IFC Group 2 Round 3

St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1-20 Naomh Padraig 1-12

When Naomh Padraig Lisburn scored 1-4 in the closing stages of the opening half to close the gap to a single point we looked to be in for a tight contest. It failed to materialise however as St. Mary’s Ahoghill came out firing on all cylinders after the break to win with something to spare.

The Lisburn men couldn’t live with their pace and slick movement and wouldn’t raise another flag until the 21^st minute by which time the Ahoghill side had moved 13 points clear.

Naomh Padraig never gave up and finished the second half as they did the first but by that time the contest had been decided as St. Mary’s made it two from two and look likely to qualify for the play-offs.

Dan O’Neill got the home side off the mark with a point in the 1^st minute and three more from James O’Connell in reply to a point from Che Smyth had the men in red 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 11^th minute.

Dan O’Neill added his second of the evening and when Patrick Dougan placed Colla McDonnell for the game’s opening goal in the 20^th minute following a slick build-up, it was looking like a long night for the visitors.

The impressive Dan O’Neill brought his total for the evening to 0-3 to move St. Mary’s 8 ahead before Jude Rafferty struck a 2 pointer of the ground to finally bring a response from the Lisburn side.

Tom Buckley added another from play and then the visitors were awarded a penalty which Conor Doran converted after 29 minutes and an injury time point from Rafferty had it back to one and the game had been turned on its head.

Whatever was said in the home dressing room during the interval seemed to work as St. Mary’s emerged with the wind in their backs to produce a scintillating 20 minutes of football that their opponents couldn’t simply live with.

Ronan Graham kicked a 2 pointer and Ahoghill looked certain to find the net but Conor O’Neill came bravely off his line to deny Colla McDonnell before Eamonn Brady raced half the length of the field to raise another Orange flag.

James O’Connell added another from distance and points from Patrick Dougan and Paul Crossey had the hosts 9 ahead with 12 minutes of the new half gone.

It was looking extremely bleak for the visitors as James O’Connell raised another Orange flag and points from Conor Crossey and his brother Noel had the Ahoghill lead out to 13 as the game entered the final quarter.

Jude Rafferty struck his second 2 pointer of the ground to finally get the Lisburn men going again with nine minutes remaining andf Naomh Padraig did finish strongly while never really looking like turning the game in their favour.

Conor Ward, Jude Rafferty, Sean Burns and another Orange flag raised by the impressive Rafferty closed the gap to a respectable six but St. Mary’s reasserted themselves in the closing stages with James O’Connell from a free and Tom McGlone concluding the scoring.

At time St. Mary’s looked very impressive and their pace and power coupled with their scoring power was right out of the top drawer and their opponents were left chasing shadows.

Naomh Padraig deserve great credit for keeping going and were rewarded with a flurry of late scores in both halves but it wasn’t enough and the Lisburn side find themselves bottom of Group 2 and cannot now qualify.

Ahoghill: 1 Ryan Martin, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Eoin Graham, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Tom McGlone, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Paul Crossey, 14 James O’Connell, 15 Colla McDonnell

Subs: Donal Graham, Noel Crossey, Ryan McPeake

Naomh Padraig: 1 Conor O’Neill, 2 Conor Doran, 3 Sean Burns, 5 Eamonn Doyle, 6 Ben McMullan, 7 Che Smyth, 8 Tom Buckley, 10 Colm Burns, 13 Brendan McGarr, 14 Conor Ward, 15 Jude Rafferty, 17 Joshua Wilson, 18 Conor Ewing, 20 Jack McGurk, 25 Rudi Smyth

Subs: Daire Austin, Francis McMeel

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

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OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Group Two – Round Two

Sunday 9^th August

Report by Niall Kelly 

St Enda’s 1-10    St Patrick’s, Lisburn 0-04

Naomh Éanna made it two wins from two and are now perched nicely atop Group Two. In a game where both teams were perhaps not at their prolific best in front of the uprights, Fionn Nagle proved to be the difference maker, firing 1-04 of his team’s total. The hosts inflicted most of their damage in the second and third quarters respectively. A flurry of four unanswered points before Sean Elliot’s short whistle was followed by a blistering start to the second half as Nagle fired over a superb two pointer before finishing emphatically to the net four minutes after the restart to all but put the game out of the visitor’s reach.

The hosts opened the scoring on the fifth minute courtesy of an Odhran Eastwood free as a result of a breach. Eastwood would then turn provider as Mickey Morgan fired over from close range to double their lead thanks to some quick hands in a well-constructed move involving Kristian Healy.

Despite the Hightown men enjoying the lion’s share of the early possession, Lisburn were unfazed and were deploying the high ball in route in an attempt to unlock their opponent’s defence which began to cause a few problems. However, they would break their duct on the thirteenth minute thanks to a different approach as a slaloming run from Josh McMullan created enough space for the talented centre-back to slot over.  Tom Buckley then curled over from a close range free to level the game at two points apiece with the game back in the melting point.

Both sides wrestled to gain the ascendancy and in truth were each guilty of a few wayward efforts after promising approach play. Nevertheless, the hosts finally found their range in the closing ten minutes of the half as they surged four clear before the interval. A soaring effort from Kristian Healy on the twentieth minute was followed moments later by Nagle’s first of the day thanks to a fine pass from Michael McKenna.

The men in black and yellow were purring nicely now as they probed the Lisburn rearguard for gaps and hit their opponents with another quick two scores. Odhran Eastwood doubled his tally from the placed ball before Nagle struck again adding the gloss to finish a flowing fast-break as the teams retreated to the changing rooms at the interval with the score 0-06 0-02 in favour of the hosts.

The second half exploded into life as Michael McKenna, who was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors, once again unlocked the Lisburn defence with a pinpoint pass into Nagle who unleashed the score of the game from well beyond the arc to increase the deficit to six.

Moments later, that man was at it again, as the formidable number eight latched onto a through ball from Eastwood on the thirty-fifth minute and found himself baring down on Conor O’Neill’s goal before thundering home emphatically much to the delight of the adoring home crowd. Eastwood would then grab himself another as he was evaded his man to seize possession of Padhraig O’Hare’s mishit free before arcing over with aplomb to increase his side’s lead to ten.

With the margin now looking increasingly ominous for the Kirkwoods Road side, they suddenly sprang to life as Adam Patterson sent over a towering effort from just inside the arc before following up moments later with another. However, try as they might, they just couldn’t capitalise on this momentum and despite some intricate approach play, they were foiled by the accuracy of their final ball.

With the game into the final quarter, there was somewhat a lull as the wide count grew for both sides. Neither could be faulted for effort though as the big hits kept coming, keeping referee Sean Elliot on his toes. After a scoreless fifteen minutes, there was just enough time on the clock for corner back Sean McBride to put the icing on the cake for his side as he found himself in unchartered territory amongst the Lisburn rear-guard and pointed with the composure of a seasoned full-forward.

In truth, the league winners always seemed to exert a measure of control in this one and the result seemed a foregone conclusion after Nagle’s major in the opening exchanges of the second period. However, they will certainly seek to recapture their usual ruthlessness in front of the posts which was at times missing today. Lisburn fought bravely but just couldn’t establish a foot-hold in the game for long enough and missing a few important components of their side made the task a much tougher ask. They will desperately look to change their fortunes in their next outing against Ahoghill as progression to the knockouts now seems to be slipping away.

Teams:

St Enda’s:

Senan Nagle; Cillian Browne, Diarmuid McNulty, Sean McBride (0-01;) Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Eoghan O’Hare; Fionn Nagle (1-04),  Mickey Morgan (0-01;) Michael McKenna, Stephen O’Connor, Padhraig O’Hare; Odhran Eastwood (0-03,) Kristian Healy (0-01,) Séan Neilan

St Patrick’s Lisburn:

Conor O’Neill; Conor Doran, Sean Burns, Josh McMullan (0-01;) Eamonn Doyle, Ben McMullan, Joshua Wilson; Tom Buckley (0-01,) Adam Patterson (0-02;) Colm Burns, Conor Ewing, Daire Austin; Brendan McGarr, Owen Drayne, Jude Rafferty

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IFC Group 2

St. Mary’s Ahoghill 5-13 St. Joseph’s Glenavy 1-21

St. Mary’s Ahoghill and St. Joseph’s Glenavy produced a thriller at Cloney on Saturday in this Group 1 IFC contest with the result in the balance until late in the game.

In a very even opening half it was St. Mary’s who made the early running and Tom McGlone got on the end of a pass from Colla McDonnell to fire to the net in the opening minute.

Glenavy replied through a Finn Shannon point but a James O’Connell point from play and another from a converted free moved the Cloney men four ahead before Finn Shann responded from a well struck 2 point free.

Eamonn Brady and James O’Connell moved the home side four ahead again and then a terrible mix-up between Luke Devereaux and Paddy Fox as James O’Connell challenged, saw the ball trickle to the St. Joseph’s net to move Ahoghill 24 to 0-4 ahead after 11 minutes.

Luke Devereaux and Paddy Fox collide with James O’Connell with the ball trickling to the visitors net

The visitors looked in trouble but to their credit they regrouped and the impressive Michael Morgan soloed through for a goal and a point from Finn Shannon and another from James Monaghan closed the gap to two at the end of the opening quarter.

Suddenly it was the Chaple Hill side who were calling the shots with the movement of James Monaghan and Finn Shannon opening up gaps in the Ahoghill defence and keeper Devereaux came forward to convert a free to level the contest.

The visitors continued to press and Michaerl Morgan and Darragh Doherty moved them two ahead before Colla McDonnell replied for the hosts to close the gap to one by the 24^th minute.

Another Luke Devereaux conversion, this time a 2 pointer had the visitors three in front and seemingly in control but it was St. Mary’s who finished strongly with James O’Connell 0-2 (frees) and another from play leaving it all square at the break.

Whatever was said in the St. Mary’s dressing room at the break seemed to do the trick as the home side adopted a high press on the restart and it certainly unsettled the Glenavy men.

Ronan Graham and Jimmy McGlone both shot wide before a turnover in the Glenavy defence sent Colla McDonnell in for his side’s third goal with James O’Connell pointing with his right foot to move the hosts 4 ahead.

Finn Shannon palmed over at the other end in reply and Glenavy looked in for a goal of their own but Ryan Martin came bravely off his line to deny Pearse O’Neill and the ball was cleared to safety.

Michael Johnston, Glenavy wins possession from Eamonn Brady

Back came the Cloney side as the high press continued to pay dividends and Dan O’Neill and Conor Crossey goaled within a minute of each other to leave Ahoghill in a seemingly unbeatable position with only 10 minutes of the new half gone.

James O’Connell added a point but slowly the visitors began to get to grips again with Finn Shannon converting a free and adding another from play and when free taking specialist, Devereaux converted 2 more 2 pointers the lead had been reduced to 2 with 8 minutes remaining.

St. Mary’s were very much in need of a response and Ronan Graham provided it from a pointed free and James O’Connell added another to put a little bit of daylight between the sides.

Glenavy went route one as they went in search of a much needed goal and Ciaran Loney climbed to challenge Ryan Martin but the ball crept over, much to the relief of the home side.

As the game edged into time added on Glenavy continued to press but were punished for a breach and Jimmy McGlone kept his cool to send over the insurance point and get his side of to a winning start in Group 1.

Ahoghill keeper, Ryan Martin comes out bravely off his line to deny Pearse O’Neill

Ahoghill: 1 Ryan Martin, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Eoin Graham, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Tom McGlone, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Eoin Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Conor Paul Crossey, 14 James O’Connell, 15 Colla McDonnell.

Subs: Donal Graham, Martin Graham

Glenavy: 16 Luke Devereaux, 21 Michael Fox, 2 Ruairi Forester, 3 Padhraic McKevitt, 24 Paddy Fox, 5 Michael Johnston, 6 Conor Hamill, 8 Darragh Doherty, 9 Ciaran Loney, 11 Paddy Gallagher, 12 Pearse O’Neill, 15 Finn Shannon, 23 Michael Morgan, 22 James Monaghan

Subs: Darragh Brown, Darragh Armstrong, Ryan Phillips,

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghsll)

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IFC Group 1

St. Teresa’s 3-15 Davitt’s 0-10

Following their opening day defeat to Gort na Mona, a polished St. Teresa’s got their first win in Group 1 of the Intermediate Football Championship when they recorded an emphatic win over Michael Davitt’s on the Glen Road on Friday night.

The home side produced a polished performance as they moved the ball around confidently and a goal from Conor Mallon in the 3d minute gave them a lead they would not subsequently lose.

The visitors got back on level terms by the 9^th minute with Sean Smyth converting a couple of close range frees and Caomhan O’Neill another from play but they failed to build on that early momentum.

Instead it was St. Teres’a who found another gear with Sean Maguire and Peirce O’Rawe both raising the Orange flag before Niall McCann drilled an unstoppable shot from 25 meters into the top corner of the Davitt’s net in the 18^th minute.

Sean Smyth who recorded 0-7 from frees for Davitt’s but ended on the losing side

The smart movement off the ball by the home side was causing endless problems for Davitt’s who were struggling to gain meaningful possession  and Darren McCann, Anton Taylor and McCann again sent over points to move them 2-7 to 0-3 ahead by the 24^th minute.

Sean Smyth briefly relieved the pressure with his third free of the evening but it was St. Teresa’s who finished on top and Conor O’Rawe and John Mallon tagged on late points to leave them 2-9 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

With the breeze now at their backs, Davitt’s were expected to stage a comeback in the second half but it never really materialised as St. Teresa’s continued to dominate.

Conor Mallon got them going again with a point in the 4^th minute before a 2 pointer free from Sean Smyth and a single effort from the same player closed the gap to 9 by the 6^th minute but they failed to build on it.

Indeed it was the Glen Road side who returned to the offensive and they might have had a third goal but Darren McCann’s well struck effort cannoned off the bar with only the keeper to beat and was cleared to safety.

Smyth from another free brought his total for the evening to 0-7 and a fine effort from play by Michael Connolly in the 11^th minute briefly hinted at something better from the Falls Road side but it just didn’t happen.

Anton Taylor, St. Teresa’s gets his shot away as his side defeated Davitt’s in the IFC on Friday night.

It was their hosts who again take control with Conor Mallon kicking a couple of excellent points and when Niall McCann’s attempt at goal rebounded of the crossbar into the arms of Anton Taylor he finished to the net from close range.

Darren McCann and Zach Morgan concluded the scoring with later points for the home side with substitute Marcas Toner hitting a consolation point for the Davitt’s Park side.

This win moves St. Teresa’s into second place on 2 points from 2 starts behind Aldergrove and Gort na Mona who both have a game in hand and leaves Davitt’s bottom of the group after 2 rounds of games.

St. Agnes, who have yet to play entertain St. James tomorrow (Saturday) while Davitt’s travel to Woodlands to take on the ‘Aggies’ on Friday 21^st August and will see this as an opportunity to open their Group 1 account.

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Aodhan Dougan, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Ryan Mallon, 5 Conor Mallon, 6 Eoin Connolly, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 Sean Maguire, 9 Colm McGoldrick, 10 Darren McCann, 11 Conor O’Rawe, 12 Pierce O’Rawe, 13 John Mallon, 14 Niall McCann, 15 Anton Taylor.

Subs: Phillip Maguire, Zachary Morgan,

Davitt’s: 1 Ryan McAuley, 2 Conor Toner, 3 Nathan Maginn, 4 Caomhin Rainey, 5 James Lindsay, 6 Deaglan Mooney, 7 Jack Scally, 8 Anthony Rowntree, 9 Michael Connolly, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Conor John Sullivan, 12 Brady Maguire, 13 Padraig McParland, 14 Sean Smyth, 15 Caomhan O’Neill,

Subs: 18 Sean Lindberg, 19 Oskar Devy |Persson,  

25 Marcas Toner, 23 Conor Maguire

Referee: Paddy Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

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