Category / County

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon Armada sank Leitrim at Corrigan Park

Leitrim visit Corrigan Park on Saturday in Round 4 of the NFL Division 3. The visitors are pointless after three rounds of league fixtures while their hosts, Antrim have one win from three starts and both sides will be keen to get some points on board.

The Saffron Gael takes a look back at the meeting of Saturday’s opponents back in 2023 in the Tailteann Cup in Corrigan and later we will be previewing Saturday’s league meeting.

Tailteann Cup Round 1

Antrim 3-18 Leitrim 2-12   (May 14th 2023)

The Aghagallon Armada, Adam Loughran and Ruairi McCann combined to sink Leitrim in this opening game of the Tailteann Cup at Corrigan Park on Sunday. Loughran justified his selection in the Antrim starting line with two second half goals and in between his St. Mary’s colleague, McCann climbed to palm home another to put the home side in control.

Last year Antrim travelled to Carrick on Shannon in the first round of the Tailteann Cup and suffered defeat and it wasn’t looking too good for the Saffrons on Sunday as late replacement Barry McNulty rose to meet Keith Beirne’s dropping shot to palm home in the 3rd minute.

Adam Loughran replied with a point for Antrim and the Saffrons looked to be in for a goal but Marc Jordan’s shot was saved by Nevin O’Donnell.

Pearce Dolan replied for Andy Moran’s side but Antrim again came tantalisingly close to a goal when a great delivery from Loughran saw Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann get a touch but the ball crept over.

Creggan’s Ruairi McCann, Conor Stewart and Michael Byrne (45) hit unanswered points as the Antrim charge gained momentum but Byrne was called into action to deny Beirne at close range and the Rossa clubman would make further vital stops later in the half from McNulty and then Darragh Rooney at point-blank range.

Antrim looked susceptible to conceding further goals at this stage as Leitrim were able to carve open the Antrim defence too easily and always had a reply to Antrim scores as Mark Plunkett and a brace from Rooney found the target with Dominic McEnhill keeping the score board ticking at the other end from frees.

The Saffrons were beginning to get on top however with Marc Jordan producing a number of defence splitting runs and they looked in for a goal when Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann’s low shot was stopped on the line by O’Donnell in the Leitrim goals.

Dominic McEnhill, who scored 0-6 for Antrim challenges for possession

The visitors were still giving as good as they got with just a point separating the sides as half time approached after a superb score from Beirne but Ronan Boyle would finish a great Antrim move to send Antrim into a 0-10 to 1-05 lead at the interval.

The Saffrons stepped it up a notch on the restart with points from the impressive duo of Loughran and McEnhill, but were then caught again when Aidan Flynn’s inviting ball from the right to the back post saw Jack Heslin rise to fist home with Antrim keeper Michael Byrne hurt as the players challenged.

Byrne was able to resume after treatment and Antrim returned to the offensive with Ruairi McCann pointing, and although Leitrim replied with points it was Antrim who struck a decisive blow when Patrick Finnegan placed Adam Loughran who fired home.

Andy McEntee’s side were now playing with confidence and moving the ball around with conviction and Paddy McBride set up Ruairi McCann with an astute pass and the Aghagallon man palmed to the net.

The home side continued to press and struck with a third goal and again it was Loughran who was on the end of a good ball for McBride and he stepped inside to crash to the net to end any hope of a Leitrim comeback.

Adam Loughran was excellent for Antrim and finished with a personal total of 2-3

To their credit, the visitors kept going to the end with Paul Keaney kicking four when introduced, but they needed much more with Antrim out of sight and Patrtck McCormick became Antrim’s ninth name on the score sheet to complete an excellent start in the competition for Andy McEntee’s men.

The Meath man will be pleased by his side’s performance with Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran and Dominic McEnhill all in the starting line-up and all three made telling contributions while Cathal Hynds and Cormac McGettigan saw game time and Dermot McAleese returned to the side after a lengthy injury.

Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-02, 1f, 1 45); Ronan Boyle (0-01), Peter Healy (0-01), James McAuley; Paddy McBride, Joseph Finnegan, Dermott McAleese; Jack Dowling, Conor Stewart (0-01); Patrick Finnegan, Adam Loughran (2-03), Ruairi McCann (0-01); Marc Jordan, Ruairi McCann (1-02), Dominic McEnhill (0-06, 5f)

Subs: Patrick McCormick (0-01) for J McAuley (27), Cathal Hynds for J Dowling (47), Pat Shivers for R McCann (Aghagallon, 66), Odhran Eastwood for P Finnegan (66), Cormac McGettigan for M Jordan (70+2)

Leitrim: Nevin O’Donnell; Paddy Maguire, Mark Diffley, Conor Farrell; James Rooney (0-01), Shane Quinn, Aiden Flynn; Pearce Dolan (0-01), Donal Wrynn; Darragh Rooney (0-03), Keith Beirne (0-01), Mark Plunkett (0-01); Jack Heslin (1-01), Barry McNulty (1-00), Domhnaill Flynn

Subs: Tom Prior for J Rooney (54), Oisin McLoughlin for K Beirne (54), Paul Keaney (0-04, 2f) for D Flynn (57), Cillian McGloin for C Farrell (62), Stephen McLoughlin for M Plunkett (70)

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)

by thesaffrongael

Indiscipline hurts Antrim fightback in Tullamore 

Main picture – Antrim’s Paddy McBride in action against Offaly’s L Pearson and C Egan during Sunday’s National Football League Division 3 game in Tullamore

Allianz National Football League, Division 3

Offaly 4-19-0-15 Antrim  

Kevin Herron reports from Glenisk O’Connor Park  

Two red cards in the space of six-minutes at the beginning of the second half hamstrung Antrim in their heavy 4-19-0-15 defeat to Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Having initially rallied at the end of the opening period following goals from Shane Tierney and Cillian Bourke- Conor Stewart and Conor Hand both saw reds within eight minutes of the restart and Offaly ran amok with their numerical advantage as Keith O’Neill added two further goals to the numerous points they accumulated by the conclusion.  

Antrim went into the encounter looking to recover from defeat to Fermanagh last time out and there was a late alteration before throw-in as Ryan McQuillan replaced Fionn Nagle in wing half forward.  

Paddy McBride got Antrim off to a perfect start with a two-pointed score and that kept the visitors ahead until the 11th minute.  

In between times Shane Tierney notched up two-points, the first coming from a converted free and the second a fisted point under pressure with Ruairi McCann (mark) and Dominic McEnhill replying on each occasion.  

Dylan Hyland restored parity with a two-pointed free from outside the arc and Antrim faltered in the aftermath.  

The subsequent kick-out from Hylands score went astray and led to a goal chance for Jack Bryant that was partially blocked, but Shane Tierney made no mistake and netted at the second time of asking to give his side a 1-04-0-04 lead.  

Bryant dropped over a point with a further three unanswered giving the hosts a comfortable advantage.  

Two of the three fell to Hyland, kicking a 45′ and a magnificent angled point with Jack Bryant adding a mark in-between.  

Offalys Cillian Burke in action with Antrim’s Marc Jordan and Ronan Boyle in Sunday’s Allianz National Football League Div 3 game at Tullamore

After going 15-minutes without a score Conor Hand dropped over a two-pointer from McEnhill’s lay-off, though the Saffrons found themselves further in arrears on the 26th minute.  

Offaly keeper Paddy Dunican lined up a two-pointed shot that dropped and Mick Byrne was unable to clear as Cillian Bourke slammed home to make it 2-08-0-06.  

Bryne prevented Cormac Egan adding a third two minutes later, but the pendulum swung before the interval as Antrim finished strongly.  

Marc Jordan popped over with his back to goal and Dermot McAleese added his sides third two-pointer of the half.  

A Conor Hand point followed with Dominic McEnhill converting successive frees before the whistle to leave the score 2-08-0-12 at the break.  

Any chance of an Antrim fightback was ended within a six-minute period at the beginning of the second period.  

Conor Stewart was dismissed for a high challenge on John Furlong off the ball and in the aftermath of Dylan Hyland swinging over a two-pointer, midfield partner Conor Hand was shown red for an off the ball incident involving Hyland.  

The hosts would make great use of their numerical advantage as the game stretched but initially the Saffrons did well to remain in proceedings.  

Keith O’Neill swung over a free in the aftermath of the second dismissal with Dominic McEnhill replying from the same scenario.  

Antrim almost had a goal back when the ball broke to Marc Jordan and his close-range shot was blocked off the line at the expense of a 45′ by John Furlong with Byrne landing the resulting 45′. 

Antrim’s Marc Jordan in action with Offalys Rory Egan Sunday’s Allianz National Football League Div 3 game at Tullamore

Offaly kicked the next 2-06 without reply as Stewart and Hands absence was felt. Substitute Nigel Dunne helped himself to three points in the aftermath of replacing Dylan Hyland.  

Keith O’Neill lined up a point and then slotted into the empty net within 60-seconds after Mick Byrne was caught up field and a long ball was played into Dunne and laid off to O’Neill.  

Jordan Hayes, John Furlong, Shane Tierney and Jack Bryant all pointed before O’Neill claimed his second of the half.  

Credit must go to Cathal Flynn who dribbled the ball towards goal and picked out O’Neill.  

Antrim claimed a consolation point through Marc Jordan with Nigel Dunne twice pointing afterwards to seal a comfortable victory for Micky Harte’s charges.  

OFFALY: P Dunican, L Pearson, K Higgins, R Egan, A Bracken, J Hayes (0-1), C Egan, J McEvoy,C Bourke (1-0), J Furlong (0-1), C Flynn, K O’Neill (2-1), D Hyland (0-6, 0-2f, 0-1 45′), J Bryant (0-3,0-1m), S Tierney (1-3, 0-1f). Subs: N Dunne (0-3, 0-1f) for D Hyland (53), C Donoghue for C Bourke (66), S O’Toole-Green for C Egan (67), D McDaid for L Pearson (68), R Gallagher for S Tierney (70+2). 

ANTRIM: M Byrne (0-1 45′), J McDonnell, E Walsh, J McAuley, R Boyle, J Finnegan, D McAleese (0-2), C Stewart, C Hand (0-3), P Finnegan, M Jordan (0-2), R McQuillan, P McBride (0-2), R McCann (0-1m), D McEnhill (0-4,0-1f). Subs: F Nagle for R McQullian (25), P Ferris for J Finnegan (31), J Morgan for R Boyle (62), R Murray for D McEnhill (62), C Higgins for P McBride (69).  

REFEREE: David Murnane (Cork) 

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/LiaPhsNQH5Us8M/?invite=fe7ba7a7-cf2a-41d6-a0b1-42c7824ace56

by thesaffrongael

Antrim team to face Offaly

Offaly v Antrim

NFL Division 3

O’Connor Park Tullamore – Sunday 2-00pm

The Antrim team to face Offaly in Tullamore tomorrow (Sunday) has been announced and shows a couple of changes from the one who lost narrowly to Fermanagh in Ederney two week’s ago.

All Saints James McDonnell makes his first start of the season at right-back, replacing John Morgan of St. Brigid’s while James McAuley of St. Enda’s comes in for All Saints Kavan Keenan in the other corner.

Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann, who made an immediate impact when he was introduced as a substitute last day out against the Erne County starts at full-forward with Fionn Nagle of St. Enda’s moving out to wing half forward and Patrick McBride named in the corner with Paul McQuillan dropping to the bench.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim hoping to get back on course in Tullamore

NFL Division 3

Offaly v Antrim

Tullamore – 2-00pm Sunday

Antrim make the trip to Tullamore on Sunday to take on Offaly in a game that they realistically need something from if they are to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Andy McEntee’s side opened this year’s league campaign with a win Over Clare in Corrigan Park before travelling to play Fermanagh in Ederney where, despite laying siege on the home goal in the closing stages they were beaten by a point.

Meantime Offaly, with Mickey Harte now on board as joint manager have maximum points from their opening two games having recorded a 1-17 to 0-13 win over Sligo in Tullamore before travelling to Laois where they had five points to spare over the home side.

Offaly fielded quite a number of the side who lost in Belfast in 2024 against Antrim in their opening day win over Sligo with Keith O’Neill top scoring with 0-6 and Dylan Hyland 0-4 and Ruiari McNamee 1-1 impressing in attack.

By all accounts Sligo gave as good as they got but their profligacy in front of the posts proved their downfall and Offaly took advantage in the second half as they dominated the kick out to hit four on the bounce.

The Antrim side who faced Offaly that day in Belfast is likely to contain quite a number who were in action on the Whiterock but Paddy McAleer and Creggan’s Ruairi McCann have retired and Colm McLarnon and Eoin Hynds are injured while Peter Healey’s long term absence has been a blow for the Saffrons

Dominic McEnhill in action against Offaly in Belfast in 2024

Keith O’Neill sparkled for Offaly as the Mickey Harte era began with this Division 3 home victory over Sligo and they followed that win with victory over Laois and the Mickey Harte influence appears to have taken immediate effect.

Antrim have made a descent start themselves and will feel that they should have taken something from a Fermanagh game where they were on top for long periods but appeared to switch off at the start of the second half and were punished when Garvan Jones struck three early points for the home side.

They came back through Paddy McBride and Mick Byrne and the sides were level at the end of the third quarter but Fermanagh hit a purple patch to move four clear with Jonathan Cassidy and Fionn O’Brien to the fore.

Antrim threw everything at the opposition in the closing stages with the Fermanagh goal under siege and were finally rewarded when Ruairi McCann rose to palm to the net from close range.

That was as close as Antrim would get with the full time whistle coming as a relief to the home side and their supporters.

Antrim will reflect on the number of chances they failed to convert when they were on top in Edenery and the concession of a couple of goals that were preventable but can take a lot of positives from the game.

Their ability to break and win breaking ball around mid-field gave them the edge in that department, particularly in the opening half and if they can eliminate basic mistakes then they can take something from their visit to O’Moore Park.

Mick Byrne, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joe Finnegan, Conor Stewart, Paddy McBride and new man, Fionn Nagle were Antrim’s best performers against Fermanagh and should all get the nod in a side that is unlikely to show too many changes.

Ryan Murray was replaced just before throw-in in Ederney and Patrick Ferris may have shown enough when he came on as a second half substitute to get the nod for a starting place in Tullamore.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim hang on in the swirling gale to take the points

  Antrim make the long journey to Tullamore on Sunday to play high riding Offaly in the NFL Division 3. A year ago the sides met in Corrigan Park where Antrim withstood a late rally to take the points. Today we take a look back at that game and later we will preview Sunday’s encounter in O’Connor Park.

Allianz Football League Division Three

Antrim 2-5 Offaly 1-7

Antrim withstood a late sustained rally by visitors Offaly to make it two from two in the Allianz Football League in swirling and blustery conditions in front of a good crowd at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

The Saffrons, with the elements in their favour in the opening half, raced into a seven point lead as half time approached but they were hit by a goal from Anton O’Sullivan in the 34th minute to cut the gap to four at the halfway stage.

It was Antrim who opened brightly in the difficult conditions and points from Eoin Hynds and Niall Burns had them two in front by the 12th minute before corner-back, Ronan Boyle finished to the net to give the home side a five point lead after being set up by Eunan Walsh.

Marc Jordan raced clear for an Antrim point in the 16th minute before Cian Farrell finally got Offaly off the mark with points in the 19th and 25th minutes to cut the gap to four.

Antrim pressed and Offaly keeper, Ian Duffy brought down Dominic McEnhill as he bore down on goal with McEnhill gathering himself up to convert the spot kick and Duffy lucky not to receive a Black card.

The home side suffered a setback as half time approached when they gave away possession around mid-field and the visitors countered swiftly with O’Sullivan firing to the top corner of Mick Byrne’s net to leave four between the sides at the break.

It was the only time in the game that danger man O’Sullivan escaped the clutches of his marker, Kavan Keenan and the Ballymena man’s running battle with his Rhode counterpart was a feature of the game

Conditions continued to deteriorate on the restart with the rain now driving across the field in the second period, but Antrim pushed on with a Michael Byrne free and a Niall Burns converted free.

Ruairi McNamee pulled one back for the Faithful county but Antrim looked comfortable entering the final quarter when leading by five, but Conor Hand was shown Red following a flare up and Offaly took advantage.

Nigel Dunne began the comeback with a beauty and Jordan Hayes followed with another seconds later.

Antrim were now fighting a rear guard action as the visitors continued to press.

Their tails were up but they were dealt a blow of their own on 64 minutes as Jack Bryant was shown black just two minutes after he had been introduced, for a body check on Eunan Walsh.

Still, they continued to press as a couple of promising looking Antrim breakaways failed to provide a score with Dominic McEnhill’s effort blocked for a ‘45’ that came to nothing and Paddy McBride running out of steam after a lung bursting run from defence.

Offaly narrowed the gap to the minimum entering stoppage time through Dunne and McNamee, but they couldn’t find an equaliser with a couple of efforts tailing wide as Antrim hung on for their second win from two starts.

“We’d two breakaways at the end when you could say there were goals on offer and we didn’t take anything from them,” McEntee reflected.

“Usually when you don’t take chances like that you pay the price, but thankfully we got across the line.”

A year ago Offaly faced Sunday’s opponents at the same venue and left with a six point win and it’s perhaps a mark of the resilience that McEntee has built into his side that they held on to avenge that result on Sunday.

Next up for Antrim is Down in two weeks-time at the same venue and the Meath man will be hoping to have a few of his ever increasing injured list available for a game that would put them in a strong position if they were to defeat one of the favourites for promotion.

Antrim: M Byrne (0-1 f); R Boyle (1-0), E Walsh, K Keenan; M Jordan (0-1), J Finnegan, D McAleese; C McLarnon, P McAleer; E Hynds (0-1), N Burns (0-2, 1 f), R McCann (Creggan); P McBride, C McGettigan, D McEnhill 1-0
Subs: C Hand for C McGettigan (48), D Lynch for D McAleese (70+3), O Doherty for N Burns (70+3)

Offaly: I Duffy; A Bracken, D Dempsey, L Pearson; R Egan, J Furlong, J O’Brien; M Tynan, J Hayes (0-1); P Cunningham, R McNamee (0-2), C Egan; C Farrell (0-2, 1 f), A Sullivan (1-0), K O’Neill.
Subs: N Dunne (0-2) for C Farrell (45), K McDermott for R Egan (53), J Bryant for K O’Neill (64)

Referee: P Faloon (Down)