‘Loaf’s’ late leveller gains the Emmet’s top spot

McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship – Round 5

Cushendun Emmet’s1-16 Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s1-16

Cushendun snatched a dramatic 1-16 to 1-16 draw from the jaws of defeat against Glenarm at Pairc Mhuire, with three injury-time points securing their position at the top of Group 2 in the McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship. For much of the hour, Glenarm looked destined for victory, controlling the tempo and leading by up to eight points in the second half. However, Cushendun’s relentless battling spirit paid off in the dying moments, leaving Glenarm to settle for the runner-up spot and a quarter-final clash with the third-placed team from Group 1 in two weeks.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze, Glenarm flew out of the traps. Niall McGarel opened their account from a ’65 before Cushendun’s Thomas Scally briefly leveled. A sharp save from Cushendun goalkeeper John V Morgan denied an early goal, but he could do nothing on six minutes when Dylan McLoughlin found the net from a tight angle. Glenarm capitalized on the momentum, with McGarel, Niall Rodgers, and McLoughlin firing over quickfire points. Cushendun kept themselves in touch through the reliable free-taking of Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill, alongside scores from Fiontan McQuillan and Archie McSparran. Despite their efforts, Glenarm’s Ciaran Magill, Aidan Scullion, and the ever-accurate McGarel kept the scoreboard ticking, giving the coastal men a commanding 1-09 to 0-07 lead at the break.

Upon the restart, most spectators assumed Glenarm’s five-point cushion might not be enough into the wind, but they quickly dispelled those doubts. McGarel hit two rapid points, and after McNeill fired just over the crossbar at the other end, Glenarm extended their advantage to a daunting 1-13 to 0-08 with fine scores from Daniel Black and McGarel. Cushendun refused to fold. Jack McKay and Conor McHugh hit back with vital points, though McGarel continued his exhibition display, weaving past two defenders for a stunning score and later slotting a sideline free.

The turning point arrived late in the game. After Glenarm’s defense executed a heroic double-save on the line, Cushendun finally found the breakthrough on 27 minutes. The referee played a brilliant advantage, allowing substitute Pearse McKeegan to rattle the net and suddenly cut the deficit to two. Though McGarel answered to stretch the lead back to three heading into added time, the momentum had completely shifted. In a breathless finale, McKeegan struck a point, McNeill nailed a clutch ’65, and a final equalizer deep in injury time broke Glenarm hearts, ensuring a 1-16 to 1-16 finish and crowning Cushendun as group winners.

Glenarm

1 Michael Abram, 2 Ciaran McLoughlin, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 John Scullion, 5 Kieran O’Boyle, and 6 Ciaran Magill  7 Michael Furey, 8 Conal Ward, 9 Aidan Scullion, 10 Sean McDermott, 11 Niall McGarel, 12 Daniel Black. 13 Dylan McLoughlin, 14 Darren Hamill, 15 Sean O’Boyle,

16 (GK) Liam Mulvenna, 17 Declan McDermott, 18 Niall Rodgers. 19 Aidan O’Neill, 20 Liam Og McLoughlin, 21 Liam O’Neill, 22 Ben O’Boyle, 23 Paddy McAuley, and 24 Sean O’Hare. 25 Rory Mulvenna, 26 Ryan McLoughlin, 27 Ryan O’Boyle, 28 Anthony McNeill, 29 Charlie Ward, and 30 Shea McConnell.

Cushendun

1 John V Morgan, 2 Mark McSparran, 3 Archie Mc Sparran, 4 Paddy Morgan, 5 Donal O’Hara, 6 Matthew McCartin, 7 Shane Mc Quillan, 8 Thomas Scally, 9 Jack McKay, 10 Donncha Laverty, 11 Conor Mc Hugh, 12 Connlaoth McNeill, 13 Andrew Breslin, 14 Sean McKay, 15 Conor Bannon,

16 Liam Magee, 17 Sean Hamilton, 18 Michael McHugh, 19 Dominic Sharkey, 20 Pearse Mc Keegan, 21 Pierce Bannon, 22 John Joe O’Connell, 24 Calum Magee, 25 Dominic McQuillan, 26 Fiontan McQuillan, 27 Leo Morgan.

Referee – Fergus McAlister (Ruairi Og)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

Cushendall faded as Loughgiel burned brighter

Antrim Camogie Junior A Championship

Loughgiel 3:15 Cushendall 2:05

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel

You’d be hard pressed to find a better game of camogie to warm up gathering crowds at Fr. Healy Park for the triple header of Jnr A Camogie, Senior camogie and Senior hurling. Loughgiel and Cushendall battled out their round three game in the Junior A Championship with a stiff breeze running square across the pitch with occasional sheets of rain that weren’t heavy, more of a squinting nuisance.

Match referee, Ryan Magee, rolled in sharp at the top of the hour and an alert Aoife McMullan rolled the sliotar onto her stick and advanced the Shamrocks with a solo run that found the stick of Alana McKendry and wasted no time in hitting the catch net over the bar to open Loughgiel’s scoring account in under a minute.

Loughgiel’s Charley McCarry waved the hurl like a magic wand in the Junior A game against Cushendall

Cushendall eased into the game from a dead ball that was accurately placed by Ellie Jo Butler over Loughgiel’s bar. Both sides would trade points when Loughgiel’s Catherine McGarry rushed into the large rectangle, choosing to point when arguably the shot to goal was waiting. Loughgiel would move up the scoreboard by another point that had all the hallmarks of a senior passage of play when Catherine Connolly and Charlie McCarry moved the sliotar around in a 1-2-1 move, leaving McCarry with a simple flick of the stick to strike for point number five.

An on-form McCarry would torment the catch net over the next twelve minutes with four points, two from play, before Cushendall’s Chloe McAuley managed to get in behind Loughgiel’s defence for a competent pull to raise the green flag at twenty four minutes gone. Despite the goal, a buoyant ‘Dall side could only watch Loughgiel hit back with a recycled puck out as Eva McGarry landed the sliotar high over the bar. Magee glanced at the watch and called for the break with little added time.

Cushendall’s Clódagh McAllister cleared her line under constant pressure from Loughgiel

Loughgiel’s Charley McCarry got things underway for the Shamrocks with an opening point in the second half but Cushendall’s Ellie Jo Butler would take some of the limelight with a rapid response that found the back of Loughgiel’s net. With scores standing Loughgiel 0-11 Cushendall 2-02, three points of a difference was a hopeful reach for the ‘Dall but this is where the Shamrock’s hit the turbo. Charley McCarry would strike into the heart of the catch net followed by two more goals, the first from Catherine McGarry and the second from Alana McKendry. Cushendall could only reply with a point from Naoise McDonnell before Charley McCarry found the sliotar in her hand, pirouetting on a sixpence, hit the back of the goals with a stinging sliotar.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Cushendall couldn’t find the opportunities and faded under the task of closing the gap of fourteen points. The ‘Dall would close their account with two final points from Anna Birt and Naoise McDonnell before Loughgiel’s Erin McMullan closed out the game with a final point.

Ellen McAlister, Cushendall’s goalkeeper, denied Loughgiel goals on numerous occasions

If it wasn’t for the superb performance from Cushendall’s goalkeeper, Ellen McAlister, the Shamrock’s could have been nine goals up after sixty minutes. Six saves from McAlister on the goal line would deny the Shamrocks from running a goal festival. Also making life hard for Loughgiel was Cushendall’s centre full back, Clódagh McAllister. McAllister held her quarter under pressure from Loughgiel’s advances and it took the thrilling performance from Charley McCarry to get the better of the full back line.

Loughgiel now advance into a semi final with a game from a group one team. The name of their opposition will be known whenever all the results from Saturday’s games come in.

https://myalbum.com/album/kTZwVGDYhLSNES/?invite=069a7cce-177d-4531-ac45-bae7bae7c1df

Loughgiel Starters and scorers

Eimear McGivern, Grace McLean, Ciara Connolly, Aoife Cunningham, Caitie McCaughan, Anna McKillen, Caoimhe McGarry, Kathryn Glackin, Aoife McMullan, Catherine Connolly, Alana McKendry 1-01, Eva McGarry 0-01, Róise McGarry, Charley McCarry 1-09 (3f), Catherine McGarry 1-02

Erin McMullan 0-02

Cushendall Starters and scorers

Ellen McAlister, Cliodhna O’Hara, Clódagh McAllister, Caoimhe Morgan, Molly McNeil, Caragh McKinley, Rose Black, Orla McKenna, Naoise McDonnell, Alex Gunn 0-03 (1f, 1×45), Ellie Jo Butler, Clare Stewart 1-01, Laoiseach McNaughton, Chloe McAuley 1-00, Erin Delargy

Anna Birt 0-01

Shamrocks Edge Ruairi’s in Championship Battle

IN2 Engineering Senior Championship

Loughgiel 0-14 Cushendall 0-11

Saturday 12 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Photos by Michael Corcoran

Loughgiel laid down a statement of intent on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Cushendall in the senior championship.  The Ruairi’s had been on the crest of a wave coming into the game with the league and feis titles secured and three successive wins in the championship but they came up against a Shamrock side who showed they are still the team to beat.

This was every bit the titanic tussle we expected with both sides playing with physicality, aggression, tenacity and plenty of skill.  The difference between the sides?  Loughgiel’s better use of the sliotar and scoring threats.  The home side had six different scorers although they relied on the free taking capabilities of Roisin McCormick.  Cushendall on the other hand, had just three players in the list of scorers with Eva McNeill almost singlehandedly carrying the fight for her side.

Defensively, Abi McNeill was a colossus for the Ruairi’s.  Her reading of the game and unerring knack of being in the right place and the right time helped Cushendall to restrict Loughgiel’s scoring chances.  Siobhan McKillop had a strong game in the middle of the park while the work rate and tenacity of Orlaith McCurry on the half forward line could never be questioned.

If anything, it was the delivery of ball into the forwards when clearing danger or turning over possession that let the Ruairi’s down.  Time and again they seemed to find a white and red shirt with a clearance.  Something that will certainly frustrate the Cushendall management.

For Loughgiel’s part, they had set up to deal with the attacking threats of Cushendall and had leaders through Megan McGarry and Charlene Campbell while Amy Boyle was immense at centre half.  Marie Laverty was always a handful in the forward unit while the influence of Roisin McCormick grew as the game progressed.  When Loughgiel needed a calming influence, McCormick was there.  Both she and Lucia McNaughton were colossus for the Shamrocks and their performances were a major factor in the home side taking the championship points.

As the rain began to thunder down at Fr Healy Park, both sides went about their work finding top gear almost immediately.  McCormick opened the scoring from placed ball before Orlaith McCurry got the Ruairi’s off and running in the third minute.

Another McCormick free was answered to by Eva McNeill’s first white flag of the contest but the home side began to dictate the game from the midway point of the half.  The Cushendall forward’s weren’t getting much joy from a hugely impressive Loughgiel defence and as the turnover count began to increase, so to did the Loughgiel fluency.

Anna Connolly and McCormick (free) split the uprights before Eva McNeill fired over a free to reduce the Loughiel lead to two points.  Katie Lynn and another McCormick free made it back to back scores once again for the Shamrocks before Eva McNeill’s third white flag of the contest kept the Ruairi’s in touch.

A McCormick free and Lucia McNaughton point rounded off the scoring in the closing stages but both sides struggled with the wind and rain conditions.  Loughgiel should have scored a goal just before McNaughton’s point but the Ruairi’s defence scrambled superbly to clear the danger.

Both sides hit wides in the second quarter that will have disappointed both sets of management but Loughgiel were well placed with a 0-9 to 0-4 half time lead.

Cushendall needed a fast start to the second half and they had the Loughgiel advantage reduced to three inside the opening two minutes of the second half.  Eva and Kady McNeill with the scores as the Ruairi’s looked to play with more intensity and speed.

Roisin McCormick and Lucia McNaughton split the uprights either side of Eva McNeill’s second point from play and fifth overall before Cushendall had a clear sight of the Loughgiel goal.  Eva McNeill it was who looked to make the break but her effort was somehow blocked by Amy Boyle with the goal at Eva’s mercy.

Eva would fire over scores either side of a Katie McKillop point to leave three between the sides going in to the final quarter and once again the Ruairi’s had a goal chance.  The sliotar falling to Amy McAllister but the Loughgiel defence swarmed her, smothering her of space and Amy couldn’t get her shot away.

Roisin McCormick landed her seventh free of the contest before Eva McNeill took her tally to nine points with a brace of free, leaving two between the sides going in to the final minute of the hour.

While Cushendall pushed looking for the scores, they found the Loughgiel defence impossible to get past.  Roisin McCormick rounded off the scoring for the contest with her eighth successful free and ensure the home side were celebrating at the final whistle.

As it stands, the final placings aren’t decided at the top of the group.  Cushendall face Dunloy next weekend and will be hoping they can get back to winning ways while Loughgiel face Ballycastle looking to build on this performance at the business end of the championship.

TEAMS

Loughgiel Starting XV: Emma McAllister; Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Clare McKillop; Katie Lynn, Amy Boyle, Ciara Laverty; Anna Connolly, Christine McCloskey; Roisin McCormick, Lucia McNaughton, Katie McKillop; Annie Lynn, Orlagh Laverty, Marie Laverty

  • Subs: Kirsty McKendry for K McKillop (50); Shanna Deery for O Laverty (59)
  • Scorers: R McCormick 0-8 (8fs); L McNaughton 0-2; K Lynn 0-1; A Connolly 0-1; K McKillop 0-1; M Laverty 0-1

Cushendall Starting XV: Orlagh Burke; Tamara Black, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton; Colleen Patterson, Abi McNeill, Aoife McClafferty; Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop; Brogan Abram, Orlaith McCurry, Cara O’Boyle; Orlaith McAllister, Eva McNeill, Kady McNeill

  • Subs: Amy McAllister for A McClafferty (47), Rhianna Black for B Abram (47), Laura Black for K McNeill (47); Cliodhna Thompson for O McAllister (51)
  • Scorers: E McNeill 0-9 (6fs); O McCurry 0-1, K McNeill 0-1

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Con Magees)

To see more of Michael’s photos from the game, click on the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/U3HK9CctdHqFch/?invite=977aac85-9f53-42d2-9531-8f20e3e78edf

St Paul’s secure a quarter-final spot

Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Paul’s, Belfast 5-20 Tir na nÓg, Randalstown 4-9

Report and photos by Brian Hamill at Páirc Éanna

St Paul’s secured their place in the next phase of the Intermediate Hurling Championship after emerging from a hugely entertaining nine-goal thriller against Tir na nÓg, Randalstown.

The Shaw’s Road men could scarcely have made a better start. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn opened the scoring inside seconds before Sean Og McLaren found the net after just two minutes to immediately put St Paul’s on the front foot. Further scores from Shea Burns and Stephen Rooney helped the home side establish early momentum.

Tir na nÓg responded through Oliver McAtamney and Eamon Og McAllister, but St Paul’s continued to create chances and looked particularly dangerous whenever they moved the ball quickly into their inside forward line. A goal from Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn stretched the lead before the visitors hit back in spectacular fashion.

Two goals in quick succession from Eamon Og McAllister and Sean Duffin hauled Randalstown right back into contention and ensured a highly competitive contest. However, St Paul’s answered in style as Sean Og McLaren grabbed his second goal of the afternoon and scores from Conal Finnegan, Sean Munce and Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn helped the hosts move into a 3-10 to 3-3 lead at the interval.

Randalstown refused to fold and produced their best spell after the break. Scores from Ciaran Logan and Joe McCormick narrowed the deficit before goalkeeper Kevin Sheerin struck a dramatic goal from a free to leave just two points between the teams. At that stage, momentum appeared to have swung firmly towards Tir na nÓg.

St Paul’s, though, showed impressive resilience. Substitute James McDonnell made a major impact after being introduced, firing over four points from play, while Gerard Maguire also added an important score. The pivotal moment arrived on 48 minutes when Caolan Crossan found the net, restoring a valuable cushion for the home side.

The visitors continued to battle bravely and a late free from Emmet Martin offered renewed hope, but St Paul’s always looked capable of responding. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn continued to torment the Randalstown defence and, fittingly, substitute Odhran Donnelly completed the scoring with a late goal that sealed a deserved victory.

By the final whistle, St Paul’s had accumulated 5-20 and, despite conceding four goals, their attacking quality and strength from the bench ensured progression to the next stage of the championship. Tir na nÓg played their full part in an absorbing encounter, but St Paul’s superior firepower ultimately proved decisive.

St Paul’s scorers:
Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn 1-7, Sean Og McLaren 2-2, James McDonnell 0-4, Conal Finnegan 0-2, Odhran Donnelly 1-0, Caolan Crossan 1-0, Daire Stevenson 0-1, Stephen Rooney 0-1, Sean Munce 0-1, Shea Burns 0-1, Gerard Maguire 0-1.

Tir na nÓg scorers:
Eamon Og McAllister 2-1, Sean Duffin 1-1, Kevin Sheerin 1-0 (free), Ciaran Logan 0-2, Oliver McAtamney 0-1, Manus Smith 0-1 (free), Joe McCormick 0-1, Emmet Martin 0-1 (free).

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

Shamrocks Impress To Defeat The Johnnies

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Group One

Loughgiel 0-30 St John’s 3-14

Saturday 12 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Loughgiel exacted some form of revenge for their final defeat last year when they saw off the challenge of St John’s with seven points to spare on Saturday afternoon.  This was a hugely entertaining game of hurling that was played largely in the best manner but the main talking point of the contest was the scenes at the final whistle.

Both sides got involved in ugly scenes which looked to have calmed when trouble erupted on the terracing of Fr Healy Park.  Scenes that no one wants to see at a GAA ground, but these are matters for the county board to officiate on, and for another day.

The game itself?  Loughgiel showed their championship credentials.  The Shamrocks raised the white flag on 30 occasions, 22 of those from open play and eight different scorers.  They showed resilience and a determination that might not have been there in the past at different times throughout this contest.  St John’s got goals at the perfect times for them and kept them in touch with the home side.  Each time the Shamrocks dug in a little further.

Seven points is perhaps a little harsh on the reigning champions.  They always looked like they were capable of scoring goals and definitely tested the resolve of the Loughgiel full back line with an array of high ball going their way.  Conall Bohill and Oisin Donnelly being employed in there at different times.

James McNaughton was top of the scoring charts for the Shamrocks while Paul Boyle and Shan McGrath shared eight points evenly between them.  Ryan McKee, Declan and Rory McCloskey also excelling for the home side.

Oisin MacManus, Oisin Donnelly and Conor Johnston rose green flags for the Johnnies who welcomes Peter McCallin back into their 15.  The centre half donning a St John’s shirt for the first time since they were defeated by Slaughtneil in last years Ulster Championship, Conor Johnston also making a welcome return to the starting team from injury.

The Shamrocks hit the final five scores of the game to finish the tie with a flourish and seal top place in the group and a spot in the last four.

Rian McMullan fired three of Loughgiel’s opening four points in the first five minutes of the game while Oisin MacManus and Conall Bohill split the uprights for the Johnnies.

A brace of frees from James McNaughton opened a four point lead for the Shamrocks before MacManus scored the opening major in the 10th minute.  While MacManus applied the finish, it owed much to the speed and agility of Caolan Wilson in the build up as he drew in the Loughgiel defence before finding MacManus in space.

The home side continued to go about their business with Roan McGarry splitting the uprights from a free in response while Ben McGarry and Roan went close for a major but miscued his pull with the goal at his mercy.

The Johnnies restored parity to the scores with points from Conor Johnston and Aaron Bradley midway through the half but they wouldn’t register another score for 10 minutes while Loughgiel opened up an advantage.

A run of seven points unanswered from McNaughton, McMullan, Ben McGarry, Shan McGrath, Boyle and a Rian McKee sideline put the hosts seven clear with a little over five minutes of the half remaining.

St John’s responded with MacManus’ second free of the game before Oisin Donnelly scored their second major.  Domhnall Nugent sending the sliotar into the danger area from a free and as the sliotar broke loose, Donnelly swung one handed to pull on the sliotar to the back of the net.

A brace of McNaughton frees all but cancelled out Donnelly’s major before Shea Shannon fired over the last score of the half with the last touch to leave the half time score 0-16 to 2-6 in Loughgiel’s favour.

The half time break did little to deter the two sides attacking momentum with McKee splitting the posts seconds after the restart.  St John’s found the back of the Loughgiel net with the next attack with Conor Johnston hammering home to leave just two between the sides.

That lead was reduced to the minimum after a brace of Shea Shannon frees came after Paul Boyle’s third white flag of the contest as the sides went toe to toe.

The second half was a clash of styles with the Johnnies looking to employ a mix of their short passing style and sending the sliotar long.  Loughgiel looked to have reshuffled their pack to deal with that danger from the Johnnies while McKee, Jack McCloskey, McGrath and McNaughton were at their accurate best in front of the posts.

Shea Shannon had taken over the free-taking duties from MacManus in the second half with the Johnnies man not lining out after half time.  He kept St John’s in touch while Conor Johnston and Oisin Donnelly also found their range.

Two points separated the sides after Donnelly’s point and with seven minutes of the contest remaining, the game was still in the balance.  The Johnnies wouldn’t register another score however as the Loughgiel defence dealt with everything coming their way while McNaughton, Rian McMullan, Roan McGarry and Shan McGrath all added gloss to the scoreline for the Shamrocks.

This was a brilliant game that had so many wonderful talking points during the 60 plus minutes of action.  The scenes at the end are what the game will be remembered for, however.  Loughgiel can look forward to a four week break before lining up a semi final while St John’s will look to tomorrows game between Glenariffe and Naomh Éanna.  They will play the winners in a quarter final in two weeks time.

TEAMS

Loughgiel Starting XV: Cormac McFadden; Rory McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Caolan Blair, Declan McCloskey, Ben McGarry; Ryan McKee, James McNaughton; Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Dan McCloskey; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Shan McGrath

  • Subs: Ruairi McCormick for R Fitzgerald (41); Jack McCloskey for D McCloskey (41); Christy McGarry for C Blair (46); Tiago McGarry for R McGarry (60+2)
  • Scorers: J McNaughton 0-9 (6fs, 1’65); R McMullan 0-5; P Boyle 0-4; S McGrath 0-4; R McKee 0-3; B McGarry 0-2; R McGarry 0-2 (1f)

St John’s Starting XV: Domhnall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, Conall Morgan; Sean Wilson, Peter McCallin, Enda McGurk; Caoimhin Hanna, Aaron Bradley; Oisin Donnelly, Conor Johnston, Conall Bohill; Caolan Wilson, Shea Shannon, Oisin MacManus

  • Subs: Michael Bradley for O MacManus (HT); Ronan Donnelly for C Wilson (44); Ruairi Galbraith for A Bradley (60+1)
  • Scorers: S Shannon 0-6 (4fs); Conor Johnston 1-2; O MacManus 1-2 (2fs); O Donnelly 1-1; A Bradley 0-1; C Bohill 0-1; M Bradley 0-1

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, click on this link….

https://myalbum.com/album/FhABPPUuBwgedB/?invite=60ecdb2b-62df-45b9-b664-0c49f2de7ad3

To see photos from Michael Corcoran, click the following link….

https://myalbum.com/album/yZGW7rhdVfbBu8/?invite=305f930c-9f4c-443f-b581-9df3d2f18777