ACFL Division 2

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass 0-10 St. Mary’s Rasharkin 1-6

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass made it four wins from four starts in the ACFL Division 2 but they were given a late scare by newly promoted St. Mary’s Rasharkin at Marian Hill on Sunday. The visitors led 0-5 to 0-3 after 23 minutes and were full value for their lead but late points from Conall Prenter, Colm Duffin and Dermot McErlain edged the home side into a 0-6 to 0-5 half time lead.

St. Ergnat’s pushed on in the second half with Colm Duffin the star performer as he fired over four points (2 frees) to leave his side looking comfortable with five minutes remaining but the Dreen side struck with a late goal from Emmet McFerran to ensure a nervous finish for the hosts.

Niall Boyd and Jack McCoy fired over early in the game to give the hosts a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after a cagey 11 minutes and it was 14 minutes before Ryan Lynch split the posts for the visitors to close the gap to one.

Tiernan O’Boyle came forward from his goalkeeping berth to level the scores before Shane Hasson pointed an 18^th minute free to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

Seanachann Duffin for Moneyglass and Conor McFerran for Rasharkin exchanged further points and when Thomas McMullan fired over with seven minutes remaining to the break, the Dreen side were two in front and edging the exchanges at this stage of the contest.

It was St. Ergnat’s who wrestled back the initiative in the period leading up to the break however with Prenter, Duffin from a free and McErlain adding unanswered points to leave them leading 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Could Rasharkin respond again? Was the question at the start of the second half but the answer was a resounding no as the hosts tightened up at the back and slowly they began to put further daylight between the sides.

Colm Duffin pointed St. Ergnat’s further ahead from a free in the 7^th minute and the big mid-fielder was to have a massive influence on the outcome as the game progressed. Duffin added another with 12 minutes of the second half gone as both sides pulled men behind the ball.

Rasharkin were now struggling to put meaningful attacks together but making life difficult for the Moneyglass attack but it was that man Duffin who breeched the defensive wall to fire over the first point of the half from play in the 47^th minute.

The same player added his fourth point of the half and his fifth in total to move his side five in front with five minutes remaining and it looked all over at this stage but Rasharkin refused to through in the towel and finished strongly.

It seemed irrelevant when keeper Tiernan O’Boyle fired over his second free of the game in the 59^th minute to open the visitors second half account but when Emmet McFerran finished to the net in their next attack the situation had taken a dramatic turn.

With both sets of managers looking anxiously at their watches and Rasharkin attempting to complete the come-back of all come-backs Eamon McAuley’s full time whistle came as something of a relief to the home side.

Moneyglass: will be happy with the result but will surely reflect on the fact that they nearly let it slip at the death but they now sit at the top of the table, the only side in the division with full points from 4 starts and look capable of maintaining that position as the season progresses.

Moneyglass: 1 Danny McErlain, 2 Lukie O’Donnell, 3 Peter McCormick, Callum McStocker, 5 Patrick McCormick, 6 Fearghal Duffin, 7 Jack McCoy, 8 Colum Duffin, 9 Niall Boyd, 10 Seanchann Duffin, 11 Dermot McErlain, 12 Miran Neeson, 13 Connor O’Kane, 14 Conaill Prenter, 15 Tyler Cassidy

Rasharkin: 1 Tiernan O’Boyle, 2 Conor Doherty, 3 Daniel Doherty, 4 Pearce Kelly, 5 Conor Hasson, 6 Emmet McFerran, 7 Colm Kennedy, 8 Thomas McMullan, 9 Ruairi O’Boyle, 10 Thomas Doherty, 11 Shane Hasson, 12 Conor McKeever, 13 Ryan Lynch, 14 Conor McFerran, 15 Andrew Hasson,

Referee: Eamon McAuley (Cargin)

ACFL Division 2

Dunloy 3-18 St. Teresa’s 2-1

Another sparking performance from team captain, Declan Smith powered Cuchullain’s Dunloy to an easy victory over a depleted St. Teresa’s in Dunloy today. The visitors had simply no answer to a fast, mobile Cuchullain’s attack led by the lively Smith who would finish the game with 2-10 to his credit and was simply unmarkable.

The Dunloy number 11 got the ball rolling with the opening five points of the game by the 12^th minute as the visitor’s defence chased shadows and their cause wasn’t helped when they lost Niall McCann to injury after 14 minutes.

Chrissie McMahon and Shane Dooey added to the Dunloy total before the excellent Smith made it 0-8 to 0-0 with 18 minutes gone. The visitors were doing all in their power to get going with Philly Maguire driving them on from mid-field but a John Mallon free tailed wide in the wind and another dropped into Conor McGilligan’s hands as they attempted to open their account.

Caolan Gillan, Declan Smith and Barry McCloskey added points at the other end to move the home side 0-10 ahead but they had to be thankful to keeper Conor McGilligan who dived to push away a John Erskine shot at goal after the big full-forward was put through by Maguire.

Caolan Gillan and Shane Dooey added the final two points of the half for the home side to leave them 0-12 to 0-0 ahead and even at this stage it looked like a damage limitation job for a St. Teresa’s side who were battling hard but with little success against a sharp and pacey Dunloy team who were scoring for fun.

The visitors were probably hoping that Declan Smith would take his foot off the gas in the second period but it was wishful thinking as the superb centre-half-forward picked up where he had left off, as he hit 1-2 in the opening five minutes to move his side out of sight.

Caolan Gillan added a point before Conor McGilligan brought off another good save to deny Eoghan O’Neill as St. Teresa’s fought hard to open their account. They continued to press however and in a good spell things finally went their way when Philip Maguire was brought down and referee Mark O’Neill pointed to the penalty spot.

Up stepped John Mallon to finally find a way past McGilligan as he fired to the net but it brought an immediate reply from the Cuchullain’s with Oisin McErlaine and Declan Smith adding points before substitute Anthony Doran got through for their second goal.

St. Teresa’s, to their credit never gave up and gained some reward when John Erskine hammered home their second goal from close range and Anthony Varndell added a point to bring their total to 2-1 but the final score of the game fell to that man Smith who lobbed keeper Sean Maguire for his second and his side’s third goal with time almost up.

Dunloy: 1 Conor McGilligan, 2 Anton McGrath, 3 Adrian Scullion, 4 Cathair McCloskey, 5 Oran Quinn, 6 Conor Kinsella, 7 James Scally, 8 Padraig McGilligan, 9 Eoin Gillan, 10 Karl Fitzpatrick, 11 Declan Smith, 12 Chrissie McMahon, 13 Barry McCloskey, 14 Caolan Gillan, 15 Shane Dooey. Subs: Tom McFerran, Oisin McErlaine, Ryan McFarlane, Eoin McFerran, Anthony Doran

St. Teresa’s: 1 Sean Maguire, 2 Ryan Mallon, 3 Joseph Rainey, 4 James Maggorian, 5 Conor O’Rawe, 6 Colm McGoldrick, 7 Eoghan O’Neill, 8 Phillip Maguire, 9 Luke Cassin, 10 John Mallon, 11 Niall McCann, 12 Paul McGoldrick, 13 Odhran O’Neill, 14 John Erskine, 15 Michael Roache, 22 Anthony Varndell, 20 Jarlath Patterson

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

Antrim Football League Div. 2

St.Joseph’s Glenavy 0-15 St.James’ Aldergrove 0-12

Glenavy welcomed local rivals Aldergrove (who were unbeaten) to Chapel Hill on a cold dry evening but it was the home side who collected the points and the bragging rights. The game was played in a very sporting manner with referee Danny O’Neill kept close control but allowed the players to play the game.

The visitors started the game in whirlwind fashion with three unanswered points from Connor Browning, Fergal Hanna and Ronan Hanna. The home side’s midfielders Ciaran Loney and Ruairi Forester were beginning to get to grips with the game however and their ever alert centre forward Malachy Doherty stopped the rot with an excellent point.

St. James responded immediately from the kick out and Ryan Owens gained possession and quickly passed to the inrushing Ronan Hanna to extend the lead to three again.

The game was being played at a fast pace with both teams guilty of some poor decision making and passes going astray. David Nelson was giving his maker a tough time by his constant movement and he was rewarded when he got on the end of a long delivery and split the uprights for a point.

With the game flowing from end to end Connor Morris extended the visitors lead with a well worked point but once again the home side moved the ball up the field to the alert David Nelson who added a point to his score.

 Back came St.James’ but Declan Gough was denied by an excellent save by Gareth Collins when a goal looked eminent but Ronan Hanna gathered the rebound and fired over.

Both teams battled for supremacy in a game that took their supporters minds of the cold as evening drew in. Fergal Henry, who was closely marked by Chris McVeigh broke away to score a beauty for the Chapel Hill side from an acute angle.

Henry’s point closed the gap to two but Seamus Trowlen got in on the scoring act with a well worked point to move the visitors three ahead once more as play swung from end to end.

As the pace and intensity of the game increased Ciaran Loney took possession from the kick out and went on a solo runs to again close the gap as the white flag was raised.

Glenavy were beginning to enjoy a bit of success and Fontaine O’Boyle showed all his class when he broke forward to score a beauty to leave the minimum between the sides.

Back came the Crumlin side however and Fergal Hanna quickly replied with a point but Glenavy were coming more and more into it and Fergal Henry showed all his class when he pointed a long range free.

The final score of the half fell to St. James’ as defender Gerard Mallon got forward to bring the scoring to a close with a long range point to leave the halftime score 0.09 to 0.07 in favour of Aldergrove.

It was St. Joseph’s who opened the second half on the offensive and from the throw in the ball was worked into the danger area with David Nelson taking possession and once again closed the gap to one.

Fergal Henry added a pointed free to bring the side’s level but the visitors replied and looked to be in for a goal but Gareth Collins was on hand to clear the danger but the ball broke to Seamus Trowlen who split the posts.

Aldergrove were dealt a blow when the lost the hard working Chris McVeigh with an elbow injury but Aldergrove seemed to up their game at this stage and added two more points through Seamus Trowlen and Ronan Hanna to put their side three up with twelve minutes remaining.

To their credit the home side came back into the game with two excellent points as Malachy Doherty fired over and Fergal Henry pointed a free to bring his side level and at this stage it still looked anyone’s game.

The momentum was now very much with the Chapel Hill side however and Fergus Cunningham, who had been introduced a few minutes earlier scored a beauty from out on the wing to restore their lead

St. Joseph’s finished strongly and Malachy Docherty and Fergal Henry added points in the closing stages to leave them winners by three points.

This was an excellent game of football with Aldergrove dictating the early exchanges but St. Joseph’s kept battling away and in the end were worthy winners.

St.Joseph’s G. Collins  D. Doherty; L. Henry; O. McStravick; P. Fox; P. Gallagher; M. Fox; R. Forrester; C. Loney; M. Hamill; M. Docherty; R. Phillips; F. Henry; D. Nelson; Fintaoin O’Boyle

Res Used Oisin Hamill; Niall McCann; F. Cunningham.

St.James’ S. O’Neill; C. McVeigh; C. Browning; D. Aiken; G. Mallon; A. Flood; C. Browning; O. Graham; R, Owen; D. Gough; F. Hanna; C. Morris; R. Hanna; S. McCullough,  S. Trowlen

Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona

 

ACFL Division One
Naomh Éanna 2-12 St Brigid’s 0-10

Pics by JJ Lawell

St. Enda’s recorded their second win from three starts when they defeated St. Brigid’s at Hightown on Wednesday evening. A goal from Kristian Healey after 40 minutes clinched it for the Glengormley side who were pushed hard for most of the game by St. Brigid’s with matters all square early in the second half.

St. Enda’s were a goal ahead at the interval with Rory Scott providing the finish midway through the opening half. Healey’s major turned matters decisively in the direction of the home side who went on to hit 1-5 without reply as the St. Brigid’s challenge welted.

Healey finished as top scorer with 1-3 with Odhran Eastwood in excellent form for the Hightown men, finishing with 0-5 and he was very much involved in the build up to both St. Enda’s goals while his Antrim colleague, Peter Healey got through a mountain of work.

It was St Brigid’s who were first off the mark in the artic conditions at Hightown with Peter Webb’s third-minute effort sneaking just inside the posts with Eastwood responding from a free, but the visitors were back in front when Conor McAleer slotted over following good work from Paul Bradley.

.Eastwood levelled matters for a second time from a free and then he turned provider when he sent Ruairi Scott free from an inch perfect delivery and the former made no mistake as he fired to the net.
The home side were dominating possession at this stage but their finishing was letting them down, while St Brigid’s were struggling to get their game together at the other end against a packed defence.

The sides exchanged points in the closing stages of the half with Bradley punishing a foul on Patrick Finnegan before Eastwood kicked his third free as the hosts went in at the break leading 1-3 to 0-3.

After a lacklustre opening 30 minutes it was St. Brigid’s who made a bright start to the second period
with Conor McAleer kicking a free a couple of minutes in before Peter Webb converted two beauties off his left boot from play to level the game on 38 minutes.
At this stage it was St. Brigid’s who looked the more likely winners but Naomh Éanna responded to reclaim the lead as Kristian Healy cut inside onto his right and shrugged off a challenge to fire over and a minute later the same player swung matters back in favour of the Hightown side. Eastwood found Healy to the left of goal and the wing-forward produced an excellent finish to find the far corner of the net.
St. Brigid’s pushed on at this stage as Peter Healy gained some reward for his efforts as he split the posts and Conor Maxwell added another from a tight angle on the right with Eastwood landing an almost identical score to make it 2-8 to 0-6 on 49 minutes.
St. Enda’s looked to have matters sewn up at this stage but St Brigid’s dug deep and found a response as Paul Bradley sent over and then Jack Dowling kicked two excellent points, either side of a James Smith effort to halve the deficit and give the South Belfast men some hope with five minutes remaining.
It was as close as they got however with Eastwood firing over after Ronan O’Neill’s attempt at a fisted point came off the post, while Kristian Healy kicked another two scores either side of one from Donal Walsh to complete the scoring.

NAOMH ÉANNA: M O’Boyle; F Eastwood, P Hamilton, C Maxwell (0-1); P Healy (0-1), C Lyttle (0-1), R O’Neill; P Curran, M Morgan; C Morgan, D Walsh (0-1), K Healy (1-3); R Scott (1-0), O Eastwood (0-5, 3 frees), G Crossey.

Subs: F O’Connor for M Morgan (48), C Scott for G Crossey (54), S McBride for C Morgan (60+1), O Kennedy for P Curran (60+2)

ST BRIGID’S: J McKenna; J Morgan, M Cummings, S McKenna; P King, S Campbell, F Meenagh; J Toner, J Dowling (0-2); P Webb (0-3), P Finnegan, N Lundy; P Bradley (0-1), J Smith (0-1), C McAleer (0-3, 2 frees).

Subs: R Finnegan for J Toner (20), D Foster for S McKenna (46), M Lynch for N Lundy (48), J Finnegan for P Webb (52), J McCarney for S Campbell (60).

REFEREE: Darren McKeown (St Gall’s)

ACFL Division 2

All Saints 0-11 Ardoyne 0-3

Both these teams were unrecognisable from the sides that faced each other in the corresponding fixture last year with a long list of absentees in both lineouts but All Saints manager, Liam Bradley continues to call on youth and had a useful side on view under the Quinn Park lights.

The early exchanges were close enough as Ciaran McLarnon and Shea O’Brien pointed the home side into an early lead before Kevin Lynch replied for the visitors to close the gap to one.

Ronan Ward, who had replaced Rory McVeigh early in the contest, got his name on the All Saints score sheet and a couple of converted frees from ‘Jimbo’ McDonnell had All Saints 0-6 to 0-2 in front by the 27^th minute, the Kickham’s second point coming from a Kevin Lynch free.

That was how it stood at half time and after the break a young and pacey All Saints continued to move the ball around confidently as they put the visitors on the back foot and Emmet Killough extended their lead with a point in the opening minute.

James McDonnell added a great score and his brother, Brendan moved All Saints 0-9 to 0-2 ahead with another in the 11^th minute as the visitors fought a rear guard action in an effort to contain a rampant All Saints attack.

Ace free taker, James McDonnell moved the Quinn Park side eight in front at the end of the third quarter as the home side emptied their bench and the scores dried up after that with the impressive Shaun O’Callaghan getting their final point and Aidan McNeill pointing a late consolation free for the Kickham’s.

All Saints: Niall Shannon, James Gillan, Cormac Lemon, James McDonnell, Ciaran McGarry, Rhys O’Mullan, Shaun O’Callaghan, Emmet Killough, Ciaran McLarnon, Shea O’Brien, Rory McVeigh, Cal O’Brien, Eoin Campbell, Brendan McDonnell, Eoin Walsh. Subs: Ronan Ward, Darra Mussen, Emmet McAllister, Ronan McKillop

Kickham’s Ardoyne: 1 Tiarnan Hughes: 2 Eoghan Corrigan, 3 Gary McKiernan, 4 Fiontan Marley, 6 Conor McDowell, 7 Conor Carter, 8 Kevin McLaughlin, 10 Declan McCormick, 11 Aodhan Mullan, 12 Oisin McVicker, 13 Pearse Marley, 14 Kevin Lynch, 15 Aidan McNeill, 17 Aaron Stewart, 18 Odhran Mullan, 19 Diarmuid Martin, 20 Anthony McKenna, 21 Joseph Gibson, 22 Cahal Keown, 23 Cormac Curran, 24 Conor Magee, 28 Sean Joe Rooney

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)