ACFL Division 1

Kickham’s 1-13 Rossa 3-7

Rossa staged a strong comeback to earn a share of the spoils when they drew with Creggan in an entertaining encounter on the Staffordstown Road but will feel that they did enough to earn both points.

With the game finally balanced the visitors were awarded a penalty but Colm Fleming’s, who had scored from the spot in the first half, saw his well struck shot crash off the crossbar and was cleared to safety late in the game.

It was Kickham’s Creggan who made the early running and Mathew Rodgers got them off the mark with points in the 2nd and 11th minute before Rossa replied with Colm Fleming kicking 2 frees before scoring his sides first goal from the penalty spot.

Creggan replied and Dominic McAteer t got his first point in the 18th minute and the impressive Kealan McCann added another before Thomas Morgan came back with a Rossa point in the 22nd minute.

It was end to end action at this stage of the game and Paddy Coey hit his first point on 24 minutes and Kealan McCann kicked another fine point before Colm Fleming took his personal tally to 1-03 from a well struck free.

The last and probably the best score of the match went to Dominic McAteer as he split the posts in the 31st minute to leave Kickhams leading 0-08 to 1-04 at half time. 

Kickham’s came out of the blocks flying at the start of the second half with points from Dominic McAteer and two from the hard working Paddy Coey before Sean Duffin finished off a great move with a goal for Kickham’s.

Rossa replied immediately with a well taken goal from Jack Morris and Tomás Morgan followed with a point before Mathew Rodgers hit his 3rd point of the match in the 19th minute.

Both sides were giving it everything and Rossa came back again with a Seán Pat Donnelly point before Jack Morris palmed the ball to the net following a good save from Peter Graham his 2nd goal.  

Then came the Rossa penalty miss and Paddy Coey probably thought he had won it for Kickham’s with his 4th point in the 31st minute only for Colm Fleming to make amends for his penalty miss by firing over an excellent free from the 45m line to earn Rossa a deserved draw with the final score, Kickhams 1-13 Rossa 3-07 

Creggan: 1 Peter Graham, 2 Dylan Hinfey, 3 Eunan McAteer, 4 Jake McAteer, 5 Killian Burke, 6 Ethan Carey Small, 7 Tiarnan McAterr, 8 Kealan McCann, 9 Aidan McKeown, 10 Sean Duffin, 11 Paddy Coey, 12 Joe McAteer, 13 David McGuckin, 14 Matthew Rogers, 15 Dominic McAteer. Subs: Lee Johnston for Aiden Mc KeownDiarmuid Mulholland for Mathew Rodgers

Rossa: 1 Michael McEnhill, 2 Stephen Shannon, 3 Ciaran Orchin, 4 Patrick Moyes, 5 Richie Gowdie, 6 Chris McGuinness, 7 Niall Crossin, 8 Cormac McGettigan, 9 Darren Grego, 10 Colm Fleming, 11, Tomas Morgan, 12 Matthew Mallon, 13 Sean Pat Donnelly, 14 Dara Rocks, 15 Adam Devlin. Subs: Jack Morris for Darren Grego, Diarmuid Rogan for Adam Devlin 

Referee: Conal Roberts (St. John’s)

ACFL Division 1

St. Enda’s 1.8 (11) Tír na nÓg 1.9 (12)

On a night not conducive to good football it was hardly surprising that four of the six division one fixtures ended with only a point separating the protagonists but the performance of last year’s division 2 champions, Tir na nOg is the one that must have caught the eye of most GAA followers in the county.

They travelled to Glengormley to face a St. Enda’s team who have been going well in the league and who defeated county champions Creggan at the same venue a few weeks ago, and would have started Wednesday night’s game as firm favourites.

Tír na nÓg were warmly welcomed by the St. Enda’s clubmen stewarding the pitch. Both teams were fortunate that the severe weather held off until late in the game and despite slippery underfoot conditions these sides served up a very competitive game of football over 60+ minutes.

St. Enda’s with their experience in Division 1 were favourites and after 5 minutes had opened a 3 point advantage, they extended this to 4 after 17 minutes but the Whitehill men edged it back to 2 before the short whistle.

The home side started the second half in similar fashion with Christian Healy seamlessly gliding through the Tír na nÓg defence, until Oliver McAtamney found the net for the visitors, 43 minutes into the game to give the away team the lead for the first time.

 Ciaran O’Neill and Aaron McNeilly tagged on two further hard fought scores and the defence did well to contain St. Enda’s threat in the closing stages. Having secured their second win of the season the new comers to division 1 face St. Galls at home on Sunday while St. Enda’s travel to Portglenone.

Best on the night for St. Enda’s was talisman Christian Healy while Sean Duffin and Ciaran O’Neill shone for the battling blues.

Tír na nÓg: 1. SP McAtamney 2. E. Higgins 3. B. McLarnon 4. P. Cullen 5. C. O’Neill 6. C. Duffin 7. O. McAtamney 8. J. Higgins 9. R. O’Neill 10. C. Logan 11. S. Duffin 12. D. Fegan 13. C. Dobbin 14. A. McNeilly 15. D. Martin

Subs used: R. O’Neill for C. Logan, R. Crilly for P. Cullen K. Sheerin for J. Higgins

Scorers: C. Dobbin (0.1), S. Duffin (0.2), A. McNeilly (0.3-2 frees), D. Fegan (0.2), O. McAtamney (1.0), C. O’Neill (0.1)

Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona)

ACFL Division One (round 5)

Erin’s Own Cargin 0-08 St Brigid’s 1-04

The accuracy of Cargin net minder John McNabb proved to be the difference as the home side gained a welcome couple of points at the expense of the visiting St Brigid’s at a windy Toome on Wednesday evening.

McNabb defied the strength of an almost gale force westerly breeze howling in from nearby Lough Neagh to concluded as top scorer in what proved to be a close affair with the match official kept on his toes throughout to keep control.

Cargin had the assistance of the breeze in the opening period and it took the Toome men a time to take advantage of the elements which was a tribute to the dogged resistance of their visitors who were quick to pounce on any mistakes their hosts would make.

Cargin were first away when Ciaran Bradley who worked like a Trojan throughout, raised the opening flag after John Carron won the throw in.

The centre forward raced through to plant the leather between the posts with the home contingent anticipating more of the same with the strong wind in their favour.

Despite the opening score arriving less than a minute into proceedings it was the visitors who were quick to respond as a mistake by the home side was punished by a quick counter with Jack Dowling’s delivery sending Conor McAleer in to send between the posts.

St Brigid’s were to prove strong in defence from the outset and quick in the counter attack with centre back John Toner chief architect.

The home side endured a couple of setbacks in the opening phase as Gerard McCann received a black card with Kevin O’ Boyle forced to follow suit with a groin injury shortly after.

The Toome men regained the lead again in the 14^th minute as John Mc Nabb delivered a ‘45’ between the posts and that lead was increased as Benen Kelly completed a strong approach with a fine finish to make it 0-03 to 0-01.

John Mc Nabb increased the advantage when he pointed from 55 metres when Ronan Gribbin was fouled and Cargin looked to be taking control.

St. Brigid’s replied and Peter Lundy sent over from a close range free before Conor McAleer followed suit and St Brigid’s were back within a point of their hosts with the end of the opening period approaching and seemed to be gaining in confidence.

In the event Cargin finished strongly and a smart 28^th minute finish from centre forward Ciaran Bradley was followed within a minute as a heavy challenge on the advancing David Johnston was punished when John McNabb converted the resulting frere.

Cargin started the second half with a three point advantage as they faced the elements and less than a minute in an unforced error was punished in the extreme.

A Niall Lundy interception as Cargin tried to build from the back and the wing man was quick to find Patrick Finnegan in the clear to despatch to the net and it was all square at 0-06 to 1-03 and the South Belfast men looked to literally have the wind in their sails.

The home side looked in some trouble but with big Gerard McCann back from his time in the ‘sin bin’ leading by example and Cahir Donnelly, Benen Kelly, and Eunan Quinn standing up to be counted the home side stood tall in resistance.

St Brigid’s aided by the elements pushed forward again but were finding the posts an elusive target as their efforts to nip ahead eluded the Musgrave men.

Erin’s Own countered and Michael Clarke broke through the St Brigid’s defence but his daisy cutter finish sailed just wide of the mark in the 47^th minute. John Carron then rose highest to field on the 40 and was fouled and John McNabb came forward to send the award between the posts defying the strength of the elements and Cargin were ahead again.

The Toome men introduced Paudie McLaughlin for David Johnston in the latter stages in a change which would earn reward.

The replacement was first to a Sean O’ Neill delivery in the 58^th minute before being fouled with Ciaran Bradley coolly despatching the awarded free between the posts.

The home side held a two point advantage but with the game entering time added the visitors were still battling hard to get back into contention.

It was much a case of backs to the wall as Marcus Lynch pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum but that was as close as the visitors got, with Cargin holding on to conclude with a 0-08 to 1-04 winning advantage.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-04), Sean og Quinn, Cahir O’ Boyle, Kevin O’ Boyle, Ronan Devlin, Sean og O’ Neill, Ronan Gribbin, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, Benen Kelly (0-01), Ciaran Bradley (0-03), Eunan Quinn, David Johnston, Mark Kelly, Michael Clarke

Subs

Gerard Mc Corley for K O’ Boyle

Paul Mc Cann for R Devlin

Paudie Mc Laughlin for D Johnston

St Brigid’s: Declan Heery, Shay Campbell, Conor King, Reuben Carleton, Peter King, John Toner, Feargal Mennagh, Michael Cummings, Jack Dowling, Niall Lundy, Patrick Finnegan (1-00), Peter Lundy (0-02), Marcus Lynch (0-01), James Smith, Conor McAleer (0-01).

Referee: Conall J Roberts (St John’s)

ACFL Division 1

St. Mary’s Ahoghill 0-9 Casement’s Portglenone 1-7

A Michael Hagan point with three minutes remaining proved the winning score in this keenly contested derby played in dreadful conditions in Cloney tonight. The home side had one last opportunity to get something out of this game but James O’Connell saw his 40 meter free tail wide in the swirling wind with Fionntan McCotter’s whistle bringing matters to a close from the resulting kick-out.

In conditions not conducive to good football with a driving wind blowing in the direction of the Pavilion end it was the visitors who won the toss and decided to play with the wind in their favour in the opening half.

It looked like being the right decision when they were awarded a penalty in the 5^th minute but Michael Hagan’s well struck shot came back of an upright and was cleared to safety

Ahoghill responded, working the ball through the hands to good effect and James O’Connell pointed them ahead from a free in the 7^th minute and when his brother PJ added another they were two in front with 11 minutes on the clock.

The visitors took a time to settle with a number of efforts carrying harmlessly wide in the driving wind but they struck a telling blow with a Corey McLaughlin goal after 15 minutes. Bernard Graham’s attempted pass from a sideline, deep in Ahoghill territory was intercepted by Niall Delargey and he slipped the number 12 in to finish clinically from close range and give his side the lead.

The visitors moved further ahead from a Michael Hagan point from a difficult angle with the home side claiming it had tailed wide but the score stood and it brought a response from Danny O’Neill’s side.

James O’Connell point a 22^nd minute free to close the gap to the minimum but Corey McLaughlin replied with an excellent point from 45 meters to move his side two in front again with four minutes remaining to the break.

The hits were going in fast and hard as referee, McCotter issued a number of ‘yellows’ in an attempt to cool matters down and Ahoghill were given a let off when Paddy Kelly shot wide from a 13 meter free in the 30^th minute.

The home side came racing back up field and looked to be in for a goal of their own but Conor Crossey’s effort from close range was charged down by Rian O’Neill with Owen Neeson volleying the rebound over the bar to leave just one between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.

With the wind now at their back and conditions worsening by the minute, St. Mary’s looked favourites to push on in the second half and when Owen Neeson pointed, five minutes after the restart they were back on terms.

Portglenone had other ideas however and they began to move the ball around at speed, keeping possession and Noel Crossey in the Ahoghill goals brought off a smart save to deny Ronan Kelly after a move involving half a dozen players.

Paddy Kelly added a point for the visitors to edge them in front once more but it looked to be turning in the Cloney side’s favour when Conor Crossey sent over a good point from out on the right to level matters for the first time as the rain began to fall.

Portglenone were closing down their opponents and knocking them out of their stride and were forcing a lot of turn overs and Conall Delargy fisted over to restore the Casement’s lead again in the 12^th minute.

The home side were finding it hard to put prolonged periods of possession together as the opposition pushed up on their kick-outs but James O’Connell pointed frees in the 13^th and 18^th minute to edge them ahead for the first time and at last the game looked to be swinging their way.

Back came the Bann siders however with Conal Delargy fisting over from close range following another fast moving build up and Niall Delargey split he posts from distance to restore their lead with only three minutes remaining.

Ronan Graham tied matters once more before Michael Hagan edged the Casement’s in front again with time almost up but Ahoghill were handed one last chance to take something from the game when they were awarded a free some 40 meters from goal. Up stepped James O’Connell’s but his well struck effort tailed wide of the posts in very difficult conditions with the full-time whistle sounding just after.

This win keeps Portglenone’s one hundred percent record intact but I’m sure they will agree that this was their toughest encounter to date but John McKeever will be pleased that they did just enough to get over the line while the home side will feel that they deserved something from the game.

St. Mary’s: Noel Crossey, Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Bernard Graham, Eamonn Brady, Fionnbar O’Neill, Diarmaid Graham, Patrick Graham, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson, Dan O’Neill, Ronan Graham, Conor Crossey, Donal Graham,  PJ O’Connell,

Casement’s: Rian O’Neill, Ronan Delargy, Shane Delargy, Johnny Convery, Caolan Tierney, Ruairi Hagan, Ryan Convery, Niall McKeever, Niall Delargy, Corey McLaughlin, Ronan Kelly, Paddy Kelly, Michael Hagan. Subs used: Ciaran McKenna, Oisin Doherty, Stephen Kelly and Paddy Carey

Referee: Fionntan McCotterr (Sarsfields)