Category / Division 1

by thesaffrongael

Lámhs come from behind at Musgrave

Homefit ACFL Division One 

St Brigid’s 1-12 – 1-15 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Musgrave Park 

Lámh Dhearg hit six scores in succession to take control of the second half proceedings and chalk up a fourth straight victory with a 1-15-1-12 win over St Brigid’s at Musgrave Park on Wednesday evening. 

Despite trailing to an early Joseph Finngean goal the Hannahstown side levelled just after the midway point in the opening half through a fortuitous Daire Larkin strike and it was nip and tuck thereafter until they took control with six unanswered second half points to see them home. 

St Brigid’s were first off the mark inside of four minutes at Musgrave Park when Rory Brolly was able to steer the ball into the path of James Smith for a simple conversion in front of the posts. 

The opening goal fell to the hosts inside of the seven minutes and it was route one football, half-back John Toner flighted a high ball out of defence into the path of Rory Brolly who advanced and then guided the ball into the path of Joseph Finnegan whose low shot found the bottom corner to make it 1-01 to no score. 

Lámh Dhearg hit back with a point instantly after Ryan Diamond passed it to Declan Smith off the shoulder and Smith split the posts. 

The game was a bit more of an even contest thereafter with scores exchanged on a regular basis. 

John Toner found the run of Smith who restored his sides four-point advantage- only for Terry McCrudden to convert a free and Rory Brolly who angle over a response. 

Just before the opening half water break Terry McCrudden kicked an advanced mark as Finnegan’s goal was difference during the first quarter of an hour. 

The visitors closed the gap upon the resumption with Diamond and Smith again linking up, following a quick passing move through the hands. 

James Smith kicked his third score of the evening from a free before the visitors pulled level on 19 minutes. 

A fantastic outside of the boot pass from Pearse Fitzsimons was gathered by Daire Larkin who played a one-two with Terry McCrudden before taking on a shot that caught out Kevin McGovern and went in via the post to tie the score up at 1-04 apiece. 

Terry McCrudden would edge his side ahead for the first time through his third converted kick of the evening with Smith restoring parity instantly- kicking an advanced mark. 

James Smith nudged his side back into the lead after a patient passing move concluded with Rory Brolly picking out Smith who sent it high between the posts. 

The sides were level for a third time thanks to a confident Eoin Matassa point and further scores were traded before the break. 

Smith looked to have angled over a point that would have saw his side hold a slender advantage, but Declan Dunne landed a 45’ at the second time of asking to ensure the game was tied 1-07 apiece at the interval. 

St Brigid’s regained the lead upon the restart after Michael Cummings broke the ball down for James Smith to conjure up his seventh point of the evening. 

Terry McCrudden would level with a converted free at the other end before Smith nudged his side ahead for the final time – having passed up a gilt-edged chance from a simple free minutes before, he wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice and guided the ball between the posts. 

Lámh Dhearg got themselves back on level terms again through Cormac Hannan converting an advanced mark from Michael Herron’s pass and after taking the lead shortly after they never looked back. 

A magnificent Declan Dunne free gave them the lead for just the second time and Terry McCrudden doubled it from a more straight forward free a few minutes later. 

McCrudden took his tally to six after substitute Fionn Mervyn had his run halted and going into the final quarter the Hannahstown side were 1-12-1-09 to the good. 

The visitors extended the lead with Cormac Hannan steering over his second point of the evening and Declan Dunne converted his third placed ball of the evening. 

Having conceded six on the bounce St Brigid’s eventually replied and closed the gap to four-points thanks to a converted James Smith free. 

They were then given a numerical advantage for the last few minutes as Cormac Hannan picked up a second booking. 

James Smith would make it back-to-back scores with his tenth score of the contest, but Terry McCrudden replied at the other end. 

Goal scorer Joseph Finnegan landed a further point after a run from deep, however it was to be the final score of the evening as Lámh Dhearg claimed the spoils after a terrific second half showing at Musgrave. 

St Brigid’s: K McGovern, J Morgan, J Toner, S Campbell, N Lundy, C King, R Boyle, M Cummings, J Finnegan (1-01), P King, C McAleer, P Finnegan, P Henvey, J Smith (0-10, 0-03f, 0-01 advanced mark), R Brolly (0-01). Subs: F McKernan for J Morgan (16), P McComiskey for P Henvey (36), P Lundy for N Lundy (46), D Foster for M Cummings (57). 

Lámh Dhearg: M McIlvenny, R Murray, C McVarnock, M McGarry, E Matassa (0-01), P Mervyn, A McAufield, M Herron, P Fitzsimons, D Larkin (1-00), R Diamond, D Smith (0-02), D Dunne (0-03, 0-02f, 0-01 45’), T McCrudden (0-07, 0-06f, 0-01 advanced mark), C Hannan (0-02, 0-01 advanced mark). Subs: F Mervyn for C McVarnock (35), N McGarry for D Larkin (52), C Nolan for M McGarry (58). 

Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona) 

by thesaffrongael

Cargin remain in pole position

Homefit ACFL Division One (round nine)

St John’s 1-10 Cargin 2-14

Table toppers Cargin remain in pole position following a visit to the Whiterock road on Wednesday evening when they continued their winning run to record a 2-14 to 1-10 victory.

The home side were fully expected to ask questions of their visitors but although Paddy Nugent’s men nipped quickly out of the start traps to earn an early advantage such was short lived and the Toome men were quick to find their stride on the Corrigan sod.

With Kevin Mc Shane seizing control in the vital central zone, Ronan Gribbin dominant in the centre back position and Jamie Gribbin calling most of the shots at the sharp end of attack the Toome men had taken a 1-04 to 0-03 lead at the first water break.

A slick approach saw Gribbin fire to the net in the 12th minute after the home side had grabbed a couple of early points via Conal Quinn and a long range Jamie Bellew score.

David Johnston’s had opened the Cargin account in the 5th minute and after Conor Adams had made it 0-03 to 0-01 when he despatched a right sided free between to posts, Mark Kelly quickly replied at the other end.

Jamie Gribbin then added a 12th minute goal after Kevin McShane with John Carron and PJ Quinn to opened the way for the pace laden Gribbin to despatch to the net and ensure advantage for the visitors.

The Toome lads took a few minutes to warm to the task but were now in full flow and further points from PJ Quinn and Pat Shivers saw them head to the break with a five point advantage 1-04 to 0-03.

The home side were reduced in number at an early stage when Pearce Donnelly was shown the line and the Toome men retained absolute control. Kevin McShane was dominating the vital central sector and Jamie Gribbin grabbed a further point after the first break before big Ryan Mc Kernan added a goal.

Pat Shivers, PJ Quinn, and Jamie Gribbin conspired in the approach before the big full forward finished to the net to make it 2-05 to 0-03.

A 21st minute Conor Adams pointed free failed to lift the Johnnie’s and Cargin were to dominate the remainder of the half.

The Toome men were calling the shots and white Jamie Gribbin (2), David Johnston, PJ Quinn, and corner back Paudie Mc Laughlin gave further employment to the scoreboard attendant and at half time they were in almost total command and leading by 2-10 to 0-04.

The home side needed a quick start the second half if they had hopes of fanning the dying embers into life and they opened with an early score as the ever accurate Conor Adams split the posts.

A fine delivery from the young corner man brought reply at the other end as Benen Kelly delivered a majestic point.

Cargin added a further point from the impressive PJ Quinn with the Johnnies replying through a great Padraig Nugent point from 55 metres before Colm Mc Glade followed suit b ut a Paudie McLaughlin point in reply saw Cargin with comfortable 2-13 to 0-07 advantage at the second water break and the issue looked resolved.

St. John’s battled to the end and Conor Adams added an 18th minute point before Padraig Nugent despatched a penalty to the net and Colm Mc Glade followed with a point.

It was too little, too late however and Cargin kept possession to run the clock down with Paul Mc Cann firing between the posts and although Padraig Nugent replied with a late point it was Cargin who crossed the winning line with a 2-14 to 1-10 advantage.

St Johns: E Rua Lambert, Joe Garland, Jack B

Bohill, Conor Carson, Ross Hannigan, Padraig Nugent (1-02), Oisin Donnelly, Ryan Mc Nulty, Ronan Mc Cafferty, Colm Mc Glade (0-02), D Bellew (0-01), Conor Hand, Conor Quinn (0-01), Lorcan Heenan, Conor Adams (0-04)

Dara Mc Callan for C Hand

Pearce Donnelly for O Donnelly

Cargin: Shay Bovill, Gerard Mc Corley, Kevin O’ Boyle, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-02), Benen Kelly (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Sean Og O’ Neill, Kevin Mc Shane, John Carron, Pat Shivers, Mark Kelly (0-01), PJ Quinn (0-03), Ryan Mc Kernan (1-00), Jamie Gribbin (1-03)

Subs

Sean Og Quinn for R Gribbin

Gerard Mc Cann for M Kelly

Brian Og Devlin for S O’ Neill

Paul Mc Cann (0-01) for P Shivers

Conan Kennedy for J Gribbin

Referee C Mc Donald (St Gall’s)

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon’s wait for win continues

HomeFit ACFL Div.1

St. Mary’s Aghagallon 1-7 Rossa 3-8

Report and pics: Eamonn Shanks

St Mary’s wait for a win continues after Rossa brought the points back to the city. Both teams started brightly and while Rossa struggled to convert their early chances with 3 wides from Dominic Mc Enhill – St Mary’s converted their chances with Laim Russell and two from Gareth Magee to earn a three-point lead.

Rossa’s first score came when Liam Carr found himself behind the home defence and as he closed in on goal he elected to fist over the bar. Just before the water break Rossa got their first major of the night when Ruaidhri Currie finished well giving Damian O Hagan no chance.

St Mary’s got a goal of their own on the resumption of play when Conleth Mc Alinden benefited from a mix up in the Rossa defence after a Gareth Magee free.

Dominic Mc Enhill opened his account before the half time break, both from frees. Both teams had goal chances before the break. Jamie Lamont surged forward from midfield and when Hugh Hannon beat his man and played the ball to him, he drove the ball over the bar when he might have gone for goal and the Aghagallon net minder Damien O Hagan made a point blank save from Donal Armstrong to keep the hosts in front at the break.

Half time St Mary’s 1:04 Rossa 1:03

The opening score of the second half was reward for Hugh Hannon who chased back and won the ball on the right-hand side and cut in to score from a tight angle but having opened his account Dominic Mc Enhill added the next two points to bring the sides level.

 Spurred on by this the visitors went on to score two goals before the water break and effectively wrap the game up. Both goals were scored by Sean Donnelly. The first saw him exchange passed with the increasingly effective Mc Enhill, as he approached the goal, he dropped his shoulder and wrong footed the home defence to slip the ball home. His second was the result of perseverance when his first shot hit the foot of the post, he followed up to slide the ball into the net.

Try as they might Aghagallon could not breach the Rossa defence which was marshalled by the hard working Richard Gowdy. Hugh Hannon’s shot was parried to Conleth Mc Alinden but the ball fell behind him and at full stretch he could only steer it inches wide. Jack Lenehan dropped another ball in but it bounced off the cross bar into the grateful hands of Ruairc Murray.  Rossa’s final three scores came from frees from the Mc Enhills – two from Dominic and one from Michael while Conleth Mc Alinden and  Pauric Maginnis got St Mary’s last two points.

St Marys: D O Hagan, S Devlin, A Mulholland, C Mc Grath, M Mc Stravick, R O Neill, S Donnelly, J Lenehan, J Lamont (0:01), L Russell (0:01), G Magee (0:02 1f), M Mc Afee, C Mc Alinden (1:01), H Hannon (0:01),

D Mc Alernon

Subs: P Maginnis (0:01)

Rossa: C Mc Donald, P Moyes, G Mc Grath, C Orchin, R Gowdy, R Murray, C Mc Gettigan, E Mc Menamin, L Carr (0:01), S Donnelly(2:00), A Devlin, D Armstrong, D Mc Enhill (0:06 4f) R Currie (1:00)

Subs : M Mc Enhill (0:01F)

Referee:

by thesaffrongael

Kelly hat-trick paves the way for Casement’s victory

Homefit ACFL Division One

Casement’s Portglenone 7-12 St Mary’s Aghagallon 1-07

A Stephen Kelly hat trick initiated in the opening period and completed in the third quarter was the prominently feature as the Bannsider’s returned to winning ways with a resounding victory over Aghagallon at Kelly Park on Sunday.

The home side took a time to find their feet and in fact they had recorded a wide tally reaching double figures before the end of the first period.

 A 14th minute Ruairi Hagen goal steadied the ship however and further goals from full forward Stephen Kelly (2-0), and Michael Hagen ensured a more than healthy 4-04 to 1-02 interval advantage.  

Aghagallon with pace aplenty from Ruairi McShane and Michael McStravick showed a clean pair of heels to the home side’s on more than one occasion and had looked very much in contention in the latter stages of the opening half when Stephen Brannigan bagged a splendid 25th minute goal.

At such juncture the home side were 1-04 to 1-02 ahead but they put an error strewn period behind them as Stephen Kelly found the net following a Ryan Convery approach in the 26th minute.

Full forward Kelly added another major a couple of minutes later and when Michael Hagen grabbed their fourth they had moved into a 4-04 to 1-02 interval lead as the sides took a well-deserved break in the hot conditions.

Aghagallon had the breeze behind them for the second half but it was the Casements men who were quicker out of the start blocks as Oisin Doherty and Michael Hagen added points before mid-fielder Fergal O’ Kane opened the way for Aiden McAleese to punch to the net.

The wing half forward was to claim the resultant kick out and promptly return post haste between the posts before a clever flick set up Stephen Kelly to finish to the back of the net to complete his hat trick.

The die was now well and truly cast with Portglenone now 6-07 to 1-02 ahead and it was as good as over, even at this stage.

Aghagallon replied with back to back points from Pat Brannigan and Michael Mc Stravick before the home side were reduced in number when late replacement Coary McLoughlin was shown black.

It failed to disrupt the Portglenone dominance however as Stephen Kelly, Ryan Doherty, and Conor Magee raised white flags in sequence.

It was over as a contest at this stage but the visitors soldiered on with the excellent Jack Lenaghan leading the charge as he followed Pat Brannigan, Michael Mc Stravick by splitting the posts.

 The home side had the final say however as Stephen Kelly added a late point before setting up Ryan Convery’s to add a late goal.

Casement’s: Ryan O’Neill, Jonny Convery, Shane Delargy, Ronan Delargy, Ryan Convery (1-01), Ruairi Hagen (1-00), Conor Magee (0-01), Ciaran Lynch, Fergal O’ Kane, Aiden Mc Aleese (1-03), Michael Kelly (0-02), Caolan Tierney, Michael Hagen (1-02), Stephen Kelly (3-02), Oisin Doherty (0-01)

Subs

Ciaran Mc Kenna for C Tierney

Gerard Mc Aleese for M Hagen

Patrick Graffin for R Hagen

Corey Mc Laughlin for F O’ Kane

Paddy Kelly for M Kelly

Aghagallon: Conor Mc Kavanagh, Stephen Devlin, Aiden Mulholland, Seannen Donnelly, Jamie Lamont, Rian O’ Neill, Stephen Brannigan (1-00), Jack Lenehan (0-02), Mark Mc Afee, Ruairi Mc Shane (0-01), Michael Mc Stravick (0-03), Hugh Hannon, Pat Brannigan (0-01)

Subs

Chris Mc Grath for J Lamont (inj)

Referee K Doherty (Rasharkin)

C Mc Aleese for N Mc Shane

C Hamill for L Russel

Referee: Karl Doherty (Rasharkin)

by thesaffrongael

Healey inspired St. Enda’s victory

HomeFit ACFL Div.1

Casement’s Portglenone 0-12 St. Enda’s 2-8

St Enda’s came to O Caillagh Park very much the underdogs for this round 8 league encounter, the hosts on the back of three successive victory’s that hoisted them into the top four.

Someone forgot to tell the visitors that though and it was all the city men in yellow and black for the opening quarter, with Donal Walsh and Cormac Scott putting two majors past the defenceless Ryan O Neill to give St Enda’s a commanding lead at the first water break. 

The gap extended to seven by the time Eamon Mc Auley blew the half time whistle, with pacey Kristian Healy involved in every move, no doubt astounded by the fact he was left as a free agent for most of the hour. 

Casements management made four changes at the break, the impressive Corey Mc Laughlin seizing his opportunity to remind home supporters of his undoubted talent leading from the front.

The gap began to shrink as Casements started to control the exchanges but another Cormac Scott point from distance left a bit of breathing space in favour of a very determined and well drilled St Enda’s.

Try as they may, Casements could only narrow the deficit to two, despite several opportunities to restore parity, but it was the Glengormley side who held firm to take two very worthy points back up the M2.

For Casements only Corey Mc Laughlin in the second period caught the eye and man of the match was indisputably Kristian Healy who made the three hundred mile round trip from Dublin worth every yard.

Portglenone: Ryan O Neill, Jonny Convery, Shane Delargy, Ronan Delargy, Ryan Convery, Michael Kelly, Conor Mc Ghee, Fergal O Kane, Calum Lynch, Aidan Mc Aleese, Gerard Mc Aleese, Caolan Tierney, Michael Hagan, Paddy Kelly, Oisin Doherty.

Subs used Corey McLaughlin, Ruairi Hagan, Ronan Kelly, Ciaran McKenna, Colin Lordan and Stephen Kelly.