Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Antrim overcome London challenge to book a place in the knockout stages

Tailteann Cup Group Three

Antrim 1-22 London 1-14

Antrim overcame a strong challenge from London in Pairc Esler on Sunday to book a place in the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup where they will face Wexford in Wexford Park next weekend.

They would have to wait on results from the other third round games being played today and when the news came through that Leitrim had defeated Tipperary it was the result that Antrim needed to keep their Tailteaan hopes alive.

The Saffrons started nervously against a London team that had ran them tight in last year’s competition and who obviously fancied their chances of claiming a major scalp.

Antrim’s Ryan Murray escapes the chasing pack

It was a tight enough encounter for three quarters of the game, but a black card for London’s Matt Moynahan was a prelude to a run of 1-4 without reply as Antrim pushed on to win by eight in the end.

Antrim trailed by four at half time, but given the severity of the conditions, it didn’t seem an unsurmountable lead and that proved to be the case as the Saffrons struck two early 2 pointers in the opening minutes of the second half to draw level.

It was a day where both teams were not just seeking victory, but by as much as possible with scoring difference in play, yet with a strong wind that seemed to favour The Exiles, but swirled throughout, scoring remained difficult.

Antrim did get off the mark with Ryan McQuillan kicking points off either foot and the Glenravel man would play a big part in his sides success, but London grew into it as Daniel Clarke pointed and might have had a goal but Mick Byrne pulled off a fine blocking save to deny Ciaran Diver with the ball rebounding to Joshua Obahor to level.

Diver edged his side into the lead before Conal Gallagher slung over the first two-pointer of the game, while Byrne was again called into action to save from Ruairi Rafferty with the subsequent ‘45’ struck sweetly between the uprights by Sean Taylor.

McQuillan replied but Liam Gallagher sent over another two for London who were now five up before Antrim began to make some inroads with points from Conor Stewart and Paddy McBride.

Diver and Shay Rafter restored the Exiles 5 point advantage but after Stewart pulled one back, Antrim had an opportunity for a goal but Ryan Murray was denied from close range with the Lamh Dhearg man’s appeal for a penalty waved aside.

Instead referee Seamus Mulhare blew for half time and it was clear that Antrim had work to do as they headed to the dressing rooms trailing by four points.

Conor Hand gets his shot away despite Eoin Walsh’s attempted block

The Saffrons were level within minutes of the restart with McBride and Dominic McEnhill landing two-pointers with the wind at their backs.

It remained tight with a Conor Hand 2pts briefly giving Antrim the lead for the first time before Obahor levelled it again.

The sides remained level going into the final quarter when Antrim struck for home as points from Adam Loughran and Ryan Murray were followed by an excellent sweetly struck Byrne ‘45’, which came after McEnhill’s 56th-minute penalty was saved by Andrew Walsh.

Matt Moynahan was sin-binned as the result of events leading up to the penalty and by the time he returned, Antrim had taken control to go nine clear with substitute Niall Burns finding the net despite the best efforts of Sean Taylor. Burns followed immediately with a point to announce his arrival in style and it looked well and truly sewn up at this stage.

The visitors continued to fight however and Shay Rafter fired through a crowded goalmouth from a free in added time, with management and spectators anxiously looking for the Limerick v Tipperary result, but late points from Marc Jordan and Dominic McEnhill were enough to see Antrim home and into the knockout phase.

Shay Rafter’s close range free ends in the Antrim net depite the best efforts of their defence

Antrim: M Byrne (0-1, 1×45); E McCabe, E Walsh, K Keenan; J McAuley, D McAleese, M Jordan (0-1); C Hand (0-2, 1x2p), C Stewart (0-2); R Boyle, A Loughran (0-1), P McBride (0-3, 1x2p); R McQuillan (0-4), R Murray (0-1), D McEnhill (0-6, 2x2p, 2f).

Subs: N Burns (1-1) for A Loughran (52), J Morgan for J McAuley (70+1), J McDonnell for R Boyle (70+1)

London: A Walsh; D Rooney, S Taylor (0-1, 1×45), M Moynahan; E Walsh, C Gallagher (0-2, 1x2p), K Healy; T Barry, L Gallagher (0-2, 1x2p); J Obahor (0-2), D Clarke (0-1), C Diver (0-3); R Rafferty, N McElwaine, S Rafter (12, 1-1f).

Subs: Subs: C McCarrick (0-1) for N McElwaine (25), C O’Donoghue for D Clarke (58), M Carroll for R Rafferty (61), C McKelvey for C Gallagher (63), O Hilley for K Healy (68)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

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by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle hold on to secure their place in the top five

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

St Enda’s 0-18 Ballycastle 3-15

Ballycastle qualified for the top half of the Division 1 Hurling League when they beat St Enda’s in their final game of the first half at Hightown on Sunday. In a game dominated by a strong wind the McQuillan’s men managed to hold off a fight-back by the home side to squeeze through. Six points separated the side at the end but the Glengormley men were pushing hard in the last quarter and Ballycastle goalkeeper Ryan McGarry had to be sharp to deny heavy St Enda’s pressure in the end.

Both teams actually played better against the strong wind, the visitors winning the toss and deciding to play against it, and they went ahead with a Neal McAuley point in the first minute. However St Enda’s came back with three quick points through Cormac Jennings, Brendan Cormican and Eddie O’Connor to go two clear. At this stage it looked like the home side were going to steadily pull away but three brilliantly taken points by Tiernan Smyth swung the game in Ballycastle’s favour

Free taker Ruairi Donaghy pulled one back for Naomh Eanna but two from Niall McKenna, and a goal from Tiernan Smyth, which was set up by McKenna, put Ballycastle four ahead by the twentieth minute. The smart money would have been firmly on the visitors at this stage, but St Enda’s dominated the last ten minutes of the half hitting seven points, while conceding just one to turn the game on its head. Two of the points came from Niall O’Connor which Ruairi Donaghy, Joe Maskey, Ciaran McAllister, Niall O’Connor and Cormac Jennings got the others, while Conor Donnelly got the Ballycastle score in the final minute of the half to leave the teams tied on 0-12 to 1-09 at half-time.

St Enda’s moved ahead early in the second half with two points from Ruairi Donaghy free to one from play by Seamus McAuley but the game was to swing dramatically in Ballycastle’s favour in a seven minute spell that saw them grab 2-02 without reply. Tiernan Smyth started the run when fired home following a great save by St Enda’s keeper Niall McGivern to deny Arden Kelly what seemed a certain goal. Two minutes later came the second goal which was blocked down into the net by Conor Donnelly and when Niall McKenna and Neal McAuley added points the ‘Town’ were seven clear entering the last quarter.

As it turned out they needed all of those seven points as St Enda’s threw everything they had at them in a bid to salvage the game. They hit four points down the home straight, and had a few good goal chances, including one from a penalty that was mishit, and two late points from Conor Boyd, one of which was from deep in his own half, and one from Cahair Donnelly, secured the win for the Ballycastle men.

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by thesaffrongael

Fast start and strong finish seals important win for Ballygalget

ACHL Division 1

Rossa 0-14 Ballygalget 1-16

Ballygalget started and finished strongly at Rossa Park on Sunday to record their second win of the season and inflicted a second defeat on high riding Rossa in an entertaining contest in windy conditions.

It was the home side who had that wind in their favour in the opening half but they were rattled by a Caolan Coulter goal for the visitors after 2 minutes and it would prove an important goal in the end.

Rossa did make a positive response with points from Aodhan O’Brien 0-2, Thomas Morgan and Eoin Trainor to lead by the 11th minute before Coulter levelled matters with a neat, over the shoulder reply.

The Shaw’s Road side attempted to respond but Eoin Clarke in the Ballygalget goals brought off a good save to deny O’Brien before James Connolly pointed from out near the sideline to restore the Rossa lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Back came the men from down the ‘Ards’ and John McManus, Caolan Coulter and Shea Pucci hit three on the bounce by the 21st minute before Connolly responded with his second of the evening for the Rossa Park men.

The visitors were playing controlled hurling into the breeze and making better use of their opportunities and Oisin Coulter, Tim Prenter and Shea Pucci added points.

Thomas Morgan replied for Rossa with Eoin Pucci responding immediately for the visitors and Tim Prenter replied to a massive point from Gerard Walsh to leave it 0-9 to 1-8 in favour of the county Down side as Kevin Parke called for half time.

Now playing into the breeze, Rossa looked to have a bit to do if they were to maintain their recent good form and Aodhan O’Brien gave them a great start to the second half when he pointed after 30 seconds.

Back came Ballygalget with points from Caolan Coulter and Shea Pucci to extend their lead to three with only three minutes of the new half gone and it was going to take a massive effort if the home side were to overturn this lead.

Both sides then began to exchange scores with Eoghan McMenamin’s point bring a reply from Eoin Pucci and Gerard Walsh’s score bring another reply from the same player.

The tit for tat exchanges continued with Gerard Walsh, Deaglan Murphy and Thomas Morgan sending over for the home side and Eoin Pucci, Tim Prenter and Shea Pucci keeping the score board ticking with points at the other end.

Morgan’s point on 25 minutes left just a goal between the sides but that would be as close as Rossa got with Eoin Pucci and Odhran Birt ensuring there would be no way back with late points for the visitors.

An entertaining game of hurling but it was the visitor’s ability to control the pace of the game in the opening half that would decide matters on the day.

They had excellent performers in Caolan Coulter, Sheas Pucci, Eoin Pucci, Tim Prenter and John McManus while Aodhan O’Brien, Eoghan McMenamin, Thomas Morgan and Gerard Walsh caught the eye for Rossa.

Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Ardoyne topple league leaders

ACFL Division 3

Ardoyne 2-9 St. Agnes 0-11

In an enthralling game of open football played at Fennell Park on Friday evening, Ardoyne pulled off a major shock in defeating unbeaten St Agnes’. The league leaders were first on the scoreboard with an opening point from top scorer David McGaharan, but Ardoyne responded with a point from open play from McAuley and a free from Padraig McGreevey.

League form was reflected in the remainder of the first half as St Agnes’ stamped their authority on the game. McCrea kicked over three points, while Mulgrew saw an excellent attempt on goal tipped over the bar by Tiarnan Hughes in the Ardoyne nets. Hughes was in fine form between the posts for Ardoyne and pulled off a series of saves that kept the Ardoyne men in touch at the short whistle.

Half-Time: Ardoyne 0-03 St Agnes’ 0-06

As the second half got underway it looked as though St Agnes’ were ready to push ahead. A high ball into the Ardoyne Square rebounded off the post and the follow up shot saw Hughes produce another top class save.

The pace of the game increased as the second half unfolded and the Ardoyne men seemed to gain in confidence. Kevin Lynch fired over a two pointer followed by a further point. McGaharan responded for St Agnes’ as the intensity of the game increased. The pace of McAuley was causing problems for St Agnes’ defence, but the match began to turn in Ardoyne’s favour following a lob by McAuley that was flicked into the St Agnes’ net by Kevin Lynch.

With Lynch and McAuley now combining well, Ardoyne eventually pulled ahead with a goal from an in-form McKernan. The remaining 10 minutes was a full blooded encounter with Ardoyne sensing an important victory and St Agnes’ fighting to hold on to their unbeaten record.

Despite this defeat, St Agnes’ hold on to top position in the league but will be disappointed with their unbeaten run coming to an end. Ardoyne will be delighted to take the scalp of the league leaders but will take more satisfaction from the renewed sense of belief and the discipline on display.

Full-Tine Score: Ardoyne 2-09 St Agnes’ 0-11

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Tiernan Hughes, Odhran Mullan, Micheál McGreevy, Conor Magee, Joe Gibson, Pearse Marley, Finnén O’Brien, Daniel Moore, Gary McKernan (1-0), James Og McAuley (0-02), Kealan McCallan (0-01), Eoghan Corrigan, Padraig McGreevy (0-01,1f), Cahal Keown (0-01), Kevin Lynch (1-04, 0-02F)Cormac Barnes, Fiontan Lagan,

Naomh Una: Colum Carroll, Cormac Flannery, Mark Caldwell, Killian McCormick, Patrick Carroll, Ryan Reilly, Conor Kennedy, Ronan Gilligan, Patrick Mulgrew (0-01), James Campbell, Declan Crummey, Declan McLarnon (0-02), Ronan Carroll, David McGaharan (0-05), Barry McCrea (0-03, 0-2f), Neill Gillespie, Conor Gilligan, Kevin Floyd

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by thesaffrongael

Drom & Inch win the Liam McGarry Cup

Liam McGarry Memorial Cup – Senior Hurling Challenge

Loughgiel 0-19 Drom & Inch 1-19

Tipperary’s Drom & Inch won the Liam McGarry Memorial Cup at Fr Healy Park on Saturday evening when they beat the hosts Loughgiel Shamrocks in a highly entertaining game which some top class hurling.

The Shamrocks started the game well with points from Shan McGrath, Darragh Patterson and Paul Boyle, and James McNaughton was in on goal for what seemed a certain score, only to be denied by a brilliant save by the Drom & Inch netminder Eoin Collins.

Carmel McGarry, daughter of the late Liam McGarry, presents the cup to Drom & Inch captain Podge Campion while Campion presents a framed Drom & Inch jersey to Enda Og McGarry, grandson of Liam

Centre forward David Collins got the Tipp men on the scoreboard with a point from inside his own half and corner forward John Campion added a second soon afterwards it was nip and tuck of the next ten minutes as both teams grabbed two points apiece, but three points in a two minute spell, two of them from James McNaughton and one from Ruairi McCloskey appeared to have given the home side the upper hand. However the visitors gained the upper hand during the second quarter and following a great move which saw right half back Kevin Hassett grab a point and a minute later corner forward John Campion got in for a goal. The remainder of the first half was dominated by the Tipperary men who added five mote to their total, two of them from midfielder Tony Cahill, in reply to two by Shan McGrath and Paul Boyle for the home side, to lead by 1-10 to 0-10 at the break.

Loughgiel started the second half well and three unanswered points by James McNaughton, Shan McGrat and ‘Bubble’s McMullan had them back level within six minutes. Campion restored the Drom & Inch lead with a point from a 65 but McNaughton and Boyle responded with two more for the home side to move back ahead. However the Tipp men grew stronger as the game progressed and a series of excellent points from Kinane, John Campion (2) Jack Lillis and team captain Podge Campion moved them well clear. Loughgiel never gave up the fight however and three late points brought them right back into contention, but Drom & Inch held on to take the victory and the Liam McGarry Cup