Ulster U20 Football Championship

Fermanagh v Antrim at Tempo

Antrim’s Ulster Under 20 Football Championship campaign began with a frustrating 2-11 to 2-07 defeat to Fermanagh at Tempo on Wednesday evening. Despite showing tremendous character to erase a six-point deficit and trail by just two at the break, the Saffrons endured a grueling 23-minute scoring drought in the second half that ultimately handed control back to a clinical home side.

Fermanagh opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but Antrim responded perfectly when Corey Walsh found the back of the net just two minutes later. The hosts quickly settled, however, reeling off points from Daire Treacy and Nathan Beattie. Walsh replied with another point for Antrim, but the momentum shifted sharply when Mattie McDermott struck for a Fermanagh goal in the tenth minute. As the rain began to fall, the home side took firm control of possession. Points from Oisin Swift, McDermott, a Daire Chapman ’45’, and a Conor Mulligan effort pushed Fermanagh into a commanding 1-07 to 1-01 lead by the 20th minute. Staring at a six-point deficit, Antrim dug deep. JJ Higgins sparked the revival with a pointed free, followed quickly by a superb score from play after gathering a clever kick-out from Jack O’Neill. Isaac Robinson then slotted over an unchallenged point, and Higgins fired over another to cap a brilliant spell, leaving the halftime score nicely poised at Fermanagh 1-07 Antrim 1-05.

The second half proved to be an uphill battle for the Saffrons. Fermanagh reasserted their dominance early on, extending their lead to four with points from Michael Burns and a well-struck sideline from McDermott. A long, cagey scoreless spell followed, characterized by missed opportunities for both sides. Fermanagh broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when McDermott punished an Antrim overcarry with a pointed free, and Burns quickly added another to restore their six-point cushion. It took until the 54th minute for Antrim to finally register their first score of the half through Ryan McKeever. Substitute Daire Higgins followed up with another point a minute later, reducing the gap to four.

Any hopes of a late Antrim comeback were dashed in the 57th minute. Although Antrim goalkeeper Senan Nagle pulled off a brilliant save to deny McDermott a second goal, Daire Chapman was perfectly positioned to blast the rebound to the net. Niall Hynds did manage to punch a high ball to the net deep into injury time, but it was a case of too little, too late. Fermanagh were already home and hosed, claiming the victory by four points. The defeat leaves Antrim with a mountain to climb as they look to bounce back. They face a tough trip to Ballyshannon this Saturday to take on Donegal, before wrapping up the round-robin stage with a home fixture against Derry at Dunsilly the following week.

Fear Manach (Fermanagh) 1 Patrick O’Sullivan 2 Rian Kennedy 3 Eamon Og Magee 4 Matthew Maguire 5 Conor Casey 6 Oisin Swift 21 Rian Bogue 8 Conan Donohoe 9 Conor Mulligan 10 Daire Treacy 11 Daire Chapman 12 Rory Smyth (C) 13 Nathan Beattie 14 Mattie McDermott 15 Michael Burns

Fir Ionaid: 16 Thomas Fitzpatrick, 17 Ben Caughey, 18 Caelan McGoldrick, 19 Ryan Hannigan, 20 Daniel McGovern, 22 Brandon Beattie, 23 Eamon Monaghan, 24 Kian Prior.

Aontroim (Antrim) 1 Senan Nagle (C) 2 James Og McAuley 3 Harry Connon 4 Christopher Hale 5 Ethan Walsh 6 Liam McLernon 7 Fionn Jemfrey 8 Niall Hynds 9 Se Ferris 10 Aaron Mackle 11 Conor O’Connell 12 Isaac Robinson 13 Jack O’Neill 14 JJ Higgins 15 Corey Walsh

Fir Ionaid: 16 Jack Ireland, 17 Daire Higgins, 18 Padraig Murray, 19 Segdae Mac Adhaimh, 20 Ryan McKeever, 21 Cathair McKenna, 22 Pauric Redmond, 23 Eoghan Sherry, 24 Daire Oglesby.

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National Football League – Division 4

Antrim 0-18 London 1-14

Antrim brought their Division 4 campaign to a spirited conclusion at Erin’s Own Cargin on Sunday, securing a 0-18 to 1-14 victory over London. While the Saffrons held up their end of the bargain by clinching a fourth consecutive win—a feat not achieved by the county in years—results elsewhere ultimately dictated that both sides would remain in the basement division. Despite the mathematical outside chance of promotion hanging in the air at throw-in, the afternoon served as a showcase of Antrim’s growing resilience, even as a late London surge turned a comfortable lead into a frantic defensive stand.

Playing with the advantage of a first-half breeze, the hosts established a firm grip on the proceedings early on. Dominic McEnhill was in inspired form, particularly during a clinical opening quarter where he slotted over two superb two-pointers. Pat Shivers provided the necessary physical presence and accuracy to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Ryan McQuillan was unlucky not to find the net following a desperate block by the London defence. Late addition Niall Burns proved his worth in the middle of the park, showing great composure to navigate crowded areas and fire over crucial scores that ensured Antrim went into the interval with a deserving five-point cushion.

The question on some peoples lips was, would five points be enough given the strength of the breeze as Antrim might have been much further ahead but were guilty of some poor shooting, dad choices and had a couple of goal chances charged down.

The complexion of the game shifted just before the break when London’s Ciaran Diver was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Kavan Keenan. Despite being a man down, the Exiles emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, immediately chipping away at the lead with a quick-fire two-pointer and a follow-up score. Antrim appeared to steady the ship as the half progressed, utilizing the extra man to stretch the play. Entering the final fifteen minutes, the Saffrons looked to be cruising toward a comfortable finish, having successfully restored and then extended their advantage to six points.

However, the closing stages proved far more nerve-racking than the Toome faithful would have liked. A mistake in the Antrim defence allowed Nathan Feeney to break through for a low-drilled goal past John McNabb, sparking a frantic revival from the visitors. Joe McGill then took charge for the Londoners, landing a pair of two-pointers that narrowed the gap to a single point as the clock ticked into injury time. In a frantic finale, a late point from Ronan Boyle provided the necessary breathing room, allowing the Saffrons to survive the late onslaught and end their season on a high note, even if the ultimate prize of promotion remained just out of reach.

There were a lot of great aerial battles in the middle of the field during the game, which added the the excitemant.

A good end to a season where Antrim recorded four wins on the bounce after losing their opening three games and they will rue their defeat to Tipperary in particular when they lost a man to a Red card just before halftime.

Spare a thought for the gallant Exiles. A win over Antrim would have left them level with Longford and given them promotion on a head to head but it wasn’t to be for either side in a season where they have both performed well after a poor staret to their respective campaigns

ANTRIM: John McNabb; John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe (C), Peter Healy, Niall Burns; Paddy McAleer, Eunan Walsh; Tiernan McCormack, Ronan Boyle; Ryan McQuillan, Pat Shivers, Dominic McEnhill

SUBS: Adam Loughran on for Ryan McQuillan, Tomas McCann on for Patrick Finnegan, Tom Shivers on for Ronan Boyle, James McAuley on for Peter Healy

Scorers for Antrim: Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (3 2pt f’s 2 1pt Pat Shivers 0-4 (0-2F), Niall Burns 0-3, Tiernan McCormick 0-2, Ryan McQuillan, Ronan Boyle 0-1

LONDON: Andy Walsh; Aidan McLoughlin, Matt Moynihan, Sean O’Donoghue; Conor Goggin, Conal Gallagher, Conor O’Donohue; Liam Gallagher (C), Liam Murphy; Josh Obahor, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver; Jim Davis, Joe McGill, Kristian Healy

SUBS: Nathan Feeney on for Nathan McElwaine, Finbar Crowley on for Aidan McLoughlin, Liam Crowley on for Conor Goggin

Scorers for London: Scorers: Joe McGill 0-8 (0-2F, 2xTPF), Nathan Feeney 1-0, Shay Rafter 0-2 (0-1f), Conal Gallagher 0-2, Josh Obahor 0-1, Kristian Healy 0-1

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NFL Division Four
Waterford 0-11 Antrim 4-18
Frahers Field, Dungarvan

Peter Healey marked his return to the Antrim side after a long absence as the Saffrons brought their winning run to three on the bounce at Frahers Field, Dungarven on Sunday.

Healey who played his football for St. Enda’s, Glengormley but now lives in Dublin where he won a Dublin championship with his former club’s namesake, St. Enda’s last played for Antrim in the Tailteann Cup three years ago where he picked up a serious injury.

Healey has kept in touch with Antrim and attended recent training sessions and he informed me two weeks ago in Portglenone that he wasn’t far away from an Antrim return and he marked that return with a goal.

The Saffrons continued their recent winning streak after they ran riot on Sunday afternoon where they tore hosts Waterford apart to earn their third consecutive victory in the National Football League.

Marc Jordan who was one of four goal scorers for Antrim in Dungarven

Antrim went into the tie against the bottom side off back-to-back victories over Wicklow and Leitrim with Sunday’s result giving them an outside chance of gaining promotion but it would take results to go their way elsewhere.

It was a dominant performance from start to finish in Dungarvan with the Saffrons hitting nine scores in the opening quarter of an hour after Marc Jordan’s first major gave the traveller’s a huge boost.

Jordan was set up by the returning Peter Healy who combined with his defensive partner in the attacking third, with the Lámh Dhearg man lashing his effort beyond Paudie Hunt.

Dominic McEnhill and Pat Shivers added points from range to keep the scoreboard ticking over for Antrim early on with their efforts seeing orange flags raised.

The pair were then gifted a white flag opportunity moments later after a stray Paudie Hunt kickout, and Shivers set up McEnhill for the score as the away side began to create scoring opportunities.

The returning Peter Healy then got through for a second Antrim goal as the visitors began to turn the screw, picking their opponents apart with precision passing and overturning possession as they displayed a passion their opponents simply couldn’t match.

McEnhill added another two-pointer, this time from a dead ball and Antrim continued to press at every opportunity.

Aided by the stiff breeze in the opening half, Antrim had the points secured by the halfway stage but continued to call the shots after the break, and initially out-scoring their opponents in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

When James Walsh finally raised Waterford’s second white flag of the second half, Antrim replied with two further goals to put the game out of site of the opposition.

Rossa star, McEnhill, continued to score at will and Antrim looked firmly in the driving seat as they increased their score difference in the league standings.

Ruairi O’Hagan and Joseph Finnegan combined before working it to Ryan McQuillian for a slick finish on the hour mark, ensuring the victory with Antrim’s third major of the afternoon.

Three minutes later John McNabb’s ‘45’ came back off the upright and landed just outside the square where Adam Loughran was quickest to react on the loose ball and he finished first time to the net for Antrim’s fourth of the afternoon to put his side further ahead.  

The hosts did show a bit of fight following a couple of well-taken late two-pointed frees from Michael O’Brien, but Antrim reacted again with a series of orange flags to move out of site as the opposition continued to concede possession.

Séan O’Neill entered the fray and his late score accompanied by a couple from Paddy McAleer saw the scoreboard move into new territory for Antrim as they continued to score at will and continue their outside chance of promotion ahead of next weekend’s tie with London.

The hopes of promotion are slim, but after a hefty tally which brings Antrim back in the positive column for score difference, head to head could be a decisive factor next weekend.

To have any chance of promotion Antrim need to beat London next weekend and Leitrim would have to defeat Carlow in Carlow and Wicklow would have to beat Longford in Longford.

Waterford: Paudie Hunt; Tommy Martin, Billy Hynes, Conor Ó Cuirrín; Adam Crawford, Caoimhín Walsh (0-01), Glen Power; Dermot Ryan (capt) (0-01), Michael O’Brien (0-05, 2TPF); James Walsh (0-01), Alan Dunwoody, Liam Mulligan; Darragh Walsh, Stephen Curry (0-02, 0-01 f), Adam Murray

Subs: Cian Kiely for Ó Cuirrín (28), Colin Foley for Crawford (HT), Kyle Flynn for Murray (52), Conor Keating (0-01) for D Walsh (57

Antrim: John McNabb; John Morgan, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; Joseph Finnegan (0-01), Peter Healy (1-00), Eoghan McCabe (capt) (0-01); Paddy McAleer (0-02, 0-01f), Marc Jordan (1-00); Ronan Boyle, Dominic McEnhill (0-08, 1xTP, 1xTPF), Tiernan McCormack; Ryan McQuilligan (1-00), Adam Loughran (1-00), Pat Shivers (0-05, 1xTP, 0-1f)

Subs: Seán O’Neill (0-01) for Jordan (HT), Ruairi O’Hagan for Healy (51), James McAuley for McCormack (58), Tomas McCann for Boyle, Tom Shivers for P Shivers (both 62)

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone)

 NFL Division 4 Table

team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1 Wicklow	6	4	0	2	27	8
2 Carlow	6	4	0	2	14	8
3 Longford	6	3	1	2	4	7
4 London	6	3	1	2	-1	7
5 Antrim	6	3	0	3	13	6
6 Tipperary	6	2	2	2	-1	6
7 Leitrim	6	3	0	3	-5	6
8 Waterford	6	0	0	6	-51	0

NFL Division 4

Waterford v Antrim

1-00pm Dungarven

An improving Antrim make the trip to Waterford this weekend hoping to make it three wins on the bounce. Recent form would suggest that the Saffrons should be in the chase for a promotion place but a bad start to their campaign makes that highly unlikely.

Despite being relegated from division 3 last year, Antrim were expected to be in the race for an immediate return to the higher grade but they made a disastrous start to  this year’s Division 4 league campaign, losing their opening three games.

Carlow, Tipperary and Longford have all lowered the Saffron colours with two of those defeats coming at Kelly Park in Portglenone as new manager, Mark Doran searched in vain for a winning formula.

He finally found it in Carrick on Shannon in Round 4 where Antrim produced a solid performance to overcome the challenge of a Leitrim team that had been going well and they carried that improved form into their meeting with Wicklow in Round 5.

That win over Oisin McConville’s Wicklow will have done the Saffron’s confidence a world of good and while the promotion ship looks to have sailed, Antrim will want to finish their campaign on a high.

They travel to Dungarven this weekend to face a Waterford side firmly nailed to the bottom of the table with the Deise still searching for their first win in this year’s division 4 campaign.

It has been a disastrous National Football League campaign for Ephie Fitzgerald’s Waterford as they were ripped apart by London last time out in a wind-assisted first-half, and although they worked hard in the second-half, the six-point winning margin at the finish was a fair reflection on the game.

Michael Maher’s London led Waterford by 13 points with half-time approaching, only for two late first-half goals by the visitors, leaving the home team looking anxiously over their shoulder.

The final margin of the Exiles’ victory over Waterford was six points, but it could quite easily have been more.

London took the game to Waterford in the second period into the wind rather than opting to protect their lead and with a touch more luck could easily have had another two or three goals.

Darach O’Cathasaigh, Conor Murray, Michael O’Brien, Darragh Walsh, Alan Dunwoody and Stephen Curry were best for Waterford in Ruislip and are likely to lead their challenge against Antrim on Sunday.

Dungarven has proved a successful venue for the Saffrons in the past and it was there that they clinched the division 4 title a few year’s back under Enda McGinley and manager, Mark Doran will be keen to build on their recent success.

John McNabb has been excellent for Antrim in goals and has weighed in with vital scores, contributing 0-5 against Wicklow last day out while Marc Jordan, Paddy McAleer, Conor Hand, Adam Loughran, Ryan McQuillan, Pat Shivers and Dominic McEnhill all weighed in with vital scores.

John Morgan and Cathal Hynds came into the starting line-up and both did enough to merit a start in Dungarven and I would expect the side to start along similar lines though Joe Finnegan could return after missing the Wicklow game through suspension.

A win for Antrim would make it three from three in their last three outings but they would do well not to underestimate a wounded Waterford side who may have nothing but pride to play for but will be keen not to finish their season pointless.

Division 4

team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1 Carlow	5	4	0	1	19	8
2 Longford	5	3	1	1	14	7
3 Tipperary	5	2	2	1	14	6
4 Wicklow	5	3	0	2	12	6
5 London	5	2	1	2	-6	5
6 Antrim	5	2	0	3	-6	4
7 Leitrim	5	2	0	3	-15	4
8 Waterford	5	0	0	5	-32	0