Geraldines Portglenone 3 – 12 St Johns Carnlough 1.07
A large crowd gathered in Dunsilly on Friday night to watch the Minor B camogie final between Geraldine’s Portglenone and St John’s Carnlough.
Weather conditions were miserable with torrential rain during most of the match, but despite this both teams turned in good displays.
Portglenone took the first point of the game followed quickly by a goal by Eimear Smith, but the Carnlough girls responded with 2 points from Brooke Taggart and Saoirse Campbell before Aoife McGrogan and Aoife McKenna added further points for Portglenone. Jo Jo Daragh and Hannah Friel added 2 more points before wing forward Eimear Smith rattled home a goal into the Carnlough net. Whilst the Carnlough forwards were able to press with some fine passing and possession they were unable to convert these into scores and the missed opportunities saw them trailing at the half way point Portglenone 2.07 to Carnlough 0.03.
Carnlough substitute Eimear Ward started strong in the second half adding 2 points, one from a free. In response Naoise Henry added 2 points followed by a goal from her teammate Aoife McKenna. In the last 10 minutes the Carnlough defence held firm with some great saves from goalkeeper Leanne Magill whilst Eimear Ward added a goal and 2 more points to the Carnlough score.
Whilst both teams played some fine camogie in the most difficult conditions, it was the first touch and scoring ability of the Portglenone forwards that made the real difference and resulted in their win.
Portglenone. Aoife McKenna 1.02, Aoife McGrogan 0.03, JoJo Daragh 0.01, Hanna Friel 0.01(F), Eimear Smith 2.01, Naoise Henry 0.03, Aedin Vallely 0.01
Cloney Gaels have one foot in the semi-final of the Intermediate Hurling Championship after they beat Cushendun on Friday evening in poor conditions at Feystown, Glenarm to make it 3 wins out of 3. Cushendun, who are still pointless after three games, did well in the opening half and in the early stages of the second, but when Cloney upped the pace they were able to pull clear and had seven points to spare at the end.
Things have not gone well for the Emmet’s this season and with the Kilgore brothers absent all season and centre back Donal O’Hara out with a broken hand, they faced an uphill struggle after losing their first two games. They started well enough and were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after seven minutes, Tom Scally and Dominic McQuillan giving them the lead after seven minutes. Cloney began to settle into the rhythm and points from James O’Connell, Ronan Graham and Patrick Graham had them 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after 13 minutes, and it could have been more had it not been for a couple of excellent saves by Emmet’s goalkeeper John V Morgan.
Cushendun then had their best spell of the game and four points on the trot from Sean McKay, Dominic McQuillan, Tom Scally and Conor McHugh had them two clear by the 20th minute. A point on the run by Donal Graham and a great effort from a free from inside his own half by Fionnbar O’Neill put Cloney level. Two points from Conlaoth McNeill put the Emmets two ahead but four on the spin from James O’Connell had the Ahoghill men 0-11 to 0-09 in front by the time referee Paddy Tumelty blew the half time whistle.
The Emmet’s started the second half really well and a pointed 65 from ‘Loaf’ McNeill and one from play by Tom Scally had them level by the 35th minute. It looked like we were in for a close contest, but Cloney took control again and four points without reply, three of them from James O’Connell and one from Patrick Graham, opened a three point gap. Another excellent save by Morgan in the Emmet’s goal was followed by a point from a ‘Loaf’ McNeill free and the Cushendun men were still within reach, but they managed just one more point as a James O’Connell inspired Cloney side pulled away, O’Connell getting three more points and Eamon Brady one to end up seven clear at the end.
CLONEY GAELS
Aiden Graham, Bernard Graham, Patrick Dougan, Bernard Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill. Neill O’Connell, Danny O’Neill, Eamon Brady, Connor Crossey, Donal Graham, Ronan Graham, Patrick Jr. Graham, Owen Jr Neeson, Owen Graham, James O’Connell.
CUSHENDUN EMMET’S
John V Morgan, Mark McSparran, Archie McSparran, Pearse McKeegan, Sean McKay, Jack McKay, Calum Kilgore, Aidan McSparran, Andrew Breslin, Conor McHugh, Tom Scally, Alex McMullan, Dominic McQuillan, Conrad McDonnell, Conor Bannon.
Referee – Paddy Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)
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Glen Rovers, Armoy completed their Group 2 Junior Hurling Championship with maximum points following this 13 point win over All Saints Ballymena in bad underfoot conditions at a wet Slemish park on Friday night.
Both sides were without key players and for a spell, early in the contest it looked like a youthful All Saints were going to present as challenge to their more experienced opponents.
A goal from one of the Ballymena side’s more experienced campaigners, Liam Cassley closed the gap to the minimum in the 11th minute but before the celebrations died down, Owen Kinney scooped the sliothar home at the other end to restore his side’s four point advantage.
The Armoy side would go on to lead by 2-10 to 1-6 at half time with Kinney collecting a short free from Trevor Linton to fire home his second goal of the half with four minutes remaining to the break.
It was Kinney who got the visitors off the mark when he got his stick to a Turlach McBride free and McBride, Conor Christie, PJ McBride and Trevor Linton moved the visitors 0-5 to 0-1 ahead with the All Saints point coming from Liam Cassley.
After the exchange of goals Ciaran McKenna, Trevor Linton, Conor Christie and Owen Kinney added further points with Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan keeping the scoreboard ticking for the home side.
Bradley converted an early second half free to cut the gap to six with Trevor Linton and Timmothy Burns replying for the visitors before another converted free from the excellent Bradley had it back to six again.
Owen Kinney (14) whoes two goals paved the way for an Armoy victory over All Saints at Slemish Park on Friday evening
Linton took advantage of slackness in the home defence to fire home goal number three for the Armoy side and Owen Kinney and Ciaran McKenna followed with point to open up a 12 point gap and at this stage the home side could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.
To their credit they continued to produce some fine passages of hurling but lacked the penetration to trouble the Armoy defence with a number of promising attacks breaking down.
Cormac Magill struck an excellent long range point with PJ McBride replying for the Glen Rovers with Conor Christie and Turlach McBride from a long range free concluding the visitors scoring and the excellent Bradley hitting two late consolation points for the home side.
This win makes it three from three for the Glen Rovers and sees them top the group with Saturday’s meeting of Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg deciding who will finish second and All Saints now eliminated.
Armoy now qualify automatically for a semi-final spot while both Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg have quarter-finals to play against the sides who qualify second and third in Group 1.
Turlach McBride, PJ McBride, Conor Christie, Trevor Linton, Ciaran McKenna, Owen Kinney and Thomas Burns were best on the night for a very good Glen Rovers side who will be favourites to win the championship following last year’s defeat to Cloughmills in the final.
Despite finishing pointless in their group, All Saints have played some great hurling and after losing players to other clubs have had to rebuild with a handful of youngsters who look to have a bright future.
Stand in keeper, Luke Walsh pulled off a couple of good saves in the second half while Harry Connon, Archie McGreevey and Darach Bradley are amongst the new faces who have emerged as serious hurlers during this year’s campaign.
All Saints: 19 Luke Walsh, Conor O’Rawe, 3 Eoin McAllister, 4 Padhraig Magill, 5 Kevin Brady, 6 Harry Connon, 7 Archie McvGreevey, 8 Vincent Esler, 9 Jack Magill, 10 Cormac Magill, 11 Liam Cassley, 12 Eoin McGuigan, 13 Fintan Brady, 14 Sean O’Rawe, 15 Darach Bradley
Tir na nOg looked to be heading for their third win in three outings in Group 2 when they led Sarsfields 0-11 to 0-6 in Ahoghill at the halfway stage on Thursday night and indeed the Whitehill side could have been further ahead.
When Sean Duffin converted a ‘65’, 2 frees and two from play to move the Randalstown side 11 ahead after only five minutes of the second half it wasn’t looking good for a Sarsfield’s side missing several of the McKernan clan.
The McKiernan who was on duty, Donal finally got the Stewartstown Road side off the mark with a pointed free after seven minutes but there was little indication at this stage of what was about to unfold.
Two minutes later, county player, Niall McKenna drilled his shot to the net and it was ‘game on’ as the men from the Bear Pit came to life as they hit five on the bounce with Tir na nOg visibly rattled by the intensity of their opponents.
Sean Duffin, who had been their go to man tried to steady them but the momentum was now very much with the West Belfast side as they pushed on to win by two points.
Sean Duffin who top scored for Tir na nOg in their Group 2 IHC defeat to Sarsfields in Ahoghill
The first half belonged to Tir na nOg as they dominated this Group 2 game, played at the neutral venue of Cloney, with Sean Duffin in fine scoring form and the big number 11 would contribute 0-8 of his side’s first half total with Ciaran Logan 0-2, Com Duffin and Daragh Fagan their other first half scorers.
Niall McKenna, Donal McKernan 0-3, Gary Lennon and Fionn Jemfrey were the Sarsfields first half marksmen but Tir na nOg might well been further ahead as they missed quite a few scoreable chances.
What was about to unfold in the second half could not have been predicted as Sean Duffin added to his ever increasing total with the first three of the second half to move the Whitehill side into what looked like an unassailable position.
Ace free taker, McKernan got proceedings under way before his side struck with a well worked goal by Niall McKenna to light a fuse that their opponents were unable to extinguish.
Donal McKernan added a couple of frees and Anthony McGarrigle, McKenna and Fionn Jemfrey added further points as the gap slowly closed before Sean Duffin briefly stopped the onslaught with a pointed free in the 18th minute.
Sarsfield’s were now playing with a determination and belief that had been missing earlier in the game as Gary Lennon landed a great long range point before McKenna struck a beauty over his shoulder to move his side two ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Two more from Anthony McGarrigle and another converted free from Donal McKernan with five minutes remaining seemed to have sealed it for the Belfast side before Tir na nOg staged a late rally.
Sean Duffin led the way with three pointed frees as the hits went in hard and fast to close the gap to the minimum but Sarsfields replied through their own marksman, Donal McKernan to ease home by two.
Donal McKernan fires over from a sideline cut as Sarsfields defeat Tir na nOg at Ahoghill
The proverbial game of two halves with Tir na nOg dominant in the opening half but perhaps too reliable on Sean Duffin for scores. They missed a few during the opening period and those misses would come back to bite them.
Sarsfields tightened up in the second half with Mark McCavanagh outstanding in defence and Niall McKenna coming into his own as they slowly reeled in a Tir na nOg side who faded remarkably.
This win moves Sarsfield’s level with Tir na Nog on 4 points from 3 starts while Cloney Gaels join them on 4 but have a game in hand against Emmets on Friday night in Glenravel.
Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Manus Smith, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Ciaran O’Neill, 5 Daniel Martin, 17 Colm Duffin, 7 Sean McKinley, 8 Emmet Murray, 9 Ciaran McKeown, 10 Josh Higgins, 11 Sean Duffin, 12 Oliver McAtamney, 13 Aaron McNeilly, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Ciaran Logan,
Sarsfields: 1 Andrew McStay, 2 Malachy Campbell, 28 Nicolas O’Mullane, 4 Mark McCavanah, 5 Gary Lennon, 6 Eoghan Rogers, 7 Michael Johnston, 8 Anthony McGarrigle, 11 Niall McKenna, 13 Donal McKiernan, 14 Jack Daniels, 15 Fionn Jemfrey, 27 James Cunningham,
Referee: Colm McDonald
To view Joe Carberry’s photographs from the game click on the link below
DUNLOY were the dominant team during the first half of this Antrim minor camogie championship final in Fr Maginn Park. But there was a total transformation for the second half and four goals and five points without reply in the third quarter saw Cushendall retain their grip on the trophy for another season, as they completed the three-in-a-row.
Although Orlaith McAlister rattled the crossbar as she registered the first point, midfielders Aimee Ferris and Eobha McAllister (two) quickly put Dunloy into a lead that they held until the start of the third quarter.
While there were some fine scores from both sides during the first half, there was also wayward shooting and shots dropping short and, in Dunloy’s case, those were to prove very costly.
The Cúchulainn’s deserved to be ahead at the break, maybe more than 0-6 to 0-5 given the percentage of possession they enjoyed. Then again they were probably a bit fortunate that Niamh McNeill’s batted goal in added time was ruled out for a square ball infringement.
When Kerry Rose Drain opened a two points’ lead a minute into the second half, it looked as the pattern of the first half had started again. How wrong Cushendall proved that theory! Points from Orlaith McAlister, Orlaith McCurry (two) and Amy McAlister turned the lead into Ruairí Óg’s favour and when Kady McNeill sent Eva McNeill through for the opening goal in the 37th minute the game was running away from Dunloy.
Sub Clíodhna Thompson hit the net with her first touch three minutes later before a long ball from Laura Black found Niamh McNeill who fired home from an acute angle. Thompson then set up Amy McAlister for goal Number 4 and by the three quarters stage, Cushendall were out of sight, leading 4-10 to 0-7.
Adria McAllister eventually broke the sequence with a great solo point for Dunloy, but there was another goal at the other end for sub Thompson who took a pass from Amy McAlister to beat Mya McKinley from close range.
In the end it was a comprehensive victory for Cushendall. The switching of roles for Eva and Kady McNeill for the second half brought out the best in both and also in the forwards who now enjoyed a constant supply of good ball. Maeve McAlister at full-back was a candidate for Player of the Match, but that accolade had to go to the excellent Laura Black who dominated the half-back line.
Through Eobha McAllister and Aimee Ferris Dunloy were able to dictate most of the opening half and protect their defence. In the second half that defence was under constant pressure and, despite the best efforts of Casey Crawford before her injury and Carly McNamee, that pressure proved too much.
Cushendall: C Thompson 2-0, E McNeill 1-3, 0-2 frees, A McAlister 1-2, N McNeill 1-1, O McAlister 0-4, O McCurry 0-2, K McNeill 0-1.
Dunloy: E McAllister 0-3, M McArthur 0-2 frees, A Ferris, A McAllister and KR Drain 0-1 each.
Cushendall: C Morgan, L McCollum, M McAlister, C O’Hara, L Black, E McNaughton, S Kerr-McKillop, EM Mitchell, C McNaughton, O McAlister, E McNeill, O McCurry, K McNeill, N McNeill, A McAlister.
Subs: C Thompson for C McNaughton (38), N McDonnell for S Kerr-McKillop (49).
Dunloy: M McKinley, L McQuillan, C McNamee, R McGrath, C O’Boyle, C Crawford, M Cunning, E McAllister, A Ferris, A McAllister, M McArthur, E McMullan, E McGilligan, KR Drain, H Richmond.
Subs: SL Kearns for E McGilligan (38), R Doherty for C Crawford (55), GA Kelly for H Richmond (55)
Referee: O Elliott (All Saints)
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