ACFL Division One 

Lámh Dhearg 3-13-4-10 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

DESPITE holding a five-point lead with five minutes remaining, Lámh Dhearg were forced to battle back to claim a share of the spoils in an entertaining 3-13-4-10 draw with All Saints Ballymena at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening. 

Playing into the breeze in the opening half, the visitors were first off the mark when Conor Stewart kicked a two-pointed score from the outside of the arc. 

The hosts opened their account through a converted Adam Murray free and hit the front with the game’s opening goal after 9 minutes. 

Ben Rice won the ball in contact at midfield and carried the ball forward before offloading to Jody Quinn to lash the ball high into the top corner of the net past Ryan Stewart. 

All Saint’s response was swift as they hit back with a goal of their own to regain the lead. 

A high Ronan McKillop effort was off target but dropped into the path of James McDonnell whose shot was blocked by John Finucane, the Lámhs defence were slow in their attempts to clear the loose ball and Brendan McDonnell was able to steer the ball home and make it 1-2-1-1. 

Goalscorer McDonnell extended his side’s advantage from a converted free shortly afterwards, though parity was restored by the 17th minute- Adam Murray dropped over his first point from play and brought his personal tally to 0-3 for the half after landing a 45’. 

The sides traded scores for large parts of the closing stages of the half, Connell Lemon cut inside and shot his side back in front, only for Mark Finnegan to respond in turn. 

A fisted James McDonnell point restored his side’s slender advantage, with the returning Paddy Cunningham levelling things up from a close-range free. 

The visitors closed the half out on the front foot and almost had a second goal when the ball was slipped into the path of Ronan McKillop in front of goal and he blasted over, then Brendan McDonnell twisted and turned before fisting over a further point to ensure his side held a 1-7-1-5 lead at the break. 

Lámh Dhearg made a blistering start to the second period, immediately halving arrears when Adam Murray confidently swung over his second point from play and then a goal was then forthcoming after Pearse Fitzsimons got a vital touch to the ball and played a one-two with Declan Smith who continued his run, took an offload and shot low to the net to make it 2-6-1-7 within 60-seconds of the resumption. 

A further point arrived courtesy of Conor Murray but In reply Brendan McDonnell weaved his way into the arc and dropped over a point to get his side up and running for the half. 

The hosts were still very much in the ascendancy as Paddy Cunningham and Niall McGarry shot over between a converted Brendan McDonnell free. 

With 13-minutes to go it appeared as though the Lámhs were very much on course for victory when Jody Quinn doubled his goal scoring account. 

Paddy Mervyn carried the ball forward and played a pass over the top to Adam Murray, he laid the ball off to Jody Quinn to sweep a shot high into the net and make it 3-9-1-9. 

Just like the first period, All Saints showed their powers of recovery and instantly hit back at the other end when Archie McGreevy slipped a pass through to Emmet Killough to drive a low shot into the bottom corner. 

Points from Mark Finnegan and Paddy Cunningham extended the Lámhs advantage again entering the final 10-minutes, but the visitors were finished by any means. 

With little over five minutes remaining James McDonnell rifled a low shot to the net to narrow the margin to two-points (3-11-3-9). 

Talisman Brendan McDonnell then halved the deficit, getting time and space to swing a shot over and with momentum very much in their favour All Saints regained the advantage in the 58th minute. 

Brendan McDonnell looked to have fisted the ball over, though it dropped invitingly and Harry Connon took advantage and palmed the ball home from close range to move his side 4-10-3-11 in front. 

Having been in control for large stages of the second half, it was the Lámhs who were in desperate need of a score and their blushes were spared when Paddy Cunningham popped the ball off to Adam Murray to land a two-pointed score and level proceedings. 

Neither side were able to force a late winner as the points were shared at the end of a thrilling contest on the hill. 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, M McGarry, D Smyth (1-0), F Mervyn, B Rice, P Mervyn, D Martin, C Boyd, P Fitzsimons, N McGarry (0-1), D Lynch, A Murray (0-6, 1×0-2pt, 0-2f), M Finnegan (0-2), J Quinn (2-0), J Davitt. SUBS: C Murray (0-1) for C Boyd (12), P Cunningham (0-3, 0-1f) for B Rice (24). 

ALL SAINTS, BALLYMENA: R Stewart, O O’Rawe, M Read, H Connon (1-0), J Rafferty, F Connon, M Downey, E KIllough (1-0), P McReynolds, C Lemon (0-1), J McDonnell (1-1), C Stewart (1×0-2pt), C Campbell, B McDonnell (1-5, 0-2f), R McKIllop (0-1). SUBS: S McDermott for O O’Rawe (37), P Ferris for F Connon (48), P Mitchell for R McKillop (52). 

REFEREE:Fionntan McCotter (SARSFIELDS)

Co Antrim ACFL Division 1

St Mary’s, Aghagallon 1-11 O’Donovan Rossa 1-15

Report and photos by Brian Hamill

O’Donovan Rossa emerged with the points from Aghagallon as their ability to convert from distance proved decisive in an entertaining Division 1 contest.

St Mary’s were driven by Jack Lenehan, whose goal and point anchored a strong home display. Enda McCartan was Aghagallon’s most reliable forward, finishing with four points from play, Stephen Devlin added a points from midfield. John Hannon contributed two points up front and substitute EJ Loughran, who made his senior debut, chipped in with a late score, as the hosts pressed in the closing stages of the first half.

Rossa, however, always carried a threat and made full use of the new scoring rules. Goalkeeper Michael Byrne was central to their success, converting a penalty, adding two points and further two-pointers from placed balls. Their other scores came from forwards; Colm Fleming, Corey Walsh, Eoin  Fleming and from defenders, Niall Crossan and Rory Grant, who both chipped in with a point from the half-back line.

Despite a committed performance from Aghagallon, some defensive mistakes, provided scoring opportunities that sealed the game for Rossa. The visitor’s greater scoring range and accuracy in key moments saw them pull clear late on, to claim a valuable away win.

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Casements  0 – 18 v   1 – 15  St Brigids

As the clock ticks into June, two clubs with championship aspirations later in the year went toe to toe for an hour at a wet O Cahan Park, at the end of which there was nothing to separate two teams who went on to serve up a thriller.

It was a game that ebbed and flowed as the lead changed hands numerous times but few in the crowd could argue with the result which really could have gone either way.

Patrick Finnegan showed his value to his club colours by featuring prominently throughout, starting off strongly with a driving run through the Casements defence to give the visitors an early lead. Paul Bradley doubled that lead a minute later and it was a full seven minutes before the home team could raise a flag, when it did it came from the trusty left boot of Ronan Kelly.

Conan McNicholl and JJ Higgins were lively throughout, this duo opened up the gap to four in favour of the visitors at the end of the first quarter. Casements in return were ponderous and slow to settle but they eventually found their rhythm  and when they did find their purple patch they would reel off seven scores in succession to go into the break five points to the good.

By finishing off the first half strongly maybe Casements thought the corner had turned but the city men had other ideas. Thirty seconds after the resumption Niall Duffy signalled intent when he fired over an excellent point and the next ten minutes belonged entirely to the visitors. A trio of Paul Bradley scores, a duo from James Smyth and valuable white flags from Rueben Carleton Darragh Quinn and Enda Downey completely turned this script on its head, and all momentum was with St Brigids.

Three long range two pointers from the superb Odhran Doherty did manage to keep Casements in the game though and as the contest edged towards its conclusion, and with the lively crowd on its feet any score at either end was to be critical.

Ruairi Hagan pointed from close to the sideline to put the hosts a point up, but almost immediately Enda Downey converted a free to draw level once more. With over 29 minutes played Aidan McAleese broke through for a superb solo effort to the acclaim of the home support who thought Casements were once again celebrating a last minute winner. Not to be though as with the game on the blow St Brigids showed excellent character and came again one very last wave. Referee Cloy Thompson ruled that Niall Duffy had been fouled on the ball, the result being the last action of the game fell to Enda Downey to tap over the equalising free and as they say, that was that.

In what was an absorbing competitive and fast paced game from the start, St Brigids were well served by Rueben Carleton and Aodhan McNicholl in defence, Patrick Finnegan in midfield, and up front where all the forwards looked lively, Niall Duffy, JJ Higgins, Conan McNicholl and Darragh Quinn particularly caught the eye.

Players who caught the eye for Casements include Ruairi Hagan, Aidan McAleese Niall McKeever, Niall Delargy and Paddy Kelly who made a valuable contribution when introduced late on.  They can also thank the accuracy of minor star Odhran Doherty who kicked four doubles and a single to keep Casements in the contest.

Referee Coly Thompson.

Scorers;

Casements; Odhran Doherty 0 – 9, Ronan Kelly 0 – 04, Aidan McAleese 0 – 03, Ciaran McAleese 0 – 01, Tom Duffin 0 – 01, Ruairi Hagan 0 – 01.

St Brigids; Paul Bradley 0 – 04, Darragh Quinn 1 – 00, Enda Downey 0 – 03, JJ Higgins 0 – 02, Conan McNicholl 0 – 01, Patrick Finnegan 0 – 01, Niall Duffy 0 – 01, James Smyth 0 – 02, Reuben Carleton 0 – 01,

Antrim Football League – Division One – Venue: Corrigan Park

St John’s 2-16 | Patrick Sarsfields 2-11

Pics by Philip of @pmc.jpeg

Wednesday evening saw a highly competitive and spirited encounter as Sarsfields made their first trip to Corrigan Park for a league game in over twenty years in Antrim’s top flight

The Paddies opened the scoring through a close-range free from Daniel Smyth following some intense early exchanges in the midfield area, but St John’s quickly responded, with Paddy McBride showing excellent awareness to punch the ball over the bar for an early equalizer.

The first goal of the game arrived when the Johnnies Conchuir Adams took aim for a two-point free. His shortened effort found Ryan McNulty lurking in the danger area, and the big forward confidently fisted the ball into the net to give his team an early boost. Paddy McBride then fired a tremendous effort over his shoulder in a crowded area, firmly putting the hosts in control. When the McBride struck once again, daylight began to appear between the sides and further points from Aaron Oliver and Christopher O’Neill further extended the Johnnies’ lead and put them in control.

However, Sarsfields responded emphatically when Gary Lennon pounced on a loose ball inside the box and lashed it beyond the St John’s goalkeeper. The Stewartstown side found their rhythm, and Jay Maguire added to their tally with a series of scores, including a two-point free that floated perfectly between the uprights despite the miserable, wet conditions.

Just before the break, referee Paddy Tumelty was forced to reduce both sides to 14 men after a player from each side became entangled in a disagreement before the half concluded with St John’s holding a narrow two-point advantage.

Second Half Drama

The competitive nature of the game carried into the second half. Despite both teams being a man down, the open space encouraged hard work and desire from both sides, though the opening four minutes remained scoreless.

Sarsfields broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. A terrific pass from Conor Glenholmes found the oncoming Gary Lennon, who evaded his markers by brilliantly bouncing the ball over their heads to gain an extra step before lashing it into the roof of the net, drawing a massive cheer from the away contingent.

St John’s responded instantly. In a move mirroring their first-half success, Conchuir Adams passed to Ryan McNulty, who punched his second goal into the net.

The sides traded points, with Tomas Skillen curling a terrific effort over the black spot for Sarsfields, which was quickly answered by a well taken score from James Wilson. Sarsfields’ task grew harder when they lost another man, leaving them to fight an uphill battle with 13 men for the final 20 minutes.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Sarsfields battled admirably. Scores from Skillen and Smyth kept St John’s under pressure in the closing stages. However, the hosts eventually kicked on. Points from McBride, paired with a well-struck free from shot-stopper Brian ‘Bam’Neeson, breathed much-needed life into the home crowd.

Glenholmes added a point for the Paddies with help from McPolin, offering a glimmer of hope for a late comeback, but as the minutes waned, St John’s took control. James Wilson added a great point to stretch the lead, and goalkeeper Brian Neeson expertly wrapped up the game with two final points. His first came from a quickly taken free where he jinked past his defender, and his second was a precise strike off his right peg that kissed the upright, sealing a five-point victory.

For St John’s, it marks another strong victory over West Belfast rivals following their recent win over Rossa. They now head to Milltown, where St Galls await for another highly anticipated derby clash this weekend.

Team Lineups & Scorers

St John’s:

• B Neeson 0-3 (0-2F)
• M Darragh, O Jackson, L McCallin
• R Donnelly, C McEvoy 0-1, C O’Neill 0-1
• A Oliver 0-1, S McDonagh
• P McBride 0-6 (0-1F, 1xTP), C Adams, J Wilson 0-2
• O McAuley, R McNulty 2-2, C McGlade

Sarsfields:

• M Brady
• K Barry McArdle, C Laverty, M McPolin
• C Glenholmes 0-1, P McPeake, L Mitchell
• C Moley 0-1, C Murray
• D Smyth 0-3 (0-3F), J Maguire 0-4 (1xTPf), C McDonnell
• T Skillen 0-2, G Lennon 2-0, C McKernan