, E Rush, D Churchill; E Walsh, J McGreevy (0-6f), G McGreevy; F Donnelly, J Hopkins (0-1); P Friel, C Sheehan (0-1), M Donnelly (0-1); R Crossan (0-2), L Morgan, M Napier (0-5, 2f).

Subs: S McAreavey (0-1) for L Morgan (35), A Mullan for G McGreevy (37), G Mac Adhaimh for O McIlhatton (42), N O’Neill for C Sheehan (45)

TÍR NA nÓG: K Sheerin; B McLarnon, C Sheerin, T Martin; C O’Neill, C Duffin, D Martin; J Higgins (0-1), J McCormick; C Logan (0-3, 1f), S McKinley, A McNeilly (0-6f); O McAtamney, P Sheerin, D Martin (0-1).

Subs: N Devlin (0-1) for O McAtamney (35), E Murray for P Sheerin (35), C McCamphill for T Martin (41), D Mallon (0-1) for S McKinley (55).

REFEREE: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfield’s) 

by thesaffrongael

Good start for Armoy in Ballymena

ACHL Division 3

All Saints 0-9 Glen Rovers 1-17

Glen Rovers, Armoy travelled to Ballymena on Saturday and got their campaign up and running when they recorded an 11 point win over an inexperienced home side.

A fine exhibition of free taking by Tarlach McBride saw the visitors move into a 0-9 to 0-5 half time lead with the wing half back accounting for 0-5 of his side’s first half total.

Sean McDermott had given All Saints an early lead and Eoin McGuigan brought matters level after Ronan Lavelle and McBride edged the visitors ahead.

Two more from Tarlach McBride frees and points from Conor Waterson and Emmet O’Hara moved the visitors four ahead but a young All Saints were showing plenty of fighting spirit.

They responded with points from Darach Bradley and two pointed frees from Eoin McGuigan to close the gap to one but Armoy finished the half strongly with scores from Tarlach McBride (0-2 f’s) and Emmet O’Hara to lead by four at the halfway stage.

An Armoy goal from Eoin O’Boyle early in the second half put a bit of distance between the sides and when Trevor Linton and Conor Watterson tagged on points the Glen Rovers lead was out to nine.

Darach Bradley, one of a number of youngsters making their senior debut pulled one back for All Saints but the momentum was now with a bigger and more experienced Glen Rovers.

They replied with five on the bounce from Ciaran Coyles 0-2, Tarlach McBride and Eoin O’Boyle 0-2 and it was all over at this stage.

To their credit All Saints kept going to the end and recorded three in reply through Cormac Magill, Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan but by this stage it was all over and Emmet O’Hara concluded the scoring with a point for the visitors.

Glen Rovers, with a number of new faces in their line-up should be one of the challengers for the division 3 title this year after coming mighty close last term.

For All Saints, who have again lost players to other clubs, it’s a rebuilding job and consolidation in the higher grade would be regarded as success this season.

Ciaran McQuillan, Harry Connon, Darach Bradley and Fintan Bradley all made impressive debuts for the Ballymena side and there appears to be a good spirit about the team despite those recent setbacks.

All Saints: 1. Ciaran McQuillan 2. Dwayne McKee 3. Eoin McAllister 4. Harry Connon 5. Padhraig Magill (c) 6. Jack Magill 7. Daniel Gray 8. Sean McDermott 9. Vincent Esler 10. Cormac Magill 11. Eoin McGuigan 12. Darach Bradley 13. Daniel Kelly 14. Niall Savage 15. Fintan Brady

Subs used: Conor O’Hara for Daniel Kelly Sean O’ Rawe for Niall Savage Cathaoir Cunning for Fintan Brady Niall Savage for Cormac Magill

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Calum Coyles, 3 Arthur Devlin, 4 Joseph McFetridge, 5 Tarlach McBride, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Hugh O’Kane, 8 Ronan Lavelle, 9 Ciaran McCormick-McKenna, 17 Conor Watterson, 11 Emmet O’Hara, 12 Ciaran Coyles, , 18 Timothy Burns, 14 Eoin O’Boyle, 15 Conor Christie,

Subs: 13 Trevor Linton, 19 PJ McBride, 20 Daniel Connolly, 21 John O’Kane, 22 Kieran McToal