Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Cloney and Sarsfields share 51 points as the Gaels seal a semi-final place

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Round 5

Cloney Gaels 0-32 Sarsfields 0-19

Cloney Gaels produced a master class of score taking in beating Sarsfields in Saturday’s final round-robin game in the Intermediate Hurling Championship at Ahoghill. 32 points is impressive any day, but against a team like Sarsfields is even more so, the Paddies normally tight in defence were hampered when they lost a man to a red card nearing the end of the first half, but they still managed 19 points themselves, which would win a lot of games.

The Cloney men had five points on the board in the first five minutes, two of them from James O’Connell and one each from Danny O’Neill, Owen Neeson and Conor Crossey.

Sarsfields got on the board with a Fionn Jemfrey point on six minutes and they added two more through Jemfrey and Donal McKernan to get back in the game. With just five minutes left in the first half the visitors had closed to within two points (0-11 to 0-09), four of them from Kevin ‘Kevo’ McKernan and two from Niall McKenna, but Cloney finished the game strongly and two from Fionnbar O’Neill and one each from Diarmuid Grahan and James O’Connell put them 0-15 to 0-09 ahead at the break.

The six point gap was out to eight when Cloney got the first two points of the second half , but the Paddies got four of the next five scores, Kevo nailing three of them and Fionn Jemfrey the other one to close to within five. However the Ahoghill men were relentless as they hit nine of the next ten points to put the game beyond their opponents. To their credit Sarfields never gave up the fight and they kept going to the end, hitting the last three points of the game Jemfrey getting two and Niall McKenna one.

A great way for Cloney Gaels to bounce back after their defeat to neighbours Tir na Nóg last time out. They now face Carey Faughs in the semi-final while Tir na nÓg take on the Oisins. With the two Senior semi-finals as well, plus the Junior and Junior B deciders, it should be a great weekend’s hurling  

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by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains through to semi’s after Town scare

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter Final

Dunloy 1-24 Ballycastle 1-18

Sunday 22 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

With eight minutes of this tie remaining, substitute Lorcan Donnelly brought Ballycastle to the brink of causing a major upset.  They had reduced Dunloy’s lead to two points and were playing like a side rejuvenated.  Despite missing the services of Tiarnan Smyth, the Town were playing with championship intensity and at levels many can’t have envisaged.  They were in the mood to prove to the naysayers that there is life in the black and amber.

Neal McAuley rolling back the years and playing a pivotal role for his side at full forward.  Someone may need to carbon date the man.  He was phenomenal for his side and had plenty of support.  Seamus McAuley and Ciaran Butler causing mayhem while the work rate of Ryan McCook and Ronan McCarry in the middle third ensured Ballycastle were competitive.

Dunloy found another gear in the closing stages, however.  Keelan Molloy instrumental, Seaan Elliott at his impish best in the middle of the field while Conal Cunning was relishing being back in a Dunloy shirt for the first time in this year’s hurling championship. 

The Cuchullains would run out six point winners by the time referee Tarlach Conway called for time after seven minutes of injury time.  Nine different scorers and 1-22 of their final tally coming from open play is impressive reading but missed goal chances and well into double figures in wides will give Gregory O’Kane and his backroom team food for thought as they prepare for a semi-final date with Loughgiel in two weeks’ time.

The Cuchullains started this one like a steam train with Cunning firing over with barely 30 seconds on the clock.  Points from Paul Shiels and Aodhán McGarry came either side of a free from Conor Boyd to open Ballycastle account.

The Town thought they had the opening goal of the game in the fifth minute when Neal McAuley deflected the sliotar beyond Ryan Elliott.  The green flag was raised but the Ballycastle celebrations were cut short with referee Tarlach Conway calling a square ball infringement.  McAuley would fire over his first free of the match to leave the minimum between the sides. It would be their last score for 12 minutes however as Dunloy clicked into gear.  A brace of points from the hugely influential Seaan Elliott (one free) came before the Cuchullains carved open two goal chances.  Ballycastle ‘keeper Ryan McGarry denying first Nigel Elliott and then a quite brilliant double save to deny Cunning and Eoin O’Neill.

Scores would follow from O’Neill and Seaan Elliott to open the Dunloy lead to five before Conor Boyd split the uprights for his second of the match and briefly halt the Dunloy charge.

Butler and Keelan Molloy split the posts before Ballycastle had another sight of the Dunloy goal.  Neal McAuley breaking the sliotar into the path of Seamie McAuley who pulled first day but his shot fizzed over the bar to leave three between the sides with ten minutes of the half remaining.

That deficit would remain until first half injury time with Dunloy raising the white flag through Aodhán McGarry (two) and Keelan Molloy (two) while Ballycastle had scores from Seamie McAuley, James McShane and a brace from Neal McAuley (one free).  Aodhán McGarry should have scored a major in that period of time but his Ryan McGarry denied him with the goal at his mercy.  The Dunloy forward would make no mistake deep in first half injury time, however.  Nigel Elliott stealing possession in the middle third and finding his brother Seaan in space.  The Dunloy flier sped towards the goal with the Ballycastle defence closing in, he passed to Aodhán McGarry and he fired to the back of the Ballycastle net to leave the half time score 1-12 to 0-9 in the Cuchullains favour.

Both sides were guilty of missed chances in the opening 30 plus minutes recording five wides apiece.  Ballycastle missing a couple of very scoreable frees did little to help their challenge while the Cuchullains will rarely miss such goal chances again.

The second half started just like the first with Cunning splitting the uprights for his second of the match.  The accuracy didn’t improve from either side though with six wides shared between them in the opening 10 minutes.

Points from James McShane and Neal McAuley (free) got the Town firing again before Cunning split the posts again.  Seamie McAuley pointed for his third of the match before Ballycastle were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute.  Phelim Duffin adjudged to have fouled Seamie McAuley and Ballycastle were given a lifeline.  Conor Boyd stepped up to take the penalty but his shot was driven straight at Ryan Elliott in the Dunloy goals.

Another McAuley free and Ciaran Butler’s first of the second half came either side of Nigel Elliott firing over for Dunloy in the 47th minute.  Butler would reduce the Dunloy lead to four points with an quite brilliant score wide on the left and under pressure.  The Cuchullains responded with Seaan Elliott’s fourth of the match before Ballycastle scored their major in the 52nd minute.  Mark McClean working the ball into the path of Lorcan Donnelly and he showed super composure to beat Elliott in the Dunloy goals.

With the game in the melting pot, Dunloy’s response was match winning.  A brace of points from Keelan Molloy followed with the Ballycastle cheers still ringing in the ears of the players.  Counting Molloy’s brace, the Cuchullains would outscore Ballycastle seven points to three after Donnelly’s goal to safely ensure their passage to the last four and a date with the Shamrocks in two weeks time.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Conor McKinley; Paul Shiels, Seaan Elliott; Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, Aodhan McGarry; Eoin O’Neill, Conal Cunning, Nicky McKeague

Subs: Tom McFerran for P Shiels (44); Gabriel McTaggart for Nicky McKeague (44); Chrissy McMahon for E O’Neill (48); Eoin McFerran for E Smyth (48); Anton McGrath for Keelan Molloy (60)

Scorers: A McGarry 1-3; Keelan Molloy 0-5; S Elliott 0-5 (2fs); E O’Neill 0-3; C Cunning 0-3; N Elliott 0-2; P Shiels 0-1; C McMahon 0-1; G McTaggart 0-1

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by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin will face Armoy in Junior Hurling final

Junior Hurling Championship semi-final

Rasharkin 2-16 Gort na Móna 1-15

Rasharkin made their way to the final of the Junior Hurling Championship when they beat Gort na Móna by four points in Saturday afternoon’s semi-final at Dreen. 2-08 from left half forward Conor McKeever set the Rasharkin men on the road to victory, the first goal coming directly from a sideline cut on eight minutes while the second one came on 22 and put them 2-11 to 1-7 ahead at half time. Two points by McKeever and one from Conor McKillop at the start of the second half increased the Dreen men’s lead to seven but two from Dessie McClean and one from Thomas McCaffrey began to close the gap.

Points from Donagh Quigg and Conor McKeever saw the home side pull clear again, but McCaffrey and McClean (2) kept the Turf Lodge men in touch. Two more by McKeever entering injury time all but sealed the win and though the Gorts centre back Neill Henry sent a long free over the bar for the visitors it was a case of too little too late as Rasharkin secured a final meeting with Armoy in two weeks’ time.

Rasharkin: James O’Mullan, Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Donaghy, Daniel Hasson, Aidan McKeever, Ruairí O’Boyle, Shane Hasson (0-1), Conor McFerran (0-1), Cathaír Henderson (0-1), Emmet McFerran, Conor McKeever (2-8), Declan McKay, Conor McKillop (0-1), Donagh Quigg (0-4)

Subs: Caolan Maria for Conor McKillop, Brian Óg O’Neill for Declan McKay, Connor Higgins for Daniel Hasson,

Gort na Móna: Caolan McCrory, James Connolly, Padraig McHugh, Mark Rea, Nathan Gibson, Neill Henry, Gavan McKenna, James Aaron Hicks, Brendan Cousins, Dessie McClean, Manus McMullan, Colm Scullion, Darron Boyd, Patrick McCaffrey, Tomas McCaffrey

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by thesaffrongael

Og’s come strongly after the break to earn a semi-final spot

IHC Group 2

St. Paul’s 1-15 Tir na nOg 2-18

The final games in Group 2 of the IHC were quarter-finals with St. Paul’s taking on Tir na nOg at Shaw’s Road in a winner takes all encounter with the prize a place in the semi-finals in two weeks-time.

The home side with the wind in their favour made the running during the opening half and spurred on by a Caolan O’Duibhfinn goal in the 19th minute the red and white hoops led by 1-10 to 0-8 at the interval and looked on course for victory.

It was a different story after the break as the Whitehill men took control with Sean Duffin leading the way and a Darragh Fagan goal in the opening minute set them up for a dominant second half where they would outscore their opponents 2-11 to 0-4

O’Duibhfinn got St. Paul’s off to a good start with a point in the opening minute and would be a major player for the home side over the hour and his second in the 6th minute brought it all square after Emmet Murray and Ciaran Logan had briefly given the visitors the lead.

Caolan Crossan for St. Paul’s and Sean Duffin with his first of the afternoon for the Randalstown side tied the contest once more before St. Paul’ took control with points from Mark Munce and two from O’Duibhfinn to move three clear after 13 minutes.

Tir na nOg responded with points from Ciaran Logan, Ciaran O’Neill and a fine long range effort from Colm Duffin to draw level again but O’Duibhfinn’s goal in the 19th minute saw the home side finish the half on top.

The visitors replied with points from Darragh Fagan and a long range free from Sean Duffin but St. Paul’s responded with a similar effort from Stephen Rooney, two from O’Duibhfinn and another from Caolan Crossan to lead by five at the short whistle.

HT St. Paul’s 1-10 Tir na nOg 0-8

The game swung decisively in favour of the men in Blue on the restart with Darragh Fagan’s shot taking a deflection before ending in the net in the opening minute.

A long range effort from Aaron McNeilly and further points from Sean Duffin and a point from Oliver McAtamney saw the visitors hit the lead by the 5th minute and it was a lead they would hold until the end.

Caolan O’Duibhfinn tried to steady the ship with St. Paul’s first and second points of the half but it brought a further response from the Og’s with Duffin (0-2 f’s) and Daniel Martin with a great long range point moving their side further ahead.

Once again  O’Duibhfinn tried to rally his troops with a pointed free and another from play but Sean Duffin responded with three converted frees on the bounce and Fagan added another with three minutes remaining.

There was still only three between the sides at this stage as the home side went in search of the goal that would put them back into contention but it would be the Whitehill side who would claim the final major as a long delivery into the danger area ended in the home nets with no one quite sure who got the final touch.

Daire Stevenson replied with a late consolation point for St. Paul’s but the Shaw’s Road side never recovered from that early second half onslaught but are still in the Intermediate Football competition where they will fancy their chances.

Tir na nOg now go forward to meet Oisin’s Glenariffe in the semi-final in two weeks-time while the other semi-final will feature Cloney Gaels and Carey Faughs as the Intermediate Hurling Championship continues to deliver.

 St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray, 2 Ciaran O’Carroll, 3 Frankie Sewell, 4 Conall Duffy, 5 Daire Stevenson, 6 Stephen Rooney, 7 Liam Walsh, 8 Conall Finnegan, 9 Declan Quinn 10 Caolan O’Duibhfinn, 11 Caolan Crossan, 12 Declan Chapman, 13 Lorcan Phillips, 14 Mark Munce, 15 Thomas Duff

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Brandon McLarnon, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Manus Smith, 5 Caoimhin Duffin, 6 Sean Duffin, 7 Daniel Martin, 8 Aaron McNeilly, 9 Josh Higgins, 10 Ciaran O’Neill, 11 Colm Duffin, 12 Ciaran Logan, 13 Emmet Murray, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Dara Martin

20 Oliver McAtamney

Referee: Piarias McCaffery (St. Gall’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Armoy back in the JHC final

Antrim Junior Hurling Championship – semi-final
Glen Rovers 4-13 Davitt’s 1-17

Last year’s beaten finalists, Glen Rovers Armoy, qualified for this years’ decider when they beat Davitt’s in a well contested semi-final in Armoy on Saturday.

The Armoy men were certainly made to work hard for their victory for though they ended up with a five point win, Davitt’s actually had more scores than their opponents and they can be thankful to the score snatching ability of full forward Trevor Linton who ended up with 2-6 to his name, a few of them right out of the top drawer.

The stocky full forward grabbed a goal in each half, his cuteness on the edge of the ‘square’ causing the Davitt’s defence no end of problems. Davitt’s too had their stars, and in wing forwards Marcas Toner and Don Wheelan they had two highly skilful hurlers who could mix it in any company. Whelan grabbed his team’s goal in the second half and Toner was denied on a couple of occasions by excellent saves by the Armoy goalkeeper Conor Devlin.

A goal in the ninth minute by Armoy centre forward Colin Lordan and another five minutes later from Thomas Burns put the north Antrim men in charge, but Davitt’s kept plugging away and two points apiece by Toner and Don Wheelan kept them in touch. However Linton’s goal in first half injury time was a bad blow to the visitors and at the break they were 3-4 to 0-8 in arrears.

Davitt’s closed the gap early in the second half when two points from Stephen McGivern and one from Don Wheelan replied to two by Thomas Burns, but a bit of ididivual brilliance from Linton on 49 minutes saw him grab his team’s fourth goal. Both team scored freely during the next twenty minutes, Linton flicking two over the goalkeepers head, but also over the crossbar, and PJ McBride, Emmet O’Hara and Linton again chipped in with one from a free. Davitt kept working to the end though and points from Toner, Whelan and McGivern  hit points before Whelan grabbed an injury time goal.

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