Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Second-Half Blitz Carries St. Paul’s to Convincing Championship Victory over Glenavy

LGFA SFC

St. Paul’s 2-12 Glenavy 1-6

St. Paul’s booked an impressive victory in the Antrim LGFA Senior Football Championship at Shaw’s Road, shaking off a highly competitive opening half to decisively dominate Glenavy in the second period, finishing on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-6.

The early stages of the game were tightly contested as Glenavy started brightly, opening the scoring through a point from Anna Rice in the 10th minute. St. Paul’s responded immediately with a point from Nicola Girvan, only for Glenavy to restore their advantage with an Aiobheann Monaghan score. A great sequence then saw Orlaith McCrory land a point for St. Paul’s, followed closely by a well-taken goal from Aine Tubridy to push them ahead.

However, Glenavy refused to let the gaps widen in the first half; Monaghan pointed a free and Ellen Morgan added another to narrow the gap. After Amy Murray slotted over a fine point for St. Paul’s, Caoimhe McCartan struck back for Glenavy. The turning point of the half arrived in the 22nd minute when St. Paul’s midfielder Aine Tubridy broke through for a clinical goal, making it 1-3 to 0-5. Though Monaghan struck a final free for Glenavy, and Cassie Shannon pulled off a magnificent save to prevent further damage, St. Paul’s held a narrow 1-4 to 0-6 advantage at the half-time whistle.

The second half was a completely different affair as St. Paul’s came out of the traps with relentless intensity, holding Glenavy completely scoreless until deep into injury time. Orlaith McCrory set the tone by converting an early free, which was quickly followed by a brilliantly worked team move that ended with Cara Mervyn crashing the ball into the back of the net in the 5th minute. The points flowed freely from there as Nicole Munce and Aine Tubridy raised white flags to extend the lead. McCrory was in exceptional form during this dominant period, punishing Glenavy’s indiscretions with another pointed free before launching a spectacular long-range point from play in the 26th minute. Sub Aoibh Ward also got in on the scoring act, and Clodagh Mervyn added another tidy point as the Shaw’s Road side ran riot. Glenavy finally broke their second-half drought 32 minutes into the half when Ellen Morgan managed to find the net for a consolation goal, but McCrory had the final say for the victors, chipping over her final point in the 33rd minute to cap off a comprehensive second-half exhibition.

St. Paul’s: 1 Fionnghuala Rocks, 2 Abagh McNally, 3 Maria Hanna, 4 Clodhna Phillips, 5 Eimile Rogers Duffy, 6 Nicola Girvan, 7 Aoife Mervyn, 8 Gemma McGroarty, 9 Aine Tubridy, 10 Orla Munce, 11 Orlaith McCrory, 12 Cara Mewrvyn, 13 Clodagh Mervyn, 14 Amy Murray, 15 Nicole Munce, 18 Aoibh Ward, 19 Jade Magee, 20 Leila O’Rawe

Glenavy: 1 Cassie Shannon, 2 Mary McStravick, 4 Bronagh Forester, 5 Chloe Doone, 7 Katie Cassidy, 8 Meabh Bradley, 9 Natasha O’Neill, 10 Anna Rice, 11 Aiobheann Monaghan, 12 Jessica Morgan, 13 Ellen Morgan, 14 Jessica Hotchkiss, 15 Emma Rice, 16 Caoimhe McCartan, 19 Keela McAllister, 20 Lydia Grant, 21 Cara McGarry, 24 Ellen Suffern, 25 Aideen McCambridge.

by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin Advance after Second-Half Surge

Graham Tarmac JFC Group 1

Rasharkin 1-18 Laochra Loch Lao 1-6

Laochra Loch Lao were first off the mark in the opening period of this final game in the group stages of theJFC Group 1, registering a fine point from play in the second minute courtesy of Tomás Ó Tuathaláin. However, with five minutes gone, Rasharkin hit back to level proceedings with a well-taken point from Ferghal Kennedy.

The sparring in the opening ten minutes was fairly even, with points from Brian Óg O’Neill for Rasharkin and Fionntain Ó Tuathaláin for Laochra Lao seeing the sides level at two points apiece after ten minutes of play.

What followed, however, marked a major stepping up in pressure from Rasharkin, who completely locked down their defence and kept Laochra Lao scoreless for the remainder of the opening half.

O’Neill was proving pivotal for Rasharkin. He had clearly brought his shooting boots as he fired over a further four points in succession from both play and frees to put daylight between the teams. James Higgins soon got in on the act with a point from play, and at this stage, it looked like the well-organised Rasharkin outfit were going to be incredibly difficult for Laochra Loch Lao to keep up with.

The number of players getting their names on the scoreboard for Rasharkin continued to increase when Oran McMullan sent over his first point of the day. The final five minutes of the opening half saw Rasharkin tightening their grip on this game even further as McMullan slotted over a further point, leaving seven points between the sides at the short whistle.

Half-Time Score: Rasharkin 0-09 Laochra Lao 0-02

A dominant second-half performance proved decisive as Rasharkin secured their place in the championship semi-finals, despite a spirited and resilient challenge from a dogged Laochra Loch Lao side.

The tone for the second period was set a mere three minutes after the restart. Rasharkin standard-bearer Killian O’Boyle stepped up to the penalty spot and ruthlessly tucked away a clinical goal. At that early juncture, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Laochra as the gap began to widen.

However, anyone expecting the Irish Language sideto merely fulfil a fixture was quickly proven wrong. Exhibiting immense fighting spirit, they hit back almost immediately. A brilliant point from play by Mac Gafraidh was quickly followed by a cleanly struck free from Ó Nullain, breathing life back into their campaign and keeping the contest alive.

On 50 minutes, Andrew Hasson fired over a beautiful two pointer, that effectively ended the resistance of Laochra Lao. For the next ten minutes, the match evolved into an intense, score-for-score battle. Yet, as the clock ticked down, the strength in depth of the Rasharkin squad began to tell. Fresh legs and relentless pressure gradually chipped away at the Laochra Lao resilience.

The deficit ultimately proved too wide a bridge to cross for the chasing side, with the result effectively sealed in the 58th minute. Hasson showed immense composure to split the posts for his second crucial “two-pointer” of the afternoon, extending the Rasharkin advantage beyond doubt.

To their immense credit, Laochra Lao refused to lie down. In a final, desperate surge of persistence, they forced an infraction in the square and were awarded a penalty of their own. Oisín MacCrabhagain stepped up and duly dispatched the spot-kick with absolute confidence.

While MacCrabhagain’s goal ensured Laochra Lao had the final say in the encounter, it proved to be too little, too late to alter the final outcome.

Despite the defeat, Laochra Lao can hold their heads high. Their fierce performance demonstrates they will have a major say as the quarter-finals unfold. Meanwhile, a clinical Rasharkin march into the semi-final stage brimming with confidence, firmly eyeing a further advance in the competition.

After the game, Joe Edwards from the County Executive presented the Div 3 Cup to Rasharkin amid happy scenes from the gathered supporters.

After the game Joe Edwards presented the ACFL Division 3 trophy to Rasharkin captain, Fergus Quigg

St Mary’s Rasharkin: Ryan Doherty, Daniel McGurk, Fergus Quigg, Liam Quigg, Thomas Hasson, Ferghal Kennedy(0-02, 1f), Pearse McTague, Tiernan O’Boyle, Oran McMullan(0-02), Colm Kennedy(0-01), Eamon McNeill, James Higgins(0-01), Killian O’Boyle(1-01), Brian Óg O’Neill(0-06, 4f), Andrew Hassan(0-04)

Laochra Loch Lao: Seán Ó hEachái, Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, Eamonn Ó Coinn, Tiarnan Mac Siacais, Conchubhar MacAgafraidh(0-01), Niall McAreavey, Tomás Ó Tuathaláin(0-02), Rian Mac Seáin, Connla Ó Coinn, Niall Mac Aoidh, Fionntain Ó Tuathaláin(0-01), Pádraig Ó Preith, Anton Ó Coinn, Oisín Mac Crabhagain (1-0, pen), Michael Ó Nullain(0-02, 1f), Deaghlan Macthom

Referee: Deaglan Carey

TO VIEW BRIAN MC KEE’S ALBUM FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/zxDPYmFALHGAin

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon progress to the semi-finals 

LGFA Junior B Championship

O’Donovan Rossa 2-7 Aghagallon 7-14

Aghagallon produced a ruthless attacking display to power past O’Donovan Rossa and secure their place in the next round of the Junior B Championship.
The visitors made an explosive start and were ahead after a point from Eve McStravick (5) before Amy McGrath (13) struck the first of her six goals in the fourth minute. A second goal from McGrath followed six minutes later and, with further scores arriving from Kerrie Foster (21) and Olivia Jordan (15), Aghagallon opened up a commanding advantage.
Rossa responded through Orlaith Lyttle (8) and stayed in touch when Amelia Morris (11) converted a penalty and followed up with a point from a free. However, McGrath continued to cause havoc in the Rossa defence, adding further scores before the break as Aghagallon carried a 2-7 to 1-4 lead into half-time.


Any hopes of a Rossa comeback were dealt a major blow immediately after the restart. McGrath struck twice more in quick succession, while Kerrie Foster (21) and Caoimhe Scannell (12) added points as Aghagallon stretched their lead further.
Substitute Martha Haughian (17) made an immediate impact, landing two points before finding the net as Aghagallon continued to pile on the pressure. Their strength in depth was evident as fresh legs maintained the tempo throughout the second half.
To their credit, Rossa continued to battle. Eimear McElvanna (4) scored 1-2 after being moved from defence to attack. Meanwhile Chloe Irvine (19) contributed two points from play. Despite that response, Aghagallon always looked in control.
The final flourish came from the outstanding Amy McGrath (13), who completed a remarkable tally with two late goals to finish with 6-3, capping a dominant Aghagallon performance as they ran out convincing winners. 

by thesaffrongael

Bohill strikes late as 14-men St Johns complete perfect group stage campaign 

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 2 

St Pauls 1-10-2-10 St Johns 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

CONAL BOHILL struck a goal in the final minute of added time to ensure that 14-man St Johns saw off the stern challenge of West Belfast rivals St Pauls with a 2-10-1-10 win in their Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 2 clash at Hannahstown on Sunday afternoon. 

The sides went into the game on the opposite end of the spectrum, the Johnnies two from two and sitting on top of the table whilst St Pauls were resigned to the fact their Championship campaign would continue beyond this weekend in the fight for survival. 

St Johns were ahead inside of 60-seconds through a converted Patrick McBride free, and he doubled the advantage a few minutes later after taking a lay-off from Andy McGowan. 

A close range free brought McBride’s and St John’s tally to 0-3 ahead of Niall McStravick kicking St Pauls first of the afternoon following Sean Og McLaren fielding the subsequent kick-out from Pearce Donnelly. 

The Johnnies lead extended through a further McBride point before Andy McGowan joined his team-mate on the scoresheet, floating an angled shot over the bar. 

St Pauls were guilty of wasting numerous scoring opportunities in the opening period and Shea Burns popped over before the break, with Paddy McBride bringing his tally to five on the stroke of half time as his side led 0-6-0-2 in a game that was really to spark to life. 

The opening goal of the game arrived within a minute of the restart, Ciaran O Dufrigh appeared to touch a floated ball over the line, a scramble ensured and any uncertainty was banished as Cormac Trainor shot home. 

Paddy McBride swung over a point to get the Johnnies up and running, with O Dufrigh converting a free. 

St Johns extended their lead after Andy McGowan had his run checked outside the arc and talisman McBride kicked the two-pointer. 

A breach allowed O Dufrigh to add to his tally and with a quarter of an hour remaining he tied things up with a splendid attempt from outside the arc that dropped over to make it 1-6-0-9. 

McBride turned provider for Conal McGlade to nudge his side back in front, and they took a firm grip on proceedings when a malfunction saw Jack McAufield’s short kick out intercepted and Ronan Quinn slipped a short pass into Conal to blast low into the corner of the net and open up a 1-10-1-6 lead. 

It looked as though the Corrigan Park outfit were back in the ascendancy though referee Darren McKeown halted play and issued a red card to Odhran Quinn for dissent. 

St Pauls aimed to make the use of their numerical advantage and halved the deficit when Ciaran O Dufrigh played a one-two from a free and clipped over his second two-pointer. 

The Shaws Road side pushed for the leveller and were rewarded in the 59th minute, O Dufrigh pulled off his third two-pointed score in the space of 14-minutes to make it 1-10 apiece. 

Composure was required in the dying embers and St Johns claimed the points with a goal two minutes into added time. 

A long pass into Conal Bohill was gathered and Bohill made no mistake, lashing a low shot past Jack McAufield. 

It proved the difference at the conclusion a minute later as St Johns completed their Group 2 campaign with three wins from three, while St Paul’s attention will turn to retaining their senior status as they enter the relegation play-offs. 

ST PAULS: J McAufield, A Kavanagh, C Hughes, C Killyleagh, M Duffy, R Hamill, N McKenna, C Trainor, C Finnegan, N McStravick (0-1), S Og McLaren, P Magee, S Burns (0-1), B Burns, C O Dufrigh (1-8, 3×0-2pt, 2f). SUBS: C Duffy for B Burns (53). 

ST JOHNS: P Donnelly, O Jackson, E McGurk, P McDiarmaid, R Quinn, C O’Neill, C McGlade (0-1), A Oliver, R Donnelly, J Wilson, C Bohill (1-0), P McBride (0-8, 1×0-2ptf, 2f), O Quinn, A McGowan (0-1), C Quinn (1-0). SUBS: M Leydon for P Donnelly (36), J Bohill for E McGurk (37), T Adams for A McGowan (53). 

REFEREE: Darren McKeown (ST GALLS)

TO SEE MORE OF PHILIP’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/9ekHhaW2wNwmtA/?invite=3ec2eb61-b007-45d1-8880-7f1e9dcf02b6

by thesaffrongael

Cargin Progress as St Galls Bow Out

Norther Switchgear Senior Football Championship

Group 3

Cargin 2-14 St Galls 1-11

Sunday 6 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Glenavy

Cargin made it three from three in the much vaunted ‘group of death’ as they saw off the challenge of old rivals St Gall’s.  Six points separated the sides by the time Brendan Toland sounded the full time whistle, in truth St Gall’s will be kicking themselves when they look back on this game.

By this journo’s notes, the Milltown Row men had 11 attempts at a two point score in the second half and converted just one.  A statistic they will certainly rue given they trailed by just four points at half time and had the advantage of a substantial wind at their back for that second 30 minutes.

The Toome men didn’t fare much better with the wind at their back and a run of three missed two pointer chances at the end of the first half looked dent their challenge.  They turned in an efficient second half however with Conhuir Johnston, Pat Shivers, Kevin McShane and Gerard McCann all shinning.

Gerard McCann and Conhuir Johnston scored the Cargin goals, one in either half with Johnston’s major effectively extinguishing the St Galls challenge.  Callum Walsh and Daniel Quinn did the majority of the scoring for the Milltown Row Azzuri and the introduction of Mickey Pollock in the second half gave them another point of attack but they got little change from an excellent Cargin defence.  Fiontan Hardy, Kevin O’Boyle and James Laverty catching the eye.

Despite playing against the elements, it was the city side who made all the early running with Aodhan Gallagher prominent in the middle third.  Michael McCann did open the scoring in the game in the second minute but Cargin wouldn’t register another score or attempt of a score for 10 minutes. 

Quinn opened his account with a free before Walsh followed suit although there’s no doubt, he had goal on his mind only for his effort to blaze over the bar.  The same duo would register further points apiece to leave St Galls three ahead after 11 minutes.

The Erin’s Own men began to take an element of control and had their second point of the contest through Jack O’Neill.  The marauding defender was pivotal in the build up to Cargin’s opening goal with his pace and power providing the chance that saw Gerard McCann sending the ball off both posts before nestling into the back of the St Gall’s net.

They would add the opening two pointer of the game through a John McNabb free from outside the 40 meter arc before Niall Burns split the uprights from an acute angle to leave Cargin two points ahead going into the final 10 minutes of the first half.

A two pointer from Pat Shivers was followed by a Conan Johnston score before Quinn added his second free and third point of the half to leave four between the sides at the interval.

The four point lead was far from insurmountable for St Galls given the wind they would have at their backs.  Cargin were wasteful and guilty of making the wrong decision at key moments in that first half, especially in the closing stages.

Cargin opened the scoring with a Pat Shivers point after just 30 seconds of the second half and while St Gall’s were playing with more attacking intent and enjoying more possession, they were guilty of missing chances.  Four attempts at two pointers went astray in the opening five minutes of the second half while Conhuir Johnston opened his account for the game to take the Cargin lead to six.

St Gall’s hit back with their goal coming in the 38th minute.  Ó Muirigh looked to be fouled when trying to get a shot away and his effort dropped short where goal keeper McNabb failed to deal with the danger.  As the ball went loose, Walsh made no mistake from close range.

The Cargin response was one we’ve seen many times from the men in green.  They added the next two points through James Laverty and Conhuire Johnston to try and quell any thoughts of a St Gall’s comeback in the game.

Quinn and substitute Mickey Pollock fired over scores only for Conhuir Johnston to split the uprights from placed ball to leave four between the sides with 11 minutes of the hour remaining.

Gerard O’Neill halved that deficit when he split the uprights from outside the 40 meter arc only for Pat Shivers (free) and substitute John Carron to follow suit at the other end of the field.

St Gall’s continued to look for two pointers and came up short with Quinn taking his tally to 0-5 for the game in the last minute of the hour before the game threatened to boil over.  A number of players got involved in ugly scenes with referee Brendan Toland doing well to restore calm to proceedings.

Conhuir Johnston rounded off the scoring with Cargin’s second goal, showing superb footwork and composure, selling a delightful dummy before finding the back of the net and sealing a comfortable win for Cargin.

St Gall’s championship campaign comes to an end as they fall foul to the ‘group of death’ as Cargin march on and book a place with Creggan in the quarter final.

TEAMS

Cargin Starting XV: John McNabb; Kevin O’Boyle, Kevin McShane, Fiontan Hardy; Benen Kelly, James Laverty, Jack O’Neill; Conhuir Johnston, Gerard McCann; Ciaran Bradley, Conan Johnston, Tom Shivers; Jamie Gribbin, Michael McCann, Pat Shivers

  • Subs: Cillian Scullion for J Gribbin (44); John Carron for C Bradley (49); Jack Harney for B Kelly (54); David Johnston for C Johnston (60); Eunan Quinn for M McCann (60)
  • Scorers: C Johnston 1-3 (1f); P Shivers 0-4 (1tp, 1f); G McCann 1-00; J McNabb 0-2 (1tpf); J Laverty 0-1; J O’Neill 0-1; C Johnston 0-1; M McCann 0-1; J Carron 0-1

St Gall’s Starting XV: Chris Kerr; Christopher Hale, Conall McGirr, Barra McCaffrey; Conor Ryan, Dubhaltach Wilson, Gerard O’Neill; Manus McCrossan, Aodhan Gallagher; Marty Murray, Daniel Quinn, Eoghan McCabe; Niall Burns, Padraig Ó Muirigh, Callum Walsh

  • Subs: Michael Pollock for D Wilson (41); Conor Burke for A Gallagher (45)
  • Scorers: D Quinn 0-5 (3f); C Walsh 1-2; G O’Neill 0-2 (1tp); N Burns 0-1; M Pollock 0-1

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THE GAME, CLICK ON THE LINK…

https://myalbum.com/album/TURRxbT7DWSpCZ/?invite=daaceee6-98f6-436e-adc6-53e92d057e37