It was a night for the big teams in tTuesday’s Antrim Camogie League Division 1 with Dunloy, Loughgiel, Cushendall and Ballycastle all running out convincing winners against Tir na nÓg, Bridini Oga, Ahoghill and Portglenone.
Caoimhe Molloy had her sights set well during her team’s win over Tír na nÓg at Pearse Park
The Randalstown girls did quite well in the first half of their game in Dunloy, but the flood gates opened in the second half as they added eight goals to the one they had scored in the first half, Derbhail Elliott and Caoimhe Molloy both netting hat-tricks.
Loughgiel hit seven in their win over Bridini Oga at Fr Healy Park, Ruairi Og hit 4-28 against Ahoghill in Cloney while Ballycastle ran up 7-13 in their win over Portglenone at Pairc MacUílin
Tír na nÓg centre back Emma Louise McAreavey battle it out with Dunloy’s Aoibhe McAllister
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The mid-week setting continues in the football Leagues with another round scheduled for the 7th May in the three divisions.
Division One (all games at 7.00pm
St Gall’s v Tir na nOg
St Gall’s suffered their first league defeat when they travelled to Portglenone last week. The Milltown men have impressed on their league journey prior to that one and they will seek a better return when they welcome Tir na nOg to Milltown.
Niall Jackman’s side have struggled this term with a couple of points gained from draws away to Dunloy and another with St. Paul’s at Shaw’s Road.
St Gall’s will start this one as firm favourites and they should return to winning ways though their visitors may provide a stiff test.
Con Magees Glenravel v St Johns
St John’s recorded their first win last day out when they defeated keenest rivals, Rossa at Corrigan Park.
St. John’s had struggled up to this point but recorded a ten point win over Rossa and it should give them confidence as they take the road down to Glenravel to cross swords with Con Magees.
The Glensmen have recorded three wins from six starts to date and they came close to ending Cargin’s winning record when the Toome men visited last day out.
This may well be a close one and although the Johnnies will travel with the proverbial spring in the step following their recent victory, ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of Con Magees.
Dunloy v St James Aldergrove
Cuchullian’s Dunloy have six points to date with a couple of victories and a couple of draws and have more than held their own on their return to division 1.
They earned a point last time out when they travelled to Lamh Dhearg and that will give them confidence as they welcome St. James to Pearse Park.
Aldergrove are enjoying a good season to date and they may well travel down to Dunloy in confident mood but the home side will start as favourites and they may well collect the points.
All Saint’s Ballymena v St Paul’s
St Paul’s have endured a poor start to the season but have hinted at improvement recently and pushed Cargin hard down in Toome before losing by a couple of points.
The Ballymena men have enjoyed a good season to date and they will hope to build on it against a side they last met in the Intermediate Championship semi-final in 2024.
All Saint’s will start in this one as favourites but should be wary of an improving St. Paul’s but if they are at their best then a home win is anticipated.
St Brigid’s v Lamh Dhearg
St Brigid’s have four wins and a draw from their opening six games and last year’s league champions are well in touch with the leaders in this year’s campaign.
They shared the points with the visiting Casement’s last time out after their only defeat to Creggan in their previous outing and they will hope to regain the winning habit as the play hosts to Lamh Dhearg.
Lamh Dhearg took a time to get it together in this year’s league campaign but have recorded wins over St Pauls and Tir na nOg but this looks a difficult assignment for them on current form as they travel to meet the in-form St Brigid’s.
St Brigid’s will start as firm favourites and although the men from Hannahstown are not to be dismissed a home win looks probable.
O’ Donovan Rossa v Kickham’s Creggan
Rossa have struggled this season without a number of regulars and Hugh McGettigan’s men have only recorded one victory to date over fellow strugglers, St. Mary’s Ahoghill.
They lost by ten points to St. John’s last week at Corrigan in a result which will have hurt and they face another tough assignment in this one as they travel to the South West to meet Kickham’s Creggan.
Creggan are going well to date with just a couple of defeats but have recorded some massive wins on their home ground.
Rossa are badly in need of points but this looks a tough one and barring mishap a home victory looks certain.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Casement’s Portglenone
Wins have been hard to come by for St.Mary’s and for the new man in charge, Eamon Brady but his charges are never to be discounted, particularly in this one as their close rivals and near neighbours Casements visit Cloney.
Casement’s did take a time to get it together this term but they have shown improvement in recent outings and John Mc Keever’s men will travel in confidence to add another win.
Casement’s will start in this one as firm favourites and although their host will not will not concede without a fight, the visitors are given the nod.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v Erin’s Own Cargin
Erin’s Own Cargin top the table and are still unbeaten but they had a fight on their hands to remain so last time when St Paul’s visited Toome.
The Shaw’s road side looked on course to complete the shock of the season with the home side needing a couple of late, late scores to gain the win.
Cargin have maximum points as they make the journey to Aghagallon which is never an easy assignment.
The visitors should have enough to record another win however against a St. Mary’s side who have blown hot and cold this term.
Division Two (all games at 7.00pm)
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Davitt’s
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass lost their division one status at the end of last term and have suffered from the exodus of key players to emigration. They have continued to set the pace in division 2 this term despite those losses with the introduction of new faces and at present top division 2
Michael Davitts remain in search of their first points in the division and this looks a difficult assignment for the city men as they travel to Marian Hill.
St Ergnat’s will start this one as short priced favourites and although stranger things have happened, a home win looks likely in this one.
Gort na Mona v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Gort na Mona have just one win to date and need to show improvement if they want to climb the table and a victory at Glenavy would certainly raise expectations.
Glenavy have been going reasonably well with two wins and two defeats to date but need to put a run together if they are to keep in touch with the league leaders.
Gort na Mona will see this as an opportunity to increase their points total but Glenavy are never easily beaten at Chapel Hill and it could be close but a home win looks likely.
St Comgall’s Antrim v Patrick Sarsfield’s
St Comgall’s have failed to build on their single win over Davitt’s this season though they came close before throwing away a substantial lead against Naomh Padraig but face another daunting challenge when Sarsfields visit Dunsilly.
Sarsfield’s top the division alongside St Ernat’s with both having eyes set on promotion and they will travel to Antrim in search of another couple of points, and although the Antrim men are capable of improvement an away win looks probable.
St Teresa’s v St Enda’s
Wednesday’s opponents go into this one having lost 2 and won 2 and this one could be close. Glengormley based St Enda’s have struggled to maintain their status of late following the departure of several top players but they have gained a couple of wins in the division.
St. Teresa’s were forced to call of their game last week owing to sickness in the camp but if all are back on board will start this one as favourites and home advantage could see them earn another win..
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Patrick’s Lisburn
Rasharkin have struggled this season but recorded a first win over Davitt’s last time out and they will hope to build on that win when Naomh Padraig visit Dreen.
The Lisburn side have been going well this season with four wins from five starts and currently sit in third place with an away win suggested to ensure they remain in contention.
Division Three (all games at 7.00pm)
Eire Og v Patrick Pearses
Nothing separates the sides in this one as both Eire Og and their visitors Pearses have recorded 1 win from 4 starts. This one could go either way with Pearses given a tentative nod.
Wolfe Tones v Laochra Loch Lao
Laochra Loch Lao sit in second place in the ratings, four points in arrears of St Agnes and they should gain another couple of points in this visit to Wolfe Tones to consolidate their berth.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Agnes
With just a couple of victories to date, Ardoyne need a win here if they are to keep their promotion ambitions alive but St. Agnes have been flying this term and should have enough to gain another brace of points.
St Malachy‘s v Cardinal O‘Donnell’s
Both St Malachy’s and their opponents O’Donnell’s remain in touch at the top and points are required as they look to bridge the gap.
O’Donnell’s recorded a good win over Pearses last day out and they could add another victory in this one.
An injury time goal from Ballycastle captain Ronan ‘Rambo’ McCarry secured the league points when McQuillan’s made the long trip down the Ards peninsula on Sunday afternoon.
Early scores were exchanged in Ballygalget, Ardan Kelly, playing at number 7, with his first of 3 for the visitors, 2 of which were superb scores from the half back line.
Ballygalget went 0-03 0-01 up with Eoin Pucci on target from the dead ball for 2 of the opening scores.
Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly, who collected his Ulster Colleges All Star on Friday night, took charge & wrestled through for the game’s first goal to give his team the lead again.
The town’s captain, McCarry, got his first score of the day with a well taken point before young Ardan Kelly picked off his second from long range. The home side answered that with a goal of their own, a superb effort from full forward Shea Pucci who rifled the sliotar to the top corner of the Ballycastle net.
Points were exchanged as the game remained a closely contested affair, the pick of the scores a long range effort from McQuillan’s Seamus McAuley that sailed between the uprights from inside his own half.
The Down men went into the break 2 points to the good at 1-11 to 1-09.
Ballygalget came out of the blocks fastest for the second 30 minutes, and went 4 points up with Eoin Pucci’s accuracy from frees aiding his team’s cause.
Seamus McAuley was able to match that accuracy for Ballycastle though to keep his team within touching distance.
Ardan Kelly Daragh Donnelly
Points from Daragh Donnelly, Kelly and McCarry then brought the game level. The teams would be tied on two more occasions, Ballycastle’s substitute Criostai McAuley making an impact, before Captain McCarry hit the telling blow, after good work from substitute Daragh Kelly. ‘Rambo’ made no mistake seeing the sliotar to the net to give Ballycastle the advantage deep in injury time. Although Ballygalget mustered another point from the poc out, the lobbed effort from the corner dropping just over the bar as they attempted to seek out a goal opportunity, there was no time for a comeback as the long whistle sounded on the poc out and the points were set to head back up the road with the travelling town men.
Teams
Ballygalget
Eoin Clarke, James Higgins, Ciaran Watson, Joseph Smyth, Ben Teggert, Cathal Coulter, Rory Taggart, Cormac Coulter, Michael Toner, Eoin Pucci, Eoin McDermott, Michael Dorian, Ben Murray, Shea Pucci, Daniel Toner
Ballycastle
Eamonn Elliott, Oran Kearney, Conal Colgan, Ryan McCook, Mark McClean, Ronan Laverty, Ardan Kelly, Seamus McAuley, Cathair Donnelly, Ronan McCarry, Orann Donnelly, Daragh Donnelly, Conor Donnelly, Neal McAuley, James McShane
A Conor McBride point from a free in the fifth minute of injury time earned Carey Faughs a share of the spoils when they hosted their north Antrim rivals Cushendun at Ballyvoy on Sunday. Two minutes earlier it appeared the Emmet’s had snatched a late victory when a goal from substitute Dominic McQuillan had put the visitors a point in front, but there was still time left on the stop-watch of match referee Paul O’Neill and when the late free was awarded McBride hit the target to end a really exciting game.
The home side, with James Rocket Black back in the side for the first time this season, had the better of things in the opening half, and though the Emmet’s took an early lead through an Aidan McSparran point in the first minute, Calum Cane levelled in the 5th before Conal McGlynn put them ahead two minutes later. Conrad McDonnell put the visitors back on terms in the nine minutes, but Carey had the better of things from then until the break, hitting six more points, three of them from Conal McGlynn points, plus one each from James Black, Conlith McKinley and Conor McBride, while Tom Scally and Conal Kilgore got the Emmet’s two.
0-8 to 0-4 behind at the start of the second half Cushendun set about reducing the deficit, and with the wind behind them they hit five of the next six point through Conrad McDonnell (2), Aidan McSparran, Conor McHugh and ‘Loaf’ McNeill, in reply to one by McGlynn for the home side. Patrick Butler put Carey back ahead with a pointed free but Cushendun hit the next three through Callum Kilgore, Matthew McCartin and Aidan Corbett and they appeared to be in a good position.
However the Faughs started to gain the upper hand again and after the next four points were shared the Rocket started a run which saw Calum Kane, Conor McBride (2) and Darren Magowan send over points to move three clear in injury time.
Jack McKay brought the gap back to two for the Emmet’s, and when McQuillan got his late goal the men from the other side of the Vanishing Lake must surely have thought they had sealed the win. However it’s never over ‘till the fat lady sings and McBride had the last say when he split the post from a free to earn his team their second league point of the season.
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St Johns brought Rossa’s unbeaten start to the Division One hurling league to an end with a hard fought 1-23-2-19 win over their Belfast rivals on the Shaws Road on Sunday afternoon.
League leaders Rossa were looking to chalk up their fifth win on the bounce, whilst the Johnnies were hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign away to Loughgiel last weekend.
The visitors began brightly and hit the first three scores unanswered, Michael Bradley took a lay-off from Oisin McManus and steered over, McManus converted a free and Dannan McKeogh popped shortly afterwards.
Deaglan Murphy converted a free to get his side up and running, he doubled his account a few minutes later and scores from Eoin Trainor and James Connolly edged the Shaws Road outfit ahead for the first time.
A converted Oisin McManus free tied the game for the second time and his side soon restored their three-point advantage.
Ruairi Galbraith dropped an angled attempt over, McManus clipped over his third free of the half and Dannan McKeogh doubled his tally.
An Eoin Trainor point briefly halted the Johnnies momentum before McKeogh slotted over again.
McManus dropped over an angled free as the Whiterock men extended their lead and it increased when Donal Carson added his first of the afternoon.
Successive Rossa points arrived courtesy of James Connolly and Eoin Trainor, but Aaron Bradley and Michael Dudley pointed between a Cricky McGuinness score from range.
The sides traded further points before the half was out through Deaglan Murphy (free) and Enda McGurk as St Johns were 0-13-0-9 ahead at the interval.
St Johns stretched ahead again twice in the opening stages of the second period through McManus conversions, though on each occasion there were response- Diarmaid Rogan stroked over and Deaglan Murphy added to his tally from the placed ball.
McManus brought his tally from frees to 0-8 with two in quick succession and Michael Dudley doubled his personal tally as the Johnnies were 0-18-0-11 ahead approaching the final quarter.
Rossa continued to hang in with Diarmaid Rogan squeezing a shot inside the posts and Deaglan Murphy adding another from a free.
The next six scores were shared equally, Oisin McManus twice pushed the lead to six- notching his first from play and adding his final free of the afternoon with Aaron Bradley conjuring his third score.
The hosts had an answer each time, Deaglan Murphy scored his sixth free of proceedings, Eoghan McMenamin popped over and substitute Corey Walsh then chipped in with a score a few minutes after his introduction to proceedings.
It took until the 53rd minute for the games opening goal, but it was crucial as Donal Carson got to Shea Shannon’s sideline cut and was able to make room and fire past Donal Armstrong to give his side a 1-21-0-17 lead.
Aaron Bradley added a further point and it looked a long way back for Rossa with little over five minutes remaining.
Successive Declan McCartney scores from range lifted the hosts and two minutes into added time Eoin Trainor bagged his side a goal to make it 1-22-1-19.
Goalscorer Carson appeared to ease any lingering nerves with a point at the other end, but Rossa hit the second goal in injury time when Aodhan O’Brien drilled a low free to the net.
The hosts could have snatched a share of the spoils in the aftermath but St Johns held out for a derby victory to move level on points with Rossa at the league summit.
Rossa: D Armstrong, O May, C Orchin, N Crossan, D McCartney (0-3), C McGuinness (0-1), E Trainor (1-3), D Rogan (0-2), Deaglan Murphy (0-6f), Daire Murphy, P Short, O McVicker, E McMenamin (0-1), A O’Brien (1-0f), J Connolly (0-2). Subs: L McEnhill for O May (45), C Walsh (0-1) for D Rogan (49), C O’Neill for E McMenamin (58).
St Johns: S Doherty, M Darragh, C Johnston, J Bohill, D McGuinness, C Morgan, E McGurk (0-1), S Wilson, M Dudley (0-2), A Bradley (0-4), S Shannon, D McKeough (0-3), D Carson (1-2), O McManus (0-10, 0-9f), R Galbraith (0-1).
Referee: Barry Winters (Eoghan Ruadh)
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