Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

St. Teresa’s continue to set the pace

ACFL Division 2

St. Teresa’s 0-17 Dunloy 1-11

St. Teresa’s continue to set the pace in division 2 and on Wednesday night it was visitors Dunloy who became the latest side to feel the force of the Glen Road side.

Dunloy travelled to Pairc MhicDhomhnaill hoping to end the run of the home side, who were unbeaten going into this game and after a sterling performance, remain unbeaten and top the table.

It was visitors Dunloy who led briefly in this contest when points from Declan McGarry and Anthony Smyth had them 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after six minutes, the St. Teresa’s score coming from Conor Mallon.

Paul McGoldrick levelled matters with 8 minutes gone and slowly a well-oiled St. Teresa’s machine started to take control with John Mallon leading the way.

Mallon kicked his side into a lead they would not again lose with an excellent point in the 9th minute and the same player added two more from frees as the home side started to stretch the visitors defence.

Paul McGoldrick moved the Glen Road side five ahead and the Cuchullian’s then suffered another blow when Declan Smyth was forced to retire to be replaced by Barry McCloskey.

A Kevin McQuillan pointed free  in the 17th minute briefly halted the St. Teresa’s assault but they were soon back on the front foot with Mark Small, John Mallon and Anto Taylor on target to move them six ahead.

The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it difficult to break down a well organised home defence where Paul Johnston, Aodhan Dugan, Colm McGoldrick and Conor O’Rawe were excellent.

Still when the visitors kicked three of the final four points of the half through McQuillan 0-2 and Barry McCloskey in reply to one from Anto Taylor to leave just four in it at the break it looked far from over.

Dunloy needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the St. Teresa’s lead but it was the league leaders who regrouped from the throw-in with Niall McCann pointing a couple of early frees to move them six in front.

An excellent point from Darren McCann increased that lead to seven with only 8 minutes of the new half gone before Tom McFerran replied with an equally impressive effort at the other end to open the Cuchullian’s second half account.

It was nip and tuck for most of the remainder of the game as Eoin Hamill, Conor Mallon and Darren McCann added points for the home side and Barry McCloskey, Declan McGarry and Oran Quinn replied for the visitors.

Further scores from Darren McCann and Anto Taylor in response to one from Anthony Smyth kept the gap at six with only two minutes remaining but Dunloy were handed a lifeline when referee Patrick Tumelty pointed to the penalty spot.

Up stepped Karl Fitzpatrick to fire past Ciaran Murtagh in the St. Teresa’s goals but it would prove to be the final action of the evening and it is the Glen Road side who make it six win from six starts to sit proudly at the top of the table.

St. Teresa’s: 1 Ciaran Murtagh, 2 Eoin Connolly, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Aodhan Dugan, 5 Colm McGoldrick, 6 Conor O’Rawe, 7 Conor Mallon, 8 Darren McCann, 9 Stephen Carey, 10 Eoghan Hamill, 11 John Mallon, 12 Paul McGoldrick, 13 Mark Small, 14 Niall McCann, 15 Anto Taylor

Subs: Francis Dugan for Mark Small

Dunloy: 1 Sean Doherty, 2 Michael Traynor, 3 Adrian Scullion, 4 Cathair McCloskey, 5 Conor Kinsella, 6 Aaron Crawford, 7 Oran Quinn, 8 Ryan McFarlane, 9 Karl Fitzpatrick, 10 Padraig McGilligan, 11 Deaglan Smyth, 12 Tom McFerran, 13 Anthony Smyth, 14 Kevin McQuillan, 15 Declan McGarry

Subs: Barry McCloskey for Declan Smyth, Conal Doherty for Kevin McQuillan, Sean Scullion for Barry McCloskey

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

by thesaffrongael

Goal fest wins it for The Johnnies

St Johns 3-12   Glenravel 1-10

A three goal blitz over a ten minute period either side of half time was the sucker punch that St Johns delivered to leave their opponents on the ropes for the remainder of the game and secure all three points for the Corrigan Park side. With county hurling and football in action this weekend both teams were forced to field without a few marquee players but the more seasoned Division 1 campaigners seemed to manage the game better with the resources to hand. Glenravel did lead at various stages in the first half and had Eamon Fyfe managed to slot home a goal when one on one with St John’s keeper Eoghan Rua Lambert half way through the first half, things would have looked a lot brighter for the visitors. In fairness to Lambert he brought off a fine save to deny Fyfe.

Eamon Fyfe opened the scoring on two minutes with an outrageous over the head shot form fully forty yards to split the posts but Conal McGlade equalised shortly after from a placed ball. Niall Hynds put Glenravel back in front only to be levelled again as Conchur Adams pointed again from a free. Eamon Fyfe nudged Glenravel ahead again but they were pegged back once more as Domhnall Nuggent pointed from placed ball so with ten minutes gone it was honours even on three points apiece. The next ten minutes were totally dominated by Glenravel and they will look back on that period of dominance as a real chance missed to stamp their authority on the game.  Three consecutive wides were followed by that save mentioned earlier before David Higgins and Sean McKay steadied the ship to leave Glenravel ahead 0-05 to 0-03.  But those missed chances proved costly as St John’s goaled twice in the 21st (Conall Quinn) and 28th (Conor McEvoy) minutes and then added two more points from Nuggent and Adams to go into a six point lead. Eamon Fyfe tapped over a free on the stroke of half time to leave five between them at the break, St John’s ahead 2-05 to 0-06.

Glenravel would have been disappointed at going in behind given their periods of dominance but that disappointed was compounded two minutes after the restart when Darragh McCallin goaled and the uphill struggle proved too difficult for the Glensmen to manage. Sean McKay and Eamon Fyfe did get them back into the game but over the following fifteen minutes the home side dominated totally and their six points was only challenged by a single point from the visitors and the game was effectively over as a contest with ten minutes remaining. Niall Hynds did manage a point from close range after a goal mouth scramble and Eamon Fyfe burst through the St Johns defence as we entered added time. This time he left the keeper no chance as his effort almost lifted the net off its fixings but that was really only consolation as the Belfast men ran out winners 3-12 to 1-10.

Both sides experienced periods of dominance in this match but the more experienced Division 1 outfit made better use of their dominance and ended up deserved winners. 

by thesaffrongael

St Mary’s book Gallagher Cup final place with convincing win

Danske Bank Ulster Schools Gallagher Cup semi-final

St Mary’s CBGS 7-18 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 3-5

St Mary’s booked their place in the final of the Gallagher Cup with a comprehensive win over Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock in Wednesday#s semi-final at St Enda’s.

It ended up a one sided game but Knock actually made a good start and for the first quarter of the game held their own, thanks to some great work from full forward Colm Kane and corner forward Michael Branff.

Ruairi McElhatton got St Mary’s opening goal n five minutes but Kane grabbed one for Knock at the other end two minutes later. Kane’s second goal put Knock in front briefly but two quick goals from Padraig Kelly and Oisin Kennedy started to see a gap appearing in St Mary’s favour, and with Kelly, Kennedy and Dempsey picking off the points the began to take command.

A great solo goal from Michael Braniff got Knock back in contention, but a flurry of scores from the winners stretched their lead to 4-9 to 2-3 at half time.

St Mary’s were in total command in the second half and further goals from Jude Gamble, Finn Smyth, Shean McGarry and centre back Gerard Delaney saw them home with a bit to spare and they will look forward to next week’s final against the winners of Friday’s second semi-final between St Pat’s Maghera and Cross & Passion Ballycastle.

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy’s strong start set them up for win

Under 16 Hurling League – Division 1

Dunloy 4-20 St Paul’s 3-12

A strong start set Dunloy up for a win over St Paul’s in Tuesday evening’s Under 16 Hurling League game at Pearse Park. Two goals inside the opening three minutes from Daire Elliott and Damian McMahon gave Dunloy the perfect start and when they grabbed a third soon afterwards through Eunan Molloy it was a long way back for the Belfast boys.

To their credit St Paul’s kept battling away and late in the half they gained the upper hand and boosted by a goal from Oisin Cusack and a series of points by their excellent free taker James McDonnell the closed the gap to 3-7 to 2-7 at half time.

St Paul’s stayed in the game with two more McDonnell points from free early in the second half but once Molloy got in for Dunloy’s fourth goal the home side were back in control. The young Cuchullains scored freely in the final quarter to stretch the gap and though McDonnell completed a fine display for the visitors, with his team’s third goal from a free, the home team were in command by this stage.

Check back later for more photos from the game

by thesaffrongael

Football Fixtures and Previews Wed 8th May

There is another round of football fixtures scheduled for Wednesday night in all three divisions

Division One (all games at 7.00pm)

Tir na nOg v St Galls

A super start to the season sees St Galls with just a single defeat thus far in the league and they will travel to the South West to meet Tir na nOg in a positive frame of mind.

Casement’s were the first side to get the better of the men from Milltown and they will travel out to Whitehill aiming to get back to winning ways.

Tir na nOg have enjoyed a good season to date and although they have lost a couple of games, they occupy a snug place in the ratings and remain undefeated at home.

This does look a close one and although the home side, currently coached by Niall Jackman, will be a tough nut to crack their visitors may well gain the points

St Johns v Con Magees Glenravel

The Johnnies have just one win to date but the Corrigan residents are never easily defeated on their own ground. They are back on home turf this time following a narrow defeat inflicted by their closest rivals, Rossa.

Con Magees are taking time to adjust to their hard earned uplift in status and they await their first division one victory to date and this does look a tough one.

St John’s will start this one as favourites and although ground advantage may well tip the balance in their favour Glenravel have improvement recently and they may well pose a few questions to their hosts.

St James Aldergrove v St Enda’s

Crumlin based St James await their first victory in this grade and a hard earned point gained up at Hannahstown remains their only reward to date as they look forward to the visit of St Enda’s on this occasion.

St Enda’s have recorded a couple of victories this season and the Glengormley men will traves across to Crumlin seeking a return to form following three defeats in succession.

This may well be a close one with the points at stake likely to be fully contested and a draw is a p;ossibility.

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Cargin remain undefeated to date and they will look to continue on the winning trail again as they play hosts to Aghagallon.

Games between this duo are traditionally close affairs and indeed the St Mary’s men are one of the few sides to have taken both points away from Toome in the recent past and they will travel in search of further reward.

Aghagallon have struggled this term as they deal with a depleted panel but with if they are at full strength they will give their hosts a run for their money.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v All Saint’s Ballymena

With just one win to date Moneyglass will see this as an opportunity to get their second brace of points on board as All Saints visit Marian Hill. St Ergnat’s have shown an upturn in form recently following a win at Aldergrove and they gave Cargin a run for their money last time out.

A close hard fought encounter looks in prospect here and although it could be close, ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of the Marian Hill men.

Lamh Dhearg v St Brigid’s

Lamh Dhearg are finding it difficult this season with only one win to date and this looks another tough one as unbeaten St Brigid’s visit Hannastownannastown.

The Musgrave Park side, under the guidance of the McGuckin brothers are flying this season and they will travel up the Hill in search of another couple of points.

Form to date would point to an away win but Lamh Dhearg are more than capable of better, and they may well ask questions of their visitors.

Kickham’s Creggan v O’ Donovan Rossa

Creggan recorded a good win at Ahoghill last time out and it would suggest they will be ready for this challenge as Rossa visit the Staffordstown Road.

Hugh Mc Gettigan’s Rossa enjoyed a good win over their fierce rivals from St John’s last time and this should ensure they travel down to the South West in a positive frame of mind.

Another close one in prospect as a couple of in form sides meet in combat but ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of Joe Cassidy’s men.

Casement’s Portglenone v St Mary’s Ahoghill

A local derby as Casement’s look to extend their unbeaten run to date as their near neighbours from Ahoghill visit Kelly Park.

Ahoghill, with just a single victory to date will travel as outsiders and although this derby can prove unpredictable at times a home win does look likely here.

Division Two (all games at 7.00pm

St Patrick’s Lisburn v Gort na Mona

St Patrick’s have started the season well and although they lost to Dunloy last time, a couple of back to back victories prior to that suggests improvement as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.

The Gorts with just one win to date require improvement and unless it’s forthcoming they may struggle to gain the verdict here.

St Paul’s v Kickham’s Ardoyne

Ardoyne have failed to record a win to date and this looks another test as they travel to Shaw’s Road to face St Paul’s.

St Paul’s have enjoyed a good start to the season and sit in a top three position in the ratings and they may well add another couple of points to their tally with a home win looking likely.

St Teresa’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy

St Teresa’s have really nipped smartly out of the start traps in the second grade and are undefeated to date with five wins from five.

St. Teresa’s top the table at present while Cuchullian’s Dunloy have lost one to date. The Glen Road side will be aiming for another positive return in this one but they face their toughest test to date and a share of the spoils is possible.

St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Patrick’s Sarsfield’s

Rasharkin came away from Gort na Mona with their first victory of the season and they will return to Dreen in good spirits as the Paddies visit

Sarsfields have recorded a couple of victories to date and will travel to the country in anticipation but renewed confidence may aid the home side to another victory.

Division Three (all games at 7,00pm)

St Malachy’s v St Agnes

St Malachy’s have failed to gain a point from their outings to date and they will look for a better return for their efforts this time as they play hosts to the Aggies.

St Agnes have only a single win to date but they may well gain another positive return this time.

Patrick Pearses v Laochra Loch Lao

Patrick Pearse’s have enjoyed a good start to the season with three wins to date and they will look to add another here as they play hosts to a useful Laochra Loch Lao.

Cardinal O’ Donnells v St Comgall’s Antrim

St Comgall’s and Cardinal O’ Donnell’s share the lead in this division with each unbeaten to date.

This does look a close one in prospect and a share of the points and a draw is a possibility.

Eire Og v Wolfe Tones

Eire Og have a couple of win to their credit and may well add another couple to that total here with a win over Wolfe Tones anticipated…..