Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Creggan hold their nerve to book quarter final spot 

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship, Group 3 

Creggan Kickhams 2-16-2-11 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Staffordstown Road 

A late Joe McAteer strike wrapped up a hard fought 2-16-2-11 victory for Creggan over Lámh Dhearg which saw them advance to the quarter final of the Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship. 

The sides were level after an evenly matched opening half and were still tied going down the home straight, though with the Lámhs trailing by two points and desperately pushing for a share of the spoils, Kickhams countered and McAteer slotted home the insurance goal. 

Lámh Dhearg approached the game knowing that defeat would see them drop out of contention for the knock-out stages after St Galls victory over All Saints on Saturday evening. 

Keelan McCann landed a 2pointer score to get the hosts up and running with Conor Small converting a free a few minutes later. 

It was from the same scenario that Lámh Dhearg opened their account for the afternoon when a number infringement allowed Mark Finnegan to stroke over from close range. 

Points were traded between Jamie McCann and Adam Murray and a Sean Duffin point gave the hosts a 0-5-0-2 lead after 12 minutes. 

The game was tied for the first time with ten minutes to the break after a foot-block was spotted and Mark O’Neill signalled for a penalty. Mark Finnegan stepped up and made no mistake, sweeping the ball low past Oisin Kerr. 

Successive scores from Duffin and Conor Small had Kickhams ahead again, with Mark Finnegan kicking his second free of the half in response. 

The Hannahstown side forged ahead for the first time in the 28th minute when Kerr parried Declan Smyth’s shot and Adam Murray blasted the loose ball to the net to give his side a 2-3-0-7 lead. 

They were unable to maintain it to the break however as Matthew Rodgers clipped over back-to-back points to ensure that there was parity at the interval. 

Rodgers made it three scores on the spin with a point within three minutes of the restart, but Adam Murray replied at the other end. 

Creggan were back in the driving seat when they netted their first goal of proceedings. Matthew Rodgers shot looked to have tailed wide, though Shea McCann was adjudged to have kept the ball in play at the byline and his low angled shot beat John Finucane to make it 1-10-2-4. 

A converted Conor Small free extended the hosts advantage before Ryan Murray conjured his first of the afternoon at the other end. 

Further points were traded between Owen McKeown and Liam Quinn, though Calum Fegan-Lappin shot over to narrow the margins . 

The bare minimum separated the sides when Mark Finnegan kicked his third free of the afternoon and a two-pointed Finnegan score from play had his side in front again (1-11-2-9). 

A second Liam Quinn point levelled things up and the sides traded further points through Rodgers and McKeown as the game ticked towards its conclusion.

Rodgers popped over his fifth of the afternoon and with the game in added time, Jamie McCann doubled the hosts advantage from a close range free. 

In a frantic finish, the Lámhs were reduced to 14-men was Ben Rice was red carded for an off the ball incident and Creggan finished things off when they countered at pace and substitute Joe McAteer fired low to the net to wrap up a hard fought 2-16-2-11 win and ensure his side a quarter-final spot with a game to spare. 

The Staffordstown Road outfit will take on St Galls with the winner topping the group, whilst Lámh Dhearg will fight it out with All Saints to avoid the relegation play-offs at the groups conclusion in two weeks. 

CREGGAN KICKHAMS: O Kerr, L McLernon, E McAteer, F Close, D McAteer, E Carey-Small, J McCann (0-2f), K McCann (1×0-2pf), K Small, S Duffin (0-2), C Small (0-3, 0-2f), R McCann, S McCann (1-0), M Rodgers (0-5), L Quinn (0-2). 

SUBS: J McAteer (1-0) for S Duffin (45), C McCann for S McCann (50), S Maguire for D McAteer (50), T McAteer for L Quinn (58). 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, Ross Murray, P Mervyn, D Lynch, D Smyth, B Rice, O McKeown (0-2), M Jordan, P Fitzsimons, T McCrudden, R Murray (0-1), E Matassa, M Finnegan (1-5, 1×0-2pt, 0-3f, 1-0p), A Murray (1-2), C Fegan-Lappin (0-1). 

SUBS: R Diamond for E Matassa (42), J Quinn for T McCrudden (48). 

REFEREE: Mark O’Neill (ARMOY)

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by thesaffrongael

Dominant Eire Og take a step nearer the play-off places

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship

Round 2 at St Paul’s

Eire Og 5-14 Wolfe Tones 1-05

Eire Og booked their place in the knock-our stages of the Junior Football Championship when they beat Wolfe Tones in Saturday’s Round 2 game at Pairc Pól, Shaws Road.

After playing with the breeze in the first half Eire Og were ten point to the good at half time, but Wolfe Tones had fared OK in that first half, scoring three points. There were those who felt the Greencastle men could still make a game of it in the second period, but Eire Og were having none of it and two goals inside the first minute of the second half all but sealed the win.

Points from Mark Graham and Stephen Erskine were followed by a Kevin Clarke goal and Eire Og were up and running. Peter McDermot opened the Wolfe Tones account with a well taken point on eight minutes but Eire Og kept the pressure on and five in a row from Kevin Clarke, Conor Erskine and Conall Smyth (3) helped Eire Og push on to a 1-10 to 0-3 lead at half time.

If the Tones were to get back into the game then they needed a good start to the second half, but it was Eire Og who sprung from the traps and after two goals inside a minute from Erskine and Ronan Donnelly it became clear there would be no way back for the Greencastle side. They did pull a goal back late in the half but Eire Og were out of sight by this time as they move to the top of Group 2. There are still two games remaining in the group stages but if Eirie Og can maintain this form they must be fancied to clinck a semi-final spot.

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by thesaffrongael

Glenravel triumph in fiesty affair

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC – Round 2 – Fr Maginn Park

Glenravel 3-14  Aldergrove 2-11. 

As both of these teams had failed to register round robin league points in their opening games and both face challenging final round matches, the stakes were high in this Northern Switchgear Senior football championship game played in bright sunshine at Fr Maginn park on Sunday. Given the significance of the outcome the game was feisty in nature with referee Colin Thompson deploying every colour of card available to him as individual battles crossed the line on several occasions requiring Thompson and his team of officials to take disciplinary action – but in truth, this was just the cut and thrust of championship football with two teams intent on winning. In the end it was the home side who finished six points to the good at the final whistle but they were six points adrift playing with wind assistance and only ten minutes of the first half remaining. They rallied well in those final minutes to go in two points ahead of the opposition leaving the home supporters a lot happier. 

A young Con Magees fans shows his delight as Eamon Fyfe’s penalty hits the back of the Aldergrove net

Ryan McQuillan and Seamas McGarry opened for both teams before Corey Fogarty and Ronan Hanna nudged the visitors ahead. Sean McKay pegged one back for Con Magees but Aldergrove stretched their lead to six points with twenty one minutes played as Seamas McGarry and Ronan Hanna pointed and in between Declan Gough found the net as the airport men proved a lot more efficient in the scoring zone. Glenravel had probably more of the possession but squandered several chances at this stage through wayward shooting. That six point gap playing with the wind at their backs was starting to look ominous for the home side. But then the first real period of domination kicked in and Glenravel would put over six unanswered points from Sean McKay (0-03 1tp), Fergus Donaghy, Ryan McQuillan and Eamon Ward to put the teams level. And when Niall Hynds netted in first half injury time Glenravel had moved from six points down to three ahead – a pivotal move in a closely fought game. Corey Fogarty pointed for Aldergrove in the final move off the first half so both teams retired to the dressing rooms with Glenravel ahead by two points 1-08 to 1-06.

Ronan Hanna punches the air in celebration after scoring an Aldergrove goal early in the second half

The question on everyone’s lips was “was a two point advantage enough having played with strong wind assistance in the first half”? There were doubters in the crowd and they would have felt justified as Aldergrove came out all guns blazing with a Ronan Hanna goal straight after the re-start followed by three points from the same player and suddenly they were four points to the good. Glenravel started to offload from the bench in an effort to wrestle control back and that they did when Eamon Fyfe was pulled to the floor as he was about to pull the trigger on goal. The same player made no mistake from the penalty spot and then levelled affairs with a great point leaving both teams on 2-09 and only a quarter of the game remaining. All to play for.

Ryan McQuillan and Seamus McGarry would add a couple of points each to leave an even game at 2-11 each and five minutes of normal time remaining. In those closing minutes though Glenravel really dominated play. The impressive Colla Ward was sprung from the bench and announced his arrival with a well taken point and a couple of minutes later the same player found the net to leave the home side four points ahead. Aldergroves’ shoulders fell after that goal and they seemed to accept their fate as Aidan O’Donnell and Sean McKay added two further points and seal a six point victory for the men in green and white.

Glenravel now face Rossa in their final game and Aldergrove, who finished the game with thirteen players, now take on a very fancied Portglenone team in the final round of the round robin series. 

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by thesaffrongael

Paul’s late point ties matters at Hightown

IFC Group 1

St. Enda’s 4-10 Moneyglass 1-19

Paul Duffin became the St. Ergnat’s hero when his point in the 61st minute earned his side a draw in this keenly contested IFC Group 1 encounter at Hightown on Sunday afternoon.

In a game of changing fortunes where both sides enjoyed periods of supremacy it was the home side who looked to have gained their second win in three outings when a Michael McKenna point edged them in front with time almost up.

The visitors won possession from the resulting kick-out and Duffin moved forward from his centre-half birth to guide the ball between the uprights much to the delight of the travelling support.

It was St. Enda’s who enjoyed the better of the opening stages with Stephen O’Connor leading the way and the big number 11 opened the scoring with a point after 30 seconds and he went on to hit 1-3 with only 6 minutes on the clock.

In between a Seanchan Duffin point was all that Moneyglass could manage but gradually they got up to the pace of the game, their first for nearly three weeks and Colm Duffin scored 0-3 on the bounce to close the gap to 2 by the 13th minute.

Corner back, Zac Kyle came forward to increase that lead to 4 and when Sean Murray and Conor Eastwood added two quick fire goals in the 15th and 18th minutes things had again swung decisively the way of the Glengormley side.

Once again St. Ergtnat’s picked themselves up of the canvas as Sean Boyd and Colm Duffin pointed and a Boyd goal in the 23d minute put his side right back into contention.

Sean Boyd and Callum Murray added late points as the St. Enda’s scores dried up and by half time the gap was down to 2 and we looked like we had a game on our hands.

The two Sean’s, Murray for St. Enda’s and Boyd for Moneyglass exchanged early second half points but a Mickey Morgan Point and a goal from a Stephen O’Connor penalty looked to have put Naomh Eanna back in a commanding position with only 8 minutes of the new half gone.

Colm Duffin pulled one back for the visitors but a Sean McBride point in the 12th minute restored the home side’s advantage and the visitors again looked in trouble.

They dug deep however as their renowned fighting spirit came to the fore with ace marksman, Colm Duffin getting them going again with a well struck 2 pointer.

This score appeared to galvanise those around him as Tyler Cassidy, Colm Duffin 0-2 and an Aiden McErlain 2 pointer saw them hit the front again by the 24th minute but this excellent contest was far from over.

Indeed, as the pendulum swung back in favour of St Enda’s it was Sean McBride, Stephen O’Connor and Michael McKenna, with a late point that looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

However the visitors staged one final rally and it was Paul Duffin who finished confidently to snatch the draw that keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the semi-finals.

St. Ergnat’s have 3 points from 2 starts, a point behind Sarsfield’s who have 4 points but have played a game more.

St. Enda’s have 3 points from three starts and will be hoping that the teams above them slip up in their final fixtures with Moneyglass at home to Naomh Padraig Lisburn and away to Rasharkin while Sarsfield’s travel to Naomh Padraig in their final game.

St. Enda’s final fixture is away to Rasharkin on the 30th August and if they win that one then they will have to wait until the 24th September when Sarsfield’s and St. Ergnat’s have completed their programmes to know their fate.

Stephen O’Connor, St. Enda’s and Colm Duffin, St. Ergnat’s with match referee, Cathal McDermott. Both players had massive influences on today’s draw at Hightown
by thesaffrongael

Gallagher hat-trick paves the way for convincing Glenavy win

IFC Group 2

Glenavy 6-12 Davitt’s 1-10

Goals win games and St. Joseph’s Glenavy scored six of them at Chapel Hill on Saturday to maintain their place at the top of Group 2 and earn a spot in the Intermediate Championship semi-final.

James Gallagher led the way with a hat-trick for the men in Orange who had most of the damage done at half time when they led 3-8 to 1-5 despite the best efforts of Gerard Slane for the visitors.

Ciaran Loney got the home side of the mark with a point after 30 seconds and Finn Shannon followed with a well struck 2 pointer as the home side made a brisk start at a sunny Chapel Hill.

Big John O’Neill opened the Davitt’s account directly from a ‘45’ in the 6th minute with Fergal Henry replying immediately from play to restore St. Joseph’s three point advantage.

Paul McLaughlin for Davitt’s and Fiontan O’Boyle exchanged further minors and a pointed free from Gerard Slane kept the visitors in touch at the end of the opening quarter.

Slowly though Glenavy started to turn the screw with Fergal Henry hitting two points either side of a goal from Pauric McKevitt in the 20th minute as a fluent move opened up the Davitt’s defence.

Slane was doing all in his power to keep the visitors in touch and he pointed a 22nd minute free and replied to a Ciaran Loney point before their challenge received a severe setback.

Davitt’s conceded a penalty with three minutes remaining to the break which Fergal Henry confidently tucked away and before the cheering could die down, James Gallagher followed with another from play to leave 9 between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.

Fergal Henry quickly added a point on the restart but Davitt’s were still giving it everything as Conor John Sullivan replied with a 2 pointer to give them a glimmer of hope.

Those hopes were further raised when Anthony Rowntree’s effort sailed all the way to the St. Joseph’s net to reduce the deficit to five with only four minutes of the new half gone but that would be as close as the West Belfast side got.

James Gallagher wiped that score out with his second major of the contest within a minute and after Gerard Slane had replied with a point, Fiontan O’Boyle got in for Glenavy’s fifth goal of the game with 20 minutes still remaining.

The visitors were doing asll in their power to get their own game going and the impressive Slane would add two more points by the 19th minute but the scoring for the men in Green-White & Gold dried up at this point.

Mid-fielder Loney added to an impressive individual performance with another fine point and James Gallagher added another before completing his hat-trick with five minutes remaining.

With one game to play, Glenavy top Group 2 with 6 points from 3 starts and can’t be caught but Davitt’s can still qualify if they can beat St. Teresa’s in their next game at Davitt’s Park while a win for the Glen Road side would likely earn them qualification.

Glenavy: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Darragh Doherty, 3 Patrick Fox, 4 Ruairi Forester, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Conor Hamill, 7 Pauric McKevitt, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Michael Johnston, 10 Dominic Gallagher, 11 Fiontan O’Boyle, 12 Patrick Gallagher, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 James Gallagher, 15 Fergal Henry, 23 Darragh Armstrong

Davitt’s: 1 Ryan McAuley, 2 Conor Toner, 3 Nathan Maginn, 5 Anthony Rowntree, 6 Anthony Gargan, 7 James Lindsay, 8 Niall McParland, 9 Gerard Slane, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Padraig McParland, 12 Conor John Sullivan, 13 Ceavy Slane, 14 John O’Neill, 15 Danny Wallace, 21 Michael Og Rowntree.

Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)

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