A Scór night to remember On Saturday 4th May, parishioners from Aghagallon gathered in the Derryhirk Inn to celebrate Scór. The celebration was to mark the 25th anniversary of the club’s first All Ireland Scór title in 1999. This was a defining moment in club history when the ballad group lifted the All Ireland title on home turf in the Ulster Hall in Belfast. We went down memory lane watching old video footage and the ballad group sang their 2 all Ireland winning songs. Scór started in Aghagallon in the 1990s when Agnes Hannon inspired the club to start taking part and this has been the case ever since.
Scór is a way of life in Aghagallon with everyone of all ages and abilities having the opportunity to compete at the highest level. It is a huge part of club life and this was evident last night. This was also a special night for Aghagallon’s County and Ulster Novelty Act Champions as they prepare to take part in the All Ireland Final in Killarney next weekend. The lounge was full of family and friends from all over Ulster there to support and wish them well. The club presented the 8 Novelty Act members with a special jersey for the occasion. We wish them all the best in the All Ireland next Saturday.
LAMH DHEARG ALSO SET FOR KILLARNEY
Lamh Dhearg alos held a reception of their All Ireland Scor Finalist Méabh McNeill who will represent the club, the county and Ulster in the Solo Singing section at the All Ireland Finals in Kerry next week.
Maebh is presented with a Lamh Dhearg top as she head for Killarney for the Scor finals
O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One
Lámh Dhearg 0-8 St Brigid’s 0-14
PICS BY KEVIN HERRON
St Brigid’s great start to the O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One took another step forward at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening when they beat Lamh Dhearg by six points. It has been a great race between the top three so far with St Brigid’s, Cargin and Portglenone all on maximum points, and looking at the fixtures it could well continue that way for a while yet for none of the trio meet each other until Sunday June 9th when St Brigid’s host Cargin at Musgrave Park.
Early points from Niall Duffy and Matthew Downey gave the visitors a good start and it was ten minutes before back in action Conor Murray got the Lamhs on the scoreboard. The Hannahstown men were starting to build a bit of momentum and another point from Murray was added to with one from Shaun McManus, and it was out to four when Murray hit the target again.
Rory McErlean steadied the ship for the Musgrave Park men but Dan Murray replied right away to keep the home team on top. However St Brigid’s were starting to find a bit o rhythm in their play and Murray and Lundy soon had them level. Hannahstown got their noses back in front when Adam Murray converted a 45, and it looked like they would go in at the break with an advantage, but McErlean found the target again for St Brigid’s to send the sides in on level terms on 0-6 apiece.
Jack Dowling gave St Brigid’s back the lead in the opening minute of the second half and they went two clear when McErlean added another from a free. The scoring dried up at this stage, despite both sides having a good few chances the next score didn’t arrive until the end of the third quarter, McErlean once again the man to provide the finishing touch.
Tension were high as both teams gave their all to gain the upper hand. A bout of ‘handbags’ led to a brief delay, but when things got going again Conor Morray fired one over for the home side to cut the gap back to two. However St Brigid’s were still holding the upper hand and they increased their advantage in the closing stages to win by six in the end.
LÁMH DHEARG: G Smyth; D Martin, M McGarry, Ross Murray; D Smith, B Rice, D Murray (0-1); C Boyd, S McManus (0-1); N McGarry, T McCrudden, R Diamond; A Murray (0-1, ’45’), C Murray (0-4, 1f), C Lappin.
Subs: M Lowe for C Boyd (38), M Finnegan (0-1) for N McGarry (53), A McAufield for R Diamond (53), N Hughes for C Lappin (60+1)
ST BRIGID’S: D Heery; F McKernan, P King, C King; J McCarney, M Cummings, S Campbell; J Logue, J Dowling (0-2); N Duffy (0-1), M Downey (0-1), J Smith (0-3); P Lundy (0-1), C McAleer, R McErlean (0-6, 5f).
Subs: F Sherry for M Downey (10), S Boyle for J Logue (35), A McNicholl for P Lundy (52), D O’Hagan for F Sherry (60+1)
An All Saints side who have enjoyed a good start in division 1 this season travelled to Marian Hill on Wednesday night to face a Moneyglass team who have been displaying signs of recovery over recent weeks and who always prove a difficult hurdle for the Ballymena men.
This one proved no different and a point from Colm Duffin in injury time would earn Moneyglass a share of the spoils and on reflection a draw was probably a fair result.
it was St. Ergnat’s who were first to register as Aidan McErlain fired to the Saint’s net after 30 seconds to give them the perfect start.
Michael McCarry replied with a point for the visitors but Sean Boyd restored the home side’s three point advantage before Connor O’Kane extended that lead to four with a point in the 9th minute.
The visitors were struggling to get their own game together but Ronan McKillop provided them with a major boost when he got in for his side’s opening goal in the 10th minute to close the gap to the minimum.
Aidan McErlain for Moneyglass and Shaun O’Callaghan for the Ballymena side exchanged further points as matters began to liven up but it would be the Marian Hill side who would go on to edge the second quarter.
Colm Duffin and Connlaodh McCann moved them three ahead before All Saints reduced the lead to two once more through Michael McCarry with a good point in the 25th minute.
The final score of the half fell to St. Ergnat’s as Dermott McErlain stroked a ‘45’ between the uprights to leave the Marian Hill men leading 1-7 to 1-3 at the interval and good value for that lead.
The All Saints success this season has been built on a strong resolve and determination and they would set about closing the visitors lead at the start of the second half.
Ronan McKillop got them off the mark with a point in the opening minute and when Connell Lemon finished a good move to the net in the 6th minute the momentum seemed to be very much with the visitors.
Benny Marron’s side had other ideas however and they responded positively with points from Connlaodh McCann, Dermott McErlain and Colm Duffin to move three clear by the 18th minute.
At this stage the smart money would have been on St. Ergnat’s to collect their second brace of points of the season but All Saints again showed the character that has been their hallmark this season.
Despite losing Patrick Ferris to a Black card, Liam Bradley’s side began to wrestle back control and Emmet Killough, Connell Lemon, Ciaran Campbell and substitute Conor Brennan edged them ahead with four unanswered points by the 25th minute.
The visitors failed to push on however but looked to have done enough but St. Ergnat’s came back with a late Colm Duffin point in injury time to secure a share of the spoils and climb out of the bottom three.
St. Ergtnat’s: 1 Daniel McErlain, 2 James McCormick, 3 Diarmuid Scullin, 4 Matthew Mullen, 5 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Sean Boyd, 8 Connor O’Kane, 9 Dermott McErlain, 10 Jimmy McMeel, 11 Seanchan Duffin, 12 Connlaodh McCann, 13 Fearghal Duffin, 14 Colm Duffin, 15 Aidan McErlain, 16 Rory Griffin, 17 Callum McStocker
All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Eoin Walsh, 3 Michael Read, 4 Conall Killough, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Shaun O Callaghan, 7 Cal O’Brien, 8 Sean McVeigh, 9 Emmet Killough, 10 Joe Rafferty, 11 Michael McCarry, 12 Connell Lemon, 13 Ciaran Campbell, 14 Peter McNicholl, 15 Ronan McKillop. 16 Conor Brennan
Cargin recorded another good win when they entertained St. Mary’s Aghagallon in Toome on Wednesday night before a good attendance at their Shore road ground.
The visitors got off to a good start and an early point from Jonathan Hannon saw them open account a couple of minutes into proceedings but the home side were not to remain in arrears for long.
A point from Jamie Gribbin was followed by a 7th minute Tom Shivers goal following a smart flick from Tomas McCann saw the home side move ahead and they were to retain such until conclusion.
Cargin following that opening concession were quick to gain in composure with Gerard Mc Cann and John Carron on top in the vital central zone and with Jamie Gribbin occupying the role of play maker they had earned a 1-05 to 0-02 advantage by the end of the opening quarter.
Aghagallon were forced into change following an injury to their mid fielder but were quick to settle into the contest and slick on the counter, they were only a score behind at the 20th minute.
Tomas Mc Cann had added a trio of points to the home side’s total with David Johnston coming up with another but back-to-back free kicks, delivered between the posts with some authority by Jonathan Hannon assured the visiting contingent support that they were very much in the contest.
Cargin looked to have gained a good lead as the end of the opening period neared when Callum Gribbin and Ben McLarnon combined for the latter to grab a 28th minute goal and the Toome side looked on their way to a healthy interval advantage.
That lead was not to remain for long and when the advancing Conor Magill was fouled inside the square, Jonathan Hannon tucked the resultant spot kick into the corner of the net and the home side’s interval advantage was reduced to five points 2-07 to 1-05.
Cargin goalkeeper John McNabb is beaten at the post as Aghagallon’s Jonathan Hannon fires a penalty to the net
The second half saw the visitors enjoy the advantage of the slight breeze but it was Erin’s Own who were first to strike and John Carron, Ben McLarnon and Callum Gribbin combined to set up Conan Johnston to fire to the back of the net in the 2nd minute.
The Toome men’s swift second period getaway continued as Tom Shivers fired over a good point with the visitors quicky replying through Jonathan Hannon.
Cargin were in the ascendancy however and Tom Shivers, Tomas Mc Cann and David Johnston replied with points at the other end and another special from corner back Sean Og Quinn saw the Toome men 3-11 to 1-08 ahead as the clocked ticked on into the last quarter.
The hosts looked in firm control as the management took the opportunity to empty their bench with Hugh O’ Donnell, Jack Harney, Odhran Molloy, Shea Laverty, Enda Mc Grogan and Ronan Devlin entering the fray.
It looked all over at this stage but the visitors kept battling to the end and Daryl Mc Alernon finished a good move with a point.
St Mary’s launched one last attack and Jonathan Hannon drilled his shot to the corner of the net after a good Stephen Devlin delivery but it was to be the game’s final score as Cargin maintain their place at the top of the table
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean Og Quinn (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Cahir Donnelly, Justin Crozier, James Laverty (0-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston (0-02), Tomas Mc Cann (1-06), Conan Johnston (1-00), Tom Shivers (1-02), Callum Gribbin
Aghagallon: Luke Mulholland, Kieran Hamill, Aidan Mulholland, Pat Brannigan, Conor Magill, Jamie Lamont, Ciaran Maginnis (0-01), Pauric Maginnis, Padraig Gowdy, Stephen Devlin, Niall Mc Shane (0-02), Jonathan Hannon (2-04), Daryl Mc Alernon (0-01), Enda Mallon, James Mc Cormick
St. Teresa’s continue to set the pace in division 2 and on Wednesday night it was visitors Dunloy who became the latest side to feel the force of the Glen Road side.
Dunloy travelled to Pairc MhicDhomhnaill hoping to end the run of the home side, who were unbeaten going into this game and after a sterling performance, remain unbeaten and top the table.
It was visitors Dunloy who led briefly in this contest when points from Declan McGarry and Anthony Smyth had them 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after six minutes, the St. Teresa’s score coming from Conor Mallon.
Paul McGoldrick levelled matters with 8 minutes gone and slowly a well-oiled St. Teresa’s machine started to take control with John Mallon leading the way.
Mallon kicked his side into a lead they would not again lose with an excellent point in the 9th minute and the same player added two more from frees as the home side started to stretch the visitors defence.
Paul McGoldrick moved the Glen Road side five ahead and the Cuchullian’s then suffered another blow when Declan Smyth was forced to retire to be replaced by Barry McCloskey.
A Kevin McQuillan pointed free in the 17th minute briefly halted the St. Teresa’s assault but they were soon back on the front foot with Mark Small, John Mallon and Anto Taylor on target to move them six ahead.
The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it difficult to break down a well organised home defence where Paul Johnston, Aodhan Dugan, Colm McGoldrick and Conor O’Rawe were excellent.
Still when the visitors kicked three of the final four points of the half through McQuillan 0-2 and Barry McCloskey in reply to one from Anto Taylor to leave just four in it at the break it looked far from over.
Dunloy needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the St. Teresa’s lead but it was the league leaders who regrouped from the throw-in with Niall McCann pointing a couple of early frees to move them six in front.
An excellent point from Darren McCann increased that lead to seven with only 8 minutes of the new half gone before Tom McFerran replied with an equally impressive effort at the other end to open the Cuchullian’s second half account.
It was nip and tuck for most of the remainder of the game as Eoin Hamill, Conor Mallon and Darren McCann added points for the home side and Barry McCloskey, Declan McGarry and Oran Quinn replied for the visitors.
Further scores from Darren McCann and Anto Taylor in response to one from Anthony Smyth kept the gap at six with only two minutes remaining but Dunloy were handed a lifeline when referee Patrick Tumelty pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Karl Fitzpatrick to fire past Ciaran Murtagh in the St. Teresa’s goals but it would prove to be the final action of the evening and it is the Glen Road side who make it six win from six starts to sit proudly at the top of the table.
St. Teresa’s: 1 Ciaran Murtagh, 2 Eoin Connolly, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Aodhan Dugan, 5 Colm McGoldrick, 6 Conor O’Rawe, 7 Conor Mallon, 8 Darren McCann, 9 Stephen Carey, 10 Eoghan Hamill, 11 John Mallon, 12 Paul McGoldrick, 13 Mark Small, 14 Niall McCann, 15 Anto Taylor
Subs: Francis Dugan for Mark Small
Dunloy: 1 Sean Doherty, 2 Michael Traynor, 3 Adrian Scullion, 4 Cathair McCloskey, 5 Conor Kinsella, 6 Aaron Crawford, 7 Oran Quinn, 8 Ryan McFarlane, 9 Karl Fitzpatrick, 10 Padraig McGilligan, 11 Deaglan Smyth, 12 Tom McFerran, 13 Anthony Smyth, 14 Kevin McQuillan, 15 Declan McGarry
Subs: Barry McCloskey for Declan Smyth, Conal Doherty for Kevin McQuillan, Sean Scullion for Barry McCloskey
