Month / May 2024

by thesaffrongael

Clooney Gaels keep pace with the leaders

ACHL Division 2

St. Paul’s 2-14 Clooney Gael 4-17

Clooney Gaels kept pace with Tir na nOg at the top of division 2 when they travelled to Shaw’s Road on Sunday and recorded a nine point win over St. Paul’s.

First half goals from James O’Connell and Owen Neeson edged the visitors 2-8 to 1-8 ahead at the interval with the St. Paul’s goal coming from Caolan O’Duibhfinn and it left it all still to play for in the second half.

Colla McDonnell got in for a third Clooney goal, six minutes into the second half but Sean Munce replied with a second goal for the ‘Hoops’ in the 17th minute to keep them within striking distance.

The visitors pushed on however and James O’Connell fired home their fourth goal of the evening in injury time to secure another good victory for an Ahoghill side containing several youngsters in their line-up.

Ronan Graham 0-5, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson and Martin Graham were the Clooney first half point scorers with goal scorer O’Duibhfinn accounting for 0-3 of St. Paul’s points and Sean Munce 0-3, Lorcan Phillips and Daire Stevens all on target for the Shaw’s Road side.

The ‘Gael’s’ came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half and hit 1-4 in the opening six minutes with Colla McDonnell setting them on their way and Ronan Graham 0-2 and James O’Connell adding to McDonnell’s goal.

Suddenly the visitors lead had moved from three to ten points and while the home side matched their visitors for the remainder of the game, they never looked like overturning that lead.

They did get it back to six at one stage thanks to Munce’s goal in the 17th minute and points from O’Duibhfinn, Sean Muce, Declan Chapman 0-2, Conall Finnegan and Lorcan Phillips but the Ahoghill men were always able to respond.

Dan O’Neill, James O’Connell 0-2 f’s, Owen Neeson and Soda Graham kept the scoreboard ticking before James O’Connell put the icing on a solid performance with that fourth goal in the 32nd minute

St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray 2 Tiarnan Auld, 3 Frankie Sewell, 4 Marcas Munce, 5 Ciaran O’Carroll, 6 Daire Stevenson, 7 Declan Quinn, 8 Sean Lawell, 9 Conall Finnegan, 10 Caolan O’Duibhfinn, 11, Declan Chapman, 12Lorcan Phillips, 13 Sean Munce, 14 Stephen Rooney, 15 Paul Donnelly

Clooney Gaels: Aiden Graham, Conal Walls Paddy Dougan Joe Logan Harry O’Donnell James Magee Charlie McCloskey Dan O’Neill Conor Crossey Donal Graham Ronan Graham James O’Connell Colla McDonnell Martin Graham Owen Neeson

Subs:Eoin Graham for Martin Graham, Noah Friel for Donal Graham, Oisin Kelly for Joe Logan, Ben Friel for Harry O’Donnell, Michael Martin for Owen Neeson

Referee: Fionntan McCotterr (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel leave it late to secure the league points

Antrim ACHL Division 1 League

Loughgiel v St. Enda’s May 12th 2024 at Fr Healy Park

Match report and photos by Michael Corcoran

St. Enda’s entered today’s game, one point ahead of Loughgiel in the ACHL league table, though the Shamrock’s have a match in hand against Ballygalget, that match having been postponed due to an unplayable venue in the Ards Peninsula. A win today for St. Enda’s would have secured their position in the table ahead of the Shamrock’s, even if Loughgiel had a win in Mitchell Park on Saturday 25th May. Arguably, St. Enda’s had more pressure to bear on them for a win tonight.

Colum Cunning from Dunloy got the match underway and St. Enda’s were in a hurry to rattle the scoreboard into action, as Cormac Jennings found a gap to handpass to Luke O’Connor, finishing with a fine high ball over the Loughgiel bar. With a reasonable breeze running from the Lough Road end to the clubhouse, Glengormley’s Joe Maskey was able to launch a long puck from deep in his own half that split the uprights before Loughgiel’s Declan McCloskey replied with an opening point from the first free of the match.

Only minutes had elapsed in the game before St. Enda’s Cian O’Connor received a diagonal ball into the right side of the pitch under the scoreboard. Losing his marker, O’Connor struck hard and lodged St. Enda’s first goal of the evening.

Loughgiel kept tracking St. Enda’s efforts over the bar and after fourteen minutes, scores stood at Loughgiel 0-04 St. Enda’s 1-05.

The point for point status was punctuated when Loughgiel’s Jack McCloskey announced his forward presence and although his own solo attempt would end in a missed 65 opportunity, on his second attempt he was found by Rian McMullan running in from the 20m line. McCloskey fired the ball low but caught the leg of full back Dara Maguire and this was eventually cleared away

Eighteen minutes into the game tempers were fraying and referee Cunning had to issue two yellow cards to restore order. On resumption of play, Rian McMullan picked up where he left off and displaying great skill, took a catch, turn and released for a tidy point and a fifth for the Shamrock’s. Tit for tat scoring would take us to the break with everything to play for in the second half, Loughgiel 0-08 St. Enda’s 1-08.

With the second half underway, the Shamrock’s would have to contend with no advantage from the elements, as the wind dropped to almost nothing. St. Enda’s Ciaran McAllister found himself in a battle for possession and after a testing spell of ground hurling, broke free and delivered over the bar for his own well-made point.

Rian McMullan pulled that back with a searing rocket over Glengormley’s bar before St. Enda’s John McGoldrick rushed into the Shamrock’s danger zone and kicked the sliotar into the net for St. Enda’s second goal, raising hopes along the line of supporters.

St Enda’s would go through a patch of over carrying the ball and Loughgiel made good use of that opportunity to point their way back up the board, Loughgiel 0-13 St. Enda’s 2-10.

Tiago McGarry made a run up the right-hand side of the field just under the ‘Fridge Raiders’ scoreboard but his attempt to point was brilliantly blocked but his tenacity benefited the midfielder and regaining possession, secured a pass to Eoin McGarry who sent the sliotar over the bar.

The Shamrock’s continued to work at closing the gap and after twenty-four minutes, Loughgiel were only one point behind the boys from An Baile Bocht, Glengormley when Loughgiel’s Christy McGarry punctured any hope for St. Enda’s with a sliotar that rippled the roof of the net with less than a minute left on the clock. Referee Cunning would eventually draw the match to a conclusion, Loughgiel 1-18 St. Enda’s 2-12.

The Shamrock’s will now leapfrog St. Enda’s in the league table after tonight’s encounter, though there is still much for both sides to play for at just over the halfway mark.

Scorers for Loughgiel

Declan McCloskey 0-02f, Rian McMullan 0-04, 0-06f, Conall McCloskey 0-01, Maol Connolly 0-01, 0-02f, Cahal Hargan 0-01, Eoin McGarry 0-01, Christy McGarry 1-00

Scorers for St. Enda’s

Luke O’Connor 0-01, Joe Maskey 0-01, 0-01f, Cian O’Connor 1-0, Eoin Conlon 0-01, John McGoldrick 1-0, 0-05f, Cormac Jennings 0-01, Ciaran McAllister 0-02

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim minor hurlers win the Peader Laithlain Cup

Leinster Minor Hurling – Peader Laithlain cup

Antrim 2-9  Carlow 2-7

Antrim Minor Hurlers won the Leinster Minor B Hurling Championship when they beat Carlow in Saturday’s final at O’Toole Park, Dublin

Leading by 1-8 to 1-4 after a hard fought first half the young Saffrons really hit their stride after the break and pulled clear to win by 2-19 to 2-7

Antrim captain Thomas McLaughlin receives the Peader Laithlain Cup after his team’s win over Carlow Pic by Mark Marlow

A goal from Frank Kane (who started in place of the injured Fiontan Bradley) in three minutes and a point from Thomas McLaughlin gave Antrim a good start but Carlow came back with points in the 8th and 9th minutes from midfielder Ruairi Murphy. Two Liam McEnhill points restored Antrim’s four point advantage but just at the end of the opening quarter Carlow got right back in the game when full forward Alan Wall grabbed a goal. Antrim responded well and three points from Thomas McLaughlin frees and one each from play by Conan Johnston and Oisin McCallin helped them build a 1-8 to 1-4 advantage at the interval.

Antrim’s Conan Johnston – Pic by Mark Marlow

At the start of the second half Antrim centre forward Conor Donnelly and Carlow’s Ruairi Murphy exchanged points but Antrim were starting to gain the upper hand and two points from Thomas McLaughlin, plus one each from Oisin and Lorcan McCallin were followed by a goal from Frank Kane which pushed the lead out to eleven. Carlow came back with a point from midfielder Aodhan Kehoe but Antrim closed it out as Thomas McLaughlin, Frank Kane and Callagh Mooney fired over.

Carlow did manage a late goal as the dangerous Alan Wall got his second goal of the game but free taker McLaughlin finished it all with a late score to seal a convincing win.

Antrim’s Lorcan McCallin breaks free of two Carlow opponents – Pic by Mark Marlow
by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters defeat gallant Monaghan in opening league fixture

Monaghan Masters 1 – 08    Antrim Masters 1 – 09

Antrim Masters Football squad were handed a tough opening fixture at Monaghan GAA centre of excellence in Cloghan on Sunday morning.

On a perfect morning for football there was little to separate the teams from the moment referee Cathal O Brien from Louth threw in the ball, until the last long whistle at the end of a pulsating sixty minutes.

Antrim’s new management pairing of Frankie Delargy and Timmy Connolly welcomed debutants Michael Herron, Michael Donnelly, Ryan Daly and Kevin McAllister to Masters action, all three making significant contributions over the hour.

It was one of last years stars Liam Magee who picked up where he left off with a long range point from distance to open the scoring. Two minutes later Tony Scullion and Tony Convery combined to set up Mark Graham to palm past Sean Farmer to the net. Antrim were firmly in control for a period but failed to turn possession into additional scores when several excellent opportunities presented themselves.

Monaghan seized the initiative, reeling off a goal and four points to take command, before Michael Herron lifted the siege with a long range effort that split the posts. St Pauls stalwart James McGreevy did likewise one minute later, and coming up to the short brake Liam Magee finished off some excellent build up play from the visitors with a quick brace of his own to put Antrim a point up at the interval.

When the second half resumed it was the hosts who were first to step up. The hard running and leadership of Farneys wing half back Pauric Gollogly was causing all sorts of problems, and when Monaghan scored three points on the bounce to go two ahead, it looked like the Antrim challenge was starting to fizzle out.

The Saffrons summoned the will from somewhere to find another wind. Liam Magee scored his fourth point of the day to keep Antrim hosts alive. It took several fingertip saves from the effervescent team captain Sean McGreevy, leading by example, providing stimulus to host of  Antrim players who suddenly found another gear from somewhere.

Two down with about six minutes to go, Tony Convery Michael Herron and Tony Scullion and a host of Saffrons stepped up, providing  the essential energy that Ryan Boyd, Ken Golden Ryan Daly and James McGreevy thrived on, as the game entered its closing stages.

With the game firmly in the mix, up stepped Kevin McAllister. The Dunloy corner forward coolly posted three excellently executed scores in succession to bring Antrim from two down to one up.

But with just a minute left on the clock Monaghan got one last chance to level it up.

A superbly timed tackle by Laurence Higgins however put just enough pressure on his opponent to misplace his pass to a teammate who was perfect in open space looking for that equalising score, turning an almost certain score into a hugely contested ball which was claimed by Antrim’s impressive full back Adrian Scullion to secure both points for the Saffrons, after an epic end to end encounter.

Other Antrim players to feature on the day included Declan Hassen, Damien Casey, Darragh McAuley, and another newcomer to join the ranks, Paul Devine, originally from Aghayaran, County Tyrone.

There was little to spare between two honest sides going toe to toe, but the manner of the win was most pleasing to this new look Antrim Masters side who now look forward to a trip to Louth in two weeks to build further momentum on this excellent beginning to the season.

Antrim Scorers.

Liam Magee 0 – 04, Kevin McAllister 0 – 03, Mark Graham 1 – 00, Michael Herron 0 – 01, James McGreevy 0 – 01.

by thesaffrongael

CREGGAN FIRST HALF ACTION CONCLUSIVE

ACHL Division 3

Creggan 2-23 Lamh Dhearg 0-15

Kickham’s Creggan secured their second win in the league with 2.08 to spare over visitors Lamh Dhearg. 

 In 22 degrees humidity, not what you would expect for a game of hurling in this part of the world, it wasn’t long until the home side increased the heat on their visitors.  Proceedings started slow enough with Creggan on top with10 minutes gone (0.04 – 0.03) with points apiece from Thomas McCann, Cormac Rice, Morgan Nelson and Sean Duffin. 

Lamh Dhearg’s response was sluggish although they managed 3 points from Dan Murray, Sean Paul Gibson and Aidan Murray, to put little between the sides.  Creggan dominated for the next 20 minutes raking up a comfortable tally by further added points from Lee Johnston, Thomas McCann and a decisive goal, 14 minutes in, from Cormac Rice. 

Kickham’s were getting the upper hand although Lamh Dhearg wouldn’t lie down and 2 points from Dan Murray and Niall McGarry, narrowed the gap with 27 minutes gone.  Creggan were winning the dirty ball as their midfield coped well with the visitors.  As we ebbed towards the break, 4 points from Morgan Nelson, 2 from Sean Duffin and respectively one a piece from Lee Johnston and Liam McCann put them in a strong position at half time.

HALF TIME SCORE:      CREGGAN 1.13 v LAMH DHEARG 0.05.

In such fine weather, Robert Emmett’s referee, Paul McSparran, got proceedings underway for the second half.  Lamh Dhearg were first to register a score with another point from Aidan Murray, as the visitors tried to eat into Creggan’s lead.  They increased their tally with 2 further points from Aaron Ferris and Dan Murray and the management had to make a decision on a 20 metre free. 

They went low but Creggan’s keeper, Oran McCann, stopped it on the line.  This is probably where the visitors’ luck ran out.  As play resumed it was nip and tuck for both sides; Creggan managed 3 points from Sean Duffin, Morgan Nelson and Liam McCann, all raising the white flags.  Half way through the second half both teams hit 5 points apiece and both teams were evenly matched as possession ebbed and flowed. 

The visitors’ downfall was their increasing tally of wides in both first and second halves.  With 10 minutes to go, until the final whistle, the home side were up 1.19 to 0.12.  Creggan were much more intelligent with the ball as their confidence grew, sensing victory as the contest grew to a close.  Lamh Dhearg only managed a further 2 points with scores from Ciaran Boyd and Aidan Murray as they battled on now in search of goals, having several efforts stopped by the Creggan defence. 

This was too little too late.  Creggan romped home with 4 added points from Liam McCann, Corman Rice and 2 from Morgan Nelson.  Sean McAuley added salt to the wounds with an injury time goal to conclude proceedings.  To be fair, Lamh Dhearg’s inaccuracy in the first half cost them the game as they almost matched Creggan’s score for score..

Referee, Paul McSparran, was well in control of the game, letting the play flow and not wasting any ink in his note book in a good natured game.

 Creggan:            1. Oran McCann, 2. Peadar McGuckian, 3. Aidan Maguire, 4. Senan O’Boyle, 5. Liam McCann (0.04), 6. Kealan McCann, 7. Jake McAteer, 8. Sean Duffin (0.05), 9. Niall McAuley, 10. Morgan Nelson (0.09), 11. Lee Johnston (0.02), 12. Thomas McCann (0.01), 13. Sean McAuley (1.0), 14. Cormac Rice (1.02), 15. Joseph Smyth, 16. Michael Maguire (for Joe Smyth 50th minute).

Lamh Dhearg:  1. Rhys Camlin, 2. Fiachra Clenaghan, 3. Odran Waldron, 4. Tiernan McKenna, 5. Dan Murry (0.03), 6. Ryan Diamond, 7. Fion Mervyn, 8. Aidan Murray (0.06), 9. Ciaran Boyd (0.01), 10 Nial McGarry (0.01), 11. Mark Finnegan (0.01), 12. Seanpaul Gibson (0.01), 13. Donal Martin (0.01), 14. Gerard Smyth, 15. Aaron Ferris (0.01).

Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)