Author / thesaffrongael

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

St Galls see off stubborn Rossa in closing stages

Minor B Football Championship Semi-final

St Galls 1-09-1-05 Rossa

Kevin Herron reports from Milltown

St Galls advanced to the Minor B football decider with a hard fought 1-09-1-05 win over Rossa in Sunday’s semi-final at Milltown.

The hosts led in the early stages after Padraig O’Muirigh was felled by Ronan Hamill as he shot and a free was awarded which O’Muirigh converted.

Rossa hit back on numerous occasions over the course of the game, the first time through an angled Ruairi McDonagh free which dropped over.

O’Muirigh would restore his sides lead from converted free, but Corey Walsh responded with a high shot that sailed over.

Thereafter St Galls showed the better efficiency and closed the half out with three further points.

Liam McEnhill checked the run of O’Muirigh and he kicked his third point of the half, a well worked move then saw Aaron Mackel carry the ball from defence and offload to Odhran Bellew- he in turn found O’Muirigh to lay-off to Tye Brady for the score.

The first goal chance of the game then fell St Galls way through Cairbe Mac Adhaimh, though his low effort was diverted over the bar by Daire Morgan as the hosts led 0-05-0-02 at the break.

St Galls extended their lead in the early stages of the second half through Padraig O’Muirigh’s first from play.

The visitors ended a long scoreless spell when Corey Walsh was felled, and Ruairi McDonagh kicked his second free of the afternoon.

A deflected Niall May point halved the deficit, but O’Muirigh landed a fine score to bring his individual tally to five.

Rossa keeper Morgan denied Mac Adhaimh from close range for the second time as both sides were guilty of squandering scoring opportunities.

With ten minutes to go Rossa drew level for the third time, Niall May slipped the ball through to McDoangh whose close-range effort was parried as far as James Aughey to rifle home and make it 0-07-1-04.

Talisman O’Muirigh sent a high effort between the posts to temporarily restore his sides leas again, but Fiachra McDonald converted an angled free at the other end.

St Galls hit the front for the last time as the game drew towards it conclusion with Cairbe Mac Adhaimh taking a switch of play from Aodhan Pierce and steering his shot over.

Their insurance score arrived in injury time with the goal that they threatened throughout arriving in the form of a Padraig O’Muirigh dink over Morgan to give his side a 1-09-1-05 win and clinch their place in the decider.

St Galls: J Southern, C Hale, D Tracey, F McCullagh, C Parker, S Mac Adhaimh, P Austin, L Lynn, A Mackel, O Bellew, P O’Muirigh (1-6,0-3f), C Mac Adhaimh (0-2), T Brady, S Kelly, E Walsh. Subs: A Pierce.

Rossa: D Morgan, D Donnelly, C Short, S Cunningham, J Tennyson, J Collins, J Aughey (1-0), R McDonagh (0-2f), R Hamill, K Grieve, L McEnhill, N May (0-1), C Walsh (0-1), F McDonald (0-1f), B Cummings. Subs: O Murphy for J Tennyson (HT), O Boyle for B Cummings (36).

Referee: Sean Elliott (Lámh Dhearg)

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by thesaffrongael

O’Brien and O’Kane star in Dunloy win

South West Antrim Under 14 A Football final

Dunloy 2-14 Aghagallon 4-01

Two great scoring feats by Oisin O’Brien and Paidi O’Kane steered Dunloy to an impressive victory over Agahagallon in Under 14 A South West Antrim Football final at Ahoghill on Sunday, both players scoring 1-04 apiece. A bad first half was Agahgallon’s undoing but to their credit the fought back well in the second half and outscored their opponents by 3-1 to 1-06 during the that second thirty minutes.

Dunloy’s highly skilful team wasted no time to get up and running with O’Brien opening his account in the second minute, and Tom Richmond got his team’s second a minute later. O’Brien scored his second in eight minutes which were followed points from Caden Doherty and Ronan Elliott to move five clear after 13 minutes. O’Brien stretched the lead to six at the end of the opening quarter before Aghagallon opened their account with a goal from right half forward Dylan Moore to cut his team’s arrears to three. However Dunloy were soon back in control and O’Brien’s fifth point was followed by a goal from the penalty to take his scoring to 1-05, which gave the young Cuchullains a 1-08 to 1-0 lead by the interval.

Roan Neenan increased the Dunloy lead to nine just after the restart but Aghagallon hit back with a goal a minute later from full forward Liam Davey. Midfielder Padai O’Kane who had yet to get his name on the scoreboard, showed his wide range of skills as he hit the next four scores, three from play and one from a free, before Aghagallon grabbed their third goal, Liam Davey again hitting the target to keep his team’s chances alive.

However those hopes, slim as the may have been, were dashed a minute later when O’Kane scored a brilliant individual goal to seal the win. Aghagallon never gave up the fight and a fourth goal, Dylan Moore’s second, and a point from the same player brought play to an end.

DUNLOY

Ciaran O’Bren, Aiden Richmond, Peadar Doherty, Fionn McCloskey, Caden Doherty, Lorcan Martin, Cillian Cunning, Padai O’Kane, Ethan Guiney, Ronan Elliott, Dylan McTague, Tom Richmond, Roan Neenan, Oisin O’Brien, Blaine Mullan.

Subs – Pearse McMullan Harry Burnett, Shay McGarry, Aodhan O’Brien, Harry Blaney, Liam O’Donnell, Noah Bradley, Tiernan O’Reilly.

AGHAGALLON

Cian McConville, Charlie Bisschop, ichael Devlin, Paddy Joe McStravick, Jack Maher, Finn Laverty, tiernan McStravick, Finn Kerr, Dara Trowlen, Dylan Moore, Michael Miulholland, Cormac Walsh, Ronan Hughes, Liam Davey, Ciaran Grogan, Eamon Walsh, Charlie Nelson, Jack Nelson, Reece Magee, David Leathem, Oisin Trowlen.

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by thesaffrongael

Dowie on fire as Tir na nOg claim the Shield

South West U14 Shield Football Final

Tir na nOg 6-9 St. James 4-10

Corey Dowie shot a hat-trick as Tir na nOg overcame the challenge of St. James Aldergrove in an exciting U14 Shield final at Ahoghill on Sunday. Dowie opened his account from a great half volley in the 10th minute, added another two minutes later and completed his treble, 6 minutes into the second half.

In a thrill a minute contest the Whitehill youngsters threatened to run away with it at one stage but a gritty St. James announced their intent with three goals of their own between the 16th amd 20th minutes with Jack Kelly, Oliver Robb and Ryan Donnelly all raising Green flags.

Thomas Neeson and Kyran Shannon shot Tir na nog into an early two point lead but St. James came back strongly through Ethan martin, Eoin McGrady and a great point from Cian Bell to edge ahead by the 9th minute,

Dowie well struck volley ended in the Aldergrove net to restore the Tir na nOg lead and he would add a second, two minutes later and another from Oisin Sisk at the end of the opening quarter put the Randalstown club in a strong position.

St. James’ responded with goals from Kelly, McGrady and Bell in a five minute spell of dominance to throw the contest wide open again but it was the Og’s who finished the half with a flourish as Ethan McLaverty and Thomas Neeson rattled the Aldergrove net.

Points from Jack Kelly, either side of the half-time break kept St. James in touch but another purple patch from the Whitehill youngsters saw Oistin Mooney, Thomas Neeson and Eoin Carey reply with points before Corey Dowie fired home his third goal of the evening.

There was a touch of fortune about his third as it took a deflection on its way past the unfortunate Brendan Maguire but it brought another response from the lads in Red as Ryan Donnelly pointed before Jack Corogan fired home his side’s fourth goal.

Ethan Martin added a point in response to Thomas Neeson’s long range effort and another from Corey Dowie and both sides battled to the end with Cian Bell, Ryan Donnelly and Ethan Martin on target for the Crumlin side and Neeson and Dowie concluding the scoring for Tir na nOg.

After the game Aidan Draine presented the Sean Draine memorial cup to Tir na nOg captain, Oistin Mooney. The cup was presented to the South West in 2000 after the tragic death of Sean Draine aged 17.

The cup was formerly played for in the Feile but will now be the prize for the South West U14 Shield in the coming years.

Tir na nOg: 1 Cadab Dixon, 2 Oisin Henry, 3 James Mullan, 4 Ethan Clarke, 5 Eoin Carey, 6 Cillian Gillespie, 7 Caodhan Letters, 8 Thomas Neeson, 9 Oistin Mooney, 10 Oisin Sisk, 11 Ciaran Corr, 12 Ciaran Redmond, 13 Kyran Shannon, 14 Corey Dowie, 15 Eoghan Kennedy 16 Ethan McLaverty

Aldergrove: 1 Brendan Maguire, 2 Oliver Dean, 3 David Stuart, 4 Jacob Pennie, 5 Rhys Condie, 6 Cian Bell, 7 Caolan Mallon, 8 Eoin McGrady, 9 Cillian Baker, 10 Shea McGrath, 11 Jack Corogan, 12 Ethan Martin,13 Oliver Robb, 14 Ryan Donnelly, 15 Jack Kelly

Referee: John Hasson (All Saints)

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by thesaffrongael

Kelly dozen paves St. Brigid’s path to final

Junior B Hurling Championship semi-final

St Brigid’s 2-23 Loch Mor Dal gCais 0-19

James Kelly won the battle of the number 10’s as St. Brigid’s out-scored Loch Mor dal gCais in an excellent Junior B Hurling semi-final at Mallusk on Saturday.

The St. Brigid’s number 10 was matched all the way by his opposite number, Darragh Turley, the Loch Mor man equalling his final tally  on the score board as both men finished with 0-12 to their name over the hour.

It was the greater spread of scores from the Musgrave Park side that would prove the difference in the end and a great goal from Fintan Cleary after 17 minutes and another scrambled effort from Jack Pardy with 23 minutes gone saw the Musgrave side 10 in front at the break.

With the wind in their favour, Loch Mor did much better after the break and matched St. Brigid’s score for score but by that stage the damage had already been done and they were never able to get the goal that they needed to launch a comeback.

James Kelly led the way for the Belfast side and had 0-5 on the score board before Cleary rattled the Loch Mor net with 17 minutes gone. Cleary had opened the scoring with the game’s first point and David Prtenter and Jack Pardy also registered for the Musgrave side.

The excellent Darragh Turley did all in his power to keep his side in touch with their opening four points and Declan Phillips and Matthew Jones added points to keep the South West side in touch prior to Cleary’s goal.

Another point from Kelly and one from John McGuckian preceded Pardy’s kicked goal from close range and put a distance between the sides that Loch Mor were unable to close.

Kelly and Niall Murtagh added late St. Brigid’s points with Turley adding three for Loch Mor Dal gCais to leave the half time score 2-13 to 0-9 in favour of Naomh Brid and even at this stage they looked to have one foot in the final.

Battle of the (10’s). Darragh Turley of Loch Mor Dal gCais and above (Featured image) James Kelly of Naomh Brid. The number 10’s of both sides scored 0-12 in the JHC B semi-final

Half Time St. Brigid’s 2-13 Loch Mor Dal gCais  0-9

If Loch Mor were to get back into contention they needed a good start to the second half but it was Naom Brid who were first off the mark as James Kelly and  John McGuckian extended their lead with early points.

Darragh Turley finally got the Lough shore side going from a pointed free in the 5th minute but James Kelly from a long range free replied for St. Brigid’s before he Musgrave Park side lost a man to a straight Red.

The shoot-out between Kelly and Turley continued with Kelly adding another three for Naomh Brid and David Prenter 0-2 and Fintan Cleary concluding the scoring for the Musgrave men.

Turley continued his scoring duel with Kelly for Loch Mor as he added a further 0-4 while Cormac Dwyer, Cathal McGreevey, Matthew Jones and Conor Jones brought their total to 0-19 for the evening.

A strong performance from St. Brigid’s who were tighter in defence and more productive in attack than their opponents and in James Kelly they had an excellent free taker with the right half forward also contributing from play.

His opposite number Darragh Turley gave it everything for a Loch Mor side who battled hard but never really recovered from those two first half goals.

St. Brigid’s now face Belfast Saints in the final after the West Belfast side travelled to Brustin Braes and recorded a good win over Latharna Og in the other semi-final.

St. Brigid’s: 1 Brian McGurk, 2 Michael Burke, 27 Chris Lundy, 4 Oliver Leggett, 5 Dara Sidebottom, 6 Peter Heaney, 7 Michael Kerr, 8 Cathal Conway, 9 Niall Murtagh, 10 James Kelly, 11 Jack Pardy, 12 Fintan Cleary, 13 David Prenter, 14 John McGuckian, 15 Oisin McDonnell.

Subs: 21 Cathal McGreevey

Loch Mor Dal cGais: 1 Cathan O’hEireamhoin, 2 Aaron Monaghan, 3 Bailey Graham, 4 Sean Burke, 5 Ruairi Bannon, 6 Conor Jones, 7 Jack Conway, 8 Martin Braniff, 9 Ruairi Moran, 10 Darragh Turley, 11 Cormac Dwyer, 12 Matthew Jones, 13 Declan Phillips, 14 Martin Robb, 15 Ferdia Carson

Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s)

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by thesaffrongael

St Paul’s claim final berth at the expense of gallant Creggan

Antrim Under 18A Minor Football Championship Semi Final

Kickham’s Creggan 1-06 St Paul’s 3-10

St Paul’s claimed a place in the final Of The Minor Football Championship

gaining passage at the expense of a gallant Creggan side in Creggan on Sunday afternoon

Their second half  dominance was the main factor for their Belfast boys victory, especially the midfield dominance of their midfeielder McGreevey

Nothing had separated the combatants in the opening period on a windswept

Staffordsown Road arena and although the home side did enjoy an early lead

with a Tristan Mc Cann goal giving them a 1-02 to 0-02 advantage at the end of

the opening quarter, it was all change after the half time break

Shay Mc Cann’s early point had ensured the home side were away in front

supplemented by another from Ronan Mc Guckian shortly thereafter and

when Tristan Mc Cann found the net following a positive approach by Liam McLernon, and a precision based delivery by Rian Mc Grath, the South West lads looked in charge.

With the fresh breeze at their backs the Creggan boys were composed on ball and after St Pauls missed a couple of chances the Creggan were given a great boost when a Liam Mc Lernon pass opened the way for Tristan Mc Cann to finish to the visitors net and give his side a 1-02 to 0-01 advantage.

St Paul’s corner forward Rogers Duff added back to back points from free kicks, navigating the breeze well to reduce the deficit. Creggan net minder Conor Loughran also stood tall in defiance to deny the

busy Rogers Duff access to the net in the 22 nd minute and whenShay Mc Cann despatched a a 55 metre free between the posts soon afterwards the signs remained good for the home side.

However, St Pauls were finding their form against the breeze and

corner forward Rogers Duff, who was now causing problems for the home side defence, nipped in to add a 26 th minute goal the sides were level.

A Niall Carmichael point nearing half time put the visitors in front

for the first time  and when Carmichael was first to Cormac Trainor delivery to finish to the net in the 31 st minute St Paul’s led by 2-04 to 1-03 at half time.

With the breeze behind them in the second half St Paul’s were now in the driving seat and the began to force home their advantage, but the home side were not about to give the Shaw’s Road lads free passage to the final.

With an excellent Fintan Close point and one from Anton Martin only one score separated the sides, but back came St Paul’s with back

to back white flags from Niall Carmichael and Rogers Duffy to move 2-07 to 1-05 ahead.

Creggan did provide response as to their intentions to make the under-18

decider with a fine Shay McCann long distance point defying the elements, but the city lads were quick to respond, and points from Rogers Duffy (2), Oisin Gamble saw St Pauls pull away to a healthy seven point lead 2-10 to 1-06 as the clock neared the 30 minute mark.

It was a case of backs to the wall for the home side in the last added minutes, but although the stood strong in defiance the St Paul’s lads were not to relax their grip on proceedings and just as the long blast was imminent a lofted delivery into the danger area by the impressive Ciaran Mc Alea, a big candidate for man of the match, was sent clear by Rogers Duff to seal the win

Creggan

Conor Loughran, Darrach Mc Cann, Eoin Mc Larnon, Shay Mc Lernon, Aontan

Martin (0-01), Liam Mc Lernon, Fintan Kelly (0-01) Adrian Mc Elwee, Tristan Mc

Cann (1-01, Conor Johnston, Sean Daly, Ronan Mc Guckian (0-02), Shay Mc

Cann (0-03)

St Paul’s

Adam Carroll, Ciaran Mc Donnell, Cormac Burke, Gareth Cowan, Ciaran Mc

Cann, Ciaran Mc Alea, Brendan Mc Morrow, Ciaran Mc Greevey, Cormac

Trainor (0-01), James Ireland (0-01), Niall Carmichael (0-03), Conor Ward,

Rogers Duff (2-05)

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