Category / Division 1

by thesaffrongael

Heenan goal swings it decisively Johnnies’ way

ACFL Division 1

Rossa 0-11 St. John’s 1-13

When the sides headed to the dressing rooms at half time with the scores all square at 0-6 apiece it looked like Rossa were in the stronger position, having played into the breeze in the opening half.

However the home side had been made to work much harder for their scores and it appeared to take its toll as visitors St. John’s took control after the break to push on to win by five points, thanks to a goal from Lorcan Heenan.

Heenan fired past Mick Byrne with virtually his first touch of the ball after entering the game as a second half substitute and despite a late 2 pointer from Byrne for the hosts it was St. John’s who held on for a deserved win.

Hosts, Rossa opened the scoring with a point from Ruairi McDonagh after a sustained period of possession and it would be a feature of their game throughout the opening half.

St. John’s, playing with the wind, were much more direct in their play and after missing a couple of opportunities were back on level terms through Jimmy Wilson in the 8th minute.

Ross Hannigan moved the visitors ahead for the first time before Mick Byrne came forward to convert a free and leave it all square again at the end of a low scoring opening quarter.

Paddy McBride edged the ‘Johnnies’ ahead again with a point in the 19th minute but a great score from Rossa’s Conal McDonald tied it for the fourth time and there was little to separate the sides at this stage.

Rossa had an excellent opportunity to put themselves in the driving seat when a great move sent Rory Grant clear on a one on one with keeper, Pearce Donnelly but the St. John’s keeper advanced to make a good blocking save.

Ruairi McDonagh for Rossa and  Ronan Donnelly for the visitors exchanged further points as play remained fairly even and Mick Byrne from a free and Andy McGowan from play left it finally balanced as half time approached.

A further exchange between Liam McEnhill for the hosts and a fisted score from Paddy McBride saw the sides tied at 0-6 apiece as Darren McKeown sounded his half time whistle and we looked set for a treat in the second half.

It was St. John’s who got off to the better start as the action got underway again with Conal McGlade and Enda McGurk moving them two ahead before Conal McDonald reduced the gap again from a free in 6th minute.

The challenges were going in thick and fast with no quarter asked or given as McBride again moved the Johnnies 2 ahead but Rossa had an excellent opportunity to hit the front again but Michael McEnhill blazed wide from close range.

The miss was to prove costly as Conchur Adams fisted over at the other end and then followed with a pointed free and another from play from Paddy McBride had the visitors five ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Byrne in the Rossa goal made a good save to deny Dana McKeogh as St. John’s attempted to turn the screw and the Rossa keeper then turned poacher himself as he converted a free at the other end.

It proved only temporary relief for the hosts however as St. John’s continued to call the shots with James Wilson replying at the other end before Lorcan Heenan got in for a goal to move the ‘Johnnies’ eight ahead.

It was as good as over at this stage though Rossa kept going to the end but another long range free from Byrne, which raised an Orange flag proved the game’s final score.

A good win by the Corrigan Park men which sees them climb to a respectable mid table position on 8 points while Rossa remain just a point behind them as the league reaches the midway point.

Rossa: 1 Michael Byrne, 2 Mattie McKernan, 3 Padraig Moyes, 4 Fiachra McDonald, 5 Peter Byrne, 6 Niall Crossan, 7 Conal McDonald, 8 Eoghan McMenamin, 9 Liam McEnhill, 10 Michael McEnhill, 11 Dairmaid Rogan, 12 Corey Walsh, 13 Thomas Morgan, 14 Eoin Fleming, 15 Ruairi McDonagh, 16 Rory Grant

Subs: 20 Daire Morgan for Ruairi McDonalgh, 17 Setanta McDonald, 18 Jack McGurk

St. John’s: 1 Pearce Donnelly, 2 Paddy McDonald, 3 Oisin Jackson, 4 Michael Darragh, 5 Ronan Donnelly, 6 Conor McEvoy, 7 Ross Hannigan, 8 Adrian Oliver, 9 Simon McDonagh, 10 Paddy McBride, 11 Conchur Adams, 12 James Wilson, 13 Odhran McAuley, 14 Andrew McGowan, 15 Conal McGlade

Subs: 25 Enda McGurk, 27 Tomas Adams, 17 Lorcan Heenan, 21 Danan McKeogh

Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Faint hope flickers as Carlow come to town

Joe McDonagh Cup – Round 5

Antrim v Carlow

Date: Sunday 24 May

Throw in: 1pm

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast

By Brendan McTaggart

The Antrim team has been named for Sunday’s Joe McDonagh Cup game and Davy Fitzgerald has made a couple of changes from the side who defeated Westmeath.  Ruairi McCormick comes into the defence with Paddy Burke missing out while Joseph McLaughlin gets the nod in attack – Seaan Elliott the man to make way while both he and Paddy Burke aren’t named in the match day squad.

With Carlow already qualified for the final and the chances of Antrim making the final fairly slim, there isn’t much riding on this game.  We would need to see Down defeating Westmeath which is a possibility but we also require London to do us a favour against Laois.  Even then, if those results were to somehow go our way, we would be joined on six points with three other teams.  The best placed team on score difference would finish second so we would need to defeat Carlow with a fair bit to spare.

Is this what it means to clutch at straws?

The Westmeath game was a strange one.  We looked to be home and hosed but our performance levels dropped to let the Lake County back into the game.  It’s not the first time it’s happened this year, if you look at the matches against London and Laois we had periods where the opponents got on top of us.  Against Laois it was the winning of the game for the O’Moore County as we struggled to break their momentum while against London the Exiles finished strongly.  We held a nine point lead at one stage but we managed to see that game through.

The pleasing aspect of the performance last week was how we finished and managed to wrestle control once again.  At the end of both halves, to hit an unanswered 1-5 in a relatively short space of time, showed just how clinical this Antrim team can be.

Jack McCloskey retains his place in the 15 after a bright game last Saturday.  The Loughgiel man looked sharp and was involved in much of the good Antrim produced.  His and all of forwards work rate was exceptional and really pleasing to see.  Chasing in numbers, delivering turnovers in dangerous areas and deflating the opposition while giving your team a shot of adrenaline.  Jack, Conal Cunning and Conal Bohill went through a mountain of work while the stats on Ryan McCambridge GPS would have been off the charts by the time he was taken off late in the game.

Games historically against the Barrowsiders can be eventful.  Who could ever forget that game between these sides in 2017 in the inaugural McDonagh Cup?  An Antrim victory but a match that saw Joe Maskey, Michael Armstrong and Neil McManus sustaining injuries.  When you throw in a couple of red cards and a second half that lasted 50 minutes, calling the match eventful might be an understatement.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that game.  Antrim generally have had the upper hand in recent times, hopefully that same trend continues on Sunday.

by thesaffrongael

Historic Maiden Shield Victory for St Genevieve’s

AB Trophies Camogie Shield Final:

St Genevieve’s Belfast 1-12 | Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 1-5

Sophie O’Hanlon delivered a spectacular performance to crown St Genevieve’s Belfast as AB Trophies Shield champions for the very first time in Portglenone yesterday afternoon.

The Gort na Móna sensation was virtually unplayable, orchestrating a controlled, commanding victory to finally lay the ghosts of last season’s Rosina McManus Cup final defeat to Gaelcholáiste to rest. O’Hanlon racked up an astonishing 1-10, firing over nine frees, adding a sharp point from play, and burying a crucial goal just four minutes before the break to permanently shift the momentum in her team’s favor.

While O’Hanlon rightfully took the Player of the Match plaudits, this historic triumph was built on a monumental, unified squad effort. The west Belfast school’s defence was an absolute fortress, brilliantly marshalled by Eliana Grant and Cady Brennan. Further up the pitch, the relentless, powerful running of captain Ella Cavannagh and Erin Cunningham continually tore through the Dungiven lines.

St Genevieve’s showed immense character and composure from the throw-in. When Gaelcholáiste snatched a point within the opening 30 seconds, O’Hanlon responded instantly, driving her team into a three-point lead by the 10th minute. Even when a momentary lapse allowed Eva Ní Bhrolcháin to scrape a goal and briefly edge Gaelcholáiste ahead 16 minutes in, the St Genevieve’s response was emphatic.

Refusing to let history repeat itself, they hit back immediately. Scores from O’Hanlon and Cunningham swiftly restored order, before O’Hanlon delivered the killer blow—a devastating goal just before half-time that sent St Genevieve’s into the dressing room with a commanding 1-7 to 1-3 lead. From that moment, they never looked back.

The second half was a masterclass in dominance and game management. Kayla Fegan split the posts right after the restart to set the tone, and O’Hanlon mercilessly punished Gaelcholáiste’s indiscipline with three more frees in the third quarter to stretch the lead even further.

When Gaelcholáiste desperately threw everything forward in the final 15 minutes, they ran into an inspired Sophie Johnston. The St Genevieve’s goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to deny the Dungiven side any hope of a revival, restricting them to just two second-half points. With O’Hanlon keeping her team firmly in the driving seat, St Genevieve’s cruised to the final whistle, cementing this squad’s legacy in the school’s history books

Scorers for St Genevieve’s: S O’Hanlon 1-10 (0-9f), E Cunningham 0-1, K Fegan 0-1. Scorers for Gaelcholáiste: E Ní Bhrolcháin 1-2, K Nic Cionnaith 0-2 (f), S Nic Giolla Domhnaigh 0-1.

St Genevieve’s: S Johnston; A Doherty, C Brennan, N McMullan; C Smyth, E Grant, S Rooney; S O’Hanlon, J Whelan; E Cavanagh (capt), A Largey, E Cunningham; A Connolly-Wallace, B Stitt, K Fegan. Subs: A Gallagher for A Doherty, L Gallagher for B Stitt, C Dunne for A Connolly-Wallace, G Stewart for K Fegan, S Rea for N McMullan, K McGinley for C Smyth.

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire: E Nic an tSagairt; C Ní Bhrollaigh, A Nic Cormaic, MK Ní Choinn; C Ní Dhoibhlin, C Nic Conmidhe, R Nic Oscair; AG Harbinson, K Nic Cionnaith; E Ní Bhrolcháin, M Ní hAodha, S Nic Giolla Domhnaigh; G Ní Cheallaigh, Ú Nic Ainmhire, S Ní hEara. Sub: F Ní hEara for S Ní hEara.

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly

by thesaffrongael

Heartbreak for Valiant St Dominic’s in Tense Fr Davies Cup Final

Fr Davies Junior Cup Camogie Final

St Dominic’s, Belfast: 2-5 St Joseph’s, Crossmaglen: 3-4

St Dominic’s suffered cruel heartbreak in Burren yesterday afternoon, narrowly missing out on the Fr Davies Junior Cup after a heroic and relentless performance against St Joseph’s, Crossmaglen. In a tense, nail-biting finish, the Falls Road school pushed the Armagh side to the absolute limit, only to fall agonizingly short in a final for the second consecutive year.

Despite being rocked by two early goals from Crossmaglen’s Aoife Grant in the opening ten minutes, the Belfast side showed immense character. Rather than fold, St Dominic’s launched a spirited fightback. Niamh Keenan stepped up to steady the ship with a pair of brilliant points, shifting the momentum in her team’s favor.

The pressure paid off when a magnificent link-up between Ciara McConnell and Grace Gamble ended with Gamble rattling the back of the net. While Crossmaglen managed to scramble a response through a Christina Coleman goal and a point, St Dominic’s dictated the closing stages of the half. A vital strike from Cara Campbell just before the break perfectly captured their dominance, leaving the score delicately poised at 2-2 to 3-1 at the short whistle.

A Desperate Second-Half Fight

The second half was a remarkably tense, low-scoring affair where St Dominic’s truly showcased their battling spirit. Coming out of the blocks hard in the third quarter, superb points from Cara McAuley and Lucia Murphy thoroughly deservedly tied the game, putting St Joseph’s firmly on the back foot.

Crossmaglen briefly regained the lead through captain Alex Quinn and Grant, but the relentless Niamh Keenan stepped up once more to reduce the deficit to a single point with just five minutes remaining on the clock.

What followed was an absolute siege. St Dominic’s battered the Crossmaglen defense in search of a richly deserved equalizer. They threw everything they had at the Armagh side, but lady luck was not on their side. A phenomenal, desperate save from Crossmaglen goalkeeper Rose Evans denied the Falls Road girls at the death, before a late, relieving free from Grant unfairly skewed the final scoreline, allowing St Joseph’s to escape over the line and into the top flight.

While the sting of consecutive final defeats will hurt, the phenomenal shifts put in by the likes of Niamh Wallace, Lucia Murphy, and Niamh Keenan proved that this St Dominic’s side has the heart, skill, and sheer determination of champions.

Match Scorers

St Dominic’s:

  • Goals: C. Campbell (1-0), G. Gamble (1-0)
  • Points: N. Keenan (0-3, 2f), C. McAuley (0-1), L. Murphy (0-1)

St Joseph’s:

  • Goals: A. Grant (2-3, 0-3f), C. Coleman (1-1)
  • Points: A. Quinn (0-1)

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by thesaffrongael

Five-star Brigid’s claim spoils at Hannahstown 

ACFL Division One 

Lámh Dhearg 2-17-5-14 St Brigids 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Despite being reduced to 14-men for the remaining 10-minutes, St Brigid’s landed two further goals to their three scored in the opening half in their 5-14-2-17 win over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening. 

The South Belfast outfit were first off the mark when Conan McNicholl laid the ball off to Dara Quinn who found Paul Bradley to side foot over, 

Parity was temporarily restored after Jack Davitt popped the ball to Owen McKeown to drop a shot over. 

The game’s opening goal came after seven minutes. JJ Higgins made a driving run forward before fisting the ball into the path of James Smith, he continued his run towards goal and squeezed a low shot into the corner to make it 1-1-0-1. 

It was all too easy for the visitors in the aftermath and he stretched further clear with another three unanswered scores, Conan McNicholl directed a shot high over the bar with Paul Bradley then swinging back-to-back scores. 

A converted Ryan Murray free was followed by another dead-ball, this time Adam Murray kicked a two-pointer to reduce arrears approaching the midway point in the half (1-4 to 0-4). 

Disaster would strike for the hosts again though as St Brigid’s found their second goal in the 17th minute. 

Carving the Lámhs defence open with a move through the hands, a palmed James Smith shot hit the post and went in off Paddy Mervyn into his attempt to clear the danger. 

Points were exchanged between Terry McCrudden and Smith in the aftermath, whilst Adam Murray kicked his second free of the evening, but the Lámhs were all at sea once again and Paul Bradley took full advantage- blasting home in the 25th minute to make it 3-5-0-6. 

Adam Murray was the Lámhs most attacking threat and hit back to three scores before the break, though a two-pointed Reuben Carleton free had St Brigid’s in control at the break with a 3-7-0-9 advantage. 

The Musgrave Park side continued to show their efficiency after the break with Conan McNicholl and Paul Bradley both registering scores. 

Ryan Murray clipped over in response, though Paul Bradley and Aodhan McNicholl opted for fisted scores to put double figures between the sides (3-11-0-10). 

Lámh Dhearg were offered a glimmer of hope when Paddy Mervyn was sandwiched as he was about to try his luck from close range and referee Ray Matthews signalled for a penalty. 

St Brigid’s JJ Higgins

Responsibility fell upon the shoulders of Ryan Murray- who made no mistake, firing low past Feargus Canning in the St Brigid’s goal. 

Owen McKeown then surged forward and popped the ball off to Adam Murray who lined up a two-pointed effort and steered it over to half the deficit. 

Things got better less than 60-seconds later when Conor Murray side-footed a floated pass into namesake Adam’s path and he struck low past Canning to make it 3-11-2-12) with over a quarter of an hour still remaining. 

The pendulum had swung in the Lámhs favour and Ryan Murray kicked his second point of the half to reduce arrears to a single point. 

St Brigid’s would see out the remaining minutes a man light after Aodhan McNicholl caught Marc McGarry with a closed fist in an attempt to win the ball. 

Lámh Dhearg made use of their numerical advantage and hit the front for the first time when substitute Mark Finnegan kicked a two-pointed score. 

However, St Brigid’s regained the lead shortly afterwards when a mark was brought forward 40-metres for a tackle in the aftermath and Reuben Carleton kicked his second two-pointed free of the evening. 

Substitute Oran Boyle doubled his side’s advantage shortly after entering the fray and after playing a patient game with the ball after winning the resulting kick-out a fourth goal was forthcoming courtesy of Finn McKernan. 

Adam Murray gave his side a glimmer of hope again, kicking his third two-pointer off the evening from a free in injury-time, though midfielder Patrick Finnegan put the game beyond doubt with a palmed finish over the head of John Finucane to seal a 5-14-2-17 win at the conclusion. 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, Ross Murray, D Lynch, M McGarry, B Rice, P Mervyn, N McGarry, P Fitzsimons, C Boyd, O McKeown (0-1), T McCrudden (0-1), Ryan Murray (1-3, 0-1f, 1-0p), A Murray (1-10, 0-7f, 2×0-2 ptf, 1×0-2pt), J Quinn, J Davitt. SUBS: D Martin for T McCrudden (29), C Murray for J Quinn (HT), M Finnegan (1×0-2pt) for N McGarry (41). 

ST BRIGID’S: F Canning, A McNicholl (0-1), C King, F McKernan (1-0), B McGurk, P King, R Carleton (0-4f, 2×0-2ptf), J Dowling, P Finnegan (1-0), N Duffy, D Quinn, P Bradley (1-4), C McNicholl (0-2), J Smith (2-2), JJ Higgins. SUBS: O Boyle (0-1) for C McNicholl (56). 
REFEREE: Ray Matthews (O’Donovan Rossa)