Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1
St Paul’s 1-13 Creggan 2-20
A fantastic display of score taking by Creggan full-forward Morgan Nelson saw the men from the Loughshore overcome St Paul’s in the opening round of the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship at Pairc Pól on Saturday evening. The number 14 scored 2-12 of his team’s total of 2-20, 2-05 of that coming in a second half which saw the Kickhams overturn a four point deficit to win by ten in the end.
The opening exchanges saw the visitors lay down a marker, as they went 0-04 to 0-01 ahead, Sean McAuley getting the opener and Morgan Nelson getting the other one. Caolan O Duibhfinn, who was to prove St Paul’s top scorer, got the home side’s opener on five minutes and he reduced the arrears to 0-04 to 0-02 with a well taken point in the tenth minute. Nelson and O Duibhfinn shared the next six points evenly to keep Creggan two ahead by the 25th minute when St Paul’s left half forward Lorcan Phillips swung the game in his team’s favour by firing home the first goal of the game. Stephen Rooney added another while O Duibhfinn added two more to put his team 1-09 to 0-08 in front at the interval.
You wondered during the break just effect losing the lead would have on Creggan but they were back in the flow right from the restart and three points in the first five minutes, two from Nelson frees and one from play by Sean Duffin. O Duibhfinn got St Paul’s first point of the second half on 37 minutes to put his team two clear again but it was to be their only score in the third quarter as Creggan wrestled the imitative from them with a point from Conor Small and two goals and a point from Nelson, the goal coming after an attempted short poc-out went badly wrong for the home side.
It looked like St Paul’s were back in the game when they got in on goal on 45 minutes but Creggan’s teenage goalkeeper made a great save to keep his team ahead. O Duibhfinn stepped up for the Shaw’s Road men and fired over three points in the next five minutes to leave just one between the sides, but Creggan regained control and scored 1-05 without reply in the last eight minutes, 1-01 of it from Nelson while Diarmuid Mulholland, Senan O’Boyle, Ruairi McCann and Keelan McCann grabbed a point apiece to seal and impressive ten point win.
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Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2, Round 1
Saturday 26th July
Report by Niall Kelly from St Gall’s
Naomh Gall 1-13 Shane Uí Néill 3-16
Glenarm opened their Championship campaign with an emphatic win at Milltown Row over St Gall’s on Saturday evening. It was yet another example of the old cliché, a game of two halves. Trailing by three at the break, the visitors produced a scintillating second period to catapult themselves to a handsome nine point win. On the 38th minute, St Gall’s chief marksman Dubhaltach Wilson had fired over his sixth score of the evening to extend his side’s lead to five points and all seemed rosy for the men in blue and white. This was perhaps the catalyst for the Glenarm resurgence as they dominated the final 20 minutes of proceedings, outgunning their hosts 2-09 to a single point. Daniel Black’s rasping goal deep into added time certainly was the exclamation point and added an extra gloss on the scoreline to cap off a great result.
It was Naomh Gall, however, who came out of the traps with a greater spring in their step and had established a 0-03 0-01 lead in the opening ten minutes. A double from Wilson and a fine score from Ronan Crossan under pressure coming either side of a Sean O’Boyle point for the visitors. It was nip and tuck between the two as both battled hard to gain the ascendancy. A fine score from Daniel Black reduced arrears to a point before the hosts responded in spectacular fashion through James O’Reilly with a monster point from range.
Further points were exchanged between Dylan McLaughlin and Dubhaltach Wilson before St Gall’s began to flex their muscles and had extended their lead to three midway through the first half. Wilson was on fire for the hosts and sent over a lovely effort over the shoulder before talisman Jackson McGreevy unleashed a colossal effort from long range to split the posts.
The visitors resilience was never in question though and they had once again cut the gap to two points with sharpshooter, Niall McGarel, despatching two from the placed ball before Dylan McLaughlin and Wilson traded points. With the half coming to a close, the game kicked up a notch as both teams sought to feed their forwards with every opportunity and caution was thrown to the wind. It was the hosts who found the net first, however, and it was no surprise as to the source who provided it. Dubhaltach Wilson negotiated himself just enough space to fire his effort on goal and despite the best efforts of netminder Michael Abram, who managed to get a touch on it, the sliotar still found its way across the line.
Glenarm would respond instantly though with a major of their own and again it was in fortuitous style as Declan McDermott latched on to the ball from close range amongst a melee of players to tap in beyond the despondent Kurtis McGreevy in goals.
With the opening half into time added on, St Gall’s finished the half the stronger as Wilson fired over from a free before Mark Napier navigated his effort to perfection from a tight angle before the teams retired for their half-time breather with the scores 1-09 to 1-06 in favour of the home side.
Whatever words of wisdom were imparted on the players at half time from the Glenarm coaching staff, it certainly seemed to do the trick as they were a force to be reckoned with the in the second period. Although it was St Gall’s who started the opening exchanges with a little more potency. Scores from Fergus Donnelly, Gregory McGreevy and Dubhaltach Wilson coming either side of a Dylan McLaughlin effort had opened up a five point gap with twenty remaining on the clock.
It was then that the Glenarm renaissance began as they transitioned through the gears seamlessly to take a stranglehold of affairs. Daniel Black doubled his tally to start chipping away at the lead before Niall McGarel’s two placed ball attempts found their mark perfectly. St Gall’s desperately sought to quell the advances of the visitors and launch attacks of their own, but Glenarm had other ideas and their relentless pressing and vigour would continue to open up scoring opportunities.
A finely crafted score involving Sean and Kieran O’Boyle was finished well by Darren Hamill before Hamill turned provider for Dylan McLaughlin and suddenly the sides were at a deadlock with ten minutes remaining. Not fully satisfied just yet, the Glenarm onslaught continued as they bombarded the host’s defence. A pull down in the box on Daniel Black resulted in a penalty and it seemed now there was no stopping them.
Darren Hamill was the man responsible to convert and just about managed to do so as the ball trickled over the line after Kurtis McGreevy had come agonisingly close to denying the Glenarm number 6. Nevertheless, the men from the north coast had their tails up and refused to give their counterparts any respite. Yet another fine score from Dylan McLaughlin was greeted with deafening roar from the travelling faithful before substitute Conal Ward put his imprint on proceedings with a fine effort.
Trailing by five with only five remaining, St Gall’s knew now it was time for the ‘Hail Mary’ route and barraged the Glenarm defence with ariel attacks. It just wouldn’t stick for the hosts though and they had to suffice with a point from the impressive Fergus Donnelly which would be too little too late.
With bodies pushed forward in the hope of a last gap couple of goals, St Gall’s were vulnerable to the counter and when Niall McGarel broke through their last line of defence, he unselfishly squared to Daniel Black who made no mistake pinging the ball into the top left corner of the net.
A productive day at the office for Shane O’Neill’s who secured two vital points in what is a very tricky group. They showcased the talent they have in their ranks and will look to replicate their performance from the final twenty minutes in all games going forward. For the hosts, the scoreline is probably a little harsh on them. They too enjoyed positive spells in the game, and it was only really the final ten minutes were they fell away. Their next meeting with Glenariffe, although a tricky prospect, could provide the fuel to ignite their Championship hopes.
Teams:
St Gall’s:
K McGreevy; D Churchill, G Adams, O McIlhatton; M Marlow, J McGreevey (0-01,) E Walsh; J Hopkins, F Donnelly (0-02,) J Hopkins; G McGreevy (0-01,) J O’Reilly (0-01,) D Wilson (1-06;) M Napier (0-01,) S McAreavey, R Crossan (0-01)
Glenarm
M Abram; A Scullion, B Hamill, C McLoughlin; K O’Boyle, D Hamill (1-01,) M Furey; J Scullion, C Magill; N McGarel (0-06,) D McLaughlin (0-05,) B O’Boyle; D McDermott (1-00,) D Black (1-02,) S O’Boyle (0-01)
Substitute scorer:
C Ward (0-01)
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All Ireland Masters champions, Tyrone proved just why they are the reigning champions when they proved too good for Antrim in a top of the table group clash in Toome on Saturday.
The Saffrons battled hard throughout and started well to trail by the minimum after ten minutes but were hit with a somewhat soft penalty award when Stephen Harbinson in the Antrim goals was adjudged to have impeded Mark Donnelly when the Tyrone number 12 seemed to charge into him.
Donnelly picked himself up of the canvas to convert the resulting penalty and put a bit of daylight between the sides but Antrim came close to a goal themselves when Ryan Boyd’s long delivery was scrambled of the line at the other end.
Antrim who started without several of their top names, including Michael McCann suffered another blow when Paddy Cunningham was forced to retire after Michael McCarry had pointed to reduce the Tyrone lead to 1-4 to 0-3 after 18 minutes after Close and Cunningham had converted for the home side.
Ciaran Close, Antrim gets out in front to claim possession
Frank Delargy’s side were battling hard but were too slow and ponderous in their build-up play and were being turned over by a strong and hard tackling Tyrone defence.
They suffered another blow when Laurence Higgins fouled Michael Anderson and the man in the middle again pointed to the spot. This time Harbinson got down superbly to save Donnelly’s penalty but the ball wasn’t cleared and Donnelly was on hand to finish for his second goal of the afternoon.
Michael Anderson followed with a point with a late pointed free in reply from Michael McCarry leaving Antrim 8 in arrears as the half time whistle sounded.
Antrim’s problems were compounded when keeper, Harbinson had to retire at the interval with an injury sustained during his penalty save with mid-fielder, Ryan Boyd also unable to return for second half action.
Mark Donnelly, whoes 2 goals helped Tyrone to a comfortable victory over Antrim in Toome
They were first off the mark however when Kevin Gallagher punched over in the opening minute and when Stephen O’Connell struck a fine long range point in the 5th minute a comeback looked on the cards.
It failed to materialise however as Tyrone reasserted their command on proceedings with Mark Donnelly, Conor Gormley and Damian Kelly 0-2 moving them 11 ahead before Darren Craig replied with a late point for the Saffrons.
This win keeps Tyrone on course for a 5th senior title in succession and on this form they look like a side who will be hard to beat.
Antrim now drop into the knockout stages of the second tier competition and despite Saturday’s defeat they look more than capable of giving that competition a real lash.
They will need all players on board however and badly missed Michael McCann from their starting side on Saturday but hopefully he will be back for the knockout series with Paddy Cunningham, Ryan Boyd and Ciaran Close hopefully recovered from the injures that forced them to retire against the champions.
Antrim Masters manager, Frank Delargy and chairman, Paddy Kelly presents a Masters jersey to Peter McIlvenny of sponsors McIlvenny Law
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Kikckham’s Ardoyne staged a strong second half comeback to gain a share of the points in this opening game of Group 1 of the Junior Hurling Championship at Fennell Park on Friday night.
In the proverbial game of two halves it was the men from the Falls Road who looked to be coasting to a comfortable victory when they led 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval, thanks to a goal from Anthony Rowntree after 17 minutes.
Kickham’s were a different team after the break however as they set about reeling in the Davitt’s lead with Cormac Marron adding to a series of Patrick McGreevey points with a goal in the 19th minute.
The visitors looked to have done enough when they led by six with time almost up but two goals from Dean Goodall , the first a scrambled effort, looked to have sealed an unlikely win for the home side but man of the match, Christopher Gallagher tied the contest with an injury time point.
Gallagher was prominent for Davitt’s throughout the contest and his three first half points and points from Dean Mooney, Stephen McGivern and Colm McKee and 1-1 from Anthony Rowntree saw Davitt’s 1-7 to 0-2 ahead at the break, the Ardoyne points both coming from Patrick McGreevey frees.
McGreevey continued to lead the Ardoyne challenge during the second half, hitting three of four early points to close the gap to four after 8 minutes with Daniel Moore’s long range effort getting them on their way.
Christopher Gallagher hit three further points for the Falls Road side in answer to a goal from Cormac Marron and points from Caolan Wallace and Christopher McShane and it was all still to play for.
It was Davitt’s who looked to have survived the storm however as Colm McKee, Gallagher and Stephen McGivern fired over but Moore and McGreevey answered with points for the hosts and that Goodall double looked to have snatched it for Ardoyne.
Christopher Gallagher became the Davitt’s hero as he kept his cool to fire over a late equaliser and in the end both sides will have been fairly satisfied with the draw though both will feel they had the chance to win it.
Ardoyne: 1 Paddy Heaney, 2 Cormac Curran, 3 Paul Baker, 4 Martin McLaughlin, 5 Aran Stewart, 6 Michael McGreevey, 7 Christopher McShane, 8 Daniel Moore, 9 Paul McGuigan, 10 Caolan Wallace, 11 Dean Goodall, 12 Enda Slattery, 13 Matt McKillen, 14 Patrick McGreevey, 15 Kevin Holland
Subs: 19 Cormac Marron for Kevin Holland, Piaras Hull for Martin McLaughlin, 20 Fiontan Lagan for Enda Slattery, Martin McLaughlin for Cormac Curran
Davitt’s: 1 Gerards Cosgrove, 2 Odhran Cosgrove, 3 Thomas Toland, 4 Jasonm Park, 5 Peter Og Carleton, 6 Caoimhin Heaney, 7 Michael Og Rowntree, 8 Stephen McGivern, 9 Colm McKee, 10 Caoimhin Rainey, 11 Deaglan Mooney, 12 Christopher Gallagher, 13 Cormac Maguire, 25 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Marcas Toner.
Subs: 19 Stephen Thompson for Marcas Toner 18 Caoimhin McGowan, 17 Sean Kelly, 24 Leigh McGrady
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
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St Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-14 Tir na nÓg Randalstown 2-14
Tir na nÓg produced a strong finish to get their Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign off to a winning start against Cloughmills on Friday evening. Sixteen minutes into the game it appeared that the Randalstown men were cruising to an easy win as they led the home side by 1-06 to 0-02. The only thing in doubt appeared to be the size of the winning margin, such was the visitors’ dominance, but all of a sudden they ground to a virtual halt as Cloughmills started to get a grip of the game and four points from frees by corner forward Eoin Dobbin were followed by a brilliant individual goal from top of the right Ruairi Laverty and the sides went in at the break on level terms, Cloughmills 1-06 Tir na nÓg 1-06.
Ruairi Laverty grabs Cloughmills first half goal
When the Biddies got the first three points of the second half it looked like last year’s beaten semi-finalists were in trouble, but slowly but surely they began to regain the upper hand and boosted by a goal from centre forward Colm Duffin they clawed their way back to win in the end by three.
Tir na nÓg got away to a great start and points from Sean McKinley and John Higgins had them two clear after three minutes. Cloughmills were struggling to mount an attack and it was seven minutes before got their first score, a well taken point by centre forward Callum McKendry. Back came the Randalstown men with three in a row from Joe McCormick, Conor McCamphill and Ciaran O’Neill stretched their advantage to five after twelve minutes as they dominated throughout the field. Stevie Smyth pulled a point back for the home side on sixteen minutes, but when Tir na nÓg goalkeeper Kevin Sheerin came up to fire penalty past his Cloughmills counterpart Christopher McKernan the game appeared be slipping from the home team’s grasp.
Not so however as the home team began to knuckle down and four pointed frees by Eoin Dobbin in a seven minutes spell got them back into contention. Caleb Smith came back with a point from play for Tir na nÓg to put them three clear again, but a fantastic individual goal from corner forward Ruairi Laverty, which he fired home after a sixty metre solo run sent them in at the break on level terms.
When the Biddies rattled off three points inside the first five minutes of the second half the travelling fans must have wondered just what was happening, but the Whitehill men steadied the ship and points from Darragh Fagan, Emmet Murray and Colm Duffin tied thing up by the 42nd minute. Ruairi Laverty got the Biddies back in front with a well taken point, and though Duffin levelled matters for the visitors Dobbin again gave his team the lead with a pointed free at the end of the third quarter.
Cloughmills corner forward Josh Higgins seems certain to score here but Cloughmills James Doherty gets across to turn the ball away
The score that turned the game back in Tir na nÓg’s favour came on 47 minutes when Colum Duffin grabbed his team’s second goal and when brother Caoimhin, Ciara Logan and Oliver McAtameny put them three clear. With five minutes left for play Dobbin brought the gap back to two again but Ciaran Logan had the last say and a late point got them over the line.
CLOUGHMILLS
Christopher McKernan, Johnny Duffin, Sean McKendry, Rian Dobbin, James Doherty, Geoffrey Og Laverty, Kevin O’Boyle, Conor Laverty, Odhran McCurdy, Seamus Dobbin, Callum McKendry, Stephen Smyth, Ruairi Laverty, Corey Blair, Eoin Dobbin.
TIR NA NOG
Kevin Sheerin, Brandon McLarnon, Dylan McLarnon, Manus Smith, Ciaran O’Neill, Caoimhin Duffin, Daniel Martin, Conor McCamphill, Emmet Murray, Darragh Fagan, Colm Duffin, Josh Higgins, Joe McCormick, Sean McKinley.
Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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