Category / Intermediate Hurling Championship

by thesaffrongael

O’Caireallain snatches victory for St Paul’s

Andersonstown Social Club Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Paul’s 3-16 Cloughmills 2-18

Cairbe O’Caireallain was the toast of St Paul’s as his last second goal capped off a remarkable comeback to see off a more fancied Cloughmills side in a thrilling contest on the Shaws Road on Tuesday evening writes Paul McIntyre.

It was a victory that for long periods even the most diehard St Paul’s fan didn’t see coming. At half time the visitors were well in control and lead by nine points, but the game turned on its head in the third quarter after two Caolan Crossan goals brought the Belfast men right back into contention.

After playing in the inside forward line in the first half, the decision to bring Stephen Rooney out to the middle third proved pivotal. Cloughmills dominated the middle third in the opening period, but St Pauls’s more than matched them in the second period, particularly in the closing stages when the game was in the melting pot.

But the early exchanges all belonged to the visitors as a lighting start helped establish a healthy seven point lead in as many minutes.

Two goals in less than sixty seconds from James Doherty and Ruairi Laverty had given the Biddies the early initiative at 2-1 to 0-1, and only for the intervention of St Pauls full back, Gerard Carberry, Doherty would’ve had a third goal for his side by the fifth minute.

Instead, they had to settle for a 65 from Michael Devlin and the early signs were not looking good for last year’s junior championship winners.

St Paul’s then hit a purple patch and two scores from Crossan, one a free, and another from Rooney helped cut the arrears to four, but that’s as good as it got in the first half for the Shaws Road outfit.

Devlin brought his tally to three while Eoin Dobbin got in on the scoring to help his side to a five point lead at the first half waterbreak.

The second quarter belonged to Cloughmills as Doherty, Devlin twice and one from Liam Kearns helped open a nine point advantage while at the other end John McGuckian and Johhny Duffin were more than able for anything coming their way, and at half time St Brigids lead 2-9 to 0-6.

Stephen Smyth scored from the first play of the second half to open up a ten point lead, but two minutes later St Pauls were thrown a lifeline.

Half time substitute Conall Finnegan made his presence felt in the full forward line and played in Crossan to crash home from close range.

Crossan then pointed a free before Rooney hit a monster point from near the sideline as St Paul’s started to eat into Cloughmills lead, but Doherty helped stem the tide by landing his second point.

Then in the 42nd minute the pendulum swung in favour of the home team as the comeback found another gear.

After O’Caireallain’s point, Rooney’s clearance found Crossan and the diminutive forward headed straight to the Cloughmills goal and finish to the net. It was now a one point game but Aaron Smiley’s free helped settle the visitors and at the second half waterbreak just two points separated the sides.

It was all to play for now but Cloughmills found another gear and points from Doherty, and two from Devlin helped give their side a five point advantage with eight minutes left on the clock.

But St Paul’s were going to lay down easy and three points from Crossan helped keep his side in the tie, but again Cloughmills replied through Smiley and Devlin.

Again, St Paul’s came roaring back and Rooney, Daire Stevenson and Finnegan cut the gap to just one as the game ticked into injury time, but when Liam Kearns pointed in injury time it looked like Cloughmills had done just enough to claim the points, but with the last play of the game Gerard Carberry’s long ball found O’Caireallain and the St Paul’s forward ended a dramatic tie, in the most dramatic fashion.

Teams & Scorers:

St Paul’s: Joe Gillen, Conor Gallagher, Gerard Carberry, Sean Bradley, Daire Stevenson (0-1), Frankie Sewell, Sean Lawell, Stephen Rooney (0-3), Mark Munce (0-1), Andrew McMorrow, Anthony Gallagher, Caolan Crossan (2-8 5f), Declan Chapman, James Farrell (0-1), Declan McGreevy.

Replacements: Cairbre O’Caireallain for Gallagher (HT), Conall Finnegan for Lawell (HT), Ciaran O’Carroll for McGreevy (49).

Cloughmills: Adam Mooney, Joe Smyth, John McGuckian, Johnny Duffin, Martin Dobbin, Conor Laverty, Aaron Smiley (0-2 1f), Liam Kearns (0-2), Michael Devlin (0-8 5f, 1 65), Reece Watt, Stephen Smyth (0-1), Eoin Dobbin (0-1), James Doherty (1-4), Ruairi Laverty (1-0).

Replacements: Rian Dobbin for Watt (46), Sean McKendry for McGuckian (48), James O’Boyle for Dobbin (55).

Referee: Mr Ray Matthews (O’Donovan Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Intermediate Championship is wide open as usual

Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship

While the Senior Hurling Championship can be narrowed down to just three or four teams the Intermediate is an open book. Any of us who cover the games, not only in the second tier championship, but also in Division 2 of the league know that any one of seven or eight teams are real contenders. Just look at last season when Tir na nÓg came from back in the field to take the title in style, beating Cloney Gaels in the final. Cushendun’s exploits during their league campaign has them among the favourites, but they sit this round out tonight and will be anxious to see how the other games go.

Armoy Glen Rover v Cloney Gaels

This evening we are up and running again with an almost full list of games. Last year’s beaten finalists Cloney Gaels, travel to Armoy this evening to take on Glen Rovers in their opening game and going by league positions should start favourites, but as I said earlier nothing in this championship can be taken for granted and Armoy will be out to prove the pundits wrong.

St Gall’s v Oisins

St Gall’s host the Oisins at the Bog Meadows and manager Chris Dornan, a Cushendall native, will be keen to show his neighbours in Glenariffe that there is still plenty of hurling in Milltown. St Gall’s dropped down from Senior last season and Dorny has introduced some new blood into the side and will be capable of mixing it with anyone.

With Gooch Gillan working as a Coach with Eddie Haughey and Johnny McIntosh, a lot is expected of the Oisins this season. They too have lost a few of their old regulars and have introduced some exciting new faces, but this will be a really testing opener for them.

Gort na Móna v Carey Faughs

Every year Carey Faughs are listed among the favourites to win the Intermediate crown and though they have reached the final on many occasions they never seem to be able to get over the line. They went really well in the league this season but lost out to Cushendun in a semi-final and they will be relishing another tilt at the Emmet’s somewhere further down the line. However if they were wanting a nice easy start to the campaign Pairc Enright is not the place to get it and the Gorts will be lying in wait. The Faughs should have too much for the men from Turf Lodge but it is doing it on the field that counts.

Creggan Kickhams v Sarsfields

The first of the really big clashes comes tonight at Creggan when former Junior All Ireland and Intermediate Ulster champions Creggan take on Sarsfields. The Paddies had a poor league campaign but were without their talisman Niall McKenna who is back and raring to go. Creggan too were short county captain Conor McCann and they will fancy their chances on home soil. However I am sitting on the fence with this one as it could go either way.

St Paul’s v St Brigid’s Cloughmills

Last year St Paul’s caused a real shock when they came from nowhere to win the Junior Championship by beating Rasharkin in the final. It was not however the final victory that was the big surprise, but their semi-final win over a Cushendun side that were beating everyone out the gate on their way to the knock-out stages. When we see the heights that Cushenun have risen to this season St Paul’s have to be rated as contenders and visitors Cloughmills will have to be on their toes this evening at Shaw’s Road.

by thesaffrongael

Good season for Cloughmills ends in Ulster final defeat

October 29, 2012

Ulster Intermediate Hurling Club Championship Final 2012


St. Brigid’s Cloughmills enjoyed a great season in 2012 but their bid for Ulster glory was dashed at Pairc Esler in Newry in October of that year when the ‘Biddies’ were beaten by a good Lisbellaw St. Patrick’s, the Fermanagh champions. Four years later St. Brigid’s achieved their Ulster dream but the 2012 decider proved a bridge too far for the Cloughmills side.

Lisbellaw St. Patrick’s 3-14 St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 2-10

Barely had the referees whistle blown when after being awarded a free Lisbellaw’s mid-fielder John Duffy fired over from deep mid-field for his side’s first point. Almost immediately their opponents replied with an equalising point from Micky Devlin and Cloughmills took the lead for the first and only time in the game with a point from James Doherty.

That was as good as it was to get for the Antrim side as Lisbellaw grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck and full forward Declan McGarry latched onto an incoming slithor and then flicked home Lisbellaw’s first goal. Cloughmills replied with a third point from a free by Liam Kearns however the St Patrick’s scoring machine quickly resumed, when firstly John Duffy pointed from a free and then their right half back Andrew Breslin registered his sides third point from play to move Lisbellaw 1-3 to 0-3 ahead.

St Brigid’s replied and added their fourth point from play, courtesy of Michael Devlin however Lisbellaw’s centre half back Mark Slevin powered over a tremendous point from deep mid-field to keep they St Patrick’s scoring machine ticking over. With this fast and feisty game picking up scoring speed, John Duffy fired over a brace of points and St. Patrick’s struck a decisive blow when left corner forward Ciaran Corrigan grabbed an incoming slithor and sped through the heart of the Cloughmills defence to blast home their second goal.

  • Late Cloughmills pressure but the goal that was needede to ignite their challenge just wouldn’t come

The Fermanagh side continued to call the tune and added further points from Declan and J.P. McGarry however with half time looming large St Brigid’s mounted a series of attacks and finally gained some reward for their efforts when Stephen Smith fired home their opening goal. That score temporally restored they St Brigid’s fast ebbing morale but they were unable to add further scores as the whistle sounded to leave the half time scores, Lisbellaw St Patrick’s, 2-10 Cloughmills 1-5


On the restart it was the formerly under the cosh Cloughmills who fired over a treble of points from frees and play by Michael Devlin (1 pt.), Liam Kearns (2 pts) but Lisbellaw weathered that early onslaught and, once more seized this game by the scruff of the neck. Declan McGarry fed corner forward Sean Corrigan who lashed it into the back of the net for Lisbellaw’s third and final goal. Moments later the same player registered his side’s eleventh point from play and even at this stage it looked a long way back for the Antrim champions. Going into the final quarter and Lisbellaw now leading 3 goals 11 points to 1 goal 8 the dye had been cast and the outcome was unmistakable.

 Lisbellaw were firmly on their way to an historic victory but St Brigid’s were still battling to get something from the game but were finding the posts an elusive target. They finally got some reward for their efforts when Micky Devlin fired home their second and last goal.

Their pressure almost produced a third but St Patrick’s left corner forward Ciaran Corrigan raced back to grab and clear from his own goal line. Cloughmills added a further two points in the last ten minutes from frees by Micky Devlin and Liam Kearns but the goal they needed just wouldn’t come and it was Lisbellaw who finished on the ascendancy with points from Sean Corrigan, Declan McGarry and John Duffy to claim the Ulster Intermediate title

Lisbellaw St Patrick’s, Dwayne Mc Phillip’s, Nial Carson, Fergus Bannon, Daniel Teague, Mathew Teague, Andrew Breslin ( 1 pt.), (Mark Slevin (1 pt.), Karl Kehoe John Duffy ( 7 pts.6 pts. frees),Ryan Bogue, J.P. McGarry ( 1 pt.) , Declan McGarry ( 1 gl. 2 pts..), Peter Timoney, Sean Corrigan ( 1 gl. 2 pts), Ciaran Corrigan ( 1 gl. 0 pts.).

Subs. Colum McPhillip’s, Cathal McGarry, Shane Mulholland, Ciaran McTeague, Brendan McGarry on for Peter Timoney Connor McElroy, Brian Jones, &. Rory Porteous,

Managers, Kevin Corrigan & Peter McEvoy. Coach Gerry Murphy.

Cloughmills St Brigid’s (Antrim), Aaron McNeill, Martin Dobbin, John McGuckian, Stephen Martin, Daniel McLaughlin*, Aaron Smiley ( 1pt.), Ruari Laverty ( 1 pt.), Leon Connolly, Michael Devlin ( 1 gl. 3 pts.), James Doherty ( 1 pt.-free), , Christopher McKernan, Stephen Smith ( 1 gl.0, Connor Laverty & Liam Kearns ( 4 pts. 2 pts-frees ).

Manager, Geoffrey Laverty.

  • Antrim man, Michael Hasson (Ulster Council) presents the cup to St. Patrick’s captain Karl Kehoe
by thesaffrongael

‘Biddies’ celebrate 20th Anniversary with IHC Win

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills celebrated their 20th Anniversary by collecting their first Intermediate Hurling title with a win over a good St. Paul’s side in and excellent final at Casement Park in 2012. It was a great year for the Cloughmills club who went on to reach the Ulster final that year before losing to St. Patrick’s Lisbellaw.

Antrim IHC Final 2012

St. Brigid’s 1-12 St. Paul’s 1-11

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills celebrated their 20th Anniversary in style when they defeated a good St. Paul’s side to collect their first Intermediate Hurling Championship title. It was a delighted captain, John McGuckian and vice – captain Darren Morrison who held the trophy aloft at the end of the game before taking it on its maiden journey to Fr. Leonard Park.

The Cloughmills side had been impressive on their journey to Sunday’s final with win over Kickham’s Creggan in the quarter-final and Gort na Mona in the semi-final

St. Brigid’s had been beaten finalists the previous year and they were determined from the off to go one step further but they were pushed all the way by a determined Shaw’s Road side.

The North Antrim side had impressed on their journey to Sunday’s final with wins over Kickham’s Creggan in the quarter-final and Gort na Mona in the semi-final and were determined to put the previous year’s defeat behind them.

  • Man with the Midas touch! Geoffery Laverty can’t contain his hapiness after leading St. Brigid’s to IHC Success in 20012

They took the lead through a Michael Devlin point but it was St. Paul’s who made nearly all the early running as they hit seven points without reply to move into a commanding position.

Stephen Smyth led the St. Brigid’s comeback when he fired to the net in the 12th minute and they went on to add three further points before the interval.

Naoise O’Cairealeain put St. Paul’s back in the driving seat when he ended a 15 minute scoreless spell to fire to the net and leave the Shaw’s Road side three in front.

Michael Devlin replied from a free but the Belfast side finished the half strongly and Niall Peoples and Ciaran Magee slotted over points to leave their side leading 1-9 to 1-4 at the short whistle.

The exchanges were even at the start of the second half with Liam Kearns for Cloughmills and Ciaran Magee for St. Paul’s sending over a couple of sublime efforts to keep the good crowd in attendance on their toes.

Cloughmills began to exert their influence on the game mid-way through the second half however as they hit six unanswered points to swing the game decisively in their favour and take the lead for the first time since the 5th minute.

Both sides exchanged points in the dying minutes with Liam Kearns striking the decisive score for the ‘Biddies’ before Brendan McSparran’s full-time whistle brought matters to a halt amidst wild scenes of celebration from the St. Brigid’s side and their supporters.

A great achievement for St. Brigid’s who under the astute management of Geoffery Laverty lifted the junior title in 2010 and it was fitting that Geoffery was again at the helm as they collected this first Intermediate title.

Speaking after the game a very emotional Laverty said “I’m absolutely delighted with the result, this is what it is all about. Every club in Ireland should experience this feeling it’s just unbelievable”

  • Beaten 2012 finalists St. Paul’s
by thesaffrongael

A century’s heartache forgotten as Tir na nOg lift Intermediate title

Andersonstown SC IHC Final

Tir na nOg 1-19 Cloney Gaels 0-17

The long wait is over for Tir na nOg, Randalstown. In the first year of the second century since their formation the Whitehill side finally got their hands on the Intermediate hurling title when they overcame the challenge of Cloney Gaels in a great final at Dunsilly today.

The Ahoghill side went into this game as slight favourites but it was their opponents who showed the greater level of desire and fighting spirit, coupled with the ability to take their scores that deservedly won the day to lift their first Intermediate title.

The Randalstown side won key battles all over the field with their defence affording the much vaunted Cloney attack little time or space and in Sean Duffin in attack they had a player who hardly missed a chance all day and finished with 0-11 for the winners.

It was Cloney Gaels who made the brighter opening at Dunsilly today as they took the game to the opposition but James O’Connell, Dan O’Neill and Fionbarr O’Neill all shot wide in the opening four minutes and when Niall Devlin stepped inside his marker in Tir na nOg’s first serious attack and fired to the net the scene was set for what was to follow.

Aaron McNeilly followed with a point before Patrick Graham finally opened the Cloney Gaels account with a point in the 8th minute but Eamon Og McAllister replied from the puck out at the other end to restore his sides four point advantage.

The Ahoghill side were busting a gut to shake off the shackles of a tight marking Tir na nOg defence and Tomas McGlone split the posts in the 9th minute but Sean Duffin responded immediately at the other end with his first of the afternoon and his brother Colm added another to open up a five point gap by the 12th minute.

Eamon Og and Sean Duffin added points as the Whitehill side took advantage of the space they were being afforded by the Ahoghill defence to send their side into the first water break with a fairly healthy looking 1-6 to 0-2 lead.

Niall O’Connell replaced the injured Eoin Graham as the second quarter commenced and It was going to take something better if Cloney Gaels were to get back into contention and James O’Connell looked like the man to deliver as he pointed four frees in quick succession before setting up Tomas McGlone for another from play and suddenly the Tir na nOg lead had been reduced to two points.

Sean Duffin stopped the rut with a point for the Randalstown men in the 26th minute and at the other end Cloney Gaels looked to be in for a goal but James O’Connell’s ground shot sailed wide of an upright following a goalmouth scramble.

The final score of the half fell to the excellent Sean Duffin  who sent over a fine point to extend his side’s lead to four at the short whistle and they were good value for that lead though the Cloney side would surely rue the amount of opportunities they had squandered during a lively opening 30 minutes.

On the resumption Sean Duffin added a point in the first minute before Kevin Sheerin pulled off a good save at the other end to deny James O’Connell who raced clear but was forced to shoot from a bad angle before Owen Neeson got his side off the mark with a Cloney point.

Patrick Graham added an excellent score and once again it looked like a Cloney Gaels revival might be on the cards but Tir na nOg were having none of it as they responded with a point from Ciaran Logan to edge four in front with five minutes of the new half gone.

Sean Duffin added another from distance before Shane Donnelly replaced Sean McKinley in the Tir na nOg attack.

The Ahoghill side were doing all in their power to get going again but a Tir na nOg defence superbly marshalled by Christy Sheerin and Caoimhinn Duffin were denying them time and space and always ready to launch counter attacks with Sean Duffin making use of every opportunity.

The youngster of the Duffin clan added points in the 9th and 11th minutes as Tir na nOg moved seven points clear before James O’Connell replied from a pointed free and another from play but the Cloney attack were having to work their socks off for their scores.

Sean Duffin for Tir na nOg and James O’Connell for the Ahoghill side exchanged further points but it was the Whitehill side who were continuing to find the space as Sean Duffin, Ciaran Logan and Duffin again added to their tally with another O’Connell free leaving five in it again as the game moved into the final ten minutes.

The Ahoghill men were badly in need of a goal to ignite their challenge as Owen Neeson added a point and then James O’Connel kicked over another when a half chance presented itself but it was as close as they were to get with the superb Sean Duffin securing matters with two late points.

Scenes of wild celebration followed. The Whitehill men have been knocking at the Intermediate championship door for more than a decade but the men of 2020 finally delivered to herald a bright start to the second century for the club and no one would deny them their celebration.

They were superb all over the field with Kevin Sheerin in goals never putting a foot wrong and Christy Sheerin, Caoimhinn Duffin and Ciaran O’Neill commanding in a defence who gave nothing away.

Aaron McNeilly and Ciaran McKeown worked tirelessly at mid-field while Sean Duffin was the outstanding player on view in an attack where Eamon Og McAllister and Ciaran Logan were always dangerous.

Cloney Gaels gave it everything but never really got going or were allowed to get going but in Bernard Graham, Eamon Brady, Tomas McGlone, Patrick Graham, Owen Neeson and James O’Connell they had player worthy of special mention.

Tir na Nog: Kevin Sheerin, Tony Martin, Christy Sheerin, Daniel Martin, Ryan O’Neill, Caoimhinn Duffin, Ciaran O’Neill, Aaron McNeilly, Ciaran McKeown, Eamon Og McAllister, Ciaran Logan, Sean Duffin, Niall Devlin, Colm Duffin, Sean McKinley. Subs: Shane Donnelly for Sean McKinley, Conor Fitzgerald for Ciaran McKeown

Cloney Gaels: Martin Graham, Stephen O’Connell, Bernard Graham, James Magee, Fionnbar O’Neill, Diarmaid Graham, Eamon Brady, Francis Neeson, Tomas McGlone, Owen Neeson, Eoin Graham, Patrick Graham, Dan O’Neill, PJ O’Connell, James O’Connell

Referee: Colm McDonald (St. Gall’s)