Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

Photographer and GAA writer who has been covering hurling, football and camogie for almost forty years
by thesaffrongael

Cloney Gaels Edge Glenravel To Keep Their Hopes Alive

McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Clooney Gaels 2-22 Con Magees 2-16

Friday 11 September

Clooney Gaels kept their hopes alive in this year’s Intermediate championship by defeating Con Magees on Friday evening.  Six points separated the sides at the end of the hour as the Glenravel men pushed the Ahoghill reds all the way in what was a hugely entertaining contest.

Colla McDonnell top scored for the Clooney men, he would finish with 1-10 over the hour with his major coming at the exact moment his side needed some momentum in the game.  James O’Connell recorded 1-4, his goal coming early in the game but it was the second half where this game came to life.

Cormac McKeown put in a monumental shift for the Glenravel side, he would finish with 1-12 while Conor Duffin got the other goal for the Con Magees.

In truth, there was little between these sides.  Clooney Gaels were that small bit more clinical when it matter most and had more scoring threats in their team while finishing strongly to ensure the win in the end.

The Ahoghill men started the game strongly and had a goal chance in the first attack.  Conor Crossey going close before Chrissy Quinn saved his effort.  They didn’t have long to wait for their opening goal though as James O’Connell found the back of the net in the second minute for the opening score.  Ronan Graham sending the sliotar into the danger area where O’Connell broke the ball, collected and finished with aplomb.

Colla McDonnell split the uprights with his opening free in the third minute before Con Magees began to find their feet in the game.  Cormac McKeown split the uprights for the opening Con Magees score while Conor Duffin went close to a major in the next attack after Fergus Donaghy and Niall McKeown combined well in the build up.

Colla McDonnell (2) and Patrick Graham raised white flags in response to three frees from Cormac McKeown before the Glenravel man would split the uprights twice in succession from open play to leave just one between the sides midway through the half.

Clooney Gaels hit a scoring burst with six points unanswered in the space of eight minutes to put daylight between the sides.  Eamon Brady, Conor Crossey, Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell and Patrick Graham all finding their range.

Con Magees hit back by scoring their opening goal in the 24th minute.  It was Cormac McKeown who had the initial shot but the sliotar took a wicked deflection and looped over Aidan Graham in the Clooney Gaels goals and into the back of the bet.  That goal taking McKeown’s tally to 1-6 and the sole name on the list of scorers for the Glenravel men up to that point.

He would add another free to reduce the Clooney Gaels lead to three points before Colla McDonnell (’65) and James O’Connell also split the uprights in response.  Michael McDonnell fired over from distance for the final score of the half to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-8 in Clooney Gaels favour.

It was Con Magees time to start the half brightly as they scored their second goal just two minutes after the restart.  Niall McKeown breaking the sliotar into the path of Conor Duffin and he made no mistake.

Cormac McKeown fired over a brace of points to give Con Magees the lead by the third minute of the second half.  That lead was short lived however as Clooney Gaels scored their second goal with the next attack.  Daniel O’Neill and Patrick Graham combining to leave Colla McDonnell in space and he finished emphatically.

Points followed from James O’Connell and Patrick Graham to put four between the sides again midway through the second half.

Con Magees had another sight of the Clooney Gaels goal with Fergus Donaghy bringing a top save out of Aidan Graham before Daniel O’Neill and Owen Neeson split the uprights either side of another Cormac McKeown free.

A trio of unanswered points from Niall McKeown, Nathan Unwin and a free from Cormac McKeown reduced the Clooney Gaels lead to just two points with nine minutes of the hour remaining.

Clooney Gaels responded by scoring a trio of points of their own with a brace of frees from Colla McDonnell and a free from Ronan Graham kept the scoreboard ticking for Clooney Gaels.

Con Magees kept battling with Cormac McKeown and substitute Ciaran McCann raising the white flag again but Clooney Gaels finished strongly.  Colla McDonnell split the uprights either side of James O’Connell’s fourth point of the evening to ensure Clooney Gaels took the spoils.

This was a mighty effort from Con Magees who played a number of minors, showing good signs for the future.  For Clooney Gaels their championship hopes still remain in the balance and will be hoping for a favour in the other games in the group tomorrow.

TEAMS

Cloney Gaels Starting XV: Aidan Graham; Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Harry O’Donnell; Diarmuid Graham, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham; Eamon Brady, Daniel O’Neill; Patrick Jr Graham, Ronan Graham, Conor Crossey; Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson

  • Subs: Donal Graham for O Neeson (50)
  • Scorers: C McDonnell 1-10 (1’65, 6f); J O’Connell 1-4; P Graham 0-2; R Graham 0-2; E Brady 0-1; D O’Neill 0-1; C Crossey 0-1; O Neeson 0-1

Con Magees Starting XV: Chrissey Quinn; Eoin McCusker, Odhran Kerr, Brian O’Neill; Michael McDonnell, Rian Lennon, Nathan Unwin; Ronan McCormick, Calum Higgins; Fergus Donaghy, Ciaran Laverty, Cormac McKeown; Conor Duffin, Odhran McAleenan, Niall McKeown

  • Subs: Ciaran McCann for O McAleenan (37); Conor Laverty for F Donaghy (45); Luke Loughlin for C Higgins (50); Conleth O’Loan for M McDonnell 53)
  • Scorers: Cormac McKeown 1-12 (1’65, 6f); C Duffin 1-00; M McDonnell 0-1; N McKeown 0-1; N Unwin 0-1; C McCann 0-1

Referee: Terry Reilly (Gort na Mona)

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Lots to be decided on this hurling weekend

The final rounds of the Antrim Intermediate and Senior Hurling Championships get underway tonight at Dunsilly when Cloney Gaels, Ahoghill take on Con Magees Glenravel in the Intermediate Championship at 7pm.

The Ahoghill men will start the game as firm favourites against a Glenravel side which are still looking for their first points in the competition. Even if they did win, Ahoghill will still need a lot of other things to go their way if they are to qualify.

On Saturday at 2:30, the top game in the McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 sees table-toppers Cushendun take on Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm. The Emmets top the group on 8 points, with Glenarm 2 points back on 6. If the result goes the way of Cushendun, however, Glenarm could find themselves in a three-way tie with Ahoghill and St Paul’s if these two win their respective games this weekend.

At the same time, up in Belfast, O’Donovan Rossa have a home venue against Ballycastle in the final Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Group 1 game. Ballycastle make the journey to Shaw’s Road knowing that nothing short of a win will do, whereas Rossa, who drew with Champions St John’s in the first outing, will be content with a draw, which would see them through to the quarter-finals. There is of course a chance of the Shaw’s Road men reaching the semis, if they run up a big score against the Town, and Loughgiel do the same against the Johnnies later in the day.

At 4:00, up in Glenormley, St Paul’s take on Tir na nÓg, Randalstown in the Intermediate Championship, knowing that a win would keep them in the mix if other results go their way, but their inferior score difference would make in very hard for them to go through.

Also at 4pm Latharna Og start their championship campaign when they take on All Saints Ballymena at the Brustin Braes, Larne. The Larne men had actually entered the Junior Championship proper but had to withdraw at the eleventh hour, so they were given the chance of salvaging something from the season when they were allowed to play Junior B. However they face tough opponents in the, Ballymena men.

IHC Group 1 leaders Carey Faughs face Creggan in Ballyvoy on Saturday at 5pm where a point will seal a semi-final spot for the Faughs. However a win for Creggan would put them ahead of their hosts in the head to head and if they were to win by more than five points they would go top on score difference as well, though St Gall’s would have to beat Cloughmills by a very big score on Sunday to make that  relevant.

The final game of the day will be played at 5-30 at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel, where reigning champions, St John’s, take on the Shamrocks in a repeat of last year’s decider. The Johnnies bridged a 52-year gap when they came out on top against Loughgiel in last year’s final in Ballycastle and the Shamrocks will be looking for revenge this time out. Both teams have qualified for the knockout stages, but the winner of this game will go through as group winners, which would take them straight through to a semi-final and avoid the likes of Dunloy or Cushendall in a quarter-final.

SUNDAY

St Gall’s host Cloughmills at the Bog Meadows on Sunday at 1pm knowing that a win will put them through to the knock-out stages, but a win for the Biddies could see them overtake the Belfast men. Of course much will depend on how the Carey v Creggan game has gone the day before.

Up in north Antrim Glenariffe Oisins take on St Enda’s in what is a winner takes all game in the Senior Hurling Championship. Both teams are searching for their first points of the campaign in what promises to be a cracking game. I may be wrong but by my reading of it a draw would be enough to see the Oisins through since they have a superior score difference but that would be cutting things very fine.

Just around the corner in Cushendall the Ruairis host Dunloy at 4-30 pm in what promises to be the big game of the weekend. Both teams are already through to the knock-out stages but a win, or in Dunloy’s case a draw, would put them through to the semi-finals.

There  are two Junior Hurling Championship quarter finals down for decision on Sunday with  Lamh Dhearg taking on St Brigid’s at Hannahstown at 3-30 while Sarsfields host Davitt’s at the Bear Pit at 5pm

by thesaffrongael

Late Laverty goal seals Glenravel win in extra time

Antrim Under 16 B Football Championship

Con Magees Glenravel 2-11 Tir na nÓg Randalstown 1-09

Con Magees Glenravel eventually shook off a relentless Tír na nÓg Randalstown to secure a breathless 2-11 to 1-09 victory after extra time in this Antrim Under-16B football quarter-final at Fr Maginn Park.

The defensive, low-scoring opening period belied the creeping intensity of the contest. Glenravel drew first blood in the ninth minute when centre-forward Noah Mackle confidently dispatched a penalty to set the tone. Points from Killian Cassidy and John og Darragh stretched the home side’s advantage, while Tír na nÓg struggled to convert their hard-won possession, registering their sole first-half score through Oistin Mooney in the 22nd minute. At the interval, the hosts held a steady, if unspectacular, 1-02 to 0-01 lead.

The tempo shifted dramatically upon the restart. Man of the match Dylan McMullan and Oliver Mooney tapped over early points to extend Glenravel’s buffer to 1-04. However, the Randalstown boys ignited their challenge just past the quarter-hour mark when Oistin Mooney found the back of the net straight from a 45. Oisin Henry quickly followed up with a sharp point to narrow the gap. While Glenravel’s McMullan and Patrick J Kelly responded to keep the hosts ahead at 1-06 to 1-02 with minutes remaining, Tír na nÓg produced a storming finale. Corey Dowie began the late rally, and Ciaran Corr held his nerve to slot two crucial frees. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Cadáin Dickson fired over a dramatic equalizer to tie the game at 1-06apiece, forcing extra time beneath the rapidly fading Glenravel light.

Momentum seemed to rest with the visitors. Despite Glenravel inching ahead with early extra-time points from Cassidy and McMullan, Tír na nÓg responded fiercely. Excellent scores from Thomas Neeson, Dowie, and Corr saw them take the lead for the first time in the match, sitting at 1-09 to 1-08 by the extra-time turnaround.

Yet, the home side refused to fold when it mattered most. A McMullan free levelled affairs, and Noah Mackle immediately edged Glenravel back in front. The defining climax arrived in the waning moments of the final period when second-half substitute Damian‘Dee’ Laverty seized his opportunity, smashing the ball to the net to break Tír na nÓg hearts. McMullan added a final flourish with a late point right at the death, ensuring Glenravel marched on to the semi-finals after an unforgettable battle.

GLENRAVEL: 16 Cillian Cree 2 Ollie Joe Mc Alonan, 3 Callum O’Neill, 4 Owen Reid, 5 Eoghan McCormick, 6 Cormac Higgins, 7 Sean Doherty, 8 Noah Mackle, 9 Dylan McMullan, 10 Killian Cassidy, 11 John og Darragh, 12 Oliver Mooney, 13 Dara Ward, 14 Harry Wilkinson, 15 Patrick J Kelly,                                                                                                Subs – 17 Odhran Higgins, 18 Harry Blaney, 19 Connlaodh Clarke, 20 Ewan Fyfe, 21 Ollie Mullan, 22 Damian (Dee) Laverty.

TIR NA NÓG: 1 Kyran Shannon, 2 Ciaran Redmond, 3 James Mullan, 4 Eoghan Kennedy, 5 Ethan Ryan McLaverty, 6 Cillian Gillespie, 7 Caoimhin McCloskey, 8 Oisin Henry, 9 Caodhan Letters, 10 Ciaran Corr, 11 Oistin Mooney, 12 Thomas Neeson, 13 Rori Martin, 14 Oisin Sisk, 15 Corey Dowie, 17 Daniel McAreavey, 18 Cadáin Dickson, 19 Matthew Cregan, 20 Rónán Heffron, 21 Charlie Neely, 22 Adam Kerr, 23 Sean Convery.

Referee – Joe McCavana

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle go through to Reserve Cup Hurling final

Antrim Hurling Senior Reserve Cup semi-final
At Pairc MacUilin, Ballycastle
Ballycastle 3-15, Cushendall 0-18
 
The opening exchanges of this Reserve Cup semi-final were closely contested, with Lorcan Donnelly getting Ballycastle on the board in the second minute with a point from a ’65. Cushendall responded quickly three minutes later through Cahir McCambridge. The set-piece battle defined the early stages, as Donnelly traded two pointed frees with Cushendall’s primary marksman, Joseph McNaughton. Both sides went score-for-score throughout the remainder of the half, but a late surge from Ballycastle yielded the final two points before the whistle, giving the home side a narrow 0-11 to 0-10 advantage at the break.
Ballycastle seized control immediately after the restart. James McShane broke through the middle, and despite the move initially breaking down, he pulled the ball on the ground into the net for the game’s opening goal. Lorcan Donnelly quickly followed up with two more frees, including an impressive strike from 60 yards, while McShane narrowly missed a second goal opportunity.
Cushendall fought to stay in touch with frees from Joe McNaughton, but Ballycastle kept the pressure on with points from a 20-meter Diarmaid McShane free and an open-play score from Reuben McClean, who fired over after the ball broke out to the middle of the field.


The game was effectively put to bed in the 17th minute. Diarmaid McShane stood over a penalty; his initial shot was saved by Shane Coulter, but after losing his hurl on the rebound, McShane resourcefully kicked the ball into the net to make it 2-14 to 0-11. Just four minutes later, Diarmaid McShane struck again. Capitalising on a fumbled ball on the wing, he won possession with a sharp pickup and sprinted clear and fired in a superb solo goal, extending the lead to 3-14 to 0-13.
Cushendall showed resilience in the final ten minutes, stringing together a series of impressive points. Fintan McKillop registered two well-taken scores—one left-sided strike from the wing and a fantastic effort from his own half—while Joseph McNaughton and Fintan McKillop also added to the tally. Ballycastle kept the scoreboard ticking with a neat point from Diairmaid McShane to cap off a comfortable 3-15 to 0-18 victory.
 

Ballycastle – 1 Ruairi McShane, 2 Oisin McAuley, 3 Dermot Donnelly, 4 Oisin Donnelly, 5 Ciaran McKeague, 6 James Bakewell, 7 Cormac Donnelly, 8 Mark McClean, 9 Conall Magee, 10 Reuben McClean, 11 Callum Campbell, 12 Lorcan Donnelly, 13 Diarmaid McShane, 14 James McShane, 15 Niall McClean,

Subs – 17 Cormac Dallas, 18 Ardan Kelly, 19 Patrick McAlonan, 20 Gavin McToal, 21 Tadhg Donnelly, 22 Vincent O’Donoghue, 23 James McLister, and 24 Conor Mooney.

Cushendall – 1 Shane Coulter, 2 Ryan McAuley, 3 Senan Black, 4 Aodhan Campbell, 5 Padraig McKillop, 6 Stephen Walsh, 7 Alex McCambridge, 8 Darach Bradley, 9 Nicholas McLaughlin, 10 Paddy Sharpe, 11 Joseph McNaughton, 12 Killian McNaughton, 13 Oisin Woodhouse, 14 Fintan McKillop, 15 Cahir McCambridge

Referee – Paul McSparran (Cushendun)

TO SEE MORE OF SEAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel Advance in Under 16 Championship

Above – Cahir McCloskey who scored 4 goals and six points in Loughgiel’s win over Ballycstle in the Under 16 Hurling Championship quarter-final

Under 16A Hurling Championship

Ballycastle 0-14 Loughgiel 4-16

A clinical display of finishing from half forward Cahir Mc Closkey gave Loughgiel the edge over Ballycastle in a keenly contested U16 Championship quarter final on Tuesday at Pairc Mac Uilin.

The Shamrock sharp shooter Mc Closkey would finish the game with a stunning 4-6 to his credit and this took his team  clear of a Ballycastle outfit who threatened an upset at times.

In wet and breezy conditions, the teams gave everything and there was much quality in the hurling for the large crowd to enjoy.

Oran Baudant ,outstanding at centre back throughout the game, gave the Town an early lead with a huge point and the scores flowed from both sides thereafter.

Codai Mc Garry was accurate from the placed ball for the Shamrocks, whilst Patrick Campbell kept the Mc Quillan’s on level terms both from play and frees. There were also excellent points for Eli Quinn and Toirdhealbhach Ni giolladhuinn for the black and amber side.

The crucial score of the half came from Mc Closkey just before the interval, when he cut through the Ballycastle defence and finished low to net past James Moloney. This score, along with a Daire Kearney point gave Loughgiel a half time lead of 1-10 to 0-8.

Patrick Campbell who scored nine points in his team’s quarter-final against Loughgiel

Ballycastle started the second half forcefully, but were unfortunate to see a number of efforts drop wide of the posts. The midfield duo of Peter Laverty and Sean Mc Henry battled bravely to keep their side afloat and Patrick Campbell continued to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Despite the best defensive efforts of the Town, in particular Aodhan Black and Feargus Mc Auley, the free running Mc Closkey would not be stopped. On three separate occasions he wriggled away from his markers to calmly slot to the net, stretching the Loughgiel lead.

He was supported with two fine points from substitute Thomas Traynor and a sublime line ball cut from Damian Laverty.

Ballycastle carved out goal chances of their own in an attempt to save the day, but they struck the post twice and saw two other efforts denied by the goalkeeping of Ciaran Hennessey.

The margin of victory hardly tells the tale of an excellent tussle between these old rivals and the game was also aided by a sound and consistent refereeing display by Fergus Mc Allister.

Loughgiel advance to the next week’s semi-final and a home tie against O’Donovan Rossa.

Loughgiel:

1. Ciaran Hennessey

2. Ronan Mc Garry

3. Lorcan Murtagh

4. Martin Maynes

5. Kevin Og Mc Garry

6. Aaron Gillan

7. Liam Mc Kee

8. Oisin Mc Fadden

9. Aidan Barr-Laverty (0-1)

10. Iarla Gillan

11. Codai Mc Garry (0-4, 4 frees)

12. Cahir Mc Closkey (4-6, 2 frees)

13. Conor Connolly

14. Damian Laverty (0-2, 1 line ball)

15. Daire Kearney (0-1)

17. Thomas Traynor (0-2)

Ballycastle:

1. James Moloney

2. Tom Busby

3. Feargus Mc Auley

4. Aodhan Black

5. Ronan Mc Bride

6. Oran Baudant (0-1)

7. Toirdhealbhach Nigiolladhuinn (0-1)

8. Sean Mc Bride

,9. Peter Laverty (0-2)

10. Eli Quinn (0-1)

11. Patrick Campbell (0-9, 5 frees)

12. Conal Kelly

13. Conor Bailey

14. Ruairi Laverty

15. Dara Mc Shane

17. Oisin Mc Shane

18. Conal Mc Auley

19. Caolan Keenan

Referee: Fergus Mc Allister (Ruairi Og)