The South West Antrim competitions continued at the weekend with Casement’s Portglenone collecting the Breslin Cup with a good win over St. James Aldergrove. The same sides had met in the Laverty Shield final earlier in the season and many of those on duty had featured in that game.
Portglenone once again proved too strong for the boys from Crumlin who never the less put up a strong performance against a Casement’s side who have already collected the All County U16A league title with a win over favourites St. Brigid’s.
Most of Sunday’s U16 side will be back in action this weekend as part of the Casement’s side who face St. Gall’s in the Minor B Football Final in Toome on Sunday at 12-00, noon and will be hoping to add another title in a season that has been a resounding success for this group of players.
CREGGAN ARE BRESLIN SHIELD WINNERS
In the Breslin Shield it was Kickham’s Creggan who recorded a good win over neighbours, Tir na nOg Randalstown in an entertaining final and once again the South West Board should be congratulated as they bring their season to a successful conclusion despite the difficulties in finding suitable dates for their competitions,
Two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half swung this Junior Hurling Championship decider decisively in the direction of St. Mary’s Rasharkin though they were forced withstand a late rally from Glen Rovers in Loughgiel on Saturday afternoon.
With the gale force wind at their backs St. Mary’s led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval but with the elements in their favour in the second half, Glen Rovers were expected to take control.
Instead it was the men from Dreen who dictated the early second half exchanges with Conor McFerran following up on a Conor Devlin save from Donagh Quigg in the opening minute to finish to the net from close range.
Three Minutes later the excellent Quigg got in for a second St. Mary’s goal and suddenly a three point lead had been stretched to nine and the Blue & Amber’s were firmly in the driving seat.
Rasharkin goal scorer, Donagh Quigg comes under severe pressure from PJ McBride
It was Donagh Quigg who opened the scoring in Fr. Healey Park with a point in the first minute with Trevor Linton replying from a 4th minute free to level the contest.
Slowly Rasharkin, with the strong wind at their backs began to get on top as Conor McKeever pointed from play and added another from a ‘65’ and when Conor McFerran added another in the 13th minute things appeared to be going to plan.
Significantly the Dreen side were off target with a number of scoreable efforts at this stage of the game and Armoy started to get a foothold with Trevor Linton bringing a smart save from James O’Mullan.
The Glen Rovers continued to look threatening on the break as Turlach McBride pointed two frees into the breeze to close the gap to one by the 20th minute as Kieran McToal replaced the injured Owen Kinney in the Armoy attack.
McKeever from a pointed free and Conor Christie exchanged further points and further exchanges from Emmet McFerran and McBride kept the gap at three and the Armoy management would have been the happier of the two at this juncture given the strength of the breeze.
Another pointed free from ace marksman, McKeever edged Rasharkin four ahead by the 28th minute but the final score of the half fell to Trevor Linton who’s superb point left it 0-8 to 0-5 in favour of St. Mary’s.
The men in Blue & White were expected to take control as matters got underway again but they were rocked by those early goals from Conor McFerran and team captain Quigg and it was a double blow they never really recovered from.
They did respond with points from Emmet O’Hara and a Turlach McBride free but a pointed free from McKeever at the other end left the gap at eight at the end of the third quarter.
Two pointed frees from Turlach McBride and two more from Trevor Linton (1f) had it back to four with 12 minutes remaining and at this stage Armoy looked to be getting on top and when McBride (f) and PJ McBride from play followed with two more it was looking ominous for Rasharkin.
Another from Linton made it seven on the bounce for the Glen Rovers as the excitement ranked up a notch and closed the gap to the minimum with seven minutes remaining but incredibly this would be Armoy’s final score.
Conor McKeever eased the pressure with another pointed free for St. Mary’s in the 26th minute and it would prove to be the game’s final score as his side withstood a late rally to claim the Junior Championship title.
Rasaharkin celebrate after defeating Armoy in the Junior Hurling Championship final in Loughgiel on Saturday
Wild scenes of celebrations followed with blue and yellow flares going off in every corner of the ground as Rasharkin’s supporters rushed onto the field to greet their heroes with county chairman, Seamus McMullan presenting the cup to Rasharkin captain, Donagh Quigg.
St Louis Ballymena 4-14 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 0-14
Goals made the difference between St Louis and their opponents Knock when the two sides met in the opening game in Group A of the Mageean Cup at Quinn Park Ballymena on Friday. Cushendall’s Fiontan Bradley and Loughgiel’s Caolan McCollum’s grabbed two goals apiece, their conversion rate proving more decisive than the visitors, who created plenty of chances, but they found goalkeeper Caolan McFerran in great form, three of the saves right out of the top drawer.
Both side took a little while to settle but Bradley pointed twice in the opening seven minutes to give St Louis a 0-3 to 0-1 lead and Domhnall McKay sent a long ball all the way to the net soon afterwards and St Louis kept a comfortable distance ahead and when Bradley grabbed a second goal soon afterwards St Louis pushed on to lead by 2-9 to 0-7 at the break.
Liam Blaney in action for Knock
Knock had their share of chances during the third quarter but could make kittle impact on the scoreboard, thanks in no small way to McFarran’s shot stopping ability between the posts.
At the other end half-time sub Caolán McCollmn showed how it should be done finding the target with ease to stretch his team’s lead, before Bradley put the icing on the cake with another well taken goal.
Next Thursday, Knock will have home venue against St Mary’s CBGS and the following day St Louis will travel to Slaughtneil to take on Gaelcholáiste. The much anticipated Group B tie between holders St Killian’s and Cross & Passion Ballycastle is on Tuesday afternoon in Cushendun.
St Louis Damian Kinsella
St Louis: F Bradley (2-4, 0-1 free), C McFerran (1-3), D McKay (1-0), J Martin (0-3, 1 free) E Curry (0-2), D McLarnon and J McAlonan (0-1 each)
OL&SP Knock: L Blaney (0-8, 4 frees), F Kane (1 free) and D Pucci (0-2 each), R Donnelly and S O’Connell (0-1 each)
St Louis: Caolan McFerran, Aaron Doherty, Sean óg Blaney, Ryan McClements, Sean McDermott, Domhnall McKay, Damian Kinsella, Jack Martin, Tiarnan Bonnes, Fiontan Bradley, Dylan McLarnon, James McGarry, Eunan Curry, Caleb Smith, Jay McAnonan.
Subs: Caolán McCollum for J McGarry (ht), Jack McKeever for T Bonnes (44), Neil Rodgers for D McKay (45), Conor Loughran for E Curry (45), Charlie Cunning for S McDermott (51)
Knock: Cillian Ennis, Rory Keenan, Joe Dynes, Ronan Breen, Manus Gilmore, Mark Guest, Conor Boyle, Ronan Donnelly, Sean McCollum, Joseph Brannif, Liam Blaney, Shane O’Connell, Dara Pucci, Frank Kane, Tomás O’Brien
Subs: Ronan Kelly for T O’Brien (36), Tomas McCusker for R Keenan (39), Cillian Teague for R Breen (58)
Referree: Owen Elliott (All Saints)
Tuesday 8th October 2.30pm in Cushendun
Cross & Passion Ballycastle v St Killian’s Garron Tower
Thursday 10th 1.30pm in Knock
Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock v St Mary’s CBGS
Friday 11th 1.30pm in Slaughtneil:
Gaelcholáiste Dhoire v St Louis Ballymena
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Hurling takes centre stage in Antrim this weekend with a couple of finals in Junior A and B and semi-finals in both Intermediate and Senior down for decision. St. Brigid’s Belfast and Belfast Saints get the ball rolling in the Junior B final at Davitt’s Park on Saturday at 2-00pm while Glen Rovers, Armoy and St. Mary’s Rasharkin meet in the Junior A final in Loughgiel an hour earlier.
Junior B hurling final.
St. Brigid’s v Belfast Gaels
Davitt’s Park 1-00pm Saturday
The junior B hurling final is an all Belfast affair with St. Brigid’s taking on Belfast Saints at Davitt’s Park in what promises to be an interesting encounter.
The Musgrave Park side will probably start this one as slight favourites following their semi-final win over Loch Mor Dal gCais where James Kelly proved to be their star man.
The wing half forward finished the game with 0-12 to his name and his accuracy from frees and play would prove the difference against a Lough Shore side where Darragh Turley matched him on the score board but the Musgrave man had a much stronger supporting cast.
Fintan Cleary got the opening goal for St. Brigid’s in the 17th minute and Jack Pardy’s kicked goal from close range before half time sent the Musgrave Park side on their way to a 2-23 to 0-19 victory.
Kelly, Cleary, Jack Pardy and former Cloughmill’s man, John McGuckian lead the attacking threat from the Musgrave side who have strong defenders in Chris Lundy and Peter Heaney while Cathal Conway and Niall Murtagh form a solid mid-field partnership.
Belfast Saints had to travel to Brustin Braes for their semi-final win over Latharna Og where Philip Maguire got them on their way with a goal in the 12th minute as they went on to outscore the home side 1-22 to 0-14.
The veteran full-forward finished the game as top scorer with 1-12 to his name as they overcame the challenge of a hard hitting home side and this win will have set them up for a serious challenge in Saturday’s decider.
Conor Grieve gave an accomplished display in the Belfast Saints goals while Dan McConnell, Matt Carlin and Conor O’Rawe were rock solid in defence. Pierce O’Rawe got through a power of work at mid-field while Maguire had dangerous colleagues in Ronan Carroll and Daniel McGuigan in attack.
Last year’s beaten finalists, Belfast Saints will be confident of going all the way this time around and if Philip Maguire, Conor O’Rawe, Pierce O’Rawe and Daniel McGuigan can re-produce their semi-final form then they may not be too far away.
St. Brigid’s have shown improving form over recent year’s however and have looked the team to beat in this year’s championship with James Kelly in sparkling form and it could all come down to how the respective defences deal with Maguire and Kelly.
Junior A Hurling Final
Glen Rovers Armoy v St. Mary’s Rasharkin
Loughgiel 1-00pm Saturday
Trevor Linton led the way as Glen Rovers, Armoy overcame the spirited challenge of Michael Davitt’s in an excellent high scoring semi-final in Armoy with the veteran full-forward ending the game with 2-6 to his name.
They certainly didn’t get it all their own way against a Davitt’s side who have been knocking hard at the door in recent years with Linton proving the difference between the sides.
Armoy topped a group that included Gort na Mona, Lamh Dhearg and All Saints with three wins from three starts and last year’s beaten finalists will fancy their chances of going all the way this time.
They will face a St. Mary’s Rasharkin side who are no strangers to finals at this level and have been in sparkling form on their way to this year’s decider.
Rasharkin topped a group that included Davitt’s and Kickham’s Ardoyne and their win over Davitt’s in West Belfast where they hit 2-20 marks them down as a team with serious championship ambitions.
They would record a further 5-29 against Ardoyne but were given a much stiffer challenge when Gort na Mona visited in the semi-final. Rasharkin emerged as 2-16 to 1-15 winners however to set them up for Saturday’s final against Armoy.
Conor McKeever continues to lead the way in attack for Rasharkin and his accuracy from the placed ball will be important if they are to overcome the challenge of the Glen Rovers.
St. Mary’s are far from being a one man team however with Conor Doherty, Aidan McKeever, Shane Hasson, Connor McFerran, Declan McKay, Conor McKillop, Donagh Quigg and Terry McGregor all serious hurlers.
Trevor Linton will take some watching but the experienced Armoy attacker will have plenty of support on a side who came close last year before falling to Cloughmills in the final.
Colin Lordand Thomas Burns both rattled the Davitt’s net in their semi-final win while PJ McBride, Emmet O’Hara, Turlach McBride, Conor Christie and Owen Kinney are just a few of the names who could edge it the way of a very experienced Armoy side.
Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final
Cloney Gaels v Carey Faughs
Glenravel 1-00pm Saturday
The Intermediate Hurling championship has been the most difficult to predict over the past decade and this year’s battle for honours has taken on a life of its own.
Both Saturday’s opponents, Cloney Gaels and Carey Faughs went into their final group games needing a win to qualify and both produced the goods when the chips were down.
Cathaoir an Ri’s win away to Oisin’s Glenariffe was perhaps the more spectacular as the Ballyvoy side recovered from a home defeat to Cloughmill’s on day 3 to overcome the challenge of a high flying Oisin’s in Waterfoot to record a must-win victory.
The Faughs came into the game knowing that anything less than a win wouldn’t be good enough and for most of the game it looked like they were going to canter over the winning line, such was their superiority.
However the Oisins, who started without four of their first choice players who would play in their Minor final against Dunloy, brought two of those players on at half time, and the other two midway through the second half, and suddenly the tide began to turn.
With five minutes remaining the gap had been cut to two but Carey held on for a 0-23 to 1-18 win that should stand them in good stead going into tomorrow’s semi-final.
Cloney Gaels found themselves in a similar position when they took on Sarsfield’s on the final day of their Group 2 programme having lost to Tir na nOg at Whitehill.
Only a win would be enough and in truth the Gales never looked like losing this one in Cloney as they racked up an impressive 0-32 against the men from the Stewartstown Road to win by 13 points.
Sean McBride, James McCouaig, Conall McGlynn, Caolan McCaughan, James Black, John and Conor McBride and Patrick Butler will lead the Carey challenge while James O’Connell, Danny and Fionnbar O’Neill, James Magee, Diarmuid Graham, Eoin Graham and Eamonn Brady will lead the Cloney challenge.
Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final
Oisin Glenariffe v Tir na nOg Randalstown
Ballymena 1-00pm Sunday
Once again the Intermediate Hurling championship delivers what promises to be a blockbuster as Oisin Glenariffe face Tir na nOg at Slemish Park with both sides harbouring serious ambitions of collecting this year’s title.
Oisin’s set the pace in the early stages of their Group 1 qualifiers with an away win over St. Gall’s at Milltown where they registered 5-18 in a free scoring performance that marked them down as serious championship challengers.
Their free scoring continued and on day two when Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm were on the wrong side of a 4-18 scoring blitz and Cloughmills would suffer similar punishment when the Waterfoot men posted 3-22 on day 3.
With qualification already secured, Glenariffe entertained Carey in their final group game and fielded without a number of their minor players who would be in action against Dunloy in the county final the following weekend.
They introduced all four, Calum McIlwaine and Niall Magee at half time and when Orrin O’Connor and Phelim Ward were introduced later in the half things began to change.
O’Connor batted the sliothar to the Carey net with nine minutes remaining and game that looked out of reach suddenly changed with the gap down to two.
Carey held on to gain the win they needed to qualify but the decision to withhold their minor players was justified when Glenariffe-|Glenravel collected the minor title a week later.
Tir na nOg opened their campaign with a resounding 8-14 to 1-12 win over Glenravel and that impressive form continued when they travelled to Robert Emmet’s on day two and recorded a good win over the Cushendun men.
The wheels threatened to come of the Whitehill wagon on day three when Patrick Sarsfield’s came away with a 1-18 to 0-19 win in Ahoghill but the Randalstown side recovered with wins over Cloney Gaels and St. Paul’s to top the group.
The afore mentioned quartet of Minors will lend legs and pace to the Oisin’s cause while Alex O’Boyle Seanie Tosh, Oliver Kearney, Niall Murray, Odhran Gillan, Dan McKillop and Ronan Leech will carry the hopes of Glenariffe on Sunday.
Tir na nOg will provide the Waterfoot side with a serious challenge and Kevin and Christy Sheerin, Aaron McNeilly, Sean and Colm Duffin, Josh Higgins, Emmet Murray and Eamonn Og McAllister will spearhead the Whitehill challenge in a game that looks too close to call.
By six o’clock on Sunday evening, four will become two and we will know the pairing for this years Senior Hurling Championship final. Can Loughgiel get one over their rivals again and can the Ruairi’s juggernaut continue? Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to the semi finals….
Cushendall v St John’s
Saturday 5 October
Venue: Pearse Park, Dunloy
Referee: Colm McDonald
Throw In: 4pm
The first semi final takes place on Saturday afternoon in Dunloy with the reining champions Cushendall putting their crown on the line against St John’s. The Ruairi’s have been mighty impressive so far in the championship while St John’s are looking to perfect the art of peaking at the right time.
The champions have had a settled team of sorts in their three matches with the same names appearing in the starting lineup 12 times. Conor McAllister between the sticks, an unchanged back six and midfield pairing while Ryan and Fergus McCambridge along with Joseph McLaughlin have been the ever presents up front.
Neil McManus’ contribution has been restricted to a substitution cameo in their last group game against Dunloy, I’d fully expect him to line out at 14 on Saturday however. He’s been nursing his way back to full fitness throughout the championship and his cameo against the Cuchullains was a wee note to the rest of the county – I’m still here, don’t go forgetting about me.
The other two positions are a little trickier to nail down. The work rate of Andrew Delargy or Andrew McNaughton could get the nod in the half forward line while an inside forward line of McManus, McLaughlin and Ciaran Neeson would be enough to give any team nightmares. Ronan McAteer, Paddy McGill and Dominic Delargy could all make a claim for a starting berth however and wouldn’t lessen the strength of the Ruairi’s starting 15.
The Johnnies panel has been stretched in the earlier rounds and an indication of such is the fact they have just seven names in the starting 15 in all four matches. In their last two matches which have essentially been knock out, they’ve shown a much more settled team with just two changes from the Rossa and Naomh Eanna starting 15’s. From the 15 that started against Naomh Eanna two weeks ago, just 10 started in the swimming pool against Cushendall in Ballymena.
Mickey Johnston has selected an unchanged back six in front of Simon Doherty for the last two matches, two matches that they have been mighty impressive in and recording high scores at the other end of the pitch. With Peter McCallin playing at six, Michael Bradley and Michail Dudley back in the starting lineup, the Johnnies look to be clicking into gear at the right time.
Having already played each other in group stages, neither will be paying attention to both performances and results. It mattered little in the grand scheme of things and given the conditions, it was a game that both wanted to get out of the road with no major injuries.
The midfield pairing of Fred McCurry and Alex Delargy have been instrumental so far for the Ruairi’s and how St John’s deal with them along with McManus and McLaughlin could be telling. St John’s have racked up 1-27 against Rossa and 0-30 last day out against Naomh Eanna. Their attacking unit will take some looking after with Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill all impressing while Dudley has chipped in with eight points over the two games. They’ll need to be at their best to get anything from a Cushendall defence that are notoriously stingy when it comes to space and time for their opponents.
Cushendall are favourites with Paddy Power, priced as low as 1/5 with St John’s at 4/1. I don’t think it will be just as comfortable as the odds would suggest but I would expect the Ruairi’s to reach the final.
Loughgiel v Dunloy
Venue: Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall
Sunday 6 October 2024
Referee: Mark O’Neill
Throw In: 4pm
And as if fate would have it, one of the oldest rivalries in Antrim hurling is paired again at the same stage as last year. 12 months ago, Loughgiel put an end to Dunloy’s Drive for Five with a barnstorming performance in Ballycastle that left the Cuchullains shellshocked. Needless to say, the Shamrocks will be hoping for something similar again on Sunday.
Their paths to the final couldn’t be much different. For Loughgiel, Sunday will be their first match in four week and third competitive fixture in eight weeks while the Cuchullains line out for the fifth time in the same time period. It’s not ideal from a Loughgiel point of view and if you were to ask any of those in red, you can be guaranteed they’d prefer a schedule like that which Dunloy have come through. Championship runs are all about momentum and feeding off the energy that each win can bring. When you have to wait as long as the Shamrocks have between fixtures, it’s not impossible to get momentum but it certainly adds to the work of the backroom team.
From their two championship matches so far, Loughgiel have had the same 14 names in the starting 15 with their ‘keeper, back six and half forward line all unchanged. Against Ballycastle they lined out with James McNaughton and Paul Boyle in the middle of the pitch while Enda Og McGarry was on the inside forward line. I’d expect Enda to play further out the field with Rian McMullan and Shan McGrath staying inside when they look for their match ups against Dunloy.
The Cuchullains haven’t really had a settled team throughout their four matches. Just 10 regulars in the starting 15 which is quite surprising with Ryan Elliott in goals and the midfield pairing of Paul Shiels and Seaan Elliott the only guarantees.
Their win against Ballycastle in the quarter-finals took it’s toll with Keelan Molloy and Seaan Elliott both taking knocks and while Conal Cunning made a return from injury to start that game, he wasn’t exactly the picture of health by the time the final whistle came. Those three are a major cog in the Cuchullains machine and while I expect them to start, it remains to be seen if they are 100%.
Ronan Molloy was missing from the starting lineup against Ballycastle having played wing half back throughout the championship. He’s been struggling with injury at different times this year and while he wasn’t part of the match day panel, I’d expect him to take his place in the back six again.
Up front is where all the changes have come from Dunloy. Eoin O’Neill, Keelan Molloy and Nigel Elliott are the only players to have started every match so far. Aodhan McGarry has started the last two games and was excellent against Ballycastle. I’d expect him to line out again in the half forward line and leave an inside forward line of Coby, O’Neill and one of Chrissy McMahon or Nicky McKeague.
Despite the changes and that chastening defeat to Cushendall, Dunloy remain bookies favourites to reach the final. Paddy Power prices the Shamrocks at 7/4 with Dunloy at 4/7 and a draw a tempting 8/1.
There won’t be much in this. There rarely is between these two sides through the years. The hurt of losing last years semi could well give Dunloy the motivation they need to get over the line against a Loughgiel team who haven’t really been tested in the championship to date.
