Lavey won the O’Donovan-Rossa Under 13 Hurling Tournament at Shaw’s Road on Saturday when they beat Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm in a high quality final. Glenarm appeared to be in a good position at half time when they led by six points after facing a stiff breeze, but after the change of ends, Lavey performed very well and ended up with six to spare at the final whistle to claim the trophy.
In section 2, Tir na nÓg of Randalstown came out on top in the final against St John’s. Tier 3 saw St Paul’s take the honours when they beat Keady from Armagh in the final, while Keady Lamh Dhearg , took the Division 4 trophy.
Runners-up – Shane O’Neill’s GlenarmYash Armstrong presents the winners trophy to the Lavey captain after his team’s win over Glenarm in the final
Yash Armstrong presents trophies to the winning captains of Tir na nÓg (Section 2), St Paul’s (Section 3) and Keady Lamh Dhearg (Section 4)
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Sarsfields’ centre three-quarters, Jay Maguire, was his team’s hero when they beat Glenravel on Sunday at Fr Maginn Park in Division 1 of the Antrim Football League.
As well as scoring a hat-trick of goals and a two-pointer, Maguire also landed the winning score when Glenravel fought back to level matters in injury time.
Glenravel had started well in the opening half and an Eamon Fyfe goal gave them an early lead, but the Paddies hit back with two goals of their own, one from Conall McMahon and the other from Maguire. Fyfe grabbed another goal for the home team, and things looked good for them when they went to the dressing room at half time with a two-point lead. Glenravel 2-5, Sarsfields 2-3.
Glenravel increased the lead to three points in the first minute of the second half, but Sarsfields hit back with three goals in a seven-minute spell that turned the game on its head. Maguire claimed two of those goals to complete his hat-trick, his third a fantastic individual score when he ran through from midfield and gave Conleth O’Loan in the Glenravel goal no chance.
Glenravel were reeling and for ten minutes they struggled to find any rhythm in their play. However, in the last ten minutes they started to put a few decent moves together, helped by a two-pointer from Rian Lennon they drew level as the game went into injury time. It looked like the home side had earned a precious league point in their battle against relegation, but following the equalising point, Sarsfields won the ball from the kick out and were given a free 40 metres from goal. Cometh the hour, cometh the man up stepped Maguire once again and drilled the ball high between the posts to send his team back to the Bear Pit with both league points.
Pádraig Sáirséil CLG (Sarsfields) 1 Brian McCaul, 2 Martin McPolin, 4 Jay Ward, 5 Philip McPeake, 6 Liam Mitchell, 7 Daragh Gorman, 8 Caolan McKernan, 9 Conor Moley, 10 Conall McMahon, 11 Jay Maguire, 12 Fionn Jemfrey, 13 Tomas Skillen, 15 Conor Glenholmes,
16 Jude Scullion, 18 Luke McQuillan, 19 Conor McQuillan, 22 Sean Higgins, 23 Cormac McKeown, 24 Aidan O’Donnell, 25 Fergus Donaghy, 26 Sean Paul Mckenna, 27 Ryan McQuillan, 28 Joseph McKay, and 29 Oisin McKeown
All Saints posted an impressive display and marched into safe all county division one territory after a thrilling end to end contest at glistening O`Cahan Park on Sunday afternoon. In need of two points Bakers men made a terrific start, signalling intent with the first three scores of the game within the first five minutes, courtesy of Cal O’Brien, Paddy Ferris and Benny McDonnell.
Despite Casements lethargic start they eventually did find their shooting boots, McAleese brothers Aidan and Ciaran both posting a series of single and double pointers to keep the hosts ticking over.
The pace was fast as neither side looked sideways or backwards, and scores were plentiful. Hard running Jimbo McDonnell had a superb hour and his three scores in quick succession kept the Saints noses in front, as Shaun OCallaghan, Conall Lemon and Conor Stewart kept the scoreboard moving for the visitors. An excellent solo effort from returning Enda Lynn and rangy midfielder Michael Donnelly kept Portglenone firmly in the hunt and when Kevin Parke blew his whistle for half time respite, All Saints were a point to the good.
When play resumed Ciaran McAleese had the sides equal within a minute. This was the pattern of the entire game, scores at one end met with a speedy reply at the other, both clubs setting up similar attacking patterns across the pitch with neither team taking a backward step.
At the three quarter mark the teams were still level at seventeen points each, the highlight being a sixty yard two pointer after Ronan Kelly stepped up to punish a foul on himself a minute earlier. Benny McDonnell and Conor Stewart were both putting in a shift, three scores from each of them providing Ballymena with an important platform from which they found the confidence to kick on and into a lead they would not surrender.
Casements to their credit kept up the fight and the excellent attacking duo of Oisin Doherty and Ronan Kelly chipped in with significant scores to ensure this one would go right to the wire. With a few minutes to go lively sub Paudi Mitchell fired over to extend the lead to two points with the clock in their favour. A terrific reply from Conall Delargy brought the deficit to the minimum but one last Casements opportunity was well defended by the resolute middle town men who were determined to see this one out.
When referee Kevin Parke blew his whistle for the final time just one point separated the sides after this absorbing contest. To their obvious relief it was in favour of the visitors who were highly motivated from the first whistle, to grab both points on offer that should in all eventuality keep them safe from end of season relegation playoffs.
Ballymena were well served throughout the pitch where Joe Rafferty and improving all the time youngster Harry Connon caught the eye in defence along with the superb Patrick Ferris who along with Shaun OCallaghan, are two players who in this writers opinion must surely feature on any future county squad.
Emmet Killough and Cal O’Brien lorded midfield and up front the McDonnells, Conall Lemon and Conor Stewart were involved in the thick of the action throughout.
All Saints might be timing their run well for participation in a tight group where they will be competitive, especially with the return of Kavan Keenan and possibly Antrim county player of the season Paddy McAleer.
Casements might not have had similar motivation on this occasion with Mattie McGleenan quite obviously experimenting with a number of squad players as he too starts his own build up to more serious matters next month. Enda Lynn and Niall Delargy got gametime into their legs and Oisin Doherty looked lively upon his return to action. Aidan McAleese produced yet another top class display, up there for debate along with Ballymena centre half Shaun O’Callaghan for the day’s best player on view.
Referee Kevin Parke.
Scorers.
Casements; Aidan McAleese 0 – 06, Oisin Doherty 1 – 02, Ronan Kelly 0 – 04, Ciaran McAleese 0 – 04, Enda Lynn 0 – 01, Paddy Kelly 0 – 01, Michael Donnelly 0 -01, Conall Delargy 0 – 01.
All Saints; Conor Stewart 1 – 03, James McDonnell 1 – 02, Benny ODonnell 0 – 05, Sean OCallaghan 0 – 02, Conell Lemon 0 -02, Cal OBrien 0 – 01, Patrick Ferris 0 – 01, Joe Rafferty 0 – 01, Paudi Mitchell 0 – 01.
Naomh Padraig survived a thrilling second-half fightback from Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm to secure the North Antrim Minor B Hurling title at Slemish Park, Ballymena on Saturday afternoon. After building a commanding eight-point lead by half-time, Naomh Padraig had to dig deep in the closing stages, holding their nerve to secure a hard-fought three-point victory
Naomh Padraig burst out of the blocks, dominating the early exchanges. Corner forward John Og Darragh opened the scoring in the first minute with a well-struck free, setting the tone for a prolific half. Glenarm briefly responded in the 5th minute through Neil Rodgers, but Naomh Padraig quickly found another gear.
Darragh added his second point shortly after, and midfielder Charlie Mcauley extended the advantage with a point in the 10th minute. When Rory McDonnell fired over a point to stretch the lead to five, the momentum was firmly with Armoy-Carey combination.
The pivotal moment of the half arrived in the 13th minute when Cathair McCaughan found the back of the net, finishing a sharp move to raise the game’s only green flag. Sean Hunter then dazzled the crowd with a brilliant solo run and point to compound Glenarm’s woes.
Glenarm’s standout performer, Niall Rodgers, worked tirelessly to keep his side in touch, slotting over two crucial 65s to stem the tide. Darragh added another point for Naomh Padraig from open play, and despite a missed goal opportunity they went into the break with a commanding advantage.
Cathair McCaughan jumps for joy after scoring the Naomh Padraig goal
The second half was a completely different story. Glenarm emerged from the dressing room with renewed intensity, sparked immediately by an early free from the talismanic Niall Rodgers. Rodgers quickly turned provider, setting up Ryan O’Boyle for a fine score in the 44th minute.
Naomh Padraig’s goalscorer, Cathair Mc Caughan, momentarily settled his team with a point in the 48th minute. However, the game’s complexion shifted dramatically when Naomh Padraig had a player sent off later in the half, handing Glenarm a crucial momentum boost.
Niall Rodgers continued his scoring clinic to keep the pressure on, though Naomh Padraig’s Cormac Bailey produced a vital solo point in the 53rd minute to give his side some breathing room.
Refusing to back down, Glenarm mounted a massive surge in the final ten minutes. Rodgers pointed again to cut the deficit to three, and Ryan O’Boyle followed up with another score in the 59th minute. When Kian McGarel split the posts in the 60th minute, the Naomh Padraig lead was slashed to a single point and the pressure was well and truly on.
With their backs against the wall and playing a man down, Naomh Padraig showed true championship mettle. In the 62nd minute, Charlie McAuley stepped up to nail a vital point, pushing the gap back out to two points.
Glenarm pushed desperately for an equalizer, but the Naomh Padraig defence held firm under intense pressure. Deep into injury time (67th minute), McAuley delivered the final blow, slotting his final point of the day to stretch the lead back to three and spark jubilant celebrations for Naomh Padraig.
Naomh Padraig: John Og Darragh was instrumental in building the early lead, while Cathair Mc Caughan provided the crucial goal. Down the stretch, Charlie Mcauley showed nerves of steel to hit the winning scores.
Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm: Niall Rodgers was the standout performer for the Feystown boys, almost single-handedly dragging his team back into the contest with a masterclass in scoring and playmaking. He was ably supported late in the game by Ryan O’Boyle and Kian McGarel.
Naomh Padraig: 1. Liam McClelland, 2. Conall McCarry, 3. Shea McGowan, 4. Adam Scullion, 5. Rhys Murray, 6. Oran Devlin, 7. Harry Scullion, 8. Charlie McAuley, 9. Tom Hunter, 10. Sean Hunter, 11. Cathair Mc Caughan, 12. Rory Mcdonnell, 13. John Og Darragh, 14. Shane Hill, 15. Cormac Bailey.
St.Gall’s finished strongly to record a good win away to a strong Aghagallon and keep within touching distance of leaders Creggan as the league enters into it final 3 rounds of games.
St Mary’s, Aghagallon were left with too much to do after a difficult opening half as St Gall’s held on for a hard-earned Division 1 victory at Aghagallon.
The home side were efficient in front of the goals with points from Gareth Magee, John Hannon and Luke Mulholland, but were unable to compete with the visitors in the midfield area in the first half, conceding scores at regular intervals as St Gall’s took control. A well taken goal by Micky Pollock gave the visitors a commanding platform, while points from Dubhatach Mac Liam, Daniel Quinn (C), Niall Fallon, Cormac Austin and Padraig O’Muirigh Jr added to their advantage before the break.
Aghagallon responded with renewed purpose after half-time and produced an impressive fightback. Enda McCartan led the revival with a well-taken goal and three points from play, while John Hannon was deadly accurate, finishing with eight points, four from play and four from frees. A crucial two-point score from Pauric Maginnis helped swing momentum, and when Aidan Brady added a point from a free, the deficit was cut to just a single point midway through the second half.
St Gall’s, wing half back, Damian Ball scored a goal against the run of play early in the second half, but they didn’t regain true control until midway through the second half. They responded with 4 more points, from man of the match Daniel Quinn, Cormac Austin and Niall Fallon to stretch the margin and checked the Aghagallon surge.
Despite the defeat, Aghagallon will take encouragement from their second-half display, but their inability to match St Gall’s intensity in the opening period ultimately proved decisive.
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