Antrim make the long journey to Chadwicks Park to take on Wexford in the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup. They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place but can it strike again at Chadwicks Park on Sunday?
The Saffrons travelled to Wexford in the group stages last year and recorded a good win over Sunday’s host to finish in second place on score difference to Sligo after drawing with the Connaught side and defeating Tipperary.
A Ruairi McCann goal at Chadwicks Park would prove the important score as Antrim ran out 1-15 to 0-17 winners. The Aghagallon man’s goal after 5 minutes gave Antrim a lead they would not lose for the remainder of the game.
The big full-forward has made a habit of getting goals against Sunday’s opponents over the years and undoubtedly would like to add to his impressive record against the Leinster men.
McCann, like some of his colleagues has been hampered by injuries and a dip in form this year but has been named in Andy McEntee’s side to face Wexford after missing the Saffrons excellent victory over London in Newry last week which earned them a place in Sunday’s quarter-final.
Patrick Finnegan was also missing for the London clash but with McCann, is one of two changes to the starting line-up against the Exiles with Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray making way.
Croke Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Wexford so far this year.
They lost the Division 4 league final there, to Limerick, and were beaten by Fermanagh at GAA HQ in their final Tailteann Cup group game last weekend so will be hoping that a win on Sunday will give them another opportunity to put that right.
There would not appear to be much between this weekend’s opponents though Wexford gained promotion from division 4 while Antrim were relegated from division 3
Niall Burns will be disappointed not to start but can make a big impact of the bench if called upon at Chadwicks Park
Robbie Brooks came on against Fermanagh last Sunday in Dublin for Wexford and has kept his spot in the starting team, the only change to John Hegarty’s line-up.
Despite that relegation, Antrim showed just how aggressive and potent they can be in the first-half of their Ulster SFC clash with All-Ireland holders Armagh and carried some of that form into the London game.
That win over London was their first of the Tailteann Cup campaign and secured them the last preliminary quarter-final spot. Andy McEntee will be hoping that lightning can strike again at Chadwicks Park and can call upon a strong bench if needed.
Niall Burns was excellent when introduced in the second half and scored 1-1 in Newry and may feel unfortunate not to have earned a starting spot while Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray did little wrong and will be champing at the bit if called upon.
Only a point separated Sunday’s opponents last time they met but if Antrim can produce their best form then I expect them to advance to a third Tailteann semi-final in a row.
WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks; Michael Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Eoin Porter, Glen Malone, Pairic Hughes; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Martin O’Connor, Tom Byrne, Mark Rossiter; Kevin O’Grady, Robbie Brooks, Sean Nolan.
Subs: Colum Feeney, Sean Barden, Ruairi Martin, Dylan Furlong, Cathal Kehoe, Cathal Walsh, Jack Higgins, Conor Carty, Michael Kinsella, Ben Brosnan, Sean Ryan.
ANTRIM: Michael Byrne; Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Patrick Finnegan; Conor Hand, Marc Jordan; Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran, Patrick McBride; Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill.
Subs: Luke Mulholland, Calum Higgins, Conor Stewart, Daniel McNicholl, Eunan Quinn, Fionn Nagle, James McDonnell, John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns, Ryan Murray.
St Brigids got back to winning ways on Wednesday evening after an impressive win at home to Dunloy. The victory keeps last year’s league champions in touch of a playoff place heading in to the last 4 rounds. In a high scoring game Dunloy looked to settle better and went in to an early 0.03 to 0.02 lead. St Brigids soon got to grips with the game and worked some impressive team scores. Ruben Carleton especially was punishing Dunloy with a couple of 2-point efforts. Dunloy would answer back and Karl Fitzpatrick impressed with two 2pointers of his own.
Half time score St Brigids 0.13 Dunloy 0.10
St Brigids came out for the 2nd half and showed some of the form that helped them to last year’s league title. With impressive forward play they were able to create scoring chances which their accurate forwards took full advantage of. They got on top of Dunloy in the third quarter with the lively Enda Downey pulling the strings in what was an impressive cameo performance from the half time substitute. With 7 unanswered points at the start of the 2nd half it was job done for the Belfast side who now had a 10 point lead. Dunloy showed some fight back to try and close the gap and the teams exchanged scores in the closing stages but St Brigid’s would hold on for a deserved victory.
Next up on Sunday for St Brigids and it looks like the stand out fixture of the round as they travel to league leaders Cargin, whilst the Cuchullains entertain St Galls.
Another round of fixtures is scheduled for Sunday 8th June as the end of the first phase draws close with the last round scheduled for July 2nd.
Division One (Sunday 8th June)
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Galls
Cuchullian’s have blown hot and not so hot in their programme to date but no doubt the Dunloy men are more than capable but despite giving most of their opponents a run for their money they have only passed the post in front a couple of occasions to date.
St Galls in contrast to their opponents have gained seven league victories thus far and the Milltown men are more than capable of mixing it with the best as they take the road down to Dunloy.
The city men will travel carrying the favourites tag but although form says they should collect a full return of the points the home side are more than capable when in the mood and they may well give their visitors a run for their money but recent form does suggest an away win looks probable.
Casement’s Portglenone v Kickham’s Creggan
This all South West affair will most certainly attract a good gathering to Portglenone and those in attendance are more than likely to be treated to a good game.
Casement’s have enjoyed a good season to date and they remain in firm contention for a place in the division one league final having amassed a 17 point total of points to date and sit in third spot in the table.
The Creggan men lost out to the visiting Cargin last time but they only trail their hosts in this one by a single point and will travel seeking a full return of the points.
This one certainly is a contender for match of the day and the attendance are likely to be treated to a good game and ground advantage is likely to play a part but Casements may have to dig deep to collect both points.
Tir na nOg v St Johns
The Johnnies have struggled this term and have recorded only two wins and a draw to date and the Corrigan residents will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes sooner rather than later as they take the road to the South West to cross swords with Tir na nOg.
Draw specialists, Tir na nOg, like their visitors have five points secured and both sides remain too close to the cut off point for peace of mind and both will be looking for a full return from this one to ease the burden of possible relegation.
Circumstances will ensure the points at stake will be fiercely fought for and in what is certain to be a tough encounter ground advantage may prove the key to the points with a tentative vote given to the home side.
St Paul’s v O’ Donovan Rossa
This bottom of the table clash involves next door neighbours St Paul’s and O’ Donovan Rossa and brings together two sides who both really require points.
St Paul’s hold a one point advantage over Rossa but a full return in this one is the likely requirement if division one status is to remain in sight.
Rossa recorded a big win over Aldergrove last day out and a tentative vote is awarded to the Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men to gain the verdict.
All Saint’s Ballymena v St Mary’s Ahoghill
St Mary’s Ahoghill looked in serious bother earlier in the season and destined for a place in the second grade next term, but a recent uplift in form and three victories recorded has seen them climb the table with safety possibly in sight.
All Saints have enjoyed a good season to date and currently sit in second place following their most recent victory over St. Gall’s at Milltown.
The Ahoghill men will travel to Ballymena hoping to build on their recent win over St. Paul’s and although All Saint’s will start as firm favourites the Cloney side are likely to push them close.
St James Aldergrove v Con Magee’s Glenravel
Little separates this duo in the table but Aldergrove lead the chase with twelve points whilst the Glensmen are just a single point behind them and this suggests a close game in prospect.
Aldergrove started the season in good form and that can be said about the Glensmen who have also made themselves at home in the top division.
Recent form would suggest that this could be close but ground advantage may again prove a factor and St James may well claim the points.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Brigid’s
Cargin remain in top form this term and the 2024 senior championship winners have remained unbeaten in the league to date although they had to dig deep a few times to gain the verdict.
St Brigid’s claimed the division 1 title last term and although they have suffered several defeats in the league to date, they will travel to Toome in a positive mood.
This one will draw a good crowd to Toome where a close encounter is anticipated but reversals in their own back yard are rare events for the Toome men and recent form would suggest Ronan Devlin’s side should gain another win.
Lamh Dhearg v St Mary’s Aghagallon
St Mary’s Aghagallon have recorded only three wins in the league to date and face another test of character in this one as they travel to Hannahstown to meet Lamh Dhearg.
The Hannahstown side sit a couple of places above their visitors and will be hoping to get back to winning ways following a defeat to Con Magee’s at Glenravel last time out.
Lamh Dhearg will hope to put that defeat behind them and get back to winning ways and while Aghagallon will push them hard, a home win looks the likely result.
Division Two
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Teresa’s
Moneyglass gained a good win from what looked like a tough assignment away to an improving Lisburn side last time and they are back on home soil this time as St Teresa’s visit Marian Hill.
St Teresa’s are blessed with experience and although they trail Moneyglass in the table they will travel with confidence.
St Teresa’s will test the resolve of the home side but St Ergnat’s will start as firm favourites and they should gain the day.
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Sarsfield’s remain on terms with Moneyglass in the ratings and following a good victory over St Teresa’s last time they will start this one as firm favourites as Glenavy visit the Bear Pit.
Glenavy may well ask questions of their hosts but Sarsfield’s will be more than capable of coming up with the answers and a home win is anticipated
St Enda’s v Gort na Mona
St Enda’s proved too strong for Rasharkin last time out, beating the home side by 10 points and they will look for a repeat performance here as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.
Gort na Mona played out a draw with the visiting St Comgall’s last time but this looks like a more difficult fixture as they travel to Glengormley where St Enda’s are favoured to take the points.
Michael Davitt’s v St Comgall’s
St Comgall’s earned a draw from a visit to Gort na Mona last time and they are on the road again as they visit Davitts and they may find this one another tough assignment but one they are capable of winning.
Division Three
Patrick Pearses v Wolfe Tones
Pearses have struggled this year but lead bottom place Wolfe Tones by three points in the table and could gain another win in this one.
Cardinal O’ Donnells v Kickham’s Ardoyne
O’ Donnell’s, like Pearses, have not been at their best this season and reside in a mid-table berth. Their visitors Ardoyne have hit a bit of form recently and inflicted a first defeat of the season on league leaders, St. Agnes recently and the visitors should have enough to add to that win.
Eire Og V St Malachy’s
Eire Og languish much too close to the basement for peace of mind but they will need to produce improvement aplenty if they are to overcome the challenge of a St. Malachy’s side who are currently fourth in the table.
A large and youthful St Johns panel assembled at sunny Corrigan Park to ask questions of visiting Portglenone, who had huffed and puffed in earlier stages of this league, but who had been on a decent run of late. Both clubs were missing their county men, and on top of that Casements were without half a dozen of their team who started last year’s county final, so for St Johns, this represented an opportunity to claim two highly desired points.
The opening quarter though dispelled any notion that an upset was imminent. Casements took control from the fist whistle, Michael Hagan and Ronan Kelly pointing to ease them into the game, before racing into an early ten point lead playing fast cohesive football and a couple of well worked goals from returning Michael Hagan and Enda Lynn. The hosts were restricted to a single Conchuir Adams free, the writing written large that this game as a contest was already as good as over.
The Johnnies though had other ideas. A long ball sent into the Portglenone goalmouth to bustling Conall Bohill resulted in tangled feet in the square, Mark ONeill having no hesitation in stretching both arms wide for a penalty which was expertly dispatched by young Conor McAvoy in the process offering St Johns a way back into the game.
Although Ronan Kelly tapped over a free immediately after, one of five on the night, it was the famous blue and white jerseys that pressed hardest in the closing minutes of the opening half, scores from Oran Quinn, Conall McGlade and John Wilson reducing the deficit to a much more respectable margin as the whistle went for the interval.
Stalwart Adrian Oliver secured the first white flag upon resumption, their fourth score on the trot, and for a brief moment, this game looked like it could go to the wire.
To their credit, Casements acknowledged the danger, and regained the initiative. Needing a response and quickly, a mazy phase of possession ended up with Oisin Doherty finalising some cohesive team play, a green flag the outcome.
Another Ronan Kelly free kick extended the gap to eight, and to many in the sizeable crowd, it looked like any hopes of a home town comeback had been averted.
Assume nothing though as six of the next eight scores came from a determined Johnnies team. Playing into their favoured goals, Conall Bohill and Ryan McNulty led a revival of sorts, both pointing from distance. Even though these were cancelled out by Oisin Doherty and Ryan McKeever, the hosts managed to find their best spell, and keep the contest honest and the lively crowd engaged. Bustling John Wilson managed to finish to the net and when Adams, Quinn and Bohill posted three points on the bounce, all of a sudden the lead was back down to just two points, and once again, it was game on.
Goals win games they say, and Portglenone’s fourth of the evening, a cool finish from Michael Hagan after a fast break out of defence, catching out the St Johns keeper and helpless defence, to put some daylight between the teams once again, with just five minutes left.
Although hardworking Ryan McNulty and Oran Quinn kept the scoreboard ticking over for the hosts, it was their visitors who finished on the stronger foot. A Ronan Kelly free was followed by a masterclass in kicking the ball off the ground – Big Paddy Kelly tapping over a sixty yard free like it was as easy as tying his shoelace. The pacy and elusive Niall Delargy and Ryan McKeever raised the last couple of white flags to run out fairly comfortable eight point winners in the end.
St Johns played well in spells, their competitive attitude never making it easy, but they can only hope to get their county men back as soon as possible, and in particular their scorer in chief Patrick McBride. Nevertheless Ryan Mc Nulty, Conor McGlade, Oran Quinn showed well, as did Conall McGlade, whilst robust full forward Conall Bohill was one of the most impressive players on display.
Casements will be happy to know their recent resurgence from bottom four to a top four placing in intact, and will feel that they are back pointing in the right direction. Some of their football was excellent and looked well in control for most of the match. Captain Niall Delargy led from the front, assisted by Paddy Kelly who worked tirelessly in midfield, with Oisin Doherty and the classy Enda Lynn looking on top of their game.
On a cold but sun-drenched evening in Aghagallon, St. Mary’s and Tír na nÓg Randalstown played out a breath taking 3-19 to 3-19 draw, in a match that swung like the breeze — quite literally.
With a sharp wind blowing straight down the pitch, Aghagallon enjoyed the advantage in the first half, while Tír na nÓg used it to their benefit in the second. The result was a fiercely competitive encounter where neither side could maintain control for long, and both produced moments of real quality. Aghagallon made the most of the wind at their backs early on, settling quickly and building an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead. They added their first goal, scored by Ruairi McShane, after a spell of sustained pressure, and their long-range shooting, aided by the breeze, was particularly impressive.
They closed out the half with a flurry of scores, including a second goal, dispatched by Odhran Rooney, to take a commanding 2-12 to 1-8 lead into the break.
Tír na nÓg turned the tide after the interval. Now with the wind behind them, they surged forward with renewed intensity. Darragh Fagan was central to their revival, finding gaps in the Aghagallon defence and chipping in with vital points.
Caleb Smith added another layer of threat up front, combining clever movement with clinical finishing. Two second-half goals from the visitors helped erase the deficit and even briefly pushed them ahead. But Aghagallon refused to roll over. Luke Mulholland remained dependable from placed balls, ending up with 0-7 courtesy of 3 long range free kicks. A third goal, scored by full forward Eoin Maginnis, from the home side in the final stages, looked to have sealed the win only for Tír na nÓg to respond once again, landing a string of late points and a penalty to take a late lead.
Odhran Rooney scored from a free kick, to score a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time. This was a match shaped by the wind and defined by character, with each team making the most of the conditions when in their favour. A draw felt like a fair result after a contest of such high intensity and quality. Aghagallon and Tír na nÓg may each rue missed chances but both can take pride in what was a superb showcase of club football, watched by a lively crowd on a chilly June evening.
An interesting footnote to Wednesday night’s game was the half-time entertainment where the Aghagallon club invited boys and girls from the parish to come along and experience Gaelic games during the half time break
